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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to buy an outdated second hand wii console

66 replies

Imustbemad00 · 02/09/2018 12:38

So I know Iabu talking about Xmas, but it’s my child’s birthday first if that helps.
My almost 6 year old is asking for a Nintendo switch for birthday/Xmas. In he past (with older child) I wouldn’t of thought twice and would of got it even if it meant getting in debt or going without. My situation is now a bit different and I can probably just about afford it (not easily though) but I just feel the almost £300 price tag is ridiculous. My child would use and enjoy it but I worry about the addiction to gaming, I already have trouble getting them off the iPad.
It’s also just an obscene amount of money for one present for a young child, and I’d never only just get one present so it’s going to be expensive overall. As I said in the past I’d of bought it, I guess I’m jist getting more sensible with age!

So my Aibu is, would it be awful to buy a second hand wii from eBay, if I can get one in original box, my child probably wouldn’t care and would still enjoy it but I worry about embarrassment at school as several others have the latest Nintendo switch. Is it not a bit embarrassing to buy the discontinued wii console? Will I look like I’m struggling to get my kids what they would like so am resorting to the wii (nothing wrong with not being able to afford the latest tech, but I guess where I’ve struggled for so long I’m self conscious about this)

OP posts:
Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 02/09/2018 12:39

I’d cring if my child said “I got a wii for Xmas” I know that’s probably silly, but I would Sad
But I also cringe at buying a £300 console for them

OP posts:
theduchessstill · 02/09/2018 12:49

I know how you feel, and would feel similar, but I have tried to save money in the past like this and usually ended up regretting it. Is it a Wiiu , or whatever the newer ones are called, because newer games don't work on the older consoles I believe. It can sometimes end up working out more expensive overall when you buy older/cheaper stuff and then it needs replacing. The addiction to gaming, or at least reluctance to do other stuff, could happen whatever console you get tbh. I think that's more down to how you manage it.

You certainly shouldn't stretch yourself uncomfortably or worry what others will think though. Does your child get presents from other people? If so (and even if not) it's fine if they 'only' get the Switch imo, and perhaps a couple of stocking-fillers. At 6 they can probably only remember last Christmas, if that, so you can set expectations now as to the size of pile/quantities of gifts etc

Storm4star · 02/09/2018 12:59

I wouldn’t get the wii. If you’re unable/unwilling to get the switch i’d stay away from consoles entirely. There was a post on here a while back from a woman in the same situation, went with the second hand old console. Her DS was devastated and she ended up feeling shit! Kids are very aware of what the latest thing is, and what they would like. It’s fine for them to not always get the things they want. That isn’t an issue. But a wii isn’t a switch and Will likely cause more disappointment than not getting a console at all.

EvaHarknessRose · 02/09/2018 13:06

No, they are also old and tend to fail quickly.

Lower his expectations now - be authoratative - stick to one reason

Eg I don’t agree with gaming consoles for young children, I will think again when you are x
I always stick to a budget for christmas presents and that is three times my budget, so I am not going to get it.
(Or get it for birthday plus christmas if you wish)
Never too early to discuss financial decisions. You can point out that you have other priorities, it doesn’t have to be ‘we can’t afford it’.

Childrenofthesun · 02/09/2018 13:09

I disagree with PP. I bought a second hand Wii at our local CeX store for Xmas. They had loads of second hand games and the Wii came with a 2 year guarantee. Nobody cringed when they told people they got one for Christmas! They haven't used it loads (prefer iPads)but I've had my money's worth (£25!). We don't seem to know lots of people with a Switch so embarrassment has never been an issue and I think it's very sad that's even a consideration. We only play it as a family at home anyway - they play with toys at that age when they have friends over.

ThanksHunkyJesus · 02/09/2018 13:10

I would get the wii u not the switch or the original one.

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 02/09/2018 13:11

Can you club together with other family members?

I've done this before and bought an expensive present from everyone, then individuals just wrapped up a couple of small cheap things so they had something to give them and open. It was stressed to the child that it was a big present from everyone though.

GertrudetheFifth · 02/09/2018 13:12

Why wouldn’t you only get him one present? Its a really big present, and I imagine you would buy a game or two (or request them as suggested gifts from relatives) which you could wrap separately. Could you talk to him before and explain that its a big present so he would get that, and not lots of other stuff, so it should be something he really wants.

I have a birthday close to Christmas, and often got big stuff like that as a combined gift (with token gift on the day for birthday). I think as long as the child knows what to expect it will be fine. Even quite young we understood that some bigger requests would need to be combined presents.

RobotOverlord · 02/09/2018 13:12

I wouldn’t get a Wii, it’s been out of production for a long time and never had a massive amount of choice when it came to games. If you don’t want to get the Switch maybe consider a 2DS instead. It’s handheld, can be picked up for about 80 quid new and is still (for the time being) current so there are new games being released as well as a massive back catalogue. Since it’s also made by Nintendo there’s a lot of crossover with the games and characters, so you’ll still be able to get Mario games and so on.

Childrenofthesun · 02/09/2018 13:15

My DC are girls so I'm wondering if the "embarrassment" factor is for some reason more of an issue with boys as it's considered (rightly or wrongly) more of a "boy" toy? Social embarrassment never even occurred to me and hasn't been an issue at all.

MarthasGinYard · 02/09/2018 13:17

We have a Wii

Dp bought it new 8 years ago

It's never missed a beat and dd 8 and her mates love itGrin

EvilRingahBitch · 02/09/2018 13:19

I don’t think there’s a problem with buying a Wii per se. Consoles don’t deteriorate with age as badly as phones or laptops so it’ll probably still work fine and there’s a bunch of really cheap games suitable for your DS’s age group. DH was seriously considering picking up an original X Box (nearly 20 years old) yesterday in a charity shop - he plays vintage games on a PS2 and Wii all the time. For a child who wasn’t subject to playground oneupmanship and just wanted to play games then it’s a reasonable solution.

However if your DS’s mates all have Switches and will be discussing those specific games in the playground then it probably isn’t going to work.

TheMShip · 02/09/2018 13:20

We have an old Wii, it's brilliant. DS (6) bought it with loads of games and controllers for £40 with his birthday and pocket money. He mostly plays Mario Kart and loves it.

bellinisurge · 02/09/2018 13:21

We have a Wii. And a switch. Each great in their different ways.
Your child is nearly 6? Second hand wii with a few games is fine.

smurfandturf · 02/09/2018 13:22

What about a pre owned switch? Would be cheaper.

Or hold out til Black Friday - currys do good deals on consoles.

WhirlwindHugs · 02/09/2018 13:26

I have a six year old boy and I haven't noticed any console snobbery - it's more about what the game they're playing is. I don't think any of his friends have mentioned having a switch - the only people I know who have them are adults. We are a reasonably wealthy area, but I think most of us clearly don't want to spend £300 on a personal console for this age!

We have an old xbox 360 and no one has ever mocked it.

We used to have a wii, but it didn't get as much play (no Minecraft!)

Larasshadow · 02/09/2018 13:35

DS 6 loves the Wii, he plays games like Zelda, Mario kart and the sports games. Never come across console snobbery either.

titchy · 02/09/2018 13:37

A Nintendo switch is totally different to a Wii though Confused One's a console you play on a tv, the others a handheld you can take anywhere....

Either tell him it's too expensive, combine with other family members, or buy pre-owned.

MouldyVoldy · 02/09/2018 13:37

I'd either go for a wii u, or even a 2DS. The DSs are great. Having said that, a friend got their kids a wii probably last Christmas and they love it.

Jezzifishie · 02/09/2018 13:45

How about a Wii u instead - surely it's about the games, and I believe that some of the switch games (like Zelda) were dual released on the Wii u too.

Jezzifishie · 02/09/2018 13:47

www.nintendo.co.uk/Wii-U/Games/Games-667255.html there's quite a lot of choice there Smile

gamerchick · 02/09/2018 13:52

A Nintendo switch is totally different to a Wii though confused One's a console you play on a tv, the others a handheld you can take anywhere

Yes they are totally different and I personally wouldn't do that to a kid. It's like coveting that pair of awesome Nike trainers for Christmas and getting a pair off the peg at Asda. "Well they're trainers aren't they"? Confused just don't get a console full stop.

WhoWants2Know · 02/09/2018 13:56

I'm always one behind the latest generation console. So last Christmas I got my kids a WiiU. People are flogging the games for peanuts and it was great.

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 02/09/2018 13:57

To answer a few questions..

Kids do not really get presents from other family, just me.

I know one big present should be enough, and I know this is my issue.. I like a big pile. That’s what they are used to and I’d feel crap if there wasn’t one. I love it!

I think it’s me that would feel the embarrassment more. To be honest my child would probably me jist as happy with the wii. As much as several friends have got a switch, I think they are to young to really understand the difference. He only wants the switch because of tv adverts. Of the wii was on tv adverts hebwould probably want that.

I have told him he is too young for a switch and he has pretty much accepted it. I thought about a ds but he already plays a lot of games on the iPad so wanted something for the tv

And the person that said one is a handheld and one is a tv console.. they are both played on the tv, but the switch has the option to switch to a handheld device, which I probably wouldn’t allow in case it got broken.

OP posts:
Starlight345 · 02/09/2018 13:58

We use our Wii still . My Ds has x box 360 and wants an x box one , biggest reason he can’t get new games for the Xbox 360.

So I would say there is a limited longevity to it . I bought a recon x box 360 knowing this.

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