Summary

  • Nintendo Switch Lite is an affordable option for playing triple-A and indie games at home or on the go.
  • Not all games are compatible with the Switch Lite, but many of the best Switch titles, including Tears of the Kingdom, run smoothly.
  • The best games for Nintendo Switch Lite complement the console's handheld nature and can be played in short bursts when out and about.

Launched in 2019, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a great way to play the latest triple-A and indie games if you need a more affordable option. Whether you're looking for a video game to curl up with in bed or something to play on the go, the Switch Lite's cozy and portable nature makes it the perfect Nintendo handheld to meet your needs.

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While most Switch games are compatible with its handheld-exclusive variation, some titles run better on the console than others. Despite that, there are plenty of incredible video games that not only run smoothly on the Switch Lite but are even better as handheld experiences.

Buying a Nintendo Switch Lite is an excellent way to save money, and to help with that, most of the following games are available for under $30.

8 Spiritfarer

A Cozy And Emotional Management Simulator

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Spiritfarer

Platformer Indie Games Simulation Released August 18, 2020 Developer(s) Thunder Lotus Games, Kowloon Nights, Canada Media Fund Powered by Expand Collapse

Spiritfarer is a cozy management simulator that follows Stella, a ferrymaster who sails the ocean looking for lost spirits and helps them fulfill their final wishes before transitioning into the afterlife. While it may seem macabre, everything is painted in a peaceful and relaxing light.

The soothing gameplay consists of fishing, farming, crafting items, cooking, and mingling with the spirits to hear their touching stories. The gorgeous hand-drawn art style looks beautiful on the Switch Lite, and the calming tone makes it the ideal game to snuggle up with before bed.

7 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling

Perfect For Fans Of Retro RPGs

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Inspired by the Paper Mario series, Bug Fables is a delightful turn-based RPG that evokes the feeling of stepping into a pop-up book. In the land of Bugaria, inhabited entirely by adorable insects, three adventurers named Vi, Kabbu, and Leif set out to find the legendary Everlasting Sapling, which is said to grant eternal life.

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Like the Mario RPGs, you explore colorful areas, solve puzzles, and use action commands to deal extra damage in turn-based battles. With plenty of humor and clever writing, Bug Fables is a charming adventure from start to finish.

6 Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy

Three Of The Best Mystery Visual Novels

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Initially launched on the Nintendo DS, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy brings all three classic visual novels to Nintendo Switch Lite with new HD visuals. You play as rookie defense attorney Phoenix Wright, who must solve a series of murder mysteries by investigating crime scenes and defending his clients in comically over-the-top courtroom battles.

Since the Ace Attorney games started on handheld consoles, they feel right at home on Nintendo Switch Lite. The cozy mysteries, silly humor, memorable characters, and thrilling plot make it the perfect video game to lie back in bed and immerse yourself in.

5 The Legend Of Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom

A Breathtaking Adventure Game

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The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Adventure Action Open-World Released May 12, 2023 Developer(s) Nintendo Powered by Expand Collapse

Check out our review of Tears of the Kingdom to learn more!

Every Switch Lite owner needs to try Tears of the Kingdom at least once. This title quickly became one of the best Switch games, thanks to its vast open world that's three times bigger than before. With no set path to follow, you can freely explore Hyrule, the majestic sky islands, and the mysterious underground depths.

Tears of the Kingdom runs surprisingly well on Nintendo Switch Lite for such a large game. You can even use the console's gyro controls to help Link aim his crossbow, so no Joy-Cons are necessary. With over 100 shrines to find and plenty of puzzles to solve, you can easily sink hundreds of hours into his masterpiece.

4 Portal Companion Collection

Two Innovative Puzzle Games For The Price Of One

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Portal

Puzzle Released October 10, 2007 Developer(s) Valve Powered by Expand Collapse

The first two Portal games innovated the puzzle genre with its Portal Gun mechanic, which allows you to teleport objects and yourself around test chambers to solve physics-based puzzles. Thanks to the Portal Companion Collection, both titles are available on Nintendo Switch Lite.

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The plot follows a woman named Chell, who wakes up in a mysterious laboratory and is forced by a sadistic yet hilarious AI called Glados to complete a series of puzzles. Both games run flawlessly on the Switch Lite, and since each level is short, you can easily play them in tiny bursts when out and about.

3 Celeste

A 2D Platformer With A Stunning Story

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Celeste

Platformer Released January 25, 2018 Powered by Expand Collapse

If you're looking for a challenge, Celeste is the perfect choice. It's a 2D platformer about a young woman named Madeline, who is determined to climb Mount Celeste. What follows is a breathtaking journey that tastefully and accurately depicts the struggles of having anxiety and depression.

The pixel art looks stunning on the Nintendo Switch Lite's screen. Plus, you can save and quit anytime during a level, making Celeste perfect to pick up and play when you're on the go or taking a lunch break. While it provides a decent challenge, the tight controls and lack of a life system make it accessible to newcomers and platformer veterans.

2 We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie

A Cozy Game Where You Cause A Lot Of Chaos

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Arguably the silliest Switch Lite game, We Love Katamari Reroll is a chill experience where you cause as much chaos as possible. You play as the Prince, who is sent from the cosmos to explore sandbox levels and roll as many objects as possible into a ball before time runs out.

You start small by rolling up household objects, but as your ball gets bigger, you can absorb entire buildings and even cities. Everything is presented in a lighthearted tone, and since levels last only a few minutes, We Love Katamari Reroll is great for quick car rides.

1 Pokemon Legends: Arceus

The Best Pokemon Game For Switch Lite

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Pokemon Legends: Arceus

RPG Action Released January 28, 2022 Developer(s) Game Freak Powered by Expand Collapse

You can't have a Nintendo handheld without Pokemon, and Legends Arceus is the best the Switch Lite offers. Set in the Hisui region centuries before Diamond and Pearl, this game revolutionized the series by featuring semi-open environments you can explore as part of the Galaxy Expedition Team.

Since there are no random encounters, you can observe Pokemon in their natural habitats and even catch them without battling if you're stealthy. Despite being an expansive game, Legends Arceus runs smoothly on Nintendo Switch Lite, allowing you to find secrets and catch Pokemon without issues.

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