Deal | Nintendo Switch Lite gets a generous discount ahead of Prime Day

You don't need to wait for Amazon Prime Day deals to land to score a Nintendo Switch Lite at a good price. Walmart has discounted the gaming handheld by $40.99, bringing it down to $159. The console normally retails for $199.99, and to add a cherry on top, this deal will also get you Animal Crossing: New Horizons for free. This game generally goes for $59.99.

When it comes to the gaming console itself, it's a compact and lightweight version of the original Nintendo Switch. In our hands-on, we noted that it's more geared toward gamers who want to play games in a handheld mode with the console.

As for the performance, the Nintendo Switch Lite has a slightly updated variant of the Nvidia Tegra X1. Given the dated nature of the chipset, it can't compete with other gaming handhelds, such as the Asus ROG Ally with Z1 Extreme (curr. $549.99 on Best Buy). However, the updated chip does enjoy better battery efficiency, which is an essential aspect for portable gaming devices.

Nintendo markets up to 7 hours of battery life for the Switch Lite, which can vary depending on what games you're playing on the handheld. Regarding the screen, the device has a 5.5-inch panel with a slightly sharper pixel density than the original Switch.

Even though it's a 720p display, the small size, combined with a pixel density of 267 ppi, does make gaming enjoyable on the console. Of course, you do get a better viewing experience with the Nintendo Switch OLED, but that retails for $349.99.

Now, while the Switch Lite at $159 does seem like a great deal, you need to note that there are two main trade-offs. Firstly, you can not detach the controllers, which eliminates the easy local two-player aspect that a good number of games offer. Secondly, as it's a handheld-first device, it can't be docked. So, you can't connect the console to a TV, which the OLED and regular versions can do. You can learn more by watching the video attached below.