Best Handheld Mode Games that Support Nintendo Switch Lite 2023

Nintendo Switch Lite turquoise
Nintendo Switch Lite turquoise (Image credit: Nintendo)

With exclusively a handheld mode, players will want to make sure to have handheld games for the Nintendo Switch Lite. You can't dock the Switch Lite to play on your home TV, but it's more compact and portable than the original version of the Switch. And since the Switch Lite has built-in, non-removable Joy-Cons, that means that some games aren't compatible without having to go out and buy separate controllers. Fortunately, there are plenty of games that work just fine in handheld mode, and these are some of our favorites!

Pure handheld happiness

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There are plenty amazing Nintendo Switch games, and few are docked TV mode only. With so many games available to the Switch Lite, finding one that makes you happy won't be difficult. But that also means it's hard to pick the best handheld games. Having controls and graphics which feel good on a handheld is a large part of it, but at a certain point, so many games feel good that it comes down to preference.

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe are prime examples of a game that feels good on handheld consoles. The controls are intuitive, the graphics are clean and strong on a smaller screen, and gameplay fits well into any amount of free time you have. Diablo III Eternal Collection is also a big favorite here, because who can resist fast-paced dungeon-crawling action where you can slay hordes of demon mobs in seconds with the right gear on? Plus, it's so fun to play and hunt for perfect loot anywhere you go.

Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed.

When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.