Reminder : if you bought a console for Christmas...

[TicTacTwo]

Don't forget to do the registering and updating before Xmas Day. Both the console and any games need updating.

On Xmas Day/Boxing Day the servers will be very busy and the last thing you want is to have a child (or spouse) constantly clock watching because their downloads will take hours.

Good reminder OP. The Nintendo website/store in particular is notorious for going down on Christmas Day.

I’d also advise anyone who is a newbie to consoles and who has children under 12 to make sure to set up the main Nintendo / PlayStation / Xbox etc account in your (the adult’s) name and set up a child account for each child as a sub account (and make sure you write down all the usernames and passwords for each one). If you set up the main account in your child’s name it’s bloody impossible to put any restrictions on it (learnt from bitter experience).

You can do a lot of the above in advance on a computer rather than on the console itself - then just log in once you have the console set up.

My 14 year old brother ripped into his Xbox only to find the mains adaptor wasn't there

Top tip! Have got my son an Xbox Series X - will have a look at it ASAP! Thanks

Does anyone know - if we set up the new Xbox using ds’ account, will ds be able to see that we’ve done it? Don’t want to spoil the surprise!

@IndoorLiving

Does anyone know - if we set up the new Xbox using ds’ account, will ds be able to see that we’ve done it? Don’t want to spoil the surprise!

It is a good idea to set up in advance, we did that with ds's first ever X-box but I'm pretty sure if it is an upgrade and they already have a console they will get a security email saying there has been a sign-on elsewhere.

The good news is it means when the upgrade is happening they can be downstairs helping with Christmas dinner or playing monopoly instead so you actually see them on the day!!!!

Do you have to do all of this with a Switch? Brought one this year and I have no idea about consoles at all!! Any guidance? Thanks

@DaisyDaisydoo

Do you have to do all of this with a Switch? Brought one this year and I have no idea about consoles at all!! Any guidance? Thanks

Yes, from memory you do. A Nintendo account anyway. Would be worth setting it up just for ease.

Thank you, I’m clueless, last one I used was a Sega mega drive in the 90’s!

Thanks for the heads up. DH used to have a PS4, so hoping that means he already has an account and can play the PS5 without set up issues. Actually we’ve got young DC so he’ll be lucky if he gets any free time for game playing before Boxing Day 😂

@DaisyDaisydoo

Thank you, I’m clueless, last one I used was a Sega mega drive in the 90’s!

I had the same in the 90s just bought my kids a Switch for Christmas! Thank you for this OP!

If we manage to get DSS a PS5 for Christmas, I actually don't think we'll be setting it up beforehand, as I know he won't want to join in with anything we're doing on the day! I'd be more than happy if it was out of action for the day, then he can play on Boxing Day (or maybe later on Christmas Day). Can't imagine how difficult it would be to get him off it if he got straight on!

Thanks. Wouldn’t have occurred to me to create accounts. Any other tips for a new Switch user? First console since the 90’s.

Another new switch user here looking for any tips! I've not been on a console for decades

I assume you open it, plug it in, connect to tv? Is it straightforward? And then you create an account?

My DH got DS an old Wii for Christmas and set it up in October so I think we're OK!

@IknowIcan

Another new switch user here looking for any tips! I've not been on a console for decades

I assume you open it, plug it in, connect to tv? Is it straightforward? And then you create an account?

Yes. Then you'll be prompted to download system updates. Each game usually has updates too so I'd put the disk in and check.

Thanks TicTacToe that's really helpful

*TicTacTwo

If you have purchased extra controllers make sure to charge them in advance. If you have a switch they need to be connected to the console (unless you buy an independent charger, which I’d very much recommend) so you won’t be able to charge all of them at the same time.

My adult ds treated himself to a new game one year near Xmas. Queued for the release... Waited the download time - think it was 4 hours...
Ddog walked past and wagged her tail - switched the Xbox off and he had to start again!!.

Beware all tails this Xmas mners!!

Thank you for this. I've bought a switch this year. Never had a console before ever! Had no idea this was a thing. I'll look into it and get it done (aka get the hubby on the case!)

Thanks @TicTacTwo - set my son’s new Xbox up today and it took me a good couple of hours to download and update all the games plus create accounts. You’ve made my life so much easier!!

Thank you so much. We've just set this up. It would have been a nightmare to do it all with a ridiculously excitable 5 year old and 7 year old on Christmas Day!

Thanks for this! I’m also a ‘switch’ newbie so that will get done this week

I got ds the new x box x for Christmas. But he is one of those teenagers who enjoys the set up and would be devastated if I did it for him, he would want to be the first to unbox it as well.