If there’s a Nintendo Switch on your list or someone else’s this Christmas, I’m here to not only fully enable that purchase but also explain why it’s the perfect console to bring the family together.
My credentials? I’m a 38-year-old woman with a very well-thumbed Nintendo Switch and after influencing three of my closest friends to also buy one, my weekends have been taken over by cosy group-gaming sessions with loved ones of all ages.
Whether I’m helping my niece build her own playground and dream house on Animal Crossing, attempting (and failing) to steal stars from my nephew in Super Mario Party Jamboree or thrashing my mum and dad at Mario Kart, there is a game for every possible occasion.
Parental controls
Although as the “fun” auntie, child-safety measures are outside my responsibility, their parents have full peace of mind with Nintendo’s free, easy-to-navigate mobile app, which allows you to monitor games and playtime, set clear limits and restrictions, and get a monthly summary of what games are played (and for how long). Ideally no one would tell my parents about that – but for those with younger offspring, this means you can keep tabs on play time on school nights, and make sure they don’t sneak in any extra sessions after bedtime.
What you might also not know, is that there are three different Nintendo Switch models to choose from. I’ve broken each one down, so you can pick which one is right for your family’s exacting requirements.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Console (Neon Blue/Neon Red) + Nintendo Switch Sports Set + Nintendo Switch Online Individual 12-Month (365-Day) Membership
This is the original model, and the model I own – it can be played handheld or connected to the TV. Personally, I like to go handheld when I’m playing alone, but I love the option of putting it on the big screen for games night.
No TV? There is also a third tabletop mode and I can confirm from experience it’s a great way to pass an 11-hour flight when you and your friends have exhausted all the on-board film offerings.
For entertaining friends and family, this is the model I would recommend. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to a games night with my friends (our record is 48 races on Mario Kart).
I also love the more interactive games, like the Nintendo Switch Sports set in my recommended bundle above. There is something hilarious about watching your parents pretend their Joy-Con is a tennis racket, and my nephew always gets his payback when he suggests a round of volleyball. Turns out I’m as good at sports online as I am IRL.
Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo Switch – OLED Model (White) + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe + Nintendo Switch Online Individual 12-Month (365-Day) Membership + Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass Set
This higher-end model comes with a seven-inch OLED screen – that stands for “organic light-emitting diode”, which I won’t pretend to know much about, except that it’s the highest quality display, meaning super-vibrant colours. As well as a bigger and better screen, it has more system storage – 64GB compared to the original models’s 32 – although both still have the same three modes of play: handheld, tabletop and TV.
Ultimately, it’s about weighing up if these extra features are worth the money. This is for the gamers who want to appreciate every stunning graphic in Super Mario Bros Wonder. Or in my case, it’s the Switch I would consider upgrading to because my five-star Animal Crossing island really does deserve to be seen in all its glory.
Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo Switch Lite + Animal Crossing: New Horizons Timmy & Tommy Aloha Edition + Nintendo Switch Online Individual 12-Month (365-Day) Membership
The most affordable of the three options and the one that is dedicated to handheld gaming, aka the model I’d pick for people who want to play on the go. Compact enough to fit into almost any bag and available in a range of fun colours, it’s also a great alternative to a tablet for kids, as the aforementioned app means you can easily keep an eye on their total screen time and how they’re using it.
Unlike the other two models, it doesn’t connect to a TV, but that doesn’t mean multiplayer games aren’t an option. Thanks to Nintendo Switch Online (a service which starts from a very reasonable £3.49 a month) or local wireless multiplayer, you can still unleash your competitive side, and I can confirm that beating your nephew to first place in Mario Kart is just as fun whether he’s in the room or not. Not to mention, the joy of visiting (and secretly looting) your friends’ Animal Crossing islands is unmatched…
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