In case you haven’t heard, Nintendo announced that it will be launching a handheld only Switch on Sept. 20 called the Nintendo Switch Lite.
This new version of the Switch aims to make portability easier than its predecessor by sporting a smaller size and having Joy-Cons that are attached to the system permanently.
The Nintendo Switch Lite will launch at a lower price than the original ($199), but with that price drop also comes the removal of some critical features that the Nintendo Switch is known for.
Features such as detachable Joy-Cons, motion controls, and arguably the most prominent feature of the Switch, the ability to dock and play on your TV, will be completely absent from the Lite. Due to these removals, games that currently do not support handheld mode will be unplayable out of the box.
It is important to note that the Lite will still be able to play non-handheld games; however, they won’t be playable without extra equipment, namely a set of Joy-Cons.
Here are four games that you won’t be able to play with the Nintendo Switch Lite (out of the box).
Super Mario Party
Super Mario Party was a surprising success for Nintendo when it launched in late 2018. The go-to party game was praised for its impressive count of mini-games and unique boards for players to enjoy (or rage at) with friends and family.
The original announcement that the game would only be playable in tabletop mode was a head scratcher to many. Forcing players to play with a single Joy-Con and not allowing them to use their pro controllers was a decision that left fans unhappy.
Because the game offers no handheld support, the only way for Nintendo Switch Lite owners to play Super Mario Party is to use the Lite as their display, paired with one or two separate Joy-Con controllers.
Due to the lack of detachable Joy-Cons on the Lite, this makes Super Mario Party an expensive endeavor for those who want to play it on Nintendo’s new console.
With Joy-Cons remaining at a hefty price of $79.99, playing this party game with more than two people will cost players nearly $420 dollars in total.
Although Super Mario Party is easily one of the best Mario Party games in the franchise’s long history, this game is best avoided on the Lite until more accessible options become available through updates or price drops in hardware.
1-2 Switch
Launching alongside the original Nintendo Switch in 2017, 1-2 Switch remains a shining example of the Joy-Con’s capabilities, showing off its impressive HD Rumble feature and precise gyroscope.
However, with the lack of both HD rumble and detachable Joy-Cons on the Switch Lite, 1-2 Switch will be completely unplayable for Lite users when they unbox their new console on Sept. 20.
1-2 Switch’s entire mini-game lineup will be impossible to play without extra hardware that is not included with the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Similarly to Super Mario Party, in order to enjoy 1-2 Switch on a Lite, it will require players to own the standalone set of Joy-Cons while using the Lite as their display. A combination that will severely diminish the atmosphere for groups that want to play together.
Containing only a 5.5-inch screen, the Switch Lite is likely not the best viewing experience for anyone that is not dead center of the device.
Although it is technically possible to play this game, 1-2 Switch is a title that is better suited for the original Switch.
Just Dance
Although the game may not jive with everyone, Just Dance is a franchise that continues to find a fitting home on Nintendo consoles, with its latest release even launching on the Nintendo Wii (yes, you read that correctly).
Just Dance is a game that requires motion controls in order to determine if the player is correctly performing the dance moves shown on screen.
With the lack of detachable controllers on the Lite, motion controls are not an option for Lite users out of the box.
However, like the other games on our list, it will still be possible for users to play by syncing up their own separately purchased Joy-Con controllers.
Another drastic issue with playing Just Dance on the Lite is the lack of TV-out support. Not only will it be difficult to decipher the correct dance moves from the 5.5-inch screen, but the audio cues used by the game will also be a challenge to hear through the system’s built-in speakers.
For a game that requires you to accurately move to the beat, the lack of Bluetooth support forces players to find a dongle compatible USB headset, or to play with wired headphones.
With audio from the TV not being an option, a game based so heavily on sound is limited by the Switch Lite.
This is an uncomfortable set of circumstances that will more than likely lead players to look for an alternative option when it comes to playing Just Dance.
Nintendo Labo
Despite it being aimed at a younger audience, Nintendo Labo has found success among people of all ages. The unique combination of cardboard and video games is Nintendo’s love letter to the inquisitive minds of the world.
Unfortunately for those who own the Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Labo will be completely incompatible with the cardboard creations.
Due to the difference in size and lack of detachable controllers, the cardboard housing will not fit the new console in its dedicated slots. Unlike the rest of the games on our list, Nintendo Labo is fully incapable of working properly with the Lite.
The latest Labo set to release, the Nintendo Labo VR Kit, is also entirely unplayable with the Nintendo Switch Lite. The difference in form factor will cause the screen to be misaligned with the goggles, creating a nauseating experience for those that would even attempt it.
Nintendo has not commented on whether or not they will re-release the existing Labo kits with Lite functionality, or keep the Lite in mind for future Labo kits, leaving those that are fans of the creative tool kit to question whether they should purchase a Lite or not.
Regardless if these four specific games are playable out of the box, The Switch Lite looks to be a perfect fit for people looking for a more portable option to play their games.
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