Shopping for a handheld with a big screen and wondering whether a Nintendo Switch Lite is worth the extra money over a retro handheld like the Old Arcade 5" Handheld Console? They look a little alike in photos, but they are built for very different kinds of play. This honest comparison covers price, screen, games, TV play and storage so you can pick the right one. Full specs for our model are on the Old Arcade 5" Handheld Console product page.
The Short Answer
If you want to play classic 8-bit, 16-bit and arcade-era games on a roomy screen for a low price, and sometimes on your TV, the Old Arcade 5" Handheld is the simpler, cheaper pick. If you want modern Nintendo games like Mario, Zelda and Pokémon titles made for Switch, only a Switch Lite (or another Switch model) will play them. Old Arcade does not sell Nintendo hardware; we are including it because it is the handheld most people compare against.
Side-by-Side at a Glance
| Old Arcade 5" Handheld | Nintendo Switch Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $49.99 | $229.99 MSRP on Nintendo's US site (retail prices vary) |
| Screen | 5-inch LED screen | 5.5-inch LCD touchscreen |
| Games | 10,000+ preloaded retro games | Nintendo Switch games that support handheld mode, bought separately |
| Systems | Listing images show 10 emulators, including NES/FC, SNES/SFC, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, GBA, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and MAME arcade | Switch library; classic NES, SNES and Game Boy titles through a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership |
| TV play | Yes, HDMI output | No, handheld only |
| Storage | 8GB internal, plus TF card support up to 64GB | 32GB internal (part reserved for the system), expandable with microSD cards |
| Internet needed? | No, games are built in | Needed for the eShop, online play and Switch Online features |
Switch Lite details come from Nintendo's official US site and retailer listings; check Nintendo for current pricing.
Price: About a Fifth of the Cost
At $49.99, the Old Arcade 5" Handheld costs a fraction of a Switch Lite, and that price already includes the games. With a Switch Lite, the system is just the start: games are sold separately, and the classic NES, SNES and Game Boy libraries sit behind a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. For a gift, a stocking stuffer or a first handheld for a kid, the difference adds up fast.
Screen: Close in Size, Different Jobs
The Switch Lite's 5.5-inch touchscreen is a little bigger and is designed to run modern 3D games. The Old Arcade handheld's 5-inch screen is a generous size for retro games, which were made for small, low-resolution TVs and handhelds. Pixel-art classics look big and easy to read on it, especially compared with the 3.5-inch screens on many retro handhelds. Not sure how much screen you need? Our guide on how to choose a screen size for retro gaming walks through it.
Games: Built-In Classics vs a Modern Library
This is the biggest difference. The Old Arcade 5" Handheld comes preloaded with 10,000+ retro games across classic home consoles, Nintendo handhelds and arcade machines, so it is ready to play the moment it is charged. There is nothing to download or buy.
The Switch Lite plays the Nintendo Switch library of games that support handheld mode, which is where you will find current first-party Nintendo releases. If those modern games are what you are after, a retro handheld is not a substitute, and we would rather tell you that up front.
TV Play: The Old Arcade Handheld Can, the Switch Lite Can't
Nintendo designed the Switch Lite purely for handheld play, so it does not support TV mode. The Old Arcade 5" Handheld has an HDMI output, so you can plug it into a TV and play the same classics on the big screen. That makes it a nice fit for families who want one device for the couch and the car.
Storage and Setup
The Old Arcade handheld has 8GB of internal storage and supports TF cards up to 64GB. The Switch Lite has 32GB of internal storage, part of which is reserved for the system, and takes microSD cards for more space. In practice, the Old Arcade handheld needs no setup beyond charging, while the Switch Lite asks for a Nintendo Account, downloads and updates.
Controls and Comfort
The Old Arcade 5" Handheld has a Switch-style shape with colored grips, a D-pad, face buttons and the product page's "crystallized" buttons for clear, tactile presses. The Switch Lite has a +Control Pad, analog sticks and a compact unibody build. Both are comfortable for long sessions; the Old Arcade model's controls are aimed squarely at classic games, where a good D-pad matters most.
Who Should Pick Which
- Choose the Old Arcade 5" Handheld if you mainly want NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, GBA and arcade classics, want TV play through HDMI, want everything included in one low price, or are buying for a kid or a nostalgic adult.
- Choose a Nintendo Switch Lite if you want modern Switch games, online play with friends, or Nintendo's current releases, and the higher price and separate game purchases are fine with you.
Comparing other retro handhelds instead? See how the R36S stacks up against the Miyoo Mini Plus and Anbernic RG35XX Plus, or browse every portable in our Handhelds collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Old Arcade 5" Handheld play Nintendo Switch games? No. It plays the retro games built into it, not modern Switch cartridges or downloads.
How many games does it have? The product page lists 10,000+ preloaded games.
Can I connect it to a TV? Yes, it has an HDMI output.
Can the Switch Lite connect to a TV? No. Nintendo says the Switch Lite is dedicated to handheld play and does not support TV mode.
Does the Old Arcade handheld need Wi-Fi? No. The games are built in, so you can play anywhere.
Where can I buy it? On the Old Arcade 5" Handheld Console page. US orders over $60 ship free.
The Bottom Line
The Switch Lite is a great machine for modern Nintendo games. For classic games on a big, easy-to-read screen, with TV play included and no extra purchases, the Old Arcade 5" Handheld Console – 10,000+ Games does the job for a fraction of the price.
Old Arcade specs and game counts are taken from our product page and listing images. Nintendo Switch Lite details are from Nintendo's official US site and retailer listings as of October 2026. Nintendo and Switch are trademarks of Nintendo; Old Arcade is not affiliated with Nintendo.
