To think 2 is not enough?

Two is plenty unless you want to encourage endless screen time. Plus the more choice there is the more arguments caused when they want to play different games but only have one device.

Two is plenty if you're going for the big games such as Mario or Pokémon. You can get free or very cheap games through the online store if you want more. My kids love the puzzle game Human Fall Flat which was £4 or £5 in the online store.

I'd say 2 games is fine, my 5 year old played the same Wii game for months without needing another one.
If you did want to get another though, consider getting second hand- our local exchange store has loads. I get all of our dvds and games from there.

I'd say stick with two but you can always get another game on Nintendo online, they can manage choose one between them. If you download lots though it's worth getting a SD card. Also you may have to purchase Nintendo membership so you should consider that cost into your plans.

Ask relatives or go to CEX with them after to buy more second hand after

Well considering a DS is for one person to play and a Switch which is what OP is going to buy has plenty of multiplayer games, I'd say it's a bit different?

@Catza yeah I know. Presumably OP is also aware she can say no? I just don't understand why you posted it at all, OP could let them play all day on two games just as easily as 20. But she probably won't because they'll have other stuff to do.

Haven't read the whole thread yet but I'm predicting big arguments when 2 kids are forced to share 1 Nintendo DS. You will be forever divvying up shifts and turns and there will be tantrums and arguments about whose go it is etc. it will be an absolute disaster.

Either don't get them it or get them one each. They're cheap enough second hand.

And no point fighting against tech. It's inevitable. You will lose the battle eventually.

i think a few more games would be good so they can get the most out of it? But you can find some good deals second hand!

We went for 2 and then 6m later they had a game each for birthdays then a game each the next Christmas. 6 has been plenty and we've had our switch years. We are getting Nintendo online this Christmas now they're a bit older.

@ChiefWiggumsBoy I am commenting on OP's own sentence, so not generalising to the population at large.

@RunningonCaffeine

I'd get two or three I think, plus the online subscription which is only about £30.

• Yoshi's Crafted World is lovely, fun for all the family and the littler one will love it
• Mario Kart always a mainstay for multiple players - warning though - you WILL have tears as they are competing rather than playing co-op! It is a good way to encourage fair play and sportsmanship
• Minecraft will last them for years and years, so get this as well if you can.

Just realised this is basically what @CreeperBoom has recommended - a platformer, a sandbox, and a multiplayer.

Don't bother with the sports games as IME they're quite hard for the littler kids to manage. Not sure about Just Dance.

@Catza you do know that some parents will exercise their powers of No and not let their children spend every spare minute gaming? It's even possible to do that on Christmas day!

With respect, this isn't like that at all. It's like buying Monopoly for them to play together - sure they might not, but it's designed to be played together.

I would start with 2. More so they can have a say in choosing further games, maybe for birthday presents. Depending on the game there is a fair amount of gameplay in them and it will take them a while to work through unless they are already experienced at gaming.

As someone with a switch i would recommend going on the Nintendo eshop once the switch is setup. They often have deals on games.
You could also get them a voucher and taken them to boxing day sales so they can pick a game of their choice each.

I think it’s you… two games is plenty. Do you know what games they like? See how they get on with those two and if needed, take a shopping trip to get another one. Giving them 4-5 is over the top indulgence. You will end up regretting giving them so much when they are a bit older. But I totally get where you are coming from.

My children were about the same age as yours when they got their Nintendos, at this point 5 years on they have most of the games in their age range. However they play only a handful of them. The games we love as a family are monopoly and Mario kart, the games they love are Minecraft (has been played more than anything else) and animal crossing, Lego worlds is fab too a bit like Minecraft as in it’s a building game. I would say 2 each would be my go to, something for them and something for you all to play together. If you join Nintendo online there’s free games on there too. Make it a family thing and may DH will loosen up a tad but there’s no need to go mad, games are brilliant go to gifts over the years.

Mario cart and Minecraft.

Mario party is fun but long as gets repetitive.
Minecraft is more creative and tons of ways to play. I really recommend it.

Where are people getting cheap second hand games? CEX is often as expensive as new at Amazon, once you include postage.

I think you want -

1. an open ended creative sandbox game that works in 2-player, e.g. minecraft
2. a good competitive 4-player, e.g. mario kart or party
3. a 2 player platform game

We have one switch as a family console, and DC play together if they want to play at the same time. It works fine.

Poster says money isn't an issue so get them a switch each with 2 or 3 games.

2 is fine. A switch is a huge cost. But,maybe that is also missing from your OP. Is it a huge cost to you? What's your income, outgoings etc. But all things equal, they are really young and 2 games is not only enough, but as other people said, allows dice fpr other things to be important or valued.

And I’m the one who goes overboard on Xmas presents! Two is definitely good.

Two is plenty. And we’re a family who likes games! Especially the adventure style games where you’re following an adventure to the end. Mario Kart is great and takes up to four players (get two extra controllers, the steering wheels were rubbish in our experience) and Luigi’s Mansion is the best two player game we’ve seen. Animal Crossing will keep them occupied for hours. So one “long” one which you invest time in and one that you dip in and out of like Mario Kart would be a good balance. Animal Crossing and Mario Kart are good starter games if they don’t have gaming experience. Luigi’s Mansion might be the next one for a birthday!

Once the switch is set up, you can purchase digital copies online which are cheaper and theres a big sale on at the moment

In your situation, I'd compromise and get 3.