Nintendo Switch for Dummies (1 Viewer)

[Desert_Power]

Good thread here. My son is turning 7 and wants a Switch. Looks like the regular one with the Mario Kart 8 bundle is the way to go.

Do I need to get anything else immediately? Or with that will he and his little sister both be able to play on the TV? And I guess just my son on handheld mode?

You'll want an extra controller. Maybe get them both a Pro.

So if the two of of them are playing on the TV, would one use the two that come with Switch as one, and then buy one for the other kid? Or would this be a 3rd controller? Shameful, but this is new to me.

I don't believe you can play it while it is connected to the TV. Maybe newer models are different, but mine sits in the dock. The joycons that come with the Switch are really just two pieces of one controller. There may be some games where you can use them as two controllers, but nothing I've played.

 

[Scoresman]

Good thread here. My son is turning 7 and wants a Switch. Looks like the regular one with the Mario Kart 8 bundle is the way to go.

Do I need to get anything else immediately? Or with that will he and his little sister both be able to play on the TV? And I guess just my son on handheld mode?

You'll want an extra controller. Maybe get them both a Pro.

So if the two of of them are playing on the TV, would one use the two that come with Switch as one, and then buy one for the other kid? Or would this be a 3rd controller? Shameful, but this is new to me.

I don't believe you can play it while it is connected to the TV. Maybe newer models are different, but mine sits in the dock. The joycons that come with the Switch are really just two pieces of one controller. There may be some games where you can use them as two controllers, but nothing I've played.

So the switch comes with 2 joycons, one on each side. While in handheld mode, this acts as one controller. If the switch is docked and playing through the TV, there are two options for the joycons. The first is the joycon dock thing where you insert each joycon and it functions as one controller. I think this comes with the Switch. Cant remember. The other is that each joycon can function as a single controller (holding it horizontally), but it's pretty rudimentary. Works for simple games though.

For two kids you can have one using a Pro Controller and the other using the two joycons hooked up. If money is really an issue and you cant get the pro controller, the kids could each use a joycon, but it's pretty ghetto.

Ideally, you'd get two pro controllers so the kids don't fight over who gets to use that as it is clearly the best option.

 

[Desert_Power]

Good thread here. My son is turning 7 and wants a Switch. Looks like the regular one with the Mario Kart 8 bundle is the way to go.

Do I need to get anything else immediately? Or with that will he and his little sister both be able to play on the TV? And I guess just my son on handheld mode?

You'll want an extra controller. Maybe get them both a Pro.

So if the two of of them are playing on the TV, would one use the two that come with Switch as one, and then buy one for the other kid? Or would this be a 3rd controller? Shameful, but this is new to me.

I don't believe you can play it while it is connected to the TV. Maybe newer models are different, but mine sits in the dock. The joycons that come with the Switch are really just two pieces of one controller. There may be some games where you can use them as two controllers, but nothing I've played.

So the switch comes with 2 joycons, one on each side. While in handheld mode, this acts as one controller. If the switch is docked and playing through the TV, there are two options for the joycons. The first is the joycon dock thing where you insert each joycon and it functions as one controller. I think this comes with the Switch. Cant remember. The other is that each joycon can function as a single controller (holding it horizontally), but it's pretty rudimentary. Works for simple games though.

For two kids you can have one using a Pro Controller and the other using the two joycons hooked up. If money is really an issue and you cant get the pro controller, the kids could each use a joycon, but it's pretty ghetto.

Ideally, you'd get two pro controllers so the kids don't fight over who gets to use that as it is clearly the best option.

Yeah. That is why I suggested two.

 

[SayChowda]

Good thread here. My son is turning 7 and wants a Switch. Looks like the regular one with the Mario Kart 8 bundle is the way to go.

Do I need to get anything else immediately? Or with that will he and his little sister both be able to play on the TV? And I guess just my son on handheld mode?

You'll want an extra controller. Maybe get them both a Pro.

So if the two of of them are playing on the TV, would one use the two that come with Switch as one, and then buy one for the other kid? Or would this be a 3rd controller? Shameful, but this is new to me.

I don't believe you can play it while it is connected to the TV. Maybe newer models are different, but mine sits in the dock. The joycons that come with the Switch are really just two pieces of one controller. There may be some games where you can use them as two controllers, but nothing I've played.

So the switch comes with 2 joycons, one on each side. While in handheld mode, this acts as one controller. If the switch is docked and playing through the TV, there are two options for the joycons. The first is the joycon dock thing where you insert each joycon and it functions as one controller. I think this comes with the Switch. Cant remember. The other is that each joycon can function as a single controller (holding it horizontally), but it's pretty rudimentary. Works for simple games though.

For two kids you can have one using a Pro Controller and the other using the two joycons hooked up. If money is really an issue and you cant get the pro controller, the kids could each use a joycon, but it's pretty ghetto.

Ideally, you'd get two pro controllers so the kids don't fight over who gets to use that as it is clearly the best option.

This is very helpful, thank you.

Here's what comes with it now.

What's included with the system?

Your new system comes with everything you need to pop in a game and play, including:

Nintendo Switch console

Nintendo Switch dock

1 Joy-Con™ (L) controller, 1 Joy-Con™ (R) controller

2 Joy-Con™ wrist strap accessories

Joy-Con grip accessory

Nintendo Switch AC adapter

HDMI cable

 

[Desert_Power]

1 Joy-Con™ (L) controller, 1 Joy-Con™ (R) controller

Joy-Con grip accessory

Right. This is what we were referring to. The Joy Cons can slide onto this to function as a (slightly small) regular controller.

 

[SayChowda]

1 Joy-Con™ (L) controller, 1 Joy-Con™ (R) controller

Joy-Con grip accessory

Right. This is what we were referring to. The Joy Cons can slide onto this to function as a (slightly small) regular controller.

Ah gotcha! Thanks.

Last system I bought was a PS1.

 

[Chadstroma]

Good thread here. My son is turning 7 and wants a Switch. Looks like the regular one with the Mario Kart 8 bundle is the way to go.

Do I need to get anything else immediately? Or with that will he and his little sister both be able to play on the TV? And I guess just my son on handheld mode?

I would do the Nintendo Light for 7.
We got my 7 year old one. Had it and then got mad because he lost a game and put it in water.

The only caveat on that is if you want to be able to put it through the TV or have him play directly with others on their Switch which is where the Light is deficient from the others on.

Otherwise, I would go with the light and then you can upgrade him in a couple of years if need be.

I think I like the TV option, so the regular model would be it. Your 7 year old dunking it does make me fearful though. He has definitely dropped his kindle more than one should.

Oh yea... dropping is automatic.

If they are competitive and still learning how to deal with failing/losing like my sons... throwing could be a problem too. My older one has learned that things break if you throw them the younger one now understands bad decisions like putting in water means that you no longer have it anymore...

 

[SayChowda]

Good thread here. My son is turning 7 and wants a Switch. Looks like the regular one with the Mario Kart 8 bundle is the way to go.

Do I need to get anything else immediately? Or with that will he and his little sister both be able to play on the TV? And I guess just my son on handheld mode?

I would do the Nintendo Light for 7.
We got my 7 year old one. Had it and then got mad because he lost a game and put it in water.

The only caveat on that is if you want to be able to put it through the TV or have him play directly with others on their Switch which is where the Light is deficient from the others on.

Otherwise, I would go with the light and then you can upgrade him in a couple of years if need be.

I think I like the TV option, so the regular model would be it. Your 7 year old dunking it does make me fearful though. He has definitely dropped his kindle more than one should.

Oh yea... dropping is automatic.

If they are competitive and still learning how to deal with failing/losing like my sons... throwing could be a problem too. My older one has learned that things break if you throw them the younger one now understands bad decisions like putting in water means that you no longer have it anymore...

This is all too real...

 

[SayChowda]

So, any new Switch games come out/coming out that you all are buying for kids? The hits over the past year and a half here have been Mario Kart 8, Mario Odyssey, Mario Wonder, Mario Maker 2, and maybe 1 more.

 

[Instinctive]

So, any new Switch games come out/coming out that you all are buying for kids? The hits over the past year and a half here have been Mario Kart 8, Mario Odyssey, Mario Wonder, Mario Maker 2, and maybe 1 more.

How old? If Mario Kart...I gotta assume they're in pokemon age range. I cannot WAIT to get our kids a Nintendo system and pokemon.

If they like puzzles at all, Pikmin 4 is either just out or about to be out i believe and is an excellent game suitable for kids.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I have 2 of these i don’t think ever get used

 

[MTskibum]

So, any new Switch games come out/coming out that you all are buying for kids? The hits over the past year and a half here have been Mario Kart 8, Mario Odyssey, Mario Wonder, Mario Maker 2, and maybe 1 more.

Teenage mutant ninja turtles: shredders revenge.

It is like those early 90's arcade games and is a blast with 3-5 people.

 

[MTskibum]

I have 2 of these i don’t think ever get used

I have 2 of these as well and they go months without being used, and then months where they are used frequently.

My only regret is I have only 2, but I will get 3 switch 2's!

 

[SayChowda]

So, any new Switch games come out/coming out that you all are buying for kids? The hits over the past year and a half here have been Mario Kart 8, Mario Odyssey, Mario Wonder, Mario Maker 2, and maybe 1 more.

How old? If Mario Kart...I gotta assume they're in pokemon age range. I cannot WAIT to get our kids a Nintendo system and pokemon.

If they like puzzles at all, Pikmin 4 is either just out or about to be out i believe and is an excellent game suitable for kids.

8.5 years old is the primary user, and the 6.5 likes to tag on at times.

Pokémon could be something to look into.

 

[SayChowda]

So, any new Switch games come out/coming out that you all are buying for kids? The hits over the past year and a half here have been Mario Kart 8, Mario Odyssey, Mario Wonder, Mario Maker 2, and maybe 1 more.

Teenage mutant ninja turtles: shredders revenge.

It is like those early 90's arcade games and is a blast with 3-5 people.

Ooooh... this could be fun.

 

[Chadstroma]

I don't know what the game is called but my kids, cousins and even one of their Uncles was playing some sports games with the switch hooked up to the TV from Turkey Day through the weekend and having a blast. Basketball and like a soccer type game (one on one soccer) and others. I am sure it is just the updated version of Wii Sports.