What do I need to know before buying a Nintendo Switch?

[DebbieFiderer]

I want to buy us a Switch as a family Christmas present but am pretty clueless about gaming systems so could do with some pointers about things to buy/avoid. We have a very old Wii and the kids love Mario Cart, Wii Sports, and Wii Fit so will want to replicate those types of games, us maybe some others, they also like Minecraft and Sims on the PC. Any other games to look out for? Any must-have or must-avoid accessories? Anything I should know about how it all works?

For Mario Cart you need to get the steering wheels!!

We got one as a family present last Christmas. We didn't get steering wheels - you can play Mario kart quite easily without them - but got an extra set of joycons so we can play together.

We just got a couple of games to start with - Mario kart, Mario Odyssey and Pokémon Sword. The kids haven't tired of them yet and it's been 8 months. Will probably get a couple more games for Christmas this year.

Animal crossing!! Fab and whole family plays. Although single player so have to make sure sharing is fair!!

Buy the games cartridge rather than download as the storage is really limited.

And the parental controls are rubbish - you can limit the time the device is played but not by account - so you can’t do it per child.

Steering wheels are quite good - definitely get extra joycons so you can play four player.

Ring Fit is a sports game and is actually a decent work out if you do it properly. You need to buy an extra bit of kit for that.

Get animal crossing, it will not only take over your life it will complete your life.

Get a pro controller

Buy an SD card for your switch.

Cart games are good if you are only going to play through them once, so that you can then sell them on and get some money back.

Extra set of joycons are always good.

You will probably enjoy the Just Dance game that they do.

Ring fit adventure has been really popular in my house.

I have 3 kids and 1 switch - most of my day is spent breaking up arguments on whose turn it is.

Definitely get extra joy cons and a charging post, you can charge all 4 joycons at once using this. Otherwise you have to connect 2 at a time to the actual console.

We also play Mario kart without steering wheels and never had any issues. Our family favourites are Mario and sonic at the olympics, Mario kart, Fifa, Mario odyssey (better as single player) and Mario party.

We bought one last year plus loads of games, and we have just sold it. It wasn't getting used at all, the kids prefer the ps4.

@Shanster

I have 3 kids and 1 switch - most of my day is spent breaking up arguments on whose turn it is.

Same here! Although I only have 2 kids fighting over it 🙄

OP, I wouldn't rush to get rid of your Wii as soon as you get the Switch. We still have both and the kids play on both almost equally, because we have more Wii games but the Switch is also handheld and has YouTube on 👍

We enjoy Mario Party the most as a family. Lots of fun and quite active

Agree with a lot of the above - none of us like steering wheels for Mario Kart but extra joy cons definitely useful for 4 player games.

Pokemon sword was the saviour of lockdown for us - the one thing kids (and I ) looked forward to doing and something to chat about over dinner! Now we are all Animal Crossing - even the 4yo can play easily; v good game for whole family.

Carry case and stand has been really useful for bringing it on holiday.

The only other game not mentioned above that my dcs have liked is Professor Layton’s detective agency - it’s a puzzle game and was a pretty quick game to complete but nice animation and good if you have kids that like puzzles.

Animal Crossing!

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games

Mario Kart

Mario Party

Brain training

Yes, mine were on the switch last night but when their friend came round today they were in the other room on the nintendo Wii - keep both. So far we just have one game for the Switch anyway. I think an early purchase was to get some extra switch controllers. I don't think they have bought anything else yet to go with it.

Thanks all, some good tips there, especially about getting the cartridges rather than downloads. We will definitely be keeping the Wii, I never get rid of anything 😁

In addition to the games mentioned, we get a lot of play from Lego Harry Potter, Lego Incredibles and Lego City Undercover, and the newer Zelda one which harks back to the original Legend of Zelda game (including the music and the underground mazes).

Eldest prefers Minecraft on the iPad to the Switch.

Im thinking of getting dd switch lite for xmas - not really sure if its a good idea or not, if i should just get switch xx

@Pinkbloc

Im thinking of getting dd switch lite for xmas - not really sure if its a good idea or not, if i should just get switch xx

The Switch can be used in handheld mode as well as on the TV, so best of both worlds imho. Whereas the Switch lite is only handheld AFAIK.

My son loves Lego City Undercover, Moving Out and the Untitled Goose Game.

We bought him some of the Nintendo Labo kits for his birthday. He’s loved putting them together and using them.

Second Mario Cart, Animal Crrossing, Marion Party and LEGO Harry Potter.

We got it for 2 x girls (then aged 10 and 7) for Last xmas and it really came into its own when lockdown started. Great for family games but also handy for individuals to play on quietly.

Def get extra joy cons and a charging post so you can charge 4 joy cons in one go.

We got one last Christmas and the DC love it! The main thing I would say is don’t leave it too late before Christmas to buy, as last year they sold out everywhere in our local shops. I got lucky on Amazon In the end.

Nintendo labo is great. DS has a VR set and a normal set.
Also just dance is fun.
And Fortnite.

My dd went off Animal Crossing as soon as she'd paid off the house loans, her favourite is Splatoon 2, it's best to get the yearly online membership so you can play with loads of other people.

You can't play it couch co-op though unless you have two consoles and two copies though.

Breath of the Wild is a phenomenal game, single player but still great to play taking it in turns to explore.

Overcooked 2 is really fun too and also Yoshis Crafted Adventure.

We've also enjoyed Rayman and the original Yooka Laylee, it all depends what genre you like.

The cartridges are good for selling on after you've completed the game and for saving space but you get some real bargains by downloading them from the Nintendo Shop, they regularly knock off 50% or more even from the popular titles, we just archive them when we've completed them.

We like the Switch so much we have two of them, the second was free with a mobile phone contract upgrade, I play it more than the kids as I'm on it all evening when they're in bed!