A Parents Guide to Buying A Switch this Xmas

There’s something magical about waking up Christmas morning to presents under the tree, but as we parents know, Christmas can be a really stressful time and it’s not really about us anymore, and all we want is for our kids to be happy, and hopefully not go to the shops on boxing day because we forgot something vital. This guide is for parents or partners who may have a Switch sitting under the tree for their loved ones, and some essential tips, tricks, and accessories you should grab, so you can relax on Boxing Day and avoid the crowds!

Let’s start with the essentials…

Screen Protectors

Not just an upsell for the sales associate at EB Games, tempered glass screen protectors will save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. My kids have gone through 4 to 5 screen protectors in their Switch’s lifetime, but at least I’ve never had to replace the console itself! Screen Protectors are fairly simple to install, and will save a lot of heartache in the long run. To apply the screen protector, simply peel off one side and line it up with the Switch screen. They usually cost around $20 and are a very worthwhile investment.

Micro SD Card

Another essential purchase, and remember, that not all SD Cards are created equal. I would recommend buying one from a retailer like JB or EB as there are many inferior and counterfeit cards on the internet. How much do you need? 128 gig is a good amount to start with and is a decent price point. There’s no need for the Nintendo-branded ones unless you want to stick with a gift theme. Sandisk and Samsung are safe bets with the highest read speeds. Since all Switch Models have rather limited internal storage (although the OLED fares slightly better) it’s a good idea to have one of these ready on Christmas day as a game like Fortnite could take up the majority of the standard models’ space.

Nintendo Switch Online Subscription

Does your child want to play online with friends? A Nintendo Switch Online Subscription will be required for most games’ online play modes. The good news is this subscription comes with a lot of classic games you can download from the E-shop as a part of the NSO platform. There are 2 NSO subs you can go for: Standard, and Expansion Pass. Expansion pass gives you more like the Animal Crossing and Mario Kart Expansion packs, as well as access to Nintendo 64 games and more.  The NSO subscription is reasonably priced thankfully, coming in cheaper than Xbox Live and PlayStation Plus.

Handy Hacks

Here are some handy hacks I learned from experience…

Format Second-Hand Consoles

Buying a pre-owned console? While retailers have strict rules to follow regarding privacy and data, if you purchased the console from Marketplace or a friend, be sure to factory reset the console. This can be done right at the bottom of the settings menu. Formatting the console will ensure no saved data, personal data, or unwanted data is left on there.

Connect and Update the Switch before Wrapping

Nintendo servers on Christmas day tend to get busy! If you connect your console to the internet and perform and update the console beforehand, the gamer in your life will be good to go right away! You can pre-install games and update them as well, simply by putting in the cartridge and selecting “Update Game” by pressing the + Button.

There we go! You should now be able to rest easy boxing day and stay in the air conditioning. It’s not easy being a parent, but hopefully, this guide has helped make things a bit easier for you. I wish you and your family a safe and wonderful Christmas.