Nintendo Switch Games That Don't Work On Switch Lite

The Nintendo Switch Lite is a budget-friendly alternative to the standard Nintendo Switch (and upcoming Switch OLED) for those who are looking for a handheld-only device. For gamers who plan to primarily play their Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, the Switch Lite is an ideal option that has a smaller, more portable form factor. Plus, the vast majority of Switch games run well in handheld mode. That said, a small selection of Switch games weren't designed with the Switch Lite in mind. If you're thinking about buying a Nintendo Switch Lite, we've rounded up a list of Switch games that don't work on Switch Lite, or, at the very least, aren't necessarily practical for the handheld-only console.

As you'll notice below, compatibility issues can sometimes be fixed with additional accessories like Joy-Cons and a stand to prop up your Switch Lite. While playable doesn't always mean a game works well on Switch Lite, it's definitely worth picking up Joy-Cons and a stand to open up tabletop mode.

Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons

$69 (was $80)

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Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons: Skyward Sword Edition

$80

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Adjustable Stand for Switch Lite

$10

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Hori Dual USB Playstand

$29

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Nintendo Labo

Nintendo Labo, the wacky but pretty cool experience that lets you make interactive toys out of cardboard, isn't fully compatible with Switch Lite. You can use the Switch Lite's display to help you construct the Toy-Con builds, but many of the actual toys you create won't work with the Switch Lite. This is because some of the builds require you to slot the Switch--sans Joy-Con--into a dedicated compartment. The Switch Lite doesn't have detachable Joy-Cons, so builds like the Toy-Con house simply don't work. You'l have the same issue with Labo VR Goggles. Labo just also isn't practical for Switch Lite in general. Detachable Joy-Cons are required to make each toy interactive, and even ones that feasibly work on Switch Lite (like the Robot kit) aren't exactly great on the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch display (the Switch has a 6.2-inch display, and the Switch OLED has a 7-inch screen).

All of this may be a moot point anyway, considering Nintendo abandoned Labo years ago and retailers no longer have stock available.

1-2 Switch

1-2 Switch was a Nintendo Switch launch game designed to show off the Joy-Cons HD rumble feature. The two-player party game asks you and a friend to stand across from each other, on each side of the TV, and compete in a series of fast-paced minigames. While 1-2 Switch does work on Switch Lite, you'd need to buy Joy-Cons and a stand for the Switch Lite. You'd also have to be okay with not being able to really see what's going on in the match on screen, which kind of ruins the whole vibe of a party game designed to enjoy with a group of friends.

Just Dance series

It's possible to play Ubisoft's Just Dance series on Switch Lite, but whether you'd want to is another story. You need Joy-Cons to play any Just Dance games. On top of that, you'd have to purchase a stand to prop up your Switch Lite. Once you're all ready to go, you're left playing a rhythm dancing game on a 5.5-inch screen. Since Just Dance requires you to pay attention to the screen while constantly moving, playing on a small handheld device is not a great way to experience this very fun series. And if you want to play multiplayer--a key feature in Just Dance--it will be even more trying, especially if you or your friends don't have the best eyesight. So while Just Dance technically works just fine on Switch Lite, it doesn't offer an adequate presentation.

Super Mario Party

Super Mario Party is a fun game to play on game night with family and friends, but it's built for TV mode in mind. Super Mario Party doesn't support handheld mode, so to play on Switch Lite, you'll need Joy-Cons and ideally a stand, too. That said, since Super Mario Party is designed for a group of people to play at once, it's not the best experience on Switch Lite. Rolling the dice and moving around the game board is fine on Switch Lite, but playing the fast-paced minigames on a small screen? Not exactly our kind of idea of a fun game night.

Fitness Boxing 1 + 2

Fitness Boxing and its sequel Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm and Exercise are similar to Just Dance in that you have to be up on your feet and moving with the Joy-Cons in your hands while playing. While Fitness Boxing provides a fun workout, it wasn't built for tabletop mode in mind.

Ring Fit Adventure

Ring Fit Adventure is a wonderful and unique fitness RPG developed by Nintendo. Joy-Cons attach to the Ring-Con, a flexible accessory that is used to work out various muscle groups. Though Ring Fit Adventure is playable on Switch Lite, it's arguably the worst "playable" experience on this list thanks to small text in tabletop mode that makes it hard to decipher which exercises you are supposed to be doing. Also, several of the workouts demand that you sit in positions that will require the Switch Lite's display to be out of your face. We wholly recommend playing Ring Fit Adventure, as it's one of the best fitness games, just not on Switch Lite.

Switch games that work on Switch Lite with slight compromises

We'd generally recommend staying away from the games listed above on Switch Lite. But there are some other notable Switch games that are missing features (of various importance) in handheld mode.

For instance, two recently released Switch games--The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD and Mario Golf: Super Rush--have optional motion controls. In the case of Skyward Sword, the motion controls arguably make it better, whereas Super Rush's motion controls are far worse than button controls. Pokemon: Let's Go also has optional motion controls for catching Pokemon, and even accessories like the Poke Ball Plus, but it too is perfectly fine in handheld mode. The fighting game Arms, meanwhile, is certainly better with Joy-Con motion controls, even though you can play it in handheld mode. Then there are games like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which aren't seriously impacted by the Switch Lite's limitations. However, both games do have some motion controls that are more cumbersome on Switch Lite without separate Joy-Cons.

It's also worth noting that there are select games that require a separate microSD card to install. While this problem isn't exclusive to Switch Lite, make sure you have a microSD card before buying games such as XCOM 2 Collection and BioShock: The Collection.