Nintendo Switch for a 5 yo?

[starfish8]

I'm debating whether or not to buy my 5yo a Nintendo Switch for Christmas? Would be a family present, as I love Nintendo as well!

He love tech and has pretty much exhausted all the free game apps on his Android tablet. Some of them pop up cr*p adverts and drive me crazy. I like the idea he'd get a console to play on, but also be able to take it out and about as well.

Or, is he too young? I've seen a few games marked 3+, he'd love the Lego games, but they are marked as 7+? He's had a go at Mario Kart at after school club, so I know he'd love this one.

Is it just something else I'm going to be having a battle about how much time he spends on it? Should I try to keep him away from consoles as long as possible?

Experiences, opinions most grateful. Thanks so much!

Thanks spaceraidersrock.

We're yet to have a group of friends that all have them, so no pressure yet!

My dds got Nintendo 2ds consoles around that age and have been used loads. But that's a handheld and can't be used on the tv.

They use dh's switch occasionally and do enjoy it but I wouldn't buy their own ones. They are far to expensive for taking out and about and the games cost alot more, my dds are fickle and like to have a variety of games to play.

I can pick up games for their 2ds for £5 second hand and when dd1's ds broke I bought a second hand replacement for £30 with 4 games from Facebook.

I bought a switch for myself! Love it! My 5yo plays Mario kart and Just Dance but he really enjoys watching me play Zelda and helping me solve puzzles

I've got my original ds still working upstairs!

Numerous - tee hee! I think it would be for me too

TBH I'd think of starting him with Mario Kart and maybe a Lego game and see how he got on. I'd like games for us to play together - interested in Zelda, I hear it's amazing!

Personally I would say 5 is too young. It's quite a large handheld console for small hands and lots of the games are suited towards older players. I would look at a DS or even Wii, not only are they cheaper but there's also a lot more games suited to his age.

Also i'm very surprised to hear about a Nintendo switch at an after school club, seems like an expensive gadget to have.

My ds wanted one but I talked him around to the 2ds and he loves it. He's already droped it a couple of times but it seems stronger than the switch and a lot cheaper so I didn't worry. Plus I didn't want him having the option of being stuck in front of the tv.

Thanks IceRebel It's Mario Kart on a Wii at the after school club!
I appreciate your perspective too. I may well look at one in the flesh.

I'm actually quite keen on him being in front of the TV so I can see what he's doing, compared to playing on the tablet.

Ah a Wii makes more sense, I was very jealous of an after school club with a Switch, and slightly worried about it being damaged.

I think for his age, and your preference for him being in front of a TV then the Wii is the best option for his present, and you could treat yourself to the Switch.

We have a Switch and a Wii-U. Almost 5 year old DS2 loves the Wii-U. He can work it all himself and plays Mario Party or similar loads. DS1 (8) prefers the Switch. I’m always a little concerned about DS2 with the Switch and wouldn’t trust him to change games or carry it out and about.
Zelda is amazing though - definitely get that for yourself!

We used to have a Wii yonks ago and sold it. I don't really fancy getting one back as it felt like dated back then. (I know my son will know this yet).

I work in digital tech for my job, so I'm conditioned to be buying the latest devices for longevity as much as anything.

Does anyone have specific experience of a child about that age on Mario Kart/Odessey/Lego games?

I'm definitely not thinking it would be a present for him solely, but would be a family present.

I was considering getting DS a Nintendo NES (I think it's called) which has all the old classic games on it, but no internet connection.

No way would I spend that much on a 5 year old!

Nintendo has a good app you can use to control screen time. My youngest was 5 when we got ours and he loves it but I wouldn't trust him to take it out and about, but then I don't like my DP taking it out either.

Oh the 2ds has parental control so you won't have to worry about him going on anything dodgy

I'd also say it is too much for a 5yo - takes a lot of coordination which may simply not be there yet and will cause frustration. It's pretty heavy for a little'un in handheld mode, and pretty easily damaged - and it's not cheap, and nor are games. £380ish for one with Mario Kart and Odyssey. And decide whether you want to buy games on physical (and very losable) cartridges or on (often slightly more expensive) download.

Getting a Wii from cashconverters/cex/whatever will cost you about £20-30 and games are peanuts 2nd hand. Do that, upgrade in a couple of years when he's ready.

Or a DS/2DS, yep.

My 5YO has been saying he wants one for Christmas and we thought about until I realised how much they cost .

DH let's him play some games on his old Xbox so we're letting him get used to that and we'll see about getting his own console in a year or so. I think the 2DS would be better for that age so we're thinking about maybe getting eldest that instead.

DS1 who is 6 got a switch last Christmas. He absolutely loves it! He's finished his Lego game with no help and is pretty good at Mario Odyssey and Mario Cart. He's also obsessed with Minecraft at the minute. The console is the perfect size for him. He mainly plays on the TV so we can see what he's doing. I'm a big fan of the app with the parental controls. He knows when his time is up and doesn't argue (unlike when he's on the Ipad) A great investment for us.

Thanks badgeronabicyle that's really useful feedback. My son is quite a tablet gamer so he understands how 'games work'.

Which Lego game has he completed? The Lego City one or a different one?

I was reading about the parental control app earlier, that sounds great!

Its Lego City Undercover. A great game and quite challenging. I don't think I could do it as well as he does!
The other thing we bought him was the Nintendo Labo. It's a gaming/construction platform where you use the switch to guide you to build various things that you can then use in games. He did the whole lot independently and I have to say I've never seen anything like it before. It blew my mind.

My 5-year-old also wants a Switch. She wants to play Splatoon 2. I'm thinking of getting it for us to share .

Thanks that’s really useful. My son loves Lego and all the cartoons.

Nintendo Labo looks insane! Through work I know a lot of tech companies are looking at ways get kids away from a sole screen experience and encourage them to create alongside.

Wow Badger, your 6 year old managed Nintendo Labo by himself.
I'm much older than 6 and found it very fiddly, so i'm very impressed.

@IceRebel yes, DH was most disappointed, I think he thought he'd end up doing most of it 😂

Haha I'm not surprised he thought that Badger, it was very tricky and had a lot of adults scratching their heads. Although i'm sure many of those who brought it would prefer the unfinished version of the cat piano, that thing goes straight through you.