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.

@babblingbumblingbandofbaboons

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.

This thread makes really good sense until i need to buy the extra controllers. Surely they would all come inclusive?

You can set it up for no online play, so they just play their own single player game.

@coodawoodashooda you know your own kids best. Does your oldest one have an opinion about what they would like?

Mine have a switch between them, but we also have a PC that they can use for gaming and things like Minecraft that can be played on tablet, so they don't have to play together/agree on a game.

For fairness on Xmas day maybe a switch lite each plus a game or two that they might like. You could always get a Switch at a later date if they want to do multiplayer?

@coodawoodashooda

Is Minecraft on a switch the same Minecraft thats on an xbox?

Minecraft seems to be platform dependent, if you’re playing on iPad you can join other people playing on iPad, but not PC or Switch, I don’t know about Xbox, but it would be worth checking if it’s important for them to join their friends. I didn’t find it as easy to play on the switch personally. Have any of their friends got a switch already? I got my two one for Christmas last year and although my 7 year old plays animal crossing a lot, my 10 year old hardly plays on it at all, she plays Roblox and minecraft on her iPad instead. It might be worth trying one out if possible. I’m really put off by the price of the games.

Minecraft is great. They don’t need to play with other kids. It's really innocuous on creative mode. It's my favourite option out of all the games mine have.

Only read OP's posts.

Switch is a good call for one console to share. There's a new "OLED Switch" with a bigger and better screen. If it'll be mostly played by itself in tabletop or handheld mode consider it, if it'll be mostly played plugged into a TV then consider the older one to save money.

"Tabletop mode": You just prop it up on the kickstand it has, take the controllers off the console, and play. So you can all sit round for multiplayer without needing to plug it into a TV. Really good for if you're travelling. Obviously a TV gives a much bigger display (and also the Switch runs in a higher graphics mode when docked).

I think other posts have covered the accessories. Second pair of Joycons for 4 player. Screen protector's a good idea; the Switch has a plastic screen which is smash-proof but scratches easily.

On games. They're not all the 40 or 50 quid price. On the eShop there's loads of cheaper ones. Eg I got Gear Club Unlimited, a decent enough racing game (not the best, but it's alright) for a few quid.

Online multiplayer requires a subscription. You don't need that for multiplayer on one console, or even on multiple consoles in the same room/house/picnic blanket.

Parental controls are kind of complicated. Make sure there's no way the kids could run up a huge bill - there are some Switch games with mobile-style money pit purchases.

That's the Switch. If you think your kids would prefer a device each, consider the 2DS/3DS range, though you'll be buying second-hand. It's a last-gen console but the games are still being sold.

@coodawoodashooda “ This thread makes really good sense until i need to buy the extra controllers. Surely they would all come inclusive”

When you buy a switch you get the console like the one shown in this link. The red and blue things on each side are the joycons (controllers). When you use the switch hand held these stay attached and are used as one controller. When you play multiplayer, these come off and can be used as one controller or as two single controllers.

So for all 3 of your kids to play together you need an extra set of these controllers, as you only have two with the console on its own. Does this make more sense?

www.google.co.uk/search?q=nintendo+switch&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwj50Y_i59TzAhUq-YUKHZV0CSoQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=nintendo+switch&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzIECAAQAzIECAAQAzIHCAAQsQMQQzIHCAAQsQMQQzIHCAAQsQMQQ1AAWABgtTNoAHAAeACAAVGIAZYBkgEBMpgBAMABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=kNptYfnJEKrylwSV6aXQAg&bih=659&biw=390&client=safari&hl=en-gb

Missed the link off the previous post!

@Atla

You can set it up for no online play, so they just play their own single player game.

@coodawoodashooda you know your own kids best. Does your oldest one have an opinion about what they would like?

Mine have a switch between them, but we also have a PC that they can use for gaming and things like Minecraft that can be played on tablet, so they don't have to play together/agree on a game.

For fairness on Xmas day maybe a switch lite each plus a game or two that they might like. You could always get a Switch at a later date if they want to do multiplayer?

I would never ask them. Im so tight about stuff like this. They'll never believe id buy it.

I think you could get the full switch (not the lite) plus 2 extra controllers and a game each according to their interest, so a total of 3 games.
Plus the extra TV.

@Jimjamjong

I think you could get the full switch (not the lite) plus 2 extra controllers and a game each according to their interest, so a total of 3 games. Plus the extra TV.

This is a really good suggestion for a starter pack. Add in the hard case for transport and you’re complete, and still at far less cost than 3 separate consoles and sets of games. Honestly though, it will make far more sense if you go speak to someone in store, try game, explain that you’re really confused by options and that you think you need what’s been recommended here, they’ll keep you right, you’ll come out with a shopping list, and you can then organise the best deal you can

Another vote for buying physical copies of games, rather than downloading them. Buy them second hand if you can, from CEX or ebay, and sell them on when they outgrow them.

The Switch Parental Control app for your phone is good - you can set age restrictions, time limits, and make sure you don't save your debit card details on the device! (or password protect it).

I would make sure you set it all up before Christmas day - faffing on with accounts etc can take a while.

I bought a switch a couple of years ago for two DC. I didn't/don't know anything about them so bought extra controllers too.

My observations:
Bought the main switch even though was tempted by the Lite but wanted children to share and play together.
Extra controllers are not needed for two children but would be needed for three.
DC1 only played Animal Crossing and one other game in a few YEARS.
DC1 prefers to play Roblox on an old laptop.
DC2 has NEVER played on the switch. Has absolutely NO interest whatsoever. However would happily watch YouTube videos all day long if allowed.

On reflection a second cheap tv, one main switch, additional controllers and a couple of games is all you need to start off with. Your DC can go to Game and choose second hand games they think they'd like at a later time - on birthdays etc.
Also try Game for second hand consoles at a later time if you think they would prefer their own handheld devices. Get them on each of their birthdays. Game repair them before selling on. In the meantime they can share the main switch and see how they get on/if they like it at all?

List of what you need:

1 Switch (give this to the eldest)
2 Switch lites
Spare controller
Cases
Screen protectors
Games
Possible TV if want to stretch that far.

My 10 yr old is ready to move on from a Switch now. He wants a PS4 or gaming PC as these have fuller versions of games with all the features that aren't available on the Switch. Also the switch is WiFi only, because it is supposed to be portable. If you have average to slow WiFi then it will impact some of the gaming experience, especially if they are playing online with friends. A PS4 can be wired with an Ethernet cable to give a faster internet speed. These things are most important to my DS but may not be for yours.

@DuvetDayIsEveryDay

List of what you need:

1 Switch (give this to the eldest)
2 Switch lites
Spare controller
Cases
Screen protectors
Games
Possible TV if want to stretch that far.

If i did this would it mean the eldest had something fancier? Would 3 lites and 1 main thing actually be more fair? (my xh does unfair gifts, its a bit sensitive)

Yes, giving one the main switch is fancier, but not necessarily unfair if they’re a bit older. Bear in mind that all 3 would use the main one. In all honesty though, 3 consoles is likely overkill and a bit of a waste of money until you understand if all 3 will use it. Use the extra to buy extra games and accessories rather than extra consoles and I bet they’ll love it!

@babblingbumblingbandofbaboons

Yes, giving one the main switch is fancier, but not necessarily unfair if they’re a bit older. Bear in mind that all 3 would use the main one. In all honesty though, 3 consoles is likely overkill and a bit of a waste of money until you understand if all 3 will use it. Use the extra to buy extra games and accessories rather than extra consoles and I bet they’ll love it!

Another thicko question. How will i understand if all 3 will use it? I can't afford to waste the money but it's such a lot of money i can't afford to get it wrong either.

You won’t understand this until you have one. This is why I’d only get one, full switch, not lite. That way all 3 can use it, both together and on their own. You might find all 3 love it, or you might find (like a previous poster) that one child loves, one occasionally plays and one isn’t bothered by it in the slightest! So I’d caution against wasting money on multiples as it could be a waste and you won’t know beforehand as they’ve never had one.

After this (future birthdays or christmases) you can decide if they’d like a lite to use on their own and take it from there :)

Please don't buy more than one console. It's such a lot of money and it's not necessary. One switch and extra controllers is enough for 3 children.

We have a switch and the most fun is playing it with other people. I can count on hand the number of times my son plays on it in his own.

You know your children OP. If you were to buy ONE of the main switch consoles, and an extra pair of controllers so all your children could play a game at the same time, would they enjoy this? Do they get on well?
Also if this is from Santa as you said above I'd purchase:
-One Switch Console (not the lite)
-One extra set of controllers for the 3rd child

• A multiplayer game such as Mario Kart or others upthread
• A solo game, Like animal crossing, I'm pretty sure each child can have their own account on the switch so can play each game separately (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that though).
• And some forms of protection (A case, tempered glass screen protector)

Then I would wrap it all up nicely, put it in a posh gift bag/box and have it as one big present from Santa/yourself! They'd be chuffed.
However, if they can't use a tv at your grandparents/your house they would have to take it in turns to play whilst the other two watched/waited, do you think this would cause problems or would they sit patiently and wait for their turn?
If you don't think they'd enjoy waiting, then a small tv too so they can just play multiplayer.
Hope this hasn't confused you more.

I don't know that much about the switch, dd got one from her grandparents at Christmas. They wanted to buy her the lite, but decided on the actual switch so she could play through the TV.
To enjoy game play more, I have bought an extra controller as the joycons are very small for adult hands.
Also, be really careful which games you choose. It is surprising how many of the games are only one player, or the second players character doesn't have a full part in the game.
I have just downloaded Lego City Undercover for £12 from the Nintendo shop and dd (10) and I are really enjoying it, it seems like a massive game and it's truly 2 player.

I would get one switch console and the extra controller for now. And then think about lites for birthdays in the future. You'll have more of a feel for what games each of them like (and which ones actually care about having a console) while also having that central console to play as a family.

Also consider going to CEX for second hand console and games.

I second the idea of a TV at the grandparents house to be able to hold off on the separate consoles for a bit. I know it's different now but me and my siblings never had our own consoles, we just had the megadrive on a TV in the dining room.

I made the mistake of impulse purchasing one in lockdown, it was great for during lockdown and we did lots of just dance, Mario kart and Minecraft (later two with dh) but it barely gets touched now. Dd doesn't quite get how to play the games or use the controller. Hoping ds will be much better at it so it doesn't end up being a complete waste of money!

I think if it was me I would buy 1 switch as a joint present between the 3 of them and whatever accessories and games you want to buy.

The detachable joycon controllers (red and blue things at the side of screen) detach and can be used individually, allowing 2 players to play. If you want 3 or 4 players (for something like super smash bros, Mario kart etc) you'll need an extra set of joycon controllers. If you think they'll be ok to take turns, or will prefer single player games then you don't need to buy them.

If they've never had anything like this before I'd do this before getting them an individual device.

We bought one for my son last Xmas and bought the extra £30 cover. Money well spent as it was dropped down the stairs and then quickly replaced. This was from Currys and they also price match.
Check out CEX for pre loved games they're still in cases and apart from being unsealed look new. Huge savings there especially for younger DC who don't need the "new" games.

I got equally confused by all this last Xmas but it does make sense once you see it. We have a normal switch and an extra set of joy cons, all games are shared.
Animal crossing was the disappointment for me as in multi player mode there's a "main" player and the other players have to follow that player around.
But mario kart and Minecraft are firm favourites (plus some others).