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.

@coodawoodashooda

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

For three young siblings and this being their first gaming system…you DEFINITELY need the full version rather than the lite AND enough controllers for them all to play at once.

Thank you everyone.

The Nintendo ring, would that be instead of or as well as? No way can i afford both!

Ring fit is a separate game with a separate controller/adaptor called a ring-con. It’s sport/fitness based where you use your body to defeat enemies by doing squats, jogging, boxing etc. From memory it’s suitable for age 7 and up, but definitely not necessary to have - plenty of people have a switch but don’t have ring fit.

@babblingbumblingbandofbaboons

Ring fit is a separate game with a separate controller/adaptor called a ring-con. It’s sport/fitness based where you use your body to defeat enemies by doing squats, jogging, boxing etc. From memory it’s suitable for age 7 and up, but definitely not necessary to have - plenty of people have a switch but don’t have ring fit.

Thank you. The money is fairly adding up. It seems i had budgeted for the switch lite. Thank you.

@babblingbumblingbandofbaboons

Ring fit is a separate game with a separate controller/adaptor called a ring-con. It’s sport/fitness based where you use your body to defeat enemies by doing squats, jogging, boxing etc. From memory it’s suitable for age 7 and up, but definitely not necessary to have - plenty of people have a switch but don’t have ring fit.

If i bought it another time. Like next year, would 1 ringfit be enough? Or would everyone need one?

No problem at all! Having used both I’d absolutely say that the full switch is worth the extra, you’ll get years of use from it - the lite (especially with multiple users) is false economy,

So if you bought ring fit at some point you’d need to buy the game (which comes with one ring-con and leg strap) plus additional ring cons and leg straps for additional players.

You might benefit from going into a store like Smyth’s or Game and speaking to staff to get an idea of what you might like to buy. I find particularly Game staff really knowledgeable and they won’t force you to buy. You can then look to find deals once you know what you want?

I second game. You can also buy preowned games in there which makes them a bit cheaper

We always buy hard copies of games rather than the digital versions (if a physical copy is available - some are digital only).

It means that if we don't get on with a game or complete it and don't want to keep it, we can trade it in at CEX/eBay etc which you can't do with the digital game.

What does the 10 year old want to play? Eldest DS is 10 and has a pretty clear idea of what he wants to play, most of which is on a laptop not a console. I think there is a bit of a gap with consoles between kids stuff and then adult shooting games. (Also the Youtubers he tends to watch play on PCs.) We have a really old Wii and an Xbox 360 and then buy games for the laptop on Steam etc. Also if they want to play online you need to factor in some sort of subscription. A brand new console might come with something for the first year as part of the bundle but it's easy to end up paying extra.

@babblingbumblingbandofbaboons

You might benefit from going into a store like Smyth’s or Game and speaking to staff to get an idea of what you might like to buy. I find particularly Game staff really knowledgeable and they won’t force you to buy. You can then look to find deals once you know what you want?

I hadn't thought about Game. Thats a good idea.

Hey op I would personally suggest the full switch can be easily used by all. (May save on arguments)
If I remember rightly we got ours on black friday at Tesco (plus we had staff discount)
They usually come with a game.
And whats lovely every birthday there is a game that can be bought to build up as you go along.
I did look at second hand but I was concerned spending such a large amount with no guarantee. However I noticed cex have a 24month guarantee??
Im so excited for you. You must have worked really hard.

I think ill have to go into a shop. Honestly I might as well be buying a rocket. It all makes so little sense to me. I don't understand why i need extra hand buttons if I've bought three consoles, would they not all come with the same things?

Oh you are buying them one each???

The red switch joycons always break, not sure why but we have several sets of joycons and the red ones die within a couple of weeks. Ring fit is great exercise but not that much fun, just dance is great. Mario kart and Mario party are great fun.

@coodawoodashooda

I think ill have to go into a shop. Honestly I might as well be buying a rocket. It all makes so little sense to me. I don't understand why i need extra hand buttons if I've bought three consoles, would they not all come with the same things?

They don't need a console each. One console, with extra controls is enough for them to play together

@Wynston

Oh you are buying them one each???

I think so. I have been putting money away for it.

I need for them to use it on their own without a tele, at my parents etc. Does that not mean they need one each? Ideally they have a handset and for special occasions they are allowed to use the tele. Or am i being really stupid?

If you’re buying the full size switch you only need one console plus one extra pair of joycons. This will give you one console plus 4 controllers.

If you buy the switch lite you need 3 consoles, no extra controllers.

The switch lite cannot be connected to the tv, some games can be played multiplayer by linking the multiple consoles, but you wouldn’t be able to have them all playing on the tv.

The full switch can be played on the tv or handheld, but would only be one handheld player at a time.

Definitely go into game and speak to someone face to face - they’ll be able to show you what each looks like and it will make far more sense!

If you are buying them one each then the switch lite might suit you after all, but they will only be able to play hand held, not on TV?

I agree that it might be best to go into a shop and talk to them about what you want and what might be needed. I was assuming you were buying one switch between the 3 kids which was why I suggested extra controls. If you are buying them a console each then you won't need the extras.

Bear in mind you can't use ringfit (the game with the ring) on the Switch lite and there is a couple of other games where you either can't play or gameplay is severely restricted on the lite.

I'd get at least one TV one.. but I guess that's not fair on the other two

@Atla

If you are buying them one each then the switch lite might suit you after all, but they will only be able to play hand held, not on TV?

I agree that it might be best to go into a shop and talk to them about what you want and what might be needed. I was assuming you were buying one switch between the 3 kids which was why I suggested extra controls. If you are buying them a console each then you won't need the extras.

Thank you. Im honestly not trying to be awkward. I intend for them to game as a bit of a babysitting tool. That's why i want for them to have one each. I also want them to enjoy playing each other on the tele. Would anyone be up for writing me a shopping list?