Nintendo Switch for an 8 year old?

[superme80]

We are huge Nintendo fans in my house. We love the Switch. I am a huge Animal Crossing fan. The boys are loving the Mario games. There are a couple of other games I am looking into. We have one for the family, because the boys still play with their Nintendo DS. If you want to play on the tv, get the original. If the kids just want to play, then I would get the Switch Lite.

 

[sailorstitch]

That's the perfect age to get started with a Switch.

 

[aristocatz]

So, they were labeled sold out online & in stores everywhere near me, but I went into Walmart today and there was ONE left, so I grabbed it for the $299 sale price!! It's the Animal Crossing edition. I also opted into the 2 yr protection plan. Other than that, I have no idea what I just purchased lol!

I"m still mulling over whether to save up for a second one for DD6 or if they can share??

Does this thing hook up to the TV for multiplayer games?

Also, if I do decide to get a second one, would it make sense to get the Mario one instead of a second Animal Crossing? Are these games shareable or are they account specific?

 

[tjmw2727]

So, they were labeled sold out online & in stores everywhere near me, but I went into Walmart today and there was ONE left, so I grabbed it for the $299 sale price!! It's the Animal Crossing edition. I also opted into the 2 yr protection plan. Other than that, I have no idea what I just purchased lol!

I"m still mulling over whether to save up for a second one for DD6 or if they can share??

Does this thing hook up to the TV for multiplayer games?

Also, if I do decide to get a second one, would it make sense to get the Mario one instead of a second Animal Crossing? Are these games shareable or are they account specific?

Yes you can hook it up to the tv and they can play together each using the controllers that disconnect from the console. (forgive my terminology lol)

We started out with one game, extra controllers and chargers and that was fine for a year or so but eventually they wanted their own. It wasn't near Christmas or birthdays so they each saved for 1/2 and purchased another game console.

Not sure about sharing games but I do know they each have their own copy of Animal Crossing but I "think" they play Mario Cart together.

 

[Needsanap]

? If you have the switch console version. There are two controllers, correct? Or are additional controllers needed?

 

[EACarlson]

? If you have the switch console version. There are two controllers, correct? Or are additional controllers needed?

It has two Joy-Cons, for most multiplayer games you need one of the two joy cons. My kids were playing Yoshi's Crafted World earlier, each using one joy con. More in depth games require both joy cons to be used at once.

 

[Needsanap]

It has two Joy-Cons, for most multiplayer games you need one of the two joy cons. My kids were playing Yoshi's Crafted World earlier, each using one joy con. More in depth games require both joy cons to be used at once.

Ok. Thanks. I ordered the extra joy-cons (Best Buy has them for 69.99) and some power grips from Amazon.

We haven’t added a new game system in a while. All the extras add up!

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

Ok. Thanks. I ordered the extra joy-cons (Best Buy has them for 69.99) and some power grips from Amazon.

We haven’t added a new game system in a while. All the extras add up!

Don't forget a memory card. Also a screen protector.

 

[Needsanap]

Don't forget a memory card. Also a screen protector.

Already have those. I did find an article about the true cost of a switch. $$ more than the 299. I think I’m zeroing in on it.

 

[BrianL]

Ok. Thanks. I ordered the extra joy-cons (Best Buy has them for 69.99) and some power grips from Amazon.
We haven’t added a new game system in a while. All the extras add up!

I know there's been some confusion about the control setup so I'll give some detail.

A Switch Joy-Con is one of the small controllers that slide onto the side of the Swich - there is a LEFT one and a RIGHT one. These can be removed from the Switch and turned sideways to use as a single controller. The switch comes with some toppers to slide on that make it a little more comfortable. Only some games support using a single Joy-Con (and a couple only use them that way like Mario Party). The consensus is they are not that comfortable to use this way as you lose some buttons and functionality (your D-pad is lost for example).

A grip comes with the switch that lets you slide the controllers into it to hold like a traditional contoller. This is just a peice of plastic that they dock into. You cannot charge the Joy-Cons through the included one, but some that are sold seperately will allow that. If you bought two extra Joy-Cons, then I recommend a second grip like this one so that two players can each have a "full controller." Keep in mind that with four total Joy-Cons you can play four player in certian games that support that (controller configuration support is listed on the back of game boxes). Mario Kart, Smash Bros. and Mario Party all support this - but I wouldn't recommend it for the first two.

There is also the option of the Pro Controller or one of the many less-expensive third-party versions. These are more like your traditional controller (think Xbox) and work with most every game except those that require the Joy-Con (Mario PArty, 1-2- Switch, Ring Fit Adventure are some examples). You can save money with the thirs party ones by getting a corded one that does not have rumble or motion controls - though keep in mind these cannot be used for some games that require motion control (not many, I think Splatoon 2 maybe). This type of controller is not strictly necessary to have, expecially for kids as they won't find the Joy-Cons to be as cramped.

If you have any questions about that, or any Switch related matters, feel free to ask.

 

[Needsanap]

I know there's been some confusion about the control setup so I'll give some detail.

A Switch Joy-Con is one of the small controllers that slide onto the side of the Swich - there is a LEFT one and a RIGHT one. These can be removed from the Switch and turned sideways to use as a single controller. The switch comes with some toppers to slide on that make it a little more comfortable. Only some games support using a single Joy-Con (and a couple only use them that way like Mario Party). The consensus is they are not that comfortable to use this way as you lose some buttons and functionality (your D-pad is lost for example).

A grip comes with the switch that lets you slide the controllers into it to hold like a traditional contoller. This is just a peice of plastic that they dock into. You cannot charge the Joy-Cons through the included one, but some that are sold seperately will allow that. If you bought two extra Joy-Cons, then I recommend a second grip like this one so that two players can each have a "full controller." Keep in mind that with four total Joy-Cons you can play four player in certian games that support that (controller configuration support is listed on the back of game boxes). Mario Kart, Smash Bros. and Mario Party all support this - but I wouldn't recommend it for the first two.

There is also the option of the Pro Controller or one of the many less-expensive third-party versions. These are more like your traditional controller (think Xbox) and work with most every game except those that require the Joy-Con (Mario PArty, 1-2- Switch, Ring Fit Adventure are some examples). You can save money with the thirs party ones by getting a corded one that does not have rumble or motion controls - though keep in mind these cannot be used for some games that require motion control (not many, I think Splatoon 2 maybe). This type of controller is not strictly necessary to have, expecially for kids as they won't find the Joy-Cons to be as cramped.

If you have any questions about that, or any Switch related matters, feel free to ask.

Thanks for your help. I purchased 2 power grips and 2 extra joy cons. Is that ok compared to the pro controller?

 

[BrianL]

Thanks for your help. I purchased 2 power grips and 2 extra joy cons. Is that ok compared to the pro controller?

I assume by power grips you mean the kind that two Joy-Cons slot into to make like a single controller. If so, then that will work fine and it still gives you the option of 4 player for games that can use only the single Joy-Con, so it's very versatily. I do think the pro controller is more comfortable for larger hands, but for kids it should be fine.

 

[WickstarRunner]

Thanks for your help. I purchased 2 power grips and 2 extra joy cons. Is that ok compared to the pro controller?

I probably would have gone with Pro Controllers as there's been numerous stories of the control sticks on Joy-Cons "drifting" or thinking that the stick has been pushed in some direction even though it's not moving. Nintendo got sued for it I believe.

Switch is definitely the way to go with your age group, but I also recommend educating yourself on the ESRB ratings system so that you can tell at a glance if a certain title is appropriate for your family. The day will inevitably come when you're asked for a game you haven't heard of and you'd be surprised what games could contain these days. I've literally been gaming for 35 years now, and back then, we didn't have to worry about the subject matter that some games contain now (not so much on Switch, Nintendo's always been good about their image).

 

[Lumpy1106]

The Nintendo Switch has been a lifesaver for us with the COVID shutdowns. My DS18, DD15 and DD7 all play it together - who would have thought? A don't play Animal Crossing but they sure do. Mario cart is a fun one everyone can play, as is Mario Party. Overcooked 2 is also a lot of fun - you all cooperatively prepare different meals in the challenges. All of those are age appropriate for all of them (and you).

 

[Needsanap]

Would I need to get the Nintendo brand of pro controller?

 

[WickstarRunner]

Would I need to get the Nintendo brand of pro controller?

Up to you, though with little ones using them I personally would go cheaper.....inevitably there will be a dropped controller or a "He hit me with a blue shell!" tantrum.....

I use a "Power A" Wireless controller which goes for around half the Nintendo Pro controller which works fine for me.

 

[Needsanap]

Up to you, though with little ones using them I personally would go cheaper.....inevitably there will be a dropped controller or a "He hit me with a blue shell!" tantrum.....

I use a "Power A" Wireless controller which goes for around half the Nintendo Pro controller which works fine for me.

Thanks for the info. 2 pro controllers cost about the same as the extra joy cons and grips. Either way 4 can still play. I’ll have to decide soon

 

[tinkerhon]

Don't forget a memory card. Also a screen protector.

yes to both of these! Oh, and get Snipperclips !!! (the game)

 

[aprilgail]

Can you even get them? My daughter got her's last week after being on a waiting list at Best Buy for 6 months. They sold out the minute the pandemic started.
Can't say about age groups, as my daughter is 29!

They are back in the stores now- I am in my 50's and when covid hit and I was unemployed I managed to track one down after trying for weeks at a target about 30 minutes away- drove there and bought it for myself!

 

[tvguy]

They are back in the stores now- I am in my 50's and when covid hit and I was unemployed I managed to track one down after trying for weeks at a target about 30 minutes away- drove there and bought it for myself!

My daughter said when she got the notice to pick her's up, and didn't believe it until the salesman handed it to her.