LisaM

The Nintendo Switch would have to be my favourite console for kids and big kids alike!

Its so many things but is it even that good?

When you think of Nintendo what the first thing that pops into your head? Mario or maybe Zelda? Nintendo has all the classic games they are the makers of some of the best. the Nintendo Switch came out in March of this year so it is still fairly new concept. The Nintendo switch is probably the most versatile console around.

The switch can be used as a handheld device similar to a Nintendo DS or Gameboy and is also similar to the Nintendo Wii with its motion controls. So its portable and gets the kids up and moving!

Pros

Its versatile, you can play it on the TV or remove it from the dock and it becomes a portable device you can play anywhere;

It has the WiFi option so you can play online games, however the internet dependency seems far less on the switch than other consoles;

It has motion controls meaning in some games the kids can get up and jump around;

The switch plays at 1080p or 60FPS meaning whether your playing on the TV or as a portable console the game still looks super pretty;

It comes with two controllers straight out of the box (so one less expense)

Heaps of new games coming out on including classics like Doom and Skyrim;

The controls are small and perfect for little hands you can also get accessories to make it more comfortable for bigger hands if the small controls are awkward to use.

The games come on cartridges so you don't have to worry about scratched discs. The cartridge is the size of a small SD card, if you have kids that like put things in their mouth they wont with these because they made the cartridge taste horrid;

You can download an app on your phone to use the parental controls meaning you can set up the controls from you own device (you do need your console on WiFi to do this and have an Android or Apple phone) and see how much your child has been playing on the console;

The online membership for online gaming will be cheaper than Xbox and PlayStation.

There is no in game voice or messaging this will all need to be done via the app so again super easy for monitoring.

Cons

The internal memory is quite small so you will need at some point to purchase an external memory card

The battery life on it when your not using it on the TV is around 3.5-4 hours;

When its in portable mode the screen can pick up a large amount of glare;

There are currently no video media and streaming capabilities on the switch just yet. However there is talk of netflix and a few other app enabled media tools coming to the switch.

Come early 2018 Nintendo will release their online services app which you will need to subscribe to in order to play online games.

Parental controls available;

An app which you can use to set alarms and timers to limit usage on the console;

You can limit online content;

Because there is no in game messaging or voice you don't have to worry about changing those setting on the console unless you give them access to the app where they will be able to message and talk to their friends.

So the switch is still new however I think it definitely rates as a top console. The portability of the console is second to none. I feel the switch is probably the most user friendly for kids the games are mostly kids friendly with the exception of a few. The switch still has potential and I can only hope they keep moving things along with it because as great as it is there is still so much that could be done to make it better.

GAMING ADVICE FOR PARENTS ON MICROPURCHASING!

Do your kids (or maybe you) enjoy playing free games on the Ipad? do you find they get to a certain point and they cant go any further with out buying some random gems, gold or some sort of in game credit. See where I am going with this?



Micro purchasing it is just a way of saying you will only succeed at this if you pay to win or have the patience of a saint. So many games these days aren't won on skill, you don't get good at the game all you do is spend money to better at the game. There is no challenge.



I am not really a fan of letting kids make in game purchases. It doesn't teach them anything except for you need to have a lot of money or you will be forever crap.



If your kids ask you to make in game purchases make sure you look at why they need it. Are they are experiencing peer pressure to be better at the game, from other people. Perhaps someone in the game is offering a "deal".



This can also cause kids in particular to think that they can buy there way out of a tricky situation. So before allowing them to make that purchase do some research and find out if it is something that is the best for your kids.



Basically think of micro purchases as the "the person who spends the most money is the winner" that's the game!