Which Nintendo switch for long trip? Please help a newbie

[Sarnpark]

I have two teenagers. They have never had a gaming console however they do play Minecraft and Roblox on their phones, sometimes together.

We have a long journey soon and would like to buy a gaming console for each of them to keep them entertained (we will have WiFi only some of the time during the journey). I am a total newbie and very clueless. Please can you advice which one we should buy?

I think they would enjoy Mario Kart, and other games they could play together. We have a TV at home that they could connect it to but for the long journey, hand held would be best. Sturdy and robust if possible!

Please advise which console would be best, and what games they could play together. Thanks 👍

Bumping for some advice 😊

My teen has just given his switch to his much younger sister. Some teens might like it but mine has had his for years and isn’t interested in it anymore.

Does your son play any other console instead? It is £300 plus so quite a lot of money to spend

He has an Xbox, a laptop, ps5, iPad, etc.

If it’s a handheld device you’re looking for, the steam deck is a good one. It can be used for schoolwork too. Ds is getting one for his birthday shortly. The one I’ve bought ds was £560.

I love my Switch but the kids don't really play theirs any more (they're 10 and 12).

I think it's personal preference, my two play Roblox mainly on their tablets and occasionally Minecraft or Fortnite on the Switch.

It's a lot of money to spend if you don't think they'll use them so maybe ask them if it's something they'd use, I have two girls but from what I hear the boys tend to go for xBox and PS but they're not portable.
There are loads of great multiplayer and co-op games on it though, a lot of the various Mario games are plus the Splatoon games which is one of my favourites, Overcooked is fun too.

If you want to play them on the TV then buy the proper Switch and not the lite version as they're handheld only.

Ask them?

There isn't much on the go hand held wise ATM. The switch and the steamdeck and tbh the former is due for a new console release soon (switch 2) so....

I'd be inclined to go for second hand switch tbh. Maybe get a switch tablet screen off eBay or music magpie and plump for new joycons (controllers). Then all you need is a charger which again you can get off eBay or new from argos. Save yourself some money. I prefer the regular switch to the hand held because if a controller breaks it can just be replaced rather than having to replace the whole switch.

You can also buy a thing online that allows you to plug it into your TV if needed.

Can probably get everything for 150 if you do that. Per switch.

Just looking on eBay there alone - several switch screens (second hand) priced 60-80.
Joycons (new) at £44
Charger for 8 quid
Screen connecters (to play on TV) 25ihsh (and you only need one of them tbh unless your kids want to both play on separate TVs at the same time).