A console for Mario Kart

[LePetitMaman]

Apologies for being a complete technophobe and never having owned a games console in my life...but... If DTwins (nearly 5yrs) wanted to play Mario Kart together, and one of them wanted to play Minecraft on their own, what device do I want to buy please?

Would be nice to be able to all hook up to the TV (me, them, dad) and play Mario Kart all 4 of us, but then also for them to be able to use it not on the TV if they are using it to game alone.

Does that make sense? Does such a thing exist?

Yes, what you want is a nintendo switch (not a switch lite).

As PP said a switch is what you need

One switch? Or a ....gaggle of switches?

A Nintendo switch does exactly this. The "lite" version is just a portable device, but the normal version also slots into a docking station/charging point that connects to the TV. It has 2 controllers that attach to the portable device for 1 person to play but detach for 2 people to play through the TV. An extra set of controllers would be needed for 4 to play together. Hope that makes sense...I'm a technophobe/gaming novice!

As others have said, a Switch but make sure its not the Lite version as this can't be plugged into the TV!

The regular Switch can be used as a handheld console or plugged in and shows through the TV, you can usually have up to 4 players (it comes with 2 controllers though so you'd have to get some more). Some games require a console each to save progress ie animal crossing, but I'd just start with one.

So from what I can gather....one switch is a hand held console. Like a large phone screen with side bits. To be played by one player.

This console can be docked into a thingmabob and connects to a TV, and with independent controllers, 4 people can play on it together.

Switch Lite is a dirty word.

What about if they both want to play Minecraft, but I don't want them taking over the TV?

I think they'd need one each....

You can get them second hand if budget is an issue, but then I guess you'd miss out on any consumer rights awarded when you purchase from new.