to feel dumb about getting an Xbox working on Christmas day

[HubbaBubbaMum]

DH and me have never played (or seen others playing) on gaming machines (or whatever you call them!). Have finally conceded to peer pressure and Father Christmas has ordered an Xbox One S Console with FIFA 17 as a joint present for DC this year (age 10 & 7). So, how do we avoid spending half of Christmas day working out how to set it up as we are complete gaming virgins? Is it obvious? Can we buy games suitable for their age in advance to 'plug in' or do we have to open it up and get it all set up and download them in advance? (Didn't want to open the wrapping before Xmas morning ideally). Do we just play it on TV or is it better on the PC? Do we need to order control pad type things to go with it? Hope this post is giving younger MNetters a good laugh . Happy to be directed to an idiots guide to the 21st Century.

Get Lego dimensions and the Lego games. They're great for kids and adults.

You may need a second TV to avoid arguments when other people want to interrupt games to watch things.

I don't have anything to add - you've been given good advice here.

But someone said you could put the Xbox under the tv and the kids not notice it while they unwrap empty boxes. They will notice it. They definitely will!

Buying plug and play kits so you can charge the controllers while playing are worth every single penny too.

At that age they'll probably play Minecraft, for hour and hours. Good luck

Get a second controller if you can afford it, not all games though can be used with a second controller.

As others have said Lego dimensions and Skylanders are both great games but can be costly. Don't bother with Disney Infinity - it's dead. Terraria is a good cheap two player game (assuming you have a second controller) though is rated '12' so it depends how strict you are going to be. Roblox (community created games) is pretty good and free.

EA access is something to look into. Its a maximum of £/$5 for a month though you should be able to get it for less. Gives access to a load of games including all of the Plants Vs Zombies games.

Make sure you set up individual accounts for both them and you so you can control their access. One tip - you are only allowed one free change of gamertag from one they suggest so make sure you are happy with the ones you enter if you don't accept the suggested ones.

EA is £3.99 a month, my eldest has it, you can get good games on there. I am not sure if they need Xbox live for that. You will need live if you want them to be able to play online. I think it's £39.99 a year.

Youtube is handy for tutorials of this kind of thing. Agree massively that you should register and download updates BEFORE Xmas day! We've been caught out by this on a new console and it's frustrating.

The worst thing is if we play consoles it's after Christmas dinner and maybe some board games so it can get late and it's galling when you see it getting late on Christmas and the updating % goes slow!

Thanks for the useful advice on this thread - I was planning to test our new (2nd hand) Xbox anyway but good to know that spending hours updating is normal.

If my kids want to play with other kids we know, over the internet, does that need an Xbox Live subscription?

Also I have got a Kinect and want a dancing game that's pretty easy - which ones are good?

Have to admit I'm looking forward to playing the Lego games!

They typically only spend hours updating if you pay for/get slow broadband.

My OH's console is always flashing up with updates ranging from 50mb to 3Gb and our broadband powers through it. Never seen it take longer than 15 min.

Defo agree to get your stuff downloaded before Xmas day though, that'll save you some time

Nocitrus

Yes you'll need an Xbox live subscription if they want to play online against each other.

It's the law you open as soon as it arrives to check it's working then play it before disconnecting and wrapping up.

We've always used a tv.

Yeah check it works, install and update everything it needs before giving it. Saves hassle on the day.

TV in your bedroom?
That would be ideal, plug in and update at your leasure and you can set the accounts up pre Xmas.
Buy a second controller or choose which DC to get rid of.
Plus and play wires for the controllers.

Don't play Lego to try it before Xmas.
You will become engrossed.
I know.
December 2003 was lost to secret donkey Konga (the one with bongo drums) battles after 10pm.

Fanny you are advised not to interrupt the consoles whilst things are updating it can cause data lose or damage or something

Yeah that's why I suggested bedroom telly to get the updates done Llama

Aye brand new box, plus game install and updates at Xmas day will just spoil it.
I hate the weekly update and that's tiny!
Sticking in the wardrobe out of the way would be my preferred route so no one complains they can't watch downstairs telly.

No good if there is no TV in the bedroom mind.

Oh my bad for some reason I had it in my head you said something about switching it off... rereading I have no clue where from! Sorry!

Xbox live gold subscriptions can easily be found at the moment for £25 for the year. The subscription also includes free games every month.

Only 1 TV in the house, so will be a bit tricky setting it up as ds often roams downstairs when he's meant to be in bed. Will give it a go during school hours! Cable broadband has been rubbish recently.

Trial run before the big day, with DCs out of the house. You Tube is your friend here. Or do you have Teenager in the family. They'll be able to do it in minutes for you.

Lego games are really good for that age.

Mumsnetters - you are bloody brilliant! Just checked this after posting question late last night and as usual you have come up trumps with loads of brilliant tips and advice. I told DH you would be the best source of useful, honest info!

You will need an hdmi cable as I don't think they supply one; this connects the Xbox to the tv.

Definitely get it out and set it up - before Christmas eve - just in case there are any problems with it.

Last Christmas day my ds went to bed crying as the Xbox still hadn't updated and loaded the games by the time we went to bed at midnight. Our internet connection is terrible but it was made worse by the fact that everyone is trying to do stuff like this on Xmas morning. So definitely do it before the big day. I wish I had!

As the pp has said, you'll need two controllers.

The best games for their ages are minecraft and fifa.

Can I jump in and ask a question?

We've bought an XBox one S as well but will be away at a relative's house for Christmas day. If i get it set up on the home wifi and TV will I be able to take it to someone else's house and just plug it in, type in the wifi code and use it or is it somehow linked to the home wifi? Can I use an XBox live account at someone else's house? Do the kids need an account each or can they all use the same one?

You can set it up and take it elsewhere regarding the Xbox live I think you can use each others