Help me decide: should I get a Switch Lite or a PS Vita?

[longestseason]

From your first post I misunderstood, I thought you had a choice for ps games.

It must be because I mentioned PS1 and PSP emulation a couple of times hehe. I do like PS1/PSP games, don't get me wrong, it's just that it's not enough to justify buying a game console in the 150-200 dollars price range.

About my username, I totally get myself lost when it's time to choose one for some forum, so they're not original at all lol (but as said in my previous comment, PSVita has been for sure one of my fav consoles, maybe the most fav)

It's all good, I just found it funny LOL

Make sure you get a launch edition (PCH-11xx) Vita if you want one with an oled screen.

I think I prefer the USB port of the slim model over the OLED screen of the fat model, but we'll see.

Post automatically merged: Aug 23, 2025

Any reason you wouldn't get a Steam Deck or one of the other clamshells? Some of these have comparable power to a Switch Lite, and can play PS1, PSP and many, many more games.

A Steam Deck is way more expensive and hard to find in my country. It seems like Valve isn't planning to add Deck support for LATAM countries any time soon.

About other devices: I do want to get my hands on a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro (not a clamshell device though), but I often prioritize original hardware because it just... feels better I guess? Like the ergonomics and stuff. You know what I mean.

 

[NeonKnights]

It must be because I mentioned PS1 and PSP emulation a couple of times hehe. I do like PS1/PSP games, don't get me wrong, it's just that it's not enough to justify buying a game console in the 150-200 dollars price range.


It's all good, I just found it funny LOL


I think I prefer the USB port of the slim model over the OLED screen of the fat model, but we'll see.

Post automatically merged: Aug 23, 2025

A Steam Deck is way more expensive and hard to find in my country. It seems like Valve isn't planning to add Deck support for LATAM countries any time soon.

About other devices: I do want to get my hands on a Retroid Pocket 4 Pro (not a clamshell device though), but I often prioritize original hardware because it just... feels better I guess? Like the ergonomics and stuff. You know what I mean.

One might also mod the launch model with usb-c if one was so inclined.

 

[Boo Man]

i love my modded Vita's even after all these years they are still powerful emulation devices
just get a grip with L2/R2 buttons
i wouldn't waste money on a $witch

would recommend the Retroid pocket 4 (or 5 if you want oled)
beats the pants off both in every department imo

 

[longestseason]

One might also mod the launch model with usb-c if one was so inclined.

Yeah, I saw that the other day. Sadly I'm not qualified to do hardware modifications, and honestly wouldn't bother trying to even find someone to do it for me. Still a useful mod nonetheless.

 

[nobitakun]

Just be pragmatic. PSVita is about to raise its price because it's a dead console, so you're going to pay more and get it in a worse state by everyday you don't decide on getting one.

Switch Lite will be here at least until 2026, so it means you will be able to get one on Aliexpress for 130€ brand new. I believe by the end of the year I assume you will be able to save that amount to get a Switch as well, so you will end this year with both consoles. And in 2026, the magic of Switch will be cheaper, because that only gets cheaper.

 

[Boo Man]

Just be pragmatic. PSVita is about to raise its price because it's a dead console, so you're going to pay more and get it in a worse state by everyday you don't decide on getting one.

Switch Lite will be here at least until 2026, so it means you will be able to get one on Aliexpress for 130€ brand new. I believe by the end of the year I assume you will be able to save that amount to get a Switch as well, so you will end this year with both consoles. And in 2026, the magic of Switch will be cheaper, because that only gets cheaper.

i dont think nintendo stuff ever gets cheaper lol
games & consoles are at a permanent fixed price...FOREVER
its strategic marketing

 

[RETRO-VETRO RETRO-VETRO]

I honestly recommend getting a PS VITA

 

[longestseason]

Just be pragmatic. PSVita is about to raise its price because it's a dead console, so you're going to pay more and get it in a worse state by everyday you don't decide on getting one.

Switch Lite will be here at least until 2026, so it means you will be able to get one on Aliexpress for 130€ brand new. I believe by the end of the year I assume you will be able to save that amount to get a Switch as well, so you will end this year with both consoles. And in 2026, the magic of Switch will be cheaper, because that only gets cheaper.

Good point. Even though I don't know the stats, I think something similar is already happening with 3DS consoles as well. If it's trending, it's already too late.

 

[nobitakun]

i dont think nintendo stuff ever gets cheaper lol
games & consoles are at a permanent fixed price...FOREVER
its strategic marketing

Yeah, it does not get cheaper, but at least now is still at the regular retail price, and Switch Lite is very affordable as I bought mine new for 122€ in Japan. After next xmas, that price will be a dream and only second hand ones will be found at those prices.

Good point. Even though I don't know the stats, I think something similar is already happening with 3DS consoles as well. If it's trending, it's already too late.

Well, the problem with 3DS is that the console got expensive because of the New 3DS. As homebrew got popular and New 3DS has better hardware capable of emulating better than the regular 3DS, its price skyrocketted. In my area I am lucky if I find one under 200€ second hand in acceptable conditions, when 2-3 years ago I could buy them for 100€ no problem.

 

[longestseason]

After next xmas, that price will be a dream and only second hand ones will be found at those prices.

So you're saying I should get a Switch Lite, right? There's a very small price difference between the PS Vita (second hand) and the Switch Lite (brand new), and I think we both agree now is the time to get a Switch Lite before the price rises (again).

 

[PrismRed]

I'd toss all the consideration outta the window and see which system has most games that I actually want to play.
You could give me a next gen Playstation console with 124 thread cores and GTRX10900 GPU but I still need a NES if I want to play Super Mario.

 

[nobitakun]

So you're saying I should get a Switch Lite, right? There's a very small price difference between the PS Vita (second hand) and the Switch Lite (brand new), and I think we both agree now is the time to get a Switch Lite before the price rises (again).

No no, I meant both PSVita and Switch are going to raise their price. The good thing about Switch is that will happen only after xmas, when getting them brand new is difficult.

On the other hand, PSVita will continue raising at an uncertain rate, and the more time you don't get one the older they will be. People can be asking 100€ for a PSVita in decent condition, and 200€ in pristine condition, because its price isn't regulated anymore. So I suggest you put your effort on searching a good one with a fair price before it's too late. You will have a few months to get a new Switch afterwards.