Update 12/12: Video review added to article.
Earlier this year I found my favorite, and most essential, Nintendo Switch accessory ever in the Satisfye Pro Gaming Grip. The grip offered unrivaled comfort for the Switch while playing in handheld mode, which is how I happen to play around 90% of my Switch titles. Seriously, it is awesome and was a must-own product for the system for any handheld players. Not content to rest on their laurels, however, the Satisfye team has revisited the grip and made a number of improvements to the original based on user feedback. Best yet, this new and improved grip is now also available for the Nintendo Switch Lite for a truly extraordinary handheld experience! It is this version I will be looking at in today's review.
What’s In The Box
There are a couple of options available to pick up your Switch Grip Lite. There is the grip by itself, which also includes 2 bonus thumb caps. Then there are the Slim and Elite bundles available which include the aforementioned thumb caps and a premium carrying case of varying sizes. The Elite bundle also comes with a USB type A to type C cord for charging your Switch Lite in the case.
Aesthetics And Build Quality
Just like the original, the Switch Grip Lite sports asymmetrical handles designed to place your hands and wrists at more natural angles while playing. Both handles are rounded and feature rubberized grips on the back side to prevent any slipping while playing. The Satisfye logo is nicely engraved into the right handle and on the back of the unit with a sleek glossy finish. The name of the grip can also be found just below this on the back. Speaking of sleek, I love the color scheme in use on the Switch Grip Lite; it's white coloring accents Switch Lites very well. Then the black rubber grips further accent the grip itself. I think it looks freaking awesome!
The biggest improvement to the grips overall design are a series of rubberized grips being added to the front of the main crossbar as well as extra grips being added to the handles. These rubber grips have a dual function of holding the Switch Lite in place while also preventing any scratches on the system that might be caused by attaching the grip. This is not a problem I personally ever experienced on the original grip, but I am glad to see it addressed all the same. The new floating-point design is also supposed to help with airflow to keep your Switch cool. Two small hooks extend down from the main crossbar to further help keep the Switch Lite in place. These hooks also act as a stand for tabletop play, a function the Switch Lite is not cable of on its own since Nintendo removed the original Switch's kickstand.
Even with the smaller size taken into account, it feels like Satisfye was able to reduce the weight of the grip compared to the original, which is awesome as that was one of my only complaints with the grip originally. Thankfully this weight reduction hasn't come with the additional penalty of being less durable. Putting the new Switch Grip Lite through all the same endurance tests I put the original through yielded the same results! Yup, even another dent in my wall.
The new Slim and Elite cases are likewise just as well built as their full-sized originals. I love that they can be purchased in different colors to match your Switch Lite as well! Both cases sport the Satisfye logo on the front and the same high-quality handle and zippers. The Slim case has a couple of additional thumbstick and button dents to allow for an even slimmer profile compared to the full-sized case. The smaller cases do have the added bonus of being more sturdy compared to the full-size offering.
Gameplay
I was actually really excited to pick up a Switch Lite when they launched since I spend most of my time on the system in that mode. Sadly, the Switch Lite is one of the more uncomfortable devices I have ever played games on. Sure it can be done but I personally get annoyed by it fairly quickly. The smaller size has made getting a comfortable grip on the system that much harder. Even the regular Switch isn't this obnoxious to play on to me. Thankfully adding the Switch Grip Lite to the mix completely removed the problems!
No longer must I awkwardly position my pinkies to hold up the bottom of the Switch while still allowing my thumbs and index fingers to reach their needed positions. Thanks to the Switch Grip Lite, my hands can now comfortably hold onto the handles while the asymmetrical design navigates my thumbs right to where they need to be. The difference is quite astounding and makes playing games on the system a completely new, and better, experience! Thanks to the ergonomics of the grip I can also play for longer stretches of time without noticing because my wrists no longer start to cramp. The weight reduction of the Switch Lite and the Switch Grip Lite over the originals is also a huge plus in this regard.
Another benefit of the Switch Grip Lite is that it restores tabletop mode for times you would rather use a Pro Controller or a game you are playing requires a Joy-Con. Sadly the angle still isn't the best but I'd rather have it then not! Though to be perfectly honest, I haven't found myself attempting to play with a Pro Controller as often as I used to on the regular Switch. I guess the built-in controls have had a satisfactory performance that I don't feel the need for an improvement. And let's be honest, a real d-pad also helps. I have been able to do a few impromptu multiplayer sessions with Joy-Cons though and the experience takes me right back to the GameCube days!
Now, I would like to take a moment to go over the cases again. I have been using my 2019 Elite case for Switch since my review nearly 6 months ago and the upper pocket still doesn't get much use from me due to the way it caused pressure on the Switch's screen. The new Elite case for Switch Lite has implemented a number of improvements.
The two integrated game flaps are now attached to the two different halves of the case. This helps not only reduce the pressure of items stored in the top pocket pressing into the screen but also lets the bottom flap act as a better screen protector with no more Velcro straps being the thing pressed on the screen. Due to the reduced size of the case, there is also only room for 16 games instead of 20.
The top pocket isn't much deeper than the original cases so I still wouldn't store a Joy-Con directly above the screen, but they fit much better along the sides than before. The storage space for a battery pack has also been reduced. It's a little unfortunate that my bigger battery would no longer fit but it makes sense considering the reduced footprint of the Switch Lite.
Now if you're not looking for all the extra space, the Slim case is a fantastic way to transport your system. While I was going back and forth to the hospital for the birth of our son I was able to load up my Switch and a number of games in a nice convenient package. For backpack users, the saved space would definitely be a plus considering you probably already have a pocket available to house a battery pack.
What It Could Have Done Better
While the Switch Grip Lite and associated cases are fantastic, there is one drawback to the new bundles: the thumb caps. On the Joy-Cons I found Satisfye's thumb caps to be an awesome addition, helping improve usability. On the Switch Lite, I have encountered reduced movement on the Y-axis with 2 sets of caps and on 2 different systems. Unfortunate really, as I was looking forward to using them.
Verdict
Thumbcaps aside, the Switch Grip Lite might make the Switch Lite my new favorite handheld console to date. I mean, the GBA might jump me for saying that, but whatever I like it a lot! If you own a Switch Lite you owe it to yourself to pick up a Switch Grip Lite and experience handheld gaming in its peak form.
