11 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your New Switch Lite

Congratulations on the new Switch Lite! Now let's get to work. Whether you got a Switch Lite as a gift this holiday season or you picked one up yourself, setting it up is a breeze but there are a couple of things you should know. First off: Oh my god it's so cute, right?

If you got the regular Nintendo Switch instead, we have a selection of tips tailored for that experience you can check out here. OK, OK, let's get to it.

The first thing you should know about the Switch Lite is that it can't do everything the full-size Nintendo Switch can do. It can do most of the same things—the important stuff like play most of the same games and use the same accounts and controls—but there are a few features that have been omitted to make the Lite a bit smaller and sleeker than its larger sibling.

For instance, there are no Joy-Cons to disconnect from the Switch Lite. It can't be docked for playing on a TV, and it has a smaller battery than the full-size Switch (about six hours of gameplay depending on the game). The Switch Lite also doesn't have motion controls.

A very small selection of games can't be played (or they have reduced functionality) because they require motion controls, but you can play them properly if you buy the Switch's Joy-Cons and connect them to the Switch Lite. These include games like Super Mario Party, 1-2 Switch, Just Dance, and Fitness Boxing. To see if a game is compatible with the Switch Lite, check the game's physical packaging (or check the eShop) and look for a handheld mode icon.

I can fit the Switch Lite in just about any shoulder bag, handbag or purse I own. It even fits in some jacket pockets. It's not that much smaller than the regular-sized Switch but those extra inches Nintendo shaved off make the Switch Lite one of the most portable devices I own, outside of my phone. Even if I don't think I'm going to use it, I bring it with me anyway. I mean why not? It weighs nine ounces, which is a tad heavier than the iPhone 11 Pro Max.