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Original poster

Nintendo Switch question

29 replies

ShayAndBlueSeeker · 07/12/2020 11:56

I am driving myself mad with this question. I have two children age 8 and 10. I have one nintendo switch for Christmas. This was meant to be for the 10 year old. HOWEVER, I'm now wondering if I should get one for the 8 year old too? I know they will play together a lot, but when we are travelling (family in Australia so in normal times we fly a lot) etc they might really like one each. OR do I stick with one normal switch and get a switch lite for the other child? Tell me what to do, please!
Oh, and practical issue - I have one switch in my house, hidden away. It might be a nightmare to get a second one as all sold out, but Switch lite are in stock... PLEASE BOSS ME ABOUT AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO. Thank you!

OP posts:
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 07/12/2020 12:07

Switch lite is pants. They can't play co-op games.
If its an affordability question I'd just get one switch and they can share.

Mario Kart is a great two player as are the dancing ones, lego etc.

I wouldn't waste my money on a lite to be honest. Especially if one is getting a proper Switch.

RememberSelfCompassion · 07/12/2020 12:09

We're just getting one!

DominaShantotto · 07/12/2020 12:11

Mine have switch lites and there are a couple of normal switches around in the house too (me and DH both have them). We get the odd thing they want to play on the normal switches - so if you've got one normal one as an option you would probably be OK with a lite as long as you make it clear that if it's a game that needs the big switch they have to share.

superstar84 · 07/12/2020 12:11

Don't get a switch lite, the normal one is worth the extra

I wouldn't buy one each as that's a lot of money for us

frogswimming · 07/12/2020 12:43

We have main switch for one dc other two have lites. Works well. If they want to do multi player they all use big switch with own controllers. Can go off and do own thing on lite.

PinkJam · 07/12/2020 13:29

I would give them the switch as a joint present to share.

LunchWithAGruffalo · 07/12/2020 16:05

Could you buy a switch as a joint present now, perhaps a game targeted towards each child for them to individually unwrap. Then if it's a big hit and actually goes traveling with you look into another later. If it is just for travel then a lite could be fine.

Ours are a bit older now, but the switch is a family console and stays downstairs (well the charger does, occasionally they do play with it elsewhere). They spend much more time playing with it connected to the TV than as a handheld.

Friendshighschool · 07/12/2020 17:11

I think giving them one to share is miserable. Yes, it’s expensive but miserable all the same. Who gets first go on Christmas Day.

PinkJam · 07/12/2020 17:20

@Friendshighschool Why would it be miserable? There is no problem with only having one of each console for the kids to share.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 07/12/2020 17:23

Give it to the eldest. The younger can get their own next year or when they are ten

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 07/12/2020 17:25

@PinkJam

I would give them the switch as a joint present to share.
Who opens it? Who gets first go? What parent wants to police individual turn taking of a Christmas gift?

Not for me. The eldest or one each.

NowWhatUsernameShallIHave · 07/12/2020 17:31

We just bought an extra set of joy cons

You can then also play as 4 players as we do in Tokyo Olympics

Justforphoto · 07/12/2020 17:36

I think giving them one to share is miserable. Yes, it’s expensive but miserable all the same. Who gets first go on Christmas Day.

It's far more fun to play against each other, it isn't a question of taking turns.

studychick81 · 07/12/2020 17:38

I don't think they need one each do they? My ds is getting one for his birthday soon as although it's his present I expect him to share it with dd otherwise it will be put away. I have got two extra controllers so we can play as a family.

Justforphoto · 07/12/2020 17:41

How about have the switch itself as a household present and get the dc a couple of games each. Depending how you would use a switch then buying for an individual child can be difficult, where would it live, do they have their own bedrooms with a tv in that it would be used with or would it be in a family room? We may have the worlds biggest collection of games consoles but they all belong to the family and live in a communal space, I don't really like the dc being off playing games on screens on their own.

KumquatSalad · 07/12/2020 17:41

Everyone shared consoles with their siblings when I was a kid (if they were lucky enough to get one!).

It’s weird that anyone would think sharing a switch was ‘miserable’. It’s a big present even shared. And an exciting one.

They can decide together, or flip a coin to see who goes first on Christmas Day. Or they can both play the same game at the same time. It’s hardly difficult or horrible.

LadyCatStark · 07/12/2020 17:43

@Friendshighschool

I think giving them one to share is miserable. Yes, it’s expensive but miserable all the same. Who gets first go on Christmas Day.
They play together 🤷‍♀️. I think it’s better to give it as a joint present than give it to the eldest and expect him to share or the youngest to wait til the eldest let’s him have a turn.
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 07/12/2020 18:02

Isn't it more because the switch is a handheld? I know it can be used on tv as well, but it would be like getting a Nintendo DS in 1999 for christmas and having to take turns with siblings.

NuniaBeeswax · 07/12/2020 18:07

The Switch is nowhere near a handheld in the same way a DS is.

InFiveMins · 07/12/2020 18:25

I would get the switch and the switch lite and give them as joint presents. Both have their advantages. I personally prefer the switch lite.

livingthegoodlife · 07/12/2020 19:10

I would give it as a joint present. Don't get a lite or the younger one might feel they got an inferior present.

I think it's mean to give it to the elder and expect him to share. Give it joint.

swashbucklecheer · 07/12/2020 19:15

My 2 are getting a switch as a joint present and they'll be very grateful for it. No need for 1 each just manners and sharing

JinglePies · 07/12/2020 22:11

Thank you all! I think it’s fine to have it as a joint present. BUT, it will cause problems when we are not at home and they have to share. They’re great at sharing, but sometimes it’d be good for them not to have to... All screens belong downstairs in our house. Never allowed in bedrooms etc. The thing with a switch and a lite is that they would definitely have to be joint presents otherwise one will feel that they got the slightly less incredible present. This is their first ever console so they are going to be blown away!

Hohomerryxmas · 08/12/2020 04:16

I'd probably only stick with just the one for now and see how you get on with it. I bought one for my DC to share 2 christmases ago and I ended up selling it this November because the novelty wore off and it hadn't been played with in months.

DominaShantotto · 08/12/2020 09:42

Might be worth looking on the Nintendo UK store if you're wanting a "full" switch - they've not got the standard blue and red ones in but they do currently have the Animal Crossing limited edition one restocked (which I have wanted for sooooooo long). May also mean some second hand ones appear for sale - I'm debating selling my original one now I've got the animal crossing one ordered.

Mine have never really felt like the lites are inferior - they tend to prefer them because they're more comfortable to hold for long periods of time - the full switch in handheld mode isn't the most ergonomic and given the option they'll use a full size switch for a while and then swap back to their smaller ones.