Nintendo announces the Nintendo Switch Lite

Gasp!  Pretend to be surprised.  Nintendo this morning has officially revealed what has been rumored for a while, and more or less leaked quite some time ago — a streamlined, cheaper portable-only iteration of the Nintendo Switch dubbed the Nintendo Switch Lite.

The $199.99 device will launch on September 20th, 2019 and will be available in 3 colors, yellow, gray and turquoise, along with a special Pokémon Sword and Shield-themed Zacian and Zamazenta Edition which launches on November 8th, 2019.

The Switch Lite is smaller, has integrated controls , no kickstand and does not support video output to a TV, which means there’s neither a dock or an HDMI cable. Players can actually wirelessly connect additional Joy-Con controllers to the Switch Lite if need be, and there will apparently be some game restrictions as well, which are highlighted on the official site’s comparison chart.

Have a look at the announcement video below and check out some product and lifestyle shots too.

Nintendo Switch Lite shots:

First Look at Nintendo Switch Lite: New Addition to the Nintendo Switch Family:

In a video today, Nintendo introduced Nintendo Switch Lite, a device designed specifically to play Nintendo Switch games in handheld mode. The Nintendo Switch Lite system launches Sept. 20 at a suggested retail price of $199.99 and will be available in three different colors: yellow, gray and turquoise. A carrying case and screen protector set for Nintendo Switch Lite will also be available.

?Adding Nintendo Switch Lite to the lineup gives gamers more color and price point options,? said Nintendo of America President Doug Bowser. ?Now consumers can choose the system that best suits how they like to play their favorite Nintendo Switch games.?

The flagship Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017 and offers three different play modes: playing in TV mode by placing the system into a Nintendo Switch dock, playing cooperatively or competitively in tabletop mode by sharing Joy-Con controllers and playing in handheld mode. The system comes with either Gray Joy-Con controllers or Neon Red and Neon Blue Joy-Con controllers.

Nintendo Switch Lite has integrated controls and is smaller than the flagship version of Nintendo Switch. It has no kickstand and, as a dedicated handheld gaming device, does not support video output to a TV. Therefore, it does not come with a dock or HDMI cable. For a full list of the differences between Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/compare.

The new device can play all games in the robust Nintendo Switch library that support handheld mode*, although some games will have restrictions. Compatible game modes will be listed on the back of game packaging and in Nintendo eShop.

Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite owners can get together to enjoy compatible multiplayer titles like Super Mario Maker 2, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate together via Nintendo Switch Online** or local wireless multiplayer***.

For additional information about Nintendo Switch Lite, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/lite/.

* For games that support tabletop mode, players can wirelessly connect Joy-Con controllers (sold separately) to Nintendo Switch Lite. In these cases, users will need to have a device to recharge Joy-Con controllers, such as the Joy-Con Charging Grip.
**Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account required for online play. Not available in all countries. Internet access required for online features. Terms apply. nintendo.com/switch-online
***Additional systems and software required.