Choosing the right console for your kid can be a totally overwhelming experience, especially if you’ve never really played video games before. You might try and reach out to a family member who has a kid and ask them for their advice or just go to the store and ask a worker who might or might not be a gamer. So here is a list of gaming consoles that as a gamer for 35 years, I’d recommend for families. Families who are just starting out or parents that might want to get into gaming to share that experience with their kiddos.
Nintendo Switch 2
The Nintendo Switch just came out at a price of $449 USD and the bundle version at $499 USD which comes with Mario Kart World. If you can find one I would suggest the bundle as Mario Kart World by itself is $79.99. So you are saving money by getting the bundle. Since this console just came out a new version won’t probably be out for another 8 years. The main draw of this console is the upgraded graphics and the backwards compatibility. If you owned a Switch then you can play all of your old games and some even have a graphical upgrade which is always nice.
I personally think that if you have a Switch 1 then you can probably wait a year. Currently the only first party exclusives are Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong. Metroid Prime is supposed to come out later this year, but as of now no Mario game has been announced
Nintendo Switch OLED/Switch Lite
I remember being a late adopter to the Nintendo Switch partially because it was hard to get at launch, and then when it did become available, my wife was pregnant so all of our money was going to the baby. When I did pick up the switch I actually opted for the Switch Lite. I figured that I wouldn’t be doing much gaming on the big screen so I might as well save a little money. I love that console then and love that my kiddo is playing it now.
The Switch lite feels sturdy since it is just one form factor shell with no removable pieces unlike the Switch where the joy cons can be removed. The Switch Lite also does not connect to a big screen tv so it is built to be totally portable. The Switch however comes with a dock that connects to the TV so that it can be played both docked mode and portable mode. The Switch OLED also has a much brighter screen, Bluetooth to be able to connect an extra controller as well as a better battery life. Both are absolutely amazing and I would say that if you are first starting out gaming to get a Switch Lite for your child since it is cheaper and more sturdy and get a Switch OLED for you the parent.
The Switch has a huge collection of fun, child friendly games that are perfect for first-time players. Whether you want to race in Mario Kart, solve puzzles in Super Mario Bros Wonder, or create your own world in Stardew Valley, there’s something for everyone! Now I know what you are thinking. This dad wants me to spend a lot of money just to play video games, but it’s not just games. Yes Nintendo has the best collection of family friendly games around, but it’s also about the ability to play as a family and create some pretty amazing memories.
Nintendo DS / 2DS
I’ve been a gamer since the Nintendo Entertainment system came out and I’ve kept all of my systems. When my daughter was 5 1/2 and not feeling well because of kids sharing germs. I went ahead and had her try the DS that I had in my closet. It was perfect, the size was just right and it wasn’t heavy so she could play it and I didn’t have to worry about her dropping it. The DS and 3DS/2DS has an impressive collection of games available. The first game that my daughter played was New Super Mario Bros. This game was challenging but in a good way. Plus as she was just learning to read this game was very easy for her to understand and not get frustrated by a lot of text. I would definitely recommend a Nintendo DS to a kid who is around 5-6 years old.
If you don’t have a DS but have a 3DS or 2DS I would highly recommend either of those as well. They are slightly larger than the DS and have a much clearer/brighter screen and both have an amazing collection of family friendly games like New Super Mario Bro’s 1 and 2, and Yoshi’s Woolly World.
The DS and 2DS/3DS are no longer in production so if you’d like one I’d say Facebook Market Place or eBay would be great options to get one and they can range from $200 USD or less.
Steam Deck
When I bought the Steam Deck I thought that I was buying this portable pc just for myself but man was I wrong. The Steam Deck is a portable handheld gaming device that lets you play your favorite PC games anywhere you go. With Steam’s massive gaming catalog you find a massive amount of cozy games that would be appropriate for your kiddo as well as pc games that you want to play. It is a bit heavy and does get warm when playing so I’d recommend putting a pillow on their lap so they have something to rest it on.
You can also connect it to a dock and play it on your big screen TV with Bluetooth enabled controllers. This thing is seriously the Swiss Army knife of game consoles. It’s portable, yet can also be docked. It can be a bit heavy for younger kids especially compared to the other two systems, but with someone like my 7 year old, she will rest it on a pillow or a stuffy while she plays. The Steam deck is also perfect for playing emulated games like the ones that you own but can no longer play on your TV. It’s super easy to find how to guides on Youtube and setup!
In Conclusion
In closing, I would say that if you are totally new to gaming to get a Switch or Switch 2. They are super easy to setup and play. They also have a huge collection of family friendly games to play and the Switch 2 can play all of the Switch 1 games. If you are a little more advanced as a gamer, I’d recommend the Steam Deck. Steam has a huge catalog of cozy games that are great for kids and having the ability to add ROM’s is a huge bonus. I haven’t forgotten about the DS/2DS, I would recommend these consoles if you already have one. They are still amazing to play on all these years later and they have an amazing collection of family friendly games.
