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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think 2 is not enough?

158 replies

RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 10:57

Our two kids (6 and 8) are having a Nintendo switch (to share) for Christmas. It’s their main present but they are having other things as well. DH and I have different views about how many games we should buy to go with the switch. DH thinks two is plenty but I want to get them more! I would have probably gone for at least 4 or 5 on the basis that it’s Christmas and they’ll probably be playing it quite a bit over the holidays. DH thinks 2 is plenty for now and they can build up more over time. I’m worried it won’t be as exciting if they only have a couple of games and get bored of them quickly.

I should say this is representative of our general views towards Christmas presents. DH is a little more on the sensible (miserly?) side and I am a little more generous (frivolous?!) The money itself isn’t an issue but DH never wants to go wild at Christmas and I don’t know whether he’s being too much of a Scrooge or whether I have the tendency to perhaps go a little over the top, maybe it’s a little of both.

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 29/11/2023 11:46

Rocket League and Fall Guys are free on Switch too, as well as Fortnite.
Fall Guys is great fun and suitable for younger children.

PhotographTheLights · 29/11/2023 11:46

As you’ve said money isn’t an issue, I’d get a least a couple more.

strawberry2017 · 29/11/2023 11:50

Get 2 and then let them spend Xmas money on one or say they can pick one after Xmas.

ThePineapplePrincess · 29/11/2023 11:52

Desecratedcoconut · 29/11/2023 11:40

And...she asked for opinions on the number of games not the number of switches?

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Right, but she also said money isn’t an issue. Christmas is no time to be miserly.

Sure, make your kids share if you’re struggling, but no reason to if you’re not.

Mumof1andacat · 29/11/2023 11:53

2 games. Then they can swap between themselves.

LoveSkaMusic · 29/11/2023 11:56

I would go with three games, something like Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and something like Just Dance.

Do yourself a favour and buy an extra set of joy cons so you can play 4-player games. It'll be worth it! 4 player mario kart is an absolute joy!

Also, worth bearing in mind is that the Nintendo eshop has a bunch of really cheap games so you could add some more over the christmas period once the Switch is all up and running at around £5-10 each.

Nuca · 29/11/2023 11:56

I do actually also agree with @ThePineapplePrincess that if budget isn't an issue then a Switch each would be a better idea, but only if budget would allow it. There are a lot of games that are one player only and are best played whilst it's handheld rather than through the TV

It may end up causing a lot of arguments (like it did when we had a shared one) as understandably they are likely to want to play their game and not be very co-operative with sharing

Desecratedcoconut · 29/11/2023 11:57

ThePineapplePrincess · 29/11/2023 11:52

Right, but she also said money isn’t an issue. Christmas is no time to be miserly.

Sure, make your kids share if you’re struggling, but no reason to if you’re not.

Show quote history

But perhaps the op doesn't want her children sat at two different corners of the house on individual consoles but has chosen a single shared switch to encourage them to play with one another?

friendsfiend · 29/11/2023 12:03

ThePineapplePrincess · 29/11/2023 11:29

I would be getting a switch each and 2 games each (different ones though, so they could share if they wanted).

I agree with this although I realise that's a crazy expense.
If one of them gets into something like Minecraft or Zelda there will be fights over game time. It'll be frustrating for the other child waiting because a lot of the more involved games are single player.

ThePineapplePrincess · 29/11/2023 12:04

Desecratedcoconut · 29/11/2023 11:57

But perhaps the op doesn't want her children sat at two different corners of the house on individual consoles but has chosen a single shared switch to encourage them to play with one another?

Show quote history

They are not going to be more inclined to play together because they have one console.

Nineteendays · 29/11/2023 12:05

2 games is fine- if it’s something like minecraft, they can spend hours on it because it’s open ended. I would also advise making sure you buy 2 controllers so they can play games together. Mario kart like a pp suggested is great for their ages.

2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps · 29/11/2023 12:07

ThePineapplePrincess · 29/11/2023 11:29

I would be getting a switch each and 2 games each (different ones though, so they could share if they wanted).

I also agree with this. Getting given a present that you have to share isn't really a present at all, in my mind.

Original poster
RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 12:09

Desecratedcoconut · 29/11/2023 11:57

But perhaps the op doesn't want her children sat at two different corners of the house on individual consoles but has chosen a single shared switch to encourage them to play with one another?

Show quote history

Yes that’s exactly it. We don’t really want them on handheld consoles for a number of reasons. We liked the concept that, with the switch, it would be plugged(?) into the TV and work on the TV in the family room as a joint console, either just for the boys to play together or for all four of us, and we’ve ordered another set of controllers as suggested by another poster. Mario Kart is one of the games we’ve ordered. I would also like Mario party as I remember that being a good multi player game when I was younger and I used to play with my brother. It’s good to know you can purchase games online, I didn’t know this, so perhaps we could start with 2 or 3 (I’d like sports as well) and then buy more multi player games from the online shop as and when. Thanks everyone for the input. It’s also good to know there is a mix in opinions and there are some great suggestions re multiplayer games.

OP posts:
Original poster
RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 12:10

ThePineapplePrincess · 29/11/2023 12:04

They are not going to be more inclined to play together because they have one console.

Show quote history

Does it not plug into the TV though as one console that can be used by the family? Perhaps I’m wrong on this point! I thought it did…

OP posts:
Original poster
RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 12:12

2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps · 29/11/2023 12:07

I also agree with this. Getting given a present that you have to share isn't really a present at all, in my mind.

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Ah, that’s a shame. Thankfully my kids are much more grateful.

OP posts:
usernother · 29/11/2023 12:13

Two is enough to start with.

friendsfiend · 29/11/2023 12:15

@RunningonCaffeine there's no need to be snarky!

2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps · 29/11/2023 12:16

RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 12:12

Ah, that’s a shame. Thankfully my kids are much more grateful.

Show quote history

As someone who grew up in a family where we were regularly made to share due to tight finances, it's really not down to being ungrateful and more to do with it just being nice to have things that are actually yours.

"Merry Christmas! You can play with this another time once James has had his turn". Fun 🙄

cstaff · 29/11/2023 12:18

Do you have any relations / friends that are asking you what to buy your kids. It could be a good suggestion to mention Game A while you buy Game B and C. I know that is the kind of thing our parents did way back when - not sure if it still a thing,

Original poster
RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 12:19

But, my understanding was, a switch didn’t work in that way. It’s a single console that you can link to the TV where everyone gets a controller and can play a shared game such as Mario Kart or other multi player games?

Edit: sorry that was meant to quote your post 2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps

OP posts:
PhotographTheLights · 29/11/2023 12:20

there's no need to be snarky!

Ignore it. Probably miserable with her tight arse husband.

Desecratedcoconut · 29/11/2023 12:21

Oh please, plenty of kids share all kinds of things and have far more fun playing together. Clearly that won't be your preference if you are a selfish, whiny kid but the op hasn't said anything to suggest that her kids are like this.

HeWhoMustNotBeNamed · 29/11/2023 12:23

RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 12:19

But, my understanding was, a switch didn’t work in that way. It’s a single console that you can link to the TV where everyone gets a controller and can play a shared game such as Mario Kart or other multi player games?

Edit: sorry that was meant to quote your post 2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps

Edited

You're right OP - it can easily be shared at those ages where they will be playing multiplayer things like Mariokart and Mario Party. I would discourage you from buying single player games as that's when the fights might start.

2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps · 29/11/2023 12:24

RunningonCaffeine · 29/11/2023 12:19

But, my understanding was, a switch didn’t work in that way. It’s a single console that you can link to the TV where everyone gets a controller and can play a shared game such as Mario Kart or other multi player games?

Edit: sorry that was meant to quote your post 2PintsOfCidernaBagofCrisps

Edited

I think it maybe can have that functionality but its the most common use of it. My son uses his Switch sort of like a portable PlayStation. It's good for taking on holidays, long car journeys etc. The point of the Switch, to my understanding, is that it's a hand-held device.

If you want something that's main purpose is group players via TV, then look at a Nintendo Wii

cowgirl42 · 29/11/2023 12:26

Maybe get one of the games that is two player so they can play together/against each other.

Might be a bit of a nightmare otherwise unless they are great at sharing.

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