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Original poster

XBox or Playstation for 7yr old DS

17 replies

Ithinktomyself · 18/05/2019 20:10

I think we have decided to get DS a games console for his birthday. Before anyone comes on to tell us we are terrible parents, it will be in the living room, there will be strict limits on when it can be used and we will be turning off any online gaming/communication.

It would be good to hear thoughts on which would be best? DS will probably want to play minecraft. I think we should have some not-too-competitive family games and we will probably get one or two age appropriate games too.

OP posts:
GiveMeFood12 · 18/05/2019 20:19

I got my (then) year old a PlayStation

Loads of games for her and loads of rebooted old games for me Grin win win!

GiveMeFood12 · 18/05/2019 20:20

Then 7 year old (sorry) ha

Winterfellismyhome · 18/05/2019 20:24

Why not a Switch? Bit more kid friendly games for it too Smile

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7 year olds
Original poster
Ithinktomyself · 18/05/2019 20:32

Ooh a Switch? There's a thought - I know nothing about it. Can you play Minecraft on it?

OP posts:
Winterfellismyhome · 18/05/2019 20:36

Yep. Plus the mario games are available on it too which are more child centred. You can also play it as a handheld device so it doesnt need to be connected to a screen

Original poster
Ithinktomyself · 18/05/2019 20:42

Right so DH and I are completely clueless. Do you get the games online? Are they playable without online randoms? Basically is it possible to play on one of these without inadvertently being recruited to ISIS or groomed by child-molesters?

OP posts:
Winterfellismyhome · 18/05/2019 20:45

Haha yes to both. You can download the games from the eshop and they will go straight onto the console. You can also buy them as physical copies which saves disk space. You may need to buy an SD card (which expands the disk space) if you want a lot of games. The games dont need to be played online so once you've downloaded the game, turn airplane mode on.

TokyoSushi · 18/05/2019 20:48

DS is 7, he has both an xbox & a switch (I know) I'd say he prefers the switch because its portable and would be his favourite of the two

Original poster
Ithinktomyself · 18/05/2019 21:15

@TokyoSushi - no judgement (honestly!) but can I ask why you got both? Are there differences beyond the handheld aspect?

OP posts:
Original poster
Ithinktomyself · 18/05/2019 21:17

@Winterfellismyhome - I think you have solved our decision. It looks good... Looking at the bundles now.

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 18/05/2019 21:24

The actual reason is because my mother spoils the DC's beyond belief and got one for his birthday and another for Christmas!

To be honest, you 100% don't need both, I'm sure somebody has a more technical answer but for a 7 year old, they pretty much do the same thing as far as I can see. The Mario games on the switch are great for that age.

Adversecamber22 · 18/05/2019 21:40

You can put parental controls on consoles, you just need to understand how to set them up. Lots of you tube videos can help. If he does want to play online then check what his friends have as most games can’t be cross platformed.

RoryGillmoresEvilTwin · 19/05/2019 00:57

Ds also 7 has a switch. Mario odyssey is brilliant!

BadLad · 19/05/2019 01:14

You can also buy them as physical copies which saves disk space.

This is only really true of the Switch, by the way, OP. Physical games in X-box and PS4 still require madsive installs, which fill up the hard drive quickly.

SpoonBlender · 19/05/2019 01:20

Neither Xbox nor Playstation. Get a Nintendo Switch instead - it has far more games suitable for a 7yo.

I have all three. The PS4 is great for more complex games and Internet multiplayer. The Xbox is not as good in general, very much an also-ran. The Switch is covered in fabulous games and is just a joy. Nintendo are the only console maker who give any sort of shits about younger players. Go with them.

Alternately, you could do worse than getting an old Wii! They're dirt cheap these days, and so are the games. I sorted one out as a joint 10yo/6yo Christmas present last year, for friends. The girls just love it.

mellicauli · 19/05/2019 01:30

You need to find out which ones his friends have got. In a couple of years they'll be playing together and you need the same platform. I think he might outgrow a Switch pretty quickly. The older kids sneer at them.

We've got both PS & XBox. I think XBox is better personally - I think the controls are better. I just end up scrolling endless on the PS.

Be warned, every conversation will become about the console, playing games on the console and when they can next play on the console. It's just really addictive (and really fun as well I guess). If you can put off doing for another, you might be doing your sanity a favour.

Also be aware that new versions of the XBox and the PS are coming out next year, so what you buy will not be the latest thing quite quickly (although you'll probably get a good deal now).

Hope this helps

Answeringonlyyesorno · 19/05/2019 08:40

My 7 year old love his switch, the games are suitable for his age and its v portable. We do have a playstation, but since getting a switch he barely uses it.
I wouldn't worry about getting him a console that all his friends have just yet, as this doesn't happen till they're older, and by then who knows what'll be available.

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