Today, Nintendo took to Twitter to announce a brand new color for the Switch Lite console. The new design will release on May 21, 2021, in the United States, the same day as the adventure game Miitopia. The European version will debut two weeks earlier on May 7th. It will be sold online and at various retailers for a price of $199.99.
While fan response to the announcement has been generally positive, the new Switch Lite has already sparked some controversy. Some fans are upset that the announcement was related to the Lite, rather than the rumored upcoming new version typically referred to as the "Nintendo Switch Pro." Others started up a debate on social media regarding the nature of the newly announced color - specifically, whether it should be considered blue or purple.
RELATED: Rumor: Insider Reportedly Reveals Nintendo Switch Pro Name
According to a Tweet from Nintendo of America, the new Switch Lite is blue. However, some fans feel that the color is too different from that of the existing blue Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons, and should be referred to as purple instead.
Fans have compared the new Switch Lite to several classic Nintendo consoles, including the GameBoy Advance and the GameCube, which featured similar colors that were typically marketed as purple. If that is the case, it would pair well with a fan-made GameCube inspired purple Switch controller.
A Twitter poll hosted by an account called "Nintendo Fans Complaining About Nintendo," which received around two thousand votes, was tied for most of the day before blue began to win out over purple. Others have labeled the color as "indigo," "slate," or "Irish purple." The debate has been compared to a dress that went viral on the Internet in 2015 due to an argument about whether its colors were blue and black or white and gold.
The Nintendo Switch Lite, which launched in September 2019, is a handheld-only version of the Nintendo Switch console. It is more lightweight and is typically available at a lower price when compared to a Switch. Unlike the Switch, which features mix-and-match JoyCon controllers in a variety of colors, the entire Switch Lite console is a single color. Previously released colors include grey, turquoise, yellow, coral, and a limited edition version inspired by the Legendary Pokemon Zacien and Zamazenta from Pokemon Sword and Shield. The console reported high sales throughout 2020.
Fans interested in purchasing a Nintendo Switch Lite should do so sooner rather than later, as there may be a console shortage later in 2021.
Regardless of whether the new Switch Lite is blue or purple, it will be available to purchase on March 21, 2021, for $199.99.
MORE: 10 Pro Tips For The Nintendo Switch Lite You Should Know