Assume I'm an idiot about nintendo switch

[Blessedbethefruitz]

I want to buy a switch (not lite, not oled) as a shared gift for dp and ds. I have picked a few games too that they'll enjoy individually and together. I am waiting for black Friday bundles - is this right, or might they run out? I saw they don't usually get discounted as such, but bundled for better value.

I have ordered a soft pouch to keep it safe when not in use. Do I need a hard cover for when in use (ds will be almost 4 - he plays the ds and computer but is clumsy)? Do I need extra storage and if so, how much? Do I need steering wheels for mario Kart?! Do I need to do updates/downloads in the days before Xmas so it's playable? Do I need anything else?! I have never owned or cared about a console...

Also, reviews of paw patrol seem pretty bad, is it terrible?

I can't answer most of your questions but there's a few recent threads on nintendo switch if you search. I've posted on one recently so they might answer some of your questions.

If you want it to plug into the TV it needs a hdmi port. Mine ports are all too close together to use at the same time so I had to buy a splitter thing to plug the firestick/switch into so I don't have to unplug constantly.

It's very easy to set up. It'll need charging before it's played with.

*My

We have ours stored in the holder/charger that it comes with along with the two controllers. We also have a splitter thing bug as we only have two hdmi ports and didn't want to be changing all the time.

I'd reccomend an extra set of controllers so you can join in playing - and some sort of charging dock for them.

The price doesn't seem to drop at all just slight variations on the games available in bundles.

Agree, as @AutumnDaysDawn says, most of the Switch action in our house is on the TV so the Switch comes with a dock & you play using the TV screen.

You can play as a handheld which might be useful E.g. on car journeys - not sure if you can get cases for playing but might be worth investigating. I try to limit my kids doing this because of the posture issues.

We have Mario Kart & no steering wheels though it might be easier for your little one to use one, so maybe get one, your DH should be fine without.

i would definitely do your updates & downloads in advance of Christmas Day - we didn’t and the kids couldn’t play the games in the bundle as the Nintendo Shop was too busy & the bundle games are downloaded not on chips. Luckily we’d told various family they were getting a Switch so they had games to play on the day.

No advice on bundles - can’t remember what we did, I think it was possibly a Game Black Friday deal.

Thanks all! I'm not sure we use our hdmi for anything but will check!

And I will search other threads :)

Paw Patrol game isn’t great, DD (6)got very annoyed with it and took her and DS (10) a long time to progress to the next level.

You don't need to buy the official switch steering wheels we picked up a pair for £15 in Argos.

Yes to spare controllers.

We don't have a hard case as it's not really removed from the holder.

Mario Party is a good family game for all abilities.

Honestly, ps4.

Get a screen protector that sticks on like the ones for your phone

You really don't need the steering wheels as they are crap!

Just get a full on switch with hand held controllers for each player .

Mario party superstars has amused our whole family of all ages including little ones. A really good game.

I got the switch (bog standard one) on prime day price matched by Very for £239. Mariokart was about £5 cheaper than normal on prime day.

I price tracked for a while and that was the best I saw.

Yes I'd set it up in advance otherwise updates are likely.

The little steering wheels aren't essential but the 4 year old might like it and they're pretty cheap. Mario kart can be set up so literally all you have to do is steer, so it's great for younger players.

I wouldn't bother with extra storage immediately.

Extra controllers are useful so you can always have one set fully charged.

The weight difference between the switch and DS is considerable, so I'm not sure his comfortable your 4 year old would find playing it handheld.

My then 5 year old aced Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. He’s 8 now. This will always be The Game in our home. Get it for DP and DS to do and enjoy together. I promise it’s worth it.

No you don’t need the steering wheels at all for Mario Kart. We’ve only ever used controllers. Mario Kart Superstars is a hit when friends are around.
Animal Crossing is wonderful! Totally relaxing and blissful and fun. It’s a nice game that helps shake all the stress off. And it’s so cute. 🥰

Don’t worry about extra storage at all right now.

We’ve never had a cover or screen protector and amazingly, our Switch is still in great condition (4 years later… or maybe it’s 3. I can’t remember). I have seen my kids’ friends’ Switches. Some are hanging on by a thread, looking like they’ve been through the shredder. If your little one is a Destroyer of Things, the problem solved, easy. Just get a screen protector and/or a protective case.

We’ve had every console out there. I’m an old school Atari master myself. 😁 Switch is SO much better for primary school kids than other consoles… it’s just mellower. The selection of games is perfect for young children. And you can get Minecraft, Among Us, and the like on the Switch. It’s definitely something your little one can grow with.

@MossGrowsFat a ps4 for a 4 year old… they’ll enjoy the games on switch loads more! Mario Olympics, smash bros, 1,2 switch, yoshis crafted world etc. loooooads

Smash Bros! Whenever we have sleepovers, the kids go mental for that one. 😁

Just know that you will forever be buying new controllers 🙄
(maybe though that’s just us!!)

Amazing tips everyone thanks! I'll check out zelda later, that's definitely one dp would have played before. He does have the old snes and mega drive here but he never gets then out to play as they need a different TV!

DS has this controller and he loves it -

www.argos.co.uk/product/8249739?clickSR=slp:term:nintendo%20switch%20controller:18:53:1

ans it’s so much cheaper than buying another joycon set! Argos have various cheap ones.

Your DH might appreciate a non-joycon controller too as they seem to be designed for tiny hands.

Zelda is fab - Legend of Zelda, Link’s Awakening - your DH might remember it from his childhood and it’s so much fun for kids to play. Nice to work on together as some of the bosses are challenging!

If your DP is into retro games it's worth paying for Nintendo switch online - gives access to a vast library of old games, including SNES ones!

The bundle deals are not a huge saving for the Nintendo OP. Argos and smyths have some good games I got a Tennis one and it was cheap but fantastic fun for a group you get the actualy tennis rackets so it's like playing the Wii.

I have got a controller pad for DS too. If your boys are into football Fifa is popular its ds fave game keeps him busy.

Buy a screen protector from Amzon! It's black Friday sale around November 18th so look out... but to be honest I would probably try buy a bit before then due to stock selling out.

Do not buy the paw patrol game.

Honestly - it's a money spinner and will get played for 5 minutes. Same with other branded games based on TV/ movies usually.

Nintendo know what they are doing with games - buy Nintendo original games like Mario, Luigi's mansion, Kirby.

At 4, your son is a bit young for Zelda. That's more for 6+ at least.

You probably won't need extra storage, at least not straight away. Start with the console and see how you go.

You probably won't need hard covers - Nintendo make stuff to last - it's pretty hard to break.

When you buy the console just turn it on and see if it needs an update. If it does, it will only take 10 minutes or so. You could set up the profile if you want it to be ready out of the box, but it doesn't really take long to get up and running so you could leave it.

My recommended games to check out for a 4 yr old would be:

Single player:
New Super Mario Bros
Yoshi's Crafted World
Mario Kart
Luigi's Mansion
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
Any of the LEGO games (Lego Star Wars etc)

Multiplayer:
Mario Party
Mario Kart
Nintendo Switch Sports

Some of the suggestions above are good but as I said, for a 4 year old I would avoid Zelda (a bit complicated). I'd also avoid Animal Crossing (lots of reading) and Smash Bros (a bit violent - it's rated 12+)

Your husband would probably enjoy all the above though! Also Metroid Dread is an adult game and it is amazing. If buying two adult games for your husband I would go for Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Metroid Dread.

@tranquiltortoise which paw patrol game? I saw the on the roll one gets fairly decent reviews, unlike the movie one?

@Paigeycakey unfortunately I can see the end result if I get tennis rackets or anything like that lol, there would be repeated accidents and black eyes!

@Blessedbethefruitz No Paw Patrol game is as good as the games that Nintendo release directly.

I know I sound like a purist but honestly, Nintendo have been making games since 1985. Paw Patrol is a TV show. It's a money spinner and it's never going to be as much fun to play or as memorable as something direct from Nintendo.

Ask 100 kids what their favourite games are - you might hear paw patrol once or twice. You'll hear Mario, Pokemon and Zelda a lot.

I would only buy kids a third party game like Paw Patrol if they were absolutely desperate for it or if they had exhausted better games.

It's not that kids won't like it - they might. But with so many better games from Nintendo, I just don't know why you'd bother.