Nintendo just launched a less expensive, smaller version of the wildly popular Nintendo Switch - take a look

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Nintendo just launched a less expensive, smaller version of the wildly popular Nintendo Switch - take a look

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Nintendo Switch Lite

Ben Gilbert/Business Insider

  • Nintendo's Switch is wildly popular - and now it's got a kid brother, the Nintendo Switch Lite.
  • Unlike the original Nintendo Switch, which acts as a home console paired with a TV as well as a portable console you can take on the go, Nintendo Switch Lite is a dedicated handheld console.
  • At just $200, the Switch Lite is likely to be a major hit this holiday. 
  • We just got the Switch Lite on Friday, and took it out for a photo shoot.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Nintendo just launched a new version of its wildly popular Nintendo Switch console, and it's just $200 - a $100 price reduction from the existing Switch.

The new version of the Switch, which Nintendo calls the Nintendo Switch Lite, is a dedicated portable console.

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That means it can't be connected to a TV, like the current Switch, and its controllers cannot be detached. But what it loses in versatility it makes up for in portability.

Here's a closer look:

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Right off the bat, it's pretty easy to see some major differences between the Nintendo Switch Lite and the original Switch. For one, controls are now built-in to the device instead of being detachable controllers.

Right off the bat, it's pretty easy to see some major differences between the Nintendo Switch Lite and the original Switch. For one, controls are now built-in to the device instead of being detachable controllers.

Here's a closer look at the control area, which cannot be detached:

Here's a closer look at the control area, which cannot be detached:
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Another big difference: There's a d-pad in place of the four buttons found on the original Switch.

Another big difference: There's a d-pad in place of the four buttons found on the original Switch.

In most other ways, though, the Lite is identical to the original. It's still got a shoulder button and a trigger on each side, and the game card slot is still under a little plastic flap.

In most other ways, though, the Lite is identical to the original. It's still got a shoulder button and a trigger on each side, and the game card slot is still under a little plastic flap.
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The power button and the volume rocker are still set along the left side of the top of the console:

The power button and the volume rocker are still set along the left side of the top of the console:

There's one pretty notable difference on the back: No kickstand! It's been removed on the Lite. That means it can't stand up on its own.

There's one pretty notable difference on the back: No kickstand! It's been removed on the Lite. That means it can't stand up on its own.
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Since the kickstand is removed, the micro SD card reader is now on the lower right:

Since the kickstand is removed, the micro SD card reader is now on the lower right:

There's one other big addition with the Switch Lite: Multiple colors!

There's one other big addition with the Switch Lite: Multiple colors!
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Here's a quick look at how the Switch Lite compares to the original Switch, in terms of size:

Here's a quick look at how the Switch Lite compares to the original Switch, in terms of size:

On the standard, $300 Nintendo Switch console, the touch screen is 6.2 inches. On the new Nintendo Switch Lite, the touch screen comes in at 5.5 inches.

Take a closer look at the Nintendo Switch Lite in this video from Nintendo:

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