Buying one or two Nintendo Switches.

bluesky45 · 24/07/2023 10:37

We have an 18m gap and have 1 switch. However, they are only 4 and 5 and I can see us getting another one at some point in the future, maybe when they are 8 and 9 type ages? While they are young, they only really play on the TV and usually with one of us playing with them. We bought another controller so we have 4 of the little half controllers for everyone to play mario kart together.

Dinosaurdrip · 24/07/2023 10:42

We have a gamer DH and 4 children, granted 1 is only 6 mo, until very recently we only had 1 switch, they would either take it in turns to play or play multi player games.
It has worked relatively well but DS13 wanted to buy his own with his own money so he could have it in his room. We have bought multiple controllers as they all like playing with the full 2 pieces iyswim.

User3735 · 06/08/2023 21:47

I'm having this dilemma too. My kids 7 and 10 don't share easily anyway, but two switches in one go is too expensive. My eldest has had a switch for years (but the port to dock it to the TV doesn't work) and has almost never used it on TV mode, even before that stopped working, so I thought I'd get two Lites, but both are saying they want to be able to play it on the TV like at our neighbours house. So I'm leaning towards one Switch to share, but they have set days they can play it each? Say, two weekdays and a weekend day each?

Cric · 06/08/2023 22:09

We have a nearly 7 year old and 9 year old. We have 1, no problems so far

Stressfordays · 06/08/2023 22:10

I got 2, best thing I did. No arguments over them unlike the bloody PlayStation.

justrude · 06/08/2023 22:15

I have 4DC (9-15) and they all share. We are very strict about screen time, and the rules are clear. 30 mins per child, 3 times per week. They quickly figured out that by sharing, they get to play for an hour. And then they put them back in the living room. They are not allowed to keep them in the bedrooms.

Any squabbles means they lose their screen time for that session, but they don't fight much so it isn't an issue really. I am just very clear about the boundaries.

StillWantingADog · 06/08/2023 22:17

They share and have a controller each. They are 8 and 10. However the older ds is more of a PC gamer and that’s usually his platform of choice.
it honestly hadn’t occured to me to get them one each

Grimbleton · 06/08/2023 22:21

1 year apart and we now have two switches (ages 10 and 11), one switch was fine when they were a bit younger but they now mostly play different games and it also helps having 2 for long car journeys.

LittleBearPad · 06/08/2023 22:22

One switch, one switch lite here.

gogomoto · 06/08/2023 22:28

Our gaming machines have always been family ones in living room, never given for specific gift

claracluck1978 · 06/08/2023 22:48

Twins, aged 9 here
We have had one between them since we got it 18m ago but just bought a second this holidays just to save arguments over turns.

MarioBro · 07/08/2023 13:04

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FluffyUnicorn84 · 07/08/2023 13:10

Sdpbody · 24/07/2023 10:20

Slight first world problem, but just wanted to ask:

If you have two children 18 months apart, have you bought them a Nintendo Switch each, or do they share one, with an extra controller?

Everyone I know with a Switch are from single child families or large age gaps.

How old are your DC OP?

fgsstopbs · 07/08/2023 13:11

To save future arguments I'd get two.

Passerillage · 07/08/2023 13:14

2 year gap, kids are tween/young teen and they share BUT we also have an xbox, and 90% of the time younger DC would rather play Toca Boca on the ipad anyway.

btw, it's worth getting 4 controllers for the Switch so you can all play Just Dance and Mario Kart.

DeathMetalMum · 07/08/2023 13:15

We have a console for the family connected to main TV used by everyone. Dc have their own switch lites each (bought themselves using birthday/Christmas money).

AndrewGarfieldsLaptop · 07/08/2023 13:16

One each

coodawoodashooda · 07/08/2023 13:17

Definitely 2.

Ihaveawonderfulpartner · 07/08/2023 13:29

We have a switch that the two eldest used to play but now the youngest is an age that he enjoys a game on a switch they all have switch lites. Christmas presents. Ages 21, 6 & 11.

Soubriquet · 07/08/2023 13:30

We have the one switch but I’m thinking of getting a switch lite in so there are no “it’s my turn today!!”

OnionBhajis · 07/08/2023 13:44

Kids are pre teen and teen and we've only ever had 1. Had a wii and then changed to a switch a good few years ago.

Really hasn't been a problem here but they're not really big "gamers" just love to play a bit occasionally. Definitely not needed 2!!!
It's been good for car journeys and taking on holiday too. Its great you can play on the screen as well as a tv.

QuestionableMouse · 07/08/2023 13:45

One switch. Nephews are 7 & 5, but the younger one would rather use his tablet because he can draw!

DutchCowgirl · 07/08/2023 16:30

we have 1 switch for the kids and 1 for my dh😂
However the youngest wants a playstation 5 now … so i’d advise to start with one switch and see how it goes.

CoffeeWithCheese · 07/08/2023 16:39

OP - this may sound utterly utterly random but, are you considering letting them play Animal Crossing?

If so - get two switches/lites... because sharing an island will only lead to heartbreak, fights over who picked the flowers and the shared island way the game works is really not fun for the second player. First player gets to be all Mayoral and build the island and be all buddies with Tom Crook... second player gets a tent and crippling mortgage payments.

Other games have the player 1/player 2 split not as harsh but Animal Crossing on a shared Switch sucks.

User3735 · 07/08/2023 16:48

CoffeeWithCheese · 07/08/2023 16:39

OP - this may sound utterly utterly random but, are you considering letting them play Animal Crossing?

If so - get two switches/lites... because sharing an island will only lead to heartbreak, fights over who picked the flowers and the shared island way the game works is really not fun for the second player. First player gets to be all Mayoral and build the island and be all buddies with Tom Crook... second player gets a tent and crippling mortgage payments.

Other games have the player 1/player 2 split not as harsh but Animal Crossing on a shared Switch sucks.

Is this definitely still up to date advice? Because I read this on an old post but in a more recent post that each player can make their own island?