Switch or something else? Can talk to me about what i need to buy please?

[coodawoodashooda]

It's for Christmas. We haven't got any kind of gaming equipment so far. 3 siblings aged between 6 and 10. I've been saving all year so i should (i hope) be able to affect all of what i need in order for them to enjoy it. What do i have tp buy? Where is the best place to buy it from? Are the games on the device or is that an extra expense? Do they need cases or protective covers? Im a single parent with absolutely no clue. Please help.

Hi, I don’t have a switch but I definitely know that games are an additional expense. You can buy physical copies of them, like from a shop or Amazon, or you can use the switch to go onto the Nintendo store online and purchase games that way and save them directly to the device. I’m not sure whether the price is different whether you buy a physical or electronic copy. I would also buy a screen protector for it and a hard protective case.

There are two types of Switch - the Switch and the Switch Lite. The difference between them is that the Switch lite is hand held only, while the full Switch can be used handheld or connected to TV. I’d recommend the full Switch, especially with 3 kids.

The games don’t come with the console, they are between £30 and £50 each for most of the big titles. You can usually get a bundle when you first buy the switch, e.g the console plus a game for a small saving on buying them both separately.

The switch comes with two small controllers called Joycons (these are the brightly coloured parts on either side of the device). For some games you only need one of these to play, so you will have two controllers. I’d recommend buying another set of joycons, or a compatible controller so that all 3 of the kids can play games like MarioKart at the same time.

In terms of games, MarioKart, MarioParty, Luigis Mansion are great choices.

Another item you might want to purchase (though you don’t need it immediately) is an SD (memory) card, particularly if you end up downloading games directly to the device from the Nintendo store. The storage on the device can run out but can be expanded using an SD card.

Finally, you can usually get bundles of extras (like a carry case, screen protector, steering wheel control holder) for about £30 and these can be quite handy for taking the switch out and about!

This is really helpful. Thank you. Do you think the hard copy of the games are better than amazon or online? How many games would you recommend as an initial purchase? How best does it all get stored?

I've got my two a switch for Christmas. I have also got additional controllers so that 3/4 of us can play together. And a case, screen protector and some games. Costs for me have been
Switch plus two games (from game) £259
Mario game £30
Downloaded games- (overcooked, carnival , rayman and crash bandicoot) £40
Two additional joy con controllers £57
Case and screen protector £20
For the games I went on many review sites and mn threads for recommendations and got a mix of good multi player games that we can all play as a family(mario kart, carnival overcooked) and good single /two player games they can play alone.
It's the most I have ever spent on Christmas and the reality is children don't see a case and extra controllers as additional presents but nonetheless I'm sure they will love it

I think the lite one sounds more for us? Or is that not as 'cool'?

@kittenkipping

I've got my two a switch for Christmas. I have also got additional controllers so that 3/4 of us can play together. And a case, screen protector and some games. Costs for me have been Switch plus two games (from game) £259 Mario game £30 Downloaded games- (overcooked, carnival , rayman and crash bandicoot) £40 Two additional joy con controllers £57 Case and screen protector £20 For the games I went on many review sites and mn threads for recommendations and got a mix of good multi player games that we can all play as a family(mario kart, carnival overcooked) and good single /two player games they can play alone. It's the most I have ever spent on Christmas and the reality is children don't see a case and extra controllers as additional presents but nonetheless I'm sure they will love it

Yeah. I realise this too.

Is Smyths the best place to go? I wondered about John Lewis because there is a chance their customer service might be better if it all goes wrong.

The system usually comes with one game, varies according to which edition you buy. You then buy games separately, but if you have a Nintendo online account you can pay a monthly subscription and have access to back-catalogue of older games.

Cost of games is the same I think, for hard copy or from eshop. Switch is a good choice for that age range I think - lots of family friendly games.

If I was buying I'd budget for a game each and maybe an extra set of controllers so you can play multiplayer games together. My kids are 5,8&9 and enjoy games like Minecraft, Animal Crossing, Super Mario 3D world, Legend of Zelda, Mario & Rabbids, Luigi's Mansion, Super Smash Bros. We've had Switch since 2017 & had v good use out of it (it's technically mine, although I never get a look in these days!)

There’s virtually no difference in price in most of the main big name games when you buy them via Nintendo store so to save you the hassle of setting up the switch and having to download games first I’d buy at least one or two physical games. Buying from
Amazon you are buying a physical copy. The only way of downloading a game is via the Nintendo store on the switch itself.

I’d highly recommend Mario Kart, Mario Party, Luigis mansion, Stardew Valley - plus browsing for any games you know the younger one may like (e.g tv programs they’re interested in). You can also get games like crash bandicoot and spyro for the switch.

Remember the lite can only be used handheld and one at a time, where the Switch can be used multiplayer on the TV

I wouldn't get the Lite one with multiple kids. It means they can't play together on the TV as you can only use it in handheld mode. Not good for more than one child.

I'd just buy it from wherever you can get the best deal as customer service will be from Nintendo, not the shop. Ours came from Argos - if you wait til black Friday you might be able to get some deals?

Id get a switch- the lite would be hard to share as it's quite small and can't connect to the tv in the way the switch can.
I think on the online vs physical game issue there are benefits to both. I've got some downloaded so that when they go to their nans and want to take it they won't have to take the games and risk losing them. Same for any times it's used travelling really.

I’d focus on looking at deals for the switch across different stores - e.g Smyth’s, GAME, Argos, John Lewis, Very, Amazon, Some may offer better deals than others, or fling in some extras depending on what you’re buying.

If you're buying the switch lite only one child will be able to play at a time and can't be connected up to the TV.
If thats what you want then they come in a range if colour options and bundles.
My kids love animal crossing new horizons, Sega mega drive collection which has the original sonic the hedgehog games on, the lego games and Mario kart

Its not about the lite being uncool more that it is single player so only one child can use at a time. With the other one they (and you if you chose) can play certain games together. I found that whilst it caused the occasional fight it made controlling screen time and who's turn it is much easier!

I would buy the full Switch as you can use it in handheld mode too. I got ours from Argos as a bundle (console, case and game), as I very rarely have issues returning things there if they break or I have problems with it.

With hardcopy games you can also trade them in and use the proceeds to buy new games which is handy when you finish a game or get bored of it

I wouldn't get the lite with multiple kids as it's only hand held.

I would Google and watch some YouTube videos taking you through system set up so you can do it easily on Xmas day

Also, Mario Party is a great game to get, as it contains lots of mini games which keeps it varied.

For what it's worth, we've never used protective covers and they've never been broken which is a miracle for us. We often play as a family on the TV, so I would also recommend the full Switch.

Definitely get the full switch with extra controllers. We love ours, and have a family games night at least once a week. Fave games here are Mario kart, Pokémon, Rayman and Zelda.

@coodawoodashooda

I think the lite one sounds more for us? Or is that not as 'cool'?

Only one player at a time on the Switch Lite. It is handheld only. Cannot be connected to the TV for multiple players or big screen play. With three children you need a classic Switch or three Lite versions for individual play.

Switch comes with a pair of detachable joy-cons. One joy-con per player. You would need to purchase an additional set. There are also holders to snap the joy-cons into to have a larger and more comfortable experience. Alternatively, you can purchase pro controllers that are typical console controllers. This is what our family use.

Games are purchased separately. You can buy a bundle deal with the console. Nintendo eshop is usually higher that the physical game cartridges you purchase in store.

Tampered glass screen protector recommended and inexpensive.

A case recommended only if you don't plan to have it docked and connected to TV.

Highly recommend Mario Kart, 1 2 Switch, Cars, and Super Smash Bros.