Nintendo's Switch Lite is exactly what it needs to be

There's really no mystery or surprise with the Switch Lite.

Nintendo promised a smaller and exclusively portable version of its hit gaming machine, and that's exactly what it has delivered. The Lite doesn't do anything its bigger sibling doesn't, but it gives Nintendo fans a cheaper and in some ways more welcoming hardware alternative.

Let's start with some basic stats. The Switch Lite can't output to a TV and is roughly 33 percent smaller and slightly lighter than a standard Switch. The size difference doesn't amount to much on the battery life side of things. Nintendo says the big Switch maxes out at 6.5 hours while the Switch Lite maxes out at 7 hours.

In practice, I found the two to be roughly comparable. Battery life is always dependent on what you're playing and the screen's brightness level. With both the Switch and the Switch Lite I got roughly the same amount of battery drain in equal-length sessions of Untitled Goose Game. In practical terms, you'll get far less than 6-7 hours of gaming if you're playing a serious game – but the time likely won't change much between Switch and Switch Lite.

The Lite features built-in controls rather than the bigger model's removable Joy-Cons. It also lacks its sibling's kickstand, which means there's a proper cover for the microSD card slot now. (The big Switch hides its microSD slot underneath the kickstand, which can snap off easily. So this is a big improvement.)

The absence of detachable Joy-Cons also means that Switch Lite loses all rumble and IR features. That immediately renders a small handful of games and experiences incompatible with the Lite, including the minigame collection 1-2-Switch, all Labo products, and the upcoming Ring Fit.

You also lose motion controls in the Switch Lite bargain, so any games that require the feature are out as well. I can't think of any major titles offhand where it's a requirement, but motion controls do enhance a number of popular Switch releases, notably Splatoon 2. It's something to think about.

There's good news, though. Even though the Lite doesn't natively support any of the features mentioned above, it does allow you to pair and use other Nintendo controllers, including Joy-Cons. So if you really want to play with Ring Fit on a Switch Lite, you can spend a little more money (or use Joy-Cons you already own) to make that happen.

Of course, that introduces some difficulties as well. With no kickstand, there isn't an easy way to prop up your Switch Lite like it's some kind of mini-TV. That's not really what this hardware is for, to be clear; it's a portable machine, first and foremost. But if it's the only Switch you own, you'll have to get creative if you want to interact with the full breadth of the Switch software catalog.

Here's the good news: the missing features on Switch Lite ultimately impacts very few games. There are those fans who would argue that things like rumble, IR, and motion sensitivity are barely necessary. If you fit into that group, there's a lot to like here.

The $200 Nintendo Switch Lite plays all existing Switch games, like "Super Mario Odyssey". Credit: nintendo

I'd even go further and say that Switch Lite one-ups its sibling in a number of more significant ways. It's considerably more comfortable to hold and play with as a portable device, for one. The big Switch is good enough in portable mode, but it's hard to go back once you hold the Lite. It just plain fits into a wider variety of hand sizes, and more comfortably.

The directional pad is also a big improvement, a factor that should delight anyone who enjoys playing old NES (and now, SNES) games on Switch. The big Switch splits the D-pad into four separate buttons, but it's the more traditional cross shape on the Lite, a much better setup for those old school games.

Then there's the price. At $199, the Lite costs a full $100 less than its big sibling. It's a fantastic deal when you consider the fact that, for any feature sacrifices, the Switch Lite will still play the biggest Nintendo games out there right now with no problem. And if you ever do miss the few games that aren't Lite-friendly, they're always just a Joy-Con pairing away.

If Nintendo gaming is still something you absolutely demand to have on your TV, the Switch Lite isn't for you. It is, however, a great second Nintendo purchase for anyone who already owns a TV-connected Switch but wants something a little more portable. You can't shove this thing into your pocket, and you'll still probably want to buy a case. But adding a Lite to your collection brings you the best of both worlds.

For first-time Switch buyers, I would personally recommend a Lite. Unless you have a specific reason for wanting the bigger one – say, for big families or Nintendo super-fans for whom playing on a TV is preferable – the Lite is just a better piece of hardware. It's not without some sacrifices, but those absences are more than made up for in the enhanced portability and comfort.