Nintendo announces new $199 handheld-only Switch, the Switch Lite

Nintendo announced a new model of the Switch, the Switch Lite. It is a handheld-only, one-piece model that will cost $199.

The Switch Lite will play any Switch game that supports handheld mode. The screen is slightly smaller —  5.5-inch compared to the 6.2-inch of the regular Switch.  The Switch Lite is also lighter, 0.61 pounds versus 0.88 pounds.

It will be available for purchase on September 20. It comes in three colors — yellow, turquoise, and gray.

Is the Switch Lite worth $199?

I’ve been putting off buying a Nintendo Switch. Mainly because I’m reluctant to blow money on yet another video game console I will not use. Xbox One, I’m talking about you. That said, the Switch appeals to me because it’s a handheld game. I could play it on the couch while half-watching Dateline or Judge Judy. I normally play Candy Crush on my iPhone when half-watching TV. Instead of crushing candies and possibly exacerbating my type 2 diabetes, I’d rather play games on a real handheld game console. Seeing what the Switch Lite has to offer, I don’t think it’s worth $199.

Let me rephrase that. I think I’d rather pay a hundred dollars more for a bigger screen, removable controllers, and the ability to connect it to a TV. Even if I never connect a Switch to a TV, I don’t want to sacrifice the ability to do it.

In conclusion

It’s been rumored Nintendo was going to release new models of the Switch. Now that I’ve seen what Nintendo’s new Switch model has to offer, I think I will go ahead and buy a regular Nintendo Switch. I think what bothers me the most about the Switch Lite is the smaller screen. If anything, because it cannot connect to a TV, the screen should be larger, not smaller.