Switch/playstation/x box

[waiting4disney]

I've no clue when it comes to consoles. DS has voiced he'd like one but thought he was too young.
Now with the lock down and no siblings thought it might be a good investment (on restricted use)

But which one
Switch
Playstation 4
Xbox

It would mainly be for minecraft I think.

Any one have any advice?

[wanye]

is cost a factor? if so, whats your budget? and does he have any friends he would want to play with? if so, what consoles do they all own?

if its *just* to be used handheld, then a switch lite is fine, otherwise youre looking at the full one (~£100 more) if you want to plug it into a tv.

ps4 and xbone can be picked up second hand quite cheaply, whereas switches tend to hold their value more at the moment.

if its for minecraft, what about a raspberry pi? if you have various bits lying around already (usb keyboard/mouse/usb psu) you can get one for under £50 for the pi, case and a decent sized SD card and will play minecraft. its also a good device to learn programming/robotics with.

minecraft/en-us/edition/pi/

finally, find out what other games he is likely to want to play, some titles are exclusives to certain consoles, so this would sway any decision you make.

hth

*edit*
the kano kit is reduced in price right now, its only the raspberry pi3, not the newer 4, but it will still run minecraft and be a good kit if you dont already have a keyboard/mouse/etc - kano.me/uk/store/products/computer-kit

[RM2016]

Perhaps it would be easier to buy the console that his fiends have as then he can play online with them easily which is nice at times like this. We have 6 kids so have most consoles, certainly the 3 you mention and the most popular is Xbox one. If you are buying one, get from Tesco or similar as they will remain open if you have any issues with it.

[BucksBugsy]

We have discussed getting a switch but my understanding is the game selection is limited. My DD20 has bought one but she loves animal crossing and Mario cart.

I think my choice would probably be an xbox one if that's what his mates have as he can then play on line with them (that costs extra by the way because you have to pay for xbox gold live.

What ever you do dont forget to factor in the cost of earplugs as most parents who have teenage boys who play on line will understand. You can thank me later.

@Wayne- I always like reading your comments and -much as I detest minecraft i love the challenge of getting it running on a Rasperry PI - I may just give that a go later as I bought one for our wedding so I could display a real time slide show of guests photos - I may have just found another use for it.

BB

[waiting4disney]

Originally Posted by wanye

is cost a factor? if so, whats your budget? and does he have any friends he would want to play with? if so, what consoles do they all own?

if its *just* to be used handheld, then a switch lite is fine, otherwise youre looking at the full one (~£100 more) if you want to plug it into a tv.

ps4 and xbone can be picked up second hand quite cheaply, whereas switches tend to hold their value more at the moment.

if its for minecraft, what about a raspberry pi? if you have various bits lying around already (usb keyboard/mouse/usb psu) you can get one for under £50 for the pi, case and a decent sized SD card and will play minecraft. its also a good device to learn programming/robotics with.

minecraft/en-us/edition/pi/

finally, find out what other games he is likely to want to play, some titles are exclusives to certain consoles, so this would sway any decision you make.

hth

*edit*
the kano kit is reduced in price right now, its only the raspberry pi3, not the newer 4, but it will still run minecraft and be a good kit if you dont already have a keyboard/mouse/etc - kano.me/uk/store/products/computer-kit

See more...

Don't confuse the issue with more choice 😀
Thanks we probably do have spare computer but around the house actually.


Budget wise - we aren't too restricted as I'd been saving up my nectar points for a few years so we did have a console or similar in mind for it for next Christmas/8th birthday. I have £400 worth of nectar now.

As he is only 7 his friends seem divided a couple have xbox, couple playstation and 1 has a switch (not lite).

[sky13]

Are there any particular games that he wants to play?

I got a Switch Lite a few months back because I wanted to play Pokemon (exclusive to Switch). Also Mario Kart which I think is also Switch/Nintendo exclusive. Switch Lite is great as a handheld but can't be plugged into a TV, you need a regular Switch for that. Also some games don't run well on the Switch Lite due to lack of some controls or inability to plug into TV.

[waiting4disney]

Originally Posted by sky13

Are there any particular games that he wants to play?

I got a Switch Lite a few months back because I wanted to play Pokemon (exclusive to Switch). Also Mario Kart which I think is also Switch/Nintendo exclusive. Switch Lite is great as a handheld but can't be plugged into a TV, you need a regular Switch for that. Also some games don't run well on the Switch Lite due to lack of some controls or inability to plug into TV.

See more...

The only one he knows at the moment is minecraft.

[yehacantwait]

Nintendo switch is near on impossible to get hold of at the minute. Some are selling for around £600 on Ebay. The Ps4 and Xbox1 are best for playing minecraft. Just find out what one his friends have and get him the same as they like to play online with each other.

[MrsEgg]

We have a switch LB is nearly 6 and is absolutely loving it at the moment, we've got Mario kart 8 and Mario Party but I think he will be wanting more games come his birthday. We've really enjoyed playing with him too and it gets him excerising with it too.

[BucksBugsy]

Originally Posted by wanye

is cost a factor? if so, whats your budget? and does he have any friends he would want to play with? if so, what consoles do they all own?

if its *just* to be used handheld, then a switch lite is fine, otherwise youre looking at the full one (~£100 more) if you want to plug it into a tv.

ps4 and xbone can be picked up second hand quite cheaply, whereas switches tend to hold their value more at the moment.

if its for minecraft, what about a raspberry pi? if you have various bits lying around already (usb keyboard/mouse/usb psu) you can get one for under £50 for the pi, case and a decent sized SD card and will play minecraft. its also a good device to learn programming/robotics with.

minecraft/en-us/edition/pi/

finally, find out what other games he is likely to want to play, some titles are exclusives to certain consoles, so this would sway any decision you make.

hth

*edit*
the kano kit is reduced in price right now, its only the raspberry pi3, not the newer 4, but it will still run minecraft and be a good kit if you dont already have a keyboard/mouse/etc - kano.me/uk/store/products/computer-kit

See more...

Originally Posted by BerkshireBugsy

We have discussed getting a switch but my understanding is the game selection is limited. My DD20 has bought one but she loves animal crossing and Mario cart.

I think my choice would probably be an xbox one if that's what his mates have as he can then play on line with them (that costs extra by the way because you have to pay for xbox gold live.

What ever you do dont forget to factor in the cost of earplugs as most parents who have teenage boys who play on line will understand. You can thank me later.

@Wayne- I always like reading your comments and -much as I detest minecraft i love the challenge of getting it running on a Rasperry PI - I may just give that a go later as I bought one for our wedding so I could display a real time slide show of guests photos - I may have just found another use for it.

BB

See more...

So at the risk of hijacking the thread - managed to get Minecraft installed and running on my RPI 3 - and then got bored with it so I am back to "Planet Coaster"

It's either that or housework!