Newbie to Games Consoles - help!

[MutteringDarkly]

I have a 9 year old.
We are a house entirely without games consoles but I am considering it. They are crazy about Pokemon (and quite frankly I would like my phone back )
They are currently very good about time limits on screens and love reading / being outdoors etc. But it's getting cold and dark and we're all a bit bored, so I am wondering about a console.
Which systems and options do you think I should consider? Is there anything I should rule out?
I am not rich, just to set a context!

If they love Pokemon then look at a Nintendo Switch as it has a couple of Pokemon games and any future Pokemon releases will most likely be on this console. The range of games are very child-friendly, lots of family/co-operative games too, and it's a good console for a newbie as its really easy to use. It has the added bonus that you can use it on the TV as a traditional console and then if someone else wants to watch TV you can transfer your game to handheld mode instead.

Oh that sounds brilliant, I will look at that. Thank you so much, I was thoroughly bewildered!

I got my 8yo a switch earlier this year after resisting his years of campaigning for one! Its been great, there are lots of age appropriate games and an app for parental controls which works really well. Lots of games are good to play as a family too so it feels less of a solitary activity than I imagined it would be. I actually enjoyed playing things like mario kart, Olympic sports and luigis mansion with him.

Right, what's the difference between a switch and a switch lite? Can you play the same games or is it completely different? Sorry, I did warn you I know absolutely nothing about this!

We have a switch and a ps4. The switch has much more choice of child friendly games.

If they like pokemon then i would go for a switch.

Nintendo Switch, or if you don't mind not having the latest games and want to save money, go for the original Wii.

The difference between the Switch Lite and the plain Switch is that the normal one comes with a docking station so you can play it on a TV. It also has a screen so you can use it as a handheld standalone console.

The Switch lite is only portable/handheld - you can't use it on a TV.

OP I think you can play the same games, the only difference is that you can connect a switch to a tv but you cant with a lite. I could be wrong though!

Got it, thank you so much. I will talk to the grandparents about whether they're willing to chip in, and that will decide which version I go for!

If you want to be able to play it on the TV and have multiplayer games then get the proper Switch, the lite is OK but can only ever be handheld whereas the normal one can be both.

We've got two Switches and they get played daily (mainly by me!)
The games are family friendly and there's a huge choice, you can also download them straight onto the Switch from the online store and they regularly have good offers on them, even the main titles.
Only downside is that you can't sell the game once it's completed or you get bored of it.

If your phone is due for a renewal look online as EE often have a free Switch with a new contract, that's how we got our 2nd one.

Aldi are apparently going to sell the Switch on their website at a very good price for "Black Friday", though without a game. The Switch and Switch Lite have been very popular so big discounts are rare but generally look out for bargains.

If you want a cheaper option you could get a second-hand 3DS/2DS. It can play a huge range of Pokemon games though not the newest ones.

Lots to think about there, thank you so much

I'd definitely go for the normal switch over the lite if funds allow as its a console that really works for two player or family gaming. We get lots of use out of it on rainy days playing as a family, which just wouldn't work on the lite.