If you’re looking for a games console that the whole family can enjoy, the Nintendo Switch is a great choice. That’s partly down to the Switch’s games catalogue, which includes a dazzling range of all-ages titles, starring colourful characters such as Mario, Peach and the cast of Animal Crossing – but also because it offers comprehensive parental controls, which you can manage using a smartphone app (thereby supervising Switch gaming without peering over your kids’ shoulders).
Perhaps most importantly of all, there’s a variety of ways to play games. You can gather around the TV together, play in handheld mode, or use the included stand to prop the console up in tabletop mode. You can play with other people in-person, or via online play, depending on the game.
This console has three versions: the Nintendo Switch, the original all-rounder, the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, a higher-end offering with a bigger, better screen, and the handheld Nintendo Switch Lite, for play on the go. Whichever option you choose, this guide for grown-ups will help you decide which console is right for your family, and how to get the best out of it.
Over three decades, I’ve made cherished memories playing Nintendo consoles – from unwrapping the Game Boy Color my granddad gave me for Christmas in the late 1990s to playing the Smash Bros series on the sofa with friends, and racing with my cousin’s kids to record the fastest time on Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Shared enjoyment, discovery and memories await you and your loved ones on the Nintendo Switch.
What makes the Nintendo Switch range the best choice for kids?
Family-friendly games
Let’s start with the factor kids care about most of all: the games.
Games are sold in two formats: physical cartridge or digital download. You can buy physical games on the high street, whereas digital downloads are mostly done on the console itself, via the Nintendo eShop.
But what makes the Switch games catalogue really special is Nintendo’s own family of fun and wholesome characters, which you won’t find on other gaming consoles.
If, like millions of kids and grown-ups around the world, you want to play a game starring Mario, Peach, Luigi, Kirby, Pikachu, Link or Zelda, then look no further.
Some of our favourite kid-friendly Switch games starring Nintendo characters include:
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Super Mario Party Jamboree
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder
- Pokémon Scarlet / Pokémon Violet
- The Legend Of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Super Mario Party Jamboree
Super Mario Bros. Wonder
Pokémon Scarlet
Pokémon Violet
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
If you want to check whether a game is age-appropriate, look out for the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) label: a green box with a number inside. It’ll be featured prominently on the games’ box to indicate its suitability for that age group, along with more information about what sort of content the game includes.
Easy-to-use parental controls
Gaming on the Switch is always going to be special when the whole family’s involved – but you might have some concerns over how younger gamers will use the console when they’re unsupervised. You want to see what they’re playing, and for how long.
Thankfully, Nintendo gives you the power to do just this, by giving you a robust set of parental controls that you can manage via your own free, password-protected smartphone app.
Key features to use on the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app include:
- Time limits. Decide how much time a child can spend playing the Switch on any given day. An alarm will be triggered on the console to let them know when their play time is up.
- Restrictions. Remove the possibility of children playing age-inappropriate games, and prevent them from using features such as chat in online play.
- Reporting. See a report of which video games your child has been playing, and for how long. In addition to seeing what your children have been playing daily, you can also receive a monthly play report.
Inclusive ways to play
A great way to enjoy the Switch with family is to play a local multiplayer game, where everyone can grab a controller (called a Joy-Con) and play together in the same room. There’s nothing quite like the spectacle of your family all leaning forward on the sofa while they compete for Mario Kart glory!
If you’d like to do lots of local multiplayer gaming, the Nintendo Switch OLED or Nintendo Switch console are good choices, because they connect to a TV, whereas the Nintendo Switch Lite model is dedicated to handheld play.
You can also play various games online – there are different subscription tiers for Nintendo Switch Online, starting from £3.49 a month, and you can easily top up with gift cards, if you don’t want to enter any credit card details. It’s ideal for playing long-distance with friends or family. You can still monitor and set restrictions via the Parental Controls mobile phone app, including limiting online chat and communication, for extra peace of mind.
The Switch isn’t just family-friendly; it’s often kinder to your household budget, thanks to Nintendo’s frequent official deals and offers. To ensure the fun can start from day one, look for a bundle deal including a Switch console, pre-installed game content and Nintendo Online membership.
Nintendo Switch Lite Animal Crossing: New Horizons Isabelle Aloha Edition + Nintendo Switch Online Individual 12-Month (365-Day) Membership
£199.99
Nintendo Switch Console (Neon Blue/Neon Red) Nintendo Switch Sports Set + Nintendo Switch Online Individual 12-Month (365-Day) Membership
£259.99
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
£309.99
But whichever Nintendo Switch console you choose, the most important investment is the time spent playing it with your family, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Discover the latest Nintendo Switch deals
