Nintendo is expected to release the compact version of the Nintendo Switch on September 20th, just in time for the holiday season. This new handheld gaming device is the Nintendo Switch Lite. This new device is a step down from the original Switch as the name suggest, but all isn’t lost with this new gaming device.
The Lite version will be unable to have the controller detach, it will be unable to connect to your TV through a USB-C cable, and has a slightly smaller screen. This raises some questions on what “Switch” really means with this device, as it will be unable to switch and will be handheld at all times. Nintendo believes that there is a market for this new gaming system, and expects it to do well competing against the big brother gaming system. The Switch Lite will be $100 cheaper than the original, which will certainly help drive sales.
The Lite will come in three new colors which are yellow, grey, and turquoise. The screen is now 5.5”, slightly smaller than the 6.2-inch Switch. The difference shouldn’t be huge in gameplay, but you will see a difference in the small texts you need to read often throughout gameplay. The battery life on the Switch Lite is expected to be 20-30% better than the original as well.
This is all great for Nintendo, but what does this mean for the Labo VR fans that have fallen in love with their switch in the makeshift headset? Well, it isn’t great news. The Nintendo Switch Lite will not be supporting the Nintendo VR headsets. This comes as a shock because of how easy it is to setup the Labo yourself, and the simplicity of the designs and hardware. We are not sure if it is lack of internal power with the Switch Lite or if it is the lack of cardboard specifications. We do know that they need to make a change to it.
Nintendo has yet to make any comments on whether the company is planning to make this new Switch compatible with the Labo sets. The Labo set isn’t anything special when it comes to virtual reality, but it is compatible with very popular Switch games. It is surprising that the company doesn’t have any plans to make the new Switch compatible, as the company has recently said they “haven’t fallen behind” in virtual reality technology.” That is an interesting take from the company that doesn’t have an official VR headset out just yet.
Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto recently was at a shareholders Q&A and stated that “We have not fallen behind with either VR or network services. We worked on them from the very beginning, and have been experimenting with them in a variety of ways.”
He later went onto say that “Because we don’t publicize this until we release a product, it may look like we’re falling behind. In regards to VR, we think that we have created a product that is easy for our consumers to use in the recently released Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit. Nintendo consumers encompass a wide range of ages, including young children, so we will continue to create and announce products that can be enjoyed by anyone.”
Although the headset making is open to everyone, the amount of content, and good content, is certainly lacking on this platform. We hope to see Nintendo Switch gears quickly and start putting more work into their virtual reality side of business, as many know and believe that VR is the future of gaming.
