Please help me find a console!

[Wednesdayafternoon]

I posted on gaming but then saw the posts get so little response over there so just posting here aswell :)

I literally know nothing about gaming post PlayStation 2!
My 5 year old son was really into sonic so I dusted off the old mega drive and he was more then happy with that for a good 6 months.
He's moved onto mario now and is really into it. I can't get any kind of mario game on the iPad or mega drive so I am just wondering what I should get next?
I know the obvious answer is a Nintendo switch, however, me and his dad are going to get this for his birthday present. I'm just wondering if there's anything I can get in the meantime to keep him happy?
I've seen a Wii U for sale on Cex but got really confused with the cost during being called "unboxed", "discounted" etc....
I literally have no clue!!!

A Nintendo Game cube is more small child friendly than a wii U. Even a SNES Mini might work but the graphic would be very dated, still fun and no further games to buy as built in. Nintendo 2ds is good too.

Mario Kart Tour on iPad?

If you are getting a Switch in future, then don't bother getting a Wii U now. Most of the Wii U's best games are also on Switch.

Unboxed means exactly that it comes without its box. Discounted normally means the console is damaged externally in some way and isn't perfect. But it should still work. Maybe as ur getting him a switch already just get him a wii? That would be cheaper but still give that Mario fix.

Gaming PC.

They're upgradable so will last for years, even the budget versions and can be used for gaming plus homework later on. There are several Mario games playable on Windows plus Minecraft/Fortnite etc.

I second the Gamecube if you can track one down. There are so many great games for his age range; Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart, Harvest Moon, LOZ Wind Waker. I rate Gamecube much higher than wii tbh.

Gamecube is an excellent choice. There are some great games for all ages. If you can find one cheap enough I'd recommend a wavebird controller too. They're wireless, so no tripping hazards.

There's no point getting a Gamecube - you may as well get a Wii. As long as you get the original model (not the Wii Mini or Wii Family Edition), it will play Gamecube games as well as Wii games.

It seems kind of silly to me to waste money on a gaming system when you plan on buying him a Switch for his birthday. Just get him the Switch now and you can buy him a new game for it for his birthday. At least that's what I'd do. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Mario is exclusive to Nintendo. Sega who own Sonic stopped making machines after the failed Dreamcast hence Sonic is available on other consoles.

I don't see the point in buying a second hand machine to upgrade it for his birthday. You'd be as well to buy a Switch.

Nintendo machines
Game cubes must be pushing 15-20 years old,
Wii 10-15,
Wii U, 5-10 years old.
The Switch has been out for about 5 years. It wouldn't surprise me if the Switch is due an upgrade fairly soon although Nintendo could do what they did with the DS keep the name, it morphed into the DS lite, 3DS, and new 3DS, all of them were backwards compatible.

The Switch Lite which replaced the new3DS came out 2-3 years ago

My ages are fairly rough, you'll be able to look up when those machines were launched.

They did upgrade the Switch not that long ago but it wasn’t a huge upgrade. There’s a shortage of semi-conductors so I think Nintendo are probably hoping to avoid some of the problems that there were with PS5 if they were to launch a brand new model, so I think you’re safe. My kids have Switches and they’re really good. We play games as a family on TV or individually on their devices or play together on their consoles.

There are a lot of tech supply problems globally at the moments and prices are rising a lot. Also, distribution problems. I would definitely buy sooner rather than later if you can afford it.

Thanks so much all!
So his birthday isn't u til January, and me and his dad agreed we would go half as a big present to him so I get what you mean about just getting him one now, but we've kind of set our hearts on getting him it for his birthday.
I was hoping there might be something in between to entertain him over the summer!

Anyone know if there's much difference between a Wii and a Wii u!

If only I'd kept my Wii from when I was younger 🙈

I'm gonna say a Nintendo ds. It's portable and has loads of kids friendly games. You can easily pick up cheap ones off ebay.

At 5 I’d only suggest a DS too

Thanks all!
What exactly is the difference between a ds 2ds and 3ds and do the games work on all 🤷🏼‍♀️

Honestly Op save your money for the Switch.
Let him pay the odd game on your phone or get him a cheap tablet.
Cheap tablet might be a not bad idea it will give you access to more educational games too like Teach Your Monster to Read and Sumdog. It might also help if school are using Google Classroom, Sumdog or Hit the Button for homework.

The DS was updated to the 3DS/2DS about 10 years ago, then later came the "new 3DS/2DS" all the DS systems are discontinued.
The 2DS plays 3DS games without the 3D. The new 3DS games may not work on the older 3DS, very confusing name change and update.

The Switch and Switch Lite are not backwards compatible to the DS /3DS /2DS due the Switch only having one screen and the DS's having two.

The Switch itself can be used in a handheld mode, the Switch Lite can only be used handheld. They both play the same games.

I have a 3DS my original DS broke and I replaced it about 10 years ago. I rarely use it but I take it on holiday, even the Airport Security guy was like not seen one of them in a while!

Can't play 3ds games on a 2ds. I'd just get a 3ds and keep the 3d option off till he's a bit older.
Seriously cheap on Facebook market places too. I got mine for £20

The 2DS plays 3DS games just not in 3D.
3D isn't recommended for under 6 anyway. That was the reason they launched the 2DS could play the latest games at the time without 3D.

But remember they are obsolete consoles so you'll be looking 2nd hand for console & games.

Seems ridiculous to wait until January just because that's when his birthday is.

Buy the Switch now and then games for Christmas and birthdays

Otherwise you're just wasting money

Thanks all.
I understand the comments about buying the switch no waste of money etc etc but the gift is what me and his dad have decided to get him for his birthday. We're not together, he wouldn't want me buying it now so that's that.
I don't see it as a waste of money? It's just something for him to play over the summer holidays and then he can get a nice upgrade in jan!

Thanks for the advice, I'm torn between a ds or a Wii! Both cheap enough but not sure which is more ideal. I like the idea of the Wii being on the tv but thinking the ds might be more fun 🤷🏼‍♀️

Honestly I'd get him a tablet instead.

Something different that won't be cast aside in 6 months. And won't reduce the excitement of getting his new console in January.

I also find my older kid plays his Xbox more in winter than in summer.

I picked up a few of Mario & Lego games for my 3DS for my kids (5 & 11). They only play it when the other is having swimming lessons (phones / tablets aren't allowed but the 3DS is, Lifeguard hasn't clocked it also has a camera😆).

Ds's always had x box. Mario cart is almost impossible to get, on anything, irritating.

My DD still has her old 2DS, she only really plays with it on long car journeys now to save killing her phone battery, but she has a couple of Mario games for it and you can get them cheap as chips in places like CEX.

Mario is exclusively Nintendo hence impossible to get on Xbox. But there are other family racing games I'm sure we have a Sonic one and a Frocsa (spelling) Lego one.