Nintendo Switch? Switch Lite?

[leafinthewind]

Can anyone give me any advice? The kids have been saving up for a Switch. I'm trying to work out if they will be able to successfully share, or if I should top up and help them get a Switch Lite each. Any thoughts? I've never owned a console myself and don't know what to suggest.

They're girls aged 12 and 8 - both love Minecraft, one also loves Supermario and all driving games.

[AlexandraEiffel]

The switch you can take off the controllers and do multiplayer on minecraft and mario. Lite the controllers don't come off (I think). Mine share a switch, have to negotiate sometimes oh what they do together.

[Oysterbabe]

It'll be fun to play games together so I'd go for a Switch.

[Applefairy]

Mine share a Switch (10 and 11). They seem to take turns on it rather than play the together. They have iPads each so one plays on iPad while the other uses the Switch.

The now 10 year saved for and bought it it two years ago and it is really his. He lets the 11yo use it (After two years and months of play in it in lockdown this year the novelty has truly worn off) - so there are no arguments as it is the 10yo’s to loan out and the 11yo is grateful for the privilege.

I’d be inclined to buy them a switch lite each. But I will ask my DSs and report back if that helps.

[Applefairy]

Also, my DS’s only seem to do multi player with their friends online. Not with each other. They would argue a lot if they played the same games together.

They play Minecraft (10yo likes creative mode as it’s less stressful and 11yo plays survival mode with his older friends). 10yo also plays Roblox and sometimes the dreaded Fortnite (makes him ) and some Pokémon type games.

I only know all this as I live in a country/ region where we have been in a incredibly long lockdown with months of confinement, remote learning and working from home!

[Elisheva]

The big difference is that you can connect the Switch to a tv and play games/watch stuff on a big screen, which you can’t do with a lite. Is this something they would do?

[anth85]

I got one a year ago, play it rarely, but my nieces and nephews love it when they come round. I have 2 sets of controllers, one that comes with it and one separate. It means they will work for either 2 players or 4 when they use half each.

I purposefully bought an older model because you can jailbreak them which opens up a lot more options if you get what I mean. happy to discuss that in a PM.

[leafinthewind]

Ah, no clear consensus! I think a Switch to share might be the right thing...

[oobedobe]

Get the full size Switch, better value IMO, get an extra set of controllers so 4 can play together on the TV.
Mine share theirs and it works out pretty well. Minecraft you can play split screen together.
Good 4 player family games I recommend:
Mario Kart
Mario Party
Mine are the same ages as yours and also love: minecraft, Mario Oddessy and Splatoon.

[MuchTooTired]

My DH has a switch and I have a switch lite. I prefer the lite as it’s a smaller handheld console and I found it easier to use than the switch.

I’d suggest if they’re unlikely to play games together due to different interests to get a switch lite each.

[Horehound]

I just got a switch for my birthday and me and DH play Mario kart racing together :) I love it so highly recommend

[RiseUpWiseUpEyesUp]

We have one of each. I agree for the extra £80 odd it’s much better to have the multiplayer capability and Mario Kart etc with several people is good fun!

[OdeToAutumn]

I had this dilemma but we went for the switch because we wanted to connect it to the tv. I’m glad we did.

[Thismummyruns]

Get the Switch, you won't regret it! In our case, our eldest has to share hers with Mummy & Daddy
We love playing multiplayer games all together. Can't wait for Xmas to have a games night!

[alicewasahorse]

Sorry for jumping on your thread OP! Can anyone advise if a switch would be appropriate for a 4 year old?

[littlestpogo]

I think it depends on your kids and whether you and them playing it on the TV or not!

My two don’t really share that well and also I really don’t want it hooked up to the TV ( only have one TV) - they do watch each other play on iPad though. I’ve gone for the switch lite for this reason.

If you are happy for the TV to be used and have kids that happily share/play together then the switch is probably better value.

[Smallinthesmoke]

I recommend a Switch hooked up to the TV, and an extra set of controllers if you can stretch to that.
My DDs are ok sharing if it is on the TV, they are crazy about Animal Crossing and I sometimes wander in and watch. More social than two kids playing separately in their bedrooms.

[AldiAisleofCrap]

@alicewasahorse Sorry for jumping on your thread OP! Can anyone advise if a switch would be appropriate for a 4 year old? most games you need to be able to read and the switch as a handheld is heavy. I would wait until 5.5 /6.
You can get a second hand 3ds with loads of games cheap on eBay, personally I would do that.

[AldiAisleofCrap]

@alicewasahorse or a Wii .

[OdeToAutumn]

@alicewasahorse I’d probably get a kindle fire or something for that age. My son is almost 4 and he can play on the switch but he couldn’t play independently. He gets me or his brother to do most of it.

[ritzbiscuits]

I would get the main Switch so you have the flexibility to have it hooked up to the TV or in handheld mode. I personally like gaming more when it's a family activity, so either playing multi player, or one watching another/helping them solve a level.

[UndertheCedartree]

If you can afford it I'd get a Switch and a Switch Lite. The Switch can be played on the TV and multiplayer (the Switch Lite can't). But if they want to play together when travelling/someone else using tv they could play together with a Switch/Switch Lite plus solo playing at the same time. We have a Switch and my DD is planning on getting a Switch Lite with her Christmas money.

[NotGenerationAlpha]

@alicewasahorse mine are 9 and 6 and the 6yo doesn't understand the games on the switch much. The only exception is Mario kart. She's just starting to read better, and there's a lot of reading invovled in playing switch games. The games I would say are aimed more at 7+. I agree with the suggestion of a kindle fire tablet. 6yo has one and she loves all the games on it. We got a kids unlimited subscription on it for her.

[AlexandraEiffel]

My 4 year old uses the switch although probably because his big brother does. He plays minecraft, asphalt 9, mario karts, a paw patrol game. We had a really cute game called a long hike which he played - there was reading to be done but he enjoyed it in his own way without.

[micc]

I have a light. But I use it just for myself, it's so great. But I think I would suggest getting a console because they can play together. And watch each other on the TV.