Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Nintendo switch?

40 replies

whatheckman · 15/02/2019 22:26

Hi,
I was hoping someone who has this console could give me the run down on what it's like please?
(Baring in mind you're talking to someone with absolutely no clue about these things)

So I was planning on buying one for DS 4th birthday, he plays the old wii when he gets the chance and copes fine with mario kart and the walking one where you go through the worlds/levels. So with that in mind would a switch and a couple of mario games be suitable?
Also would I need to buy a second controller for 2 player games or do those two tiny ones on the side count as two controllers?
Sorry Blush I know I sound really dumb but if someone could explain it to me, how this console works and whether I'll need to buy anything extra I'd be really grateful!
Thanks

OP posts:
WhatNow40 · 15/02/2019 22:49

We got one for DS 7. Some of the games might be too complicated for 4 yo.
Try Mario party as there are lots of mini games within it. The 2 little controllers are fine, you don't need an extra one. It comes with a large one to slide the little ones in to, to make one big one for single player games.

I'd get an accessories pack with screen protector and carry case.

Original poster
whatheckman · 15/02/2019 23:12

Thank you @WhatNow40 that is helpful! I'm definitely going to stick to mario games, will search for mario party to start him off.
I guess I'll learn as I go once we get it but looking at it I suddenly felt overwhelmed like I wouldn't understand how it worked with all the different controllers and bits to click into it (I don't know what I'm on about).
When you say 'It comes with a large one to slide the little ones in to, to make one big one' do you mean it slides into that one with the little screen or is there another thing they slide into?

Sorry Blush

OP posts:
Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 15/02/2019 23:15

The actual console is £300. The games are £60. We have just 'recycled' a Nintendo ds for ds 4. He is over the moon!!

Original poster
whatheckman · 15/02/2019 23:22

I was planning on getting him just the console and one mario game. I've seen bundles which include the game for 300.

OP posts:
Original poster
whatheckman · 15/02/2019 23:23

Sorry if that message seemed short/rude. I didn't mean to sound funny or anything!

OP posts:
SneakyGremlins · 15/02/2019 23:24

I bought the switch with Mariokart included for £280. You could probably get Mario Party cheaper on eBay Smile

snop · 15/02/2019 23:26

So glad I've seen this thread as dd wants one of these for her birthday and I'm clueless when it comes to video games, I will be watching with interest

SneakyGremlins · 15/02/2019 23:27

Right.

You have the little controllers. They have a holder you slide them into if you're playing a single player game, to make one handheld controller. If playing two player games, each mini controller goes to one person! Does that help? Grin

SneakyGremlins · 15/02/2019 23:28

I'm on my switch now so happy to post pics of the controllers if you're still lost - took me ages to work them out Grin

MumOfOne92 · 15/02/2019 23:29

I LOVE my Nintendo Switch!

SpoonBlender · 15/02/2019 23:30

Four is young for a console, has DS got the dexterity for it? Has someone else in the house got the time to play the games for (with) him?

The Switch is a portable, which means it's grabbable - and throwable, and expensively breakable.

What I'd suggest is getting an old Wii. You can do that with a bunch of kid-friendly games for about £50. A four year old won't give a monkeys that it's not the latest console.

IWantMyHatBack · 15/02/2019 23:34

We have a wii and a Switch. The 5yo can't quite manage the switch without a lot of guidance, the wii is much better for him. Switch more suited from 7 or 8+ I would say

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/02/2019 23:40

Four is too young for a switch, get a ds.

unicornsrule · 15/02/2019 23:53

My dd age 13 loves her switch

Agree dd much better

unicornsrule · 15/02/2019 23:53

Meant Nintendo ds much better at that age

WicketWoo · 16/02/2019 00:03

If you go for a switch you could get 1 2 switch. Lots of mini party games you could play with him. Lots of fun.

fedupski · 16/02/2019 01:40

I love my switch, but I think 4 is too young for this console. A Nintendo 2ds might be a better starter for him or maybe something like a kindle fire for kids with apps you could download for him to play?

fussygalore118 · 16/02/2019 07:41

My 4 year old loves the switch! He is ace at Mario kart, Mario party and played Mario deluxe and odessy... its a great family console!

PodgeBod · 16/02/2019 07:51

My DD just got a switch for her 4th birthday, she needed a little help at first but can do it alone now after about 3 times playing. We have the Paw Patrol game

WingBingo · 16/02/2019 07:53

My DS’ 3 & 4 love the switch.

Bubblysqueak · 16/02/2019 07:57

We got one for ds's for Christmas they are 5&6. We've got mario carts, Lego and Minecraft. (And Rayman and crash bandicoot for me Blush) they love mario cart, Lego and surprisingly good at Rayman. But Minecraft hasn't been played much but I think that's because we need to figure it out.

Littlebelina · 16/02/2019 07:58

We got DS (7) a switch for Xmas. We got mario kart, carnival games (lots of individual little games) and let's go eveee. Carnival games is a bit meh but might be better for a younger kid. The other 2 are excellent. Esp impressed with the Pokémon game which involves a lot of problem solving and strategies.

We tend to play ours set up on the TV rather than as a portable. I did see a preschool child clutching one awkwardly tottering into the supermarket the other week and thought that'll be expensive if he drops it!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 16/02/2019 08:01

At 4 I think I'd worry about him breaking it tbh. My teen has one and he loves it slightly to the point of obsession but I know he'll look after it.

Agree with the suggestion of trying him with a DS first. The 2DS is designed for smaller children so is more robust Smile

Original poster
whatheckman · 16/02/2019 09:41

Thanks for all the suggestions, the reason I was going to go for the switch was that I was planning to learn to play it with him. I have nice memories of playing (old) mario games with my mum, who usually didn't play any kind of video games but loved Luigi 😂. I also thought it would be better than a small portable one as it can be more of a family game rather than being in his own little bubble!
I also agree that it's expensive but was planning on keeping it for a long time. When we were kids playing the old mario games, I'm pretty sure they were old back then but we weren't bothered at all and still had a lot of family fun so I mean, I'm not going to go replacing the switch for a looooong time 😄.

@SneakyGremlins I know I'm late getting back to you but if you have any pictures for me to see that would be really helpful. I can imagine it'll take me a while too so I would appreciate hearing what you learned too ha!!

OP posts:
Sun5hinE · 16/02/2019 09:58

We have an old Wii and have lots of fun all playing together. We only have Mario Kart and Wii Party. The Wii Party is great it's lots of mini games; a mixture of team games, solo challenges, strategy games etc.
I got the games and accessories on EBay. Just an ideaSmile

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.