If you’re considering buying a Nintendo Switch, there are some essential facts to know before you purchase. Released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has become the company’s best-selling console, with over 146 million units sold. This statistic puts it just behind the PlayStation 2 (160 million) as the best-selling console ever. (Wikipedia, 2024) The Switch is a hybrid between a handheld device and an at-home gaming console. This unique combination provides versatility, allowing gamers to play from anywhere. However, there are more reasons why the Nintendo Switch is so popular.
From its famous franchise games like Mario, Pokemon, and The Legend of Zelda to its ability to transform from a handheld controller to a motion sensor, the Switch gives players so many options for how and what they like to play. This plethora of options makes the Switch unique and challenging to navigate. In this article, we will show you how to play the Switch, give you ways to protect your children with Parental Controls, and list the best games for kids.
How to Play the Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is a tablet that can be used as a portable handheld or docked and used as a console. The controller is also versatile; the two pieces (red and blue) can function as two halves of one controller or as two separate controllers. These options allow flexibility from stationary to motion-based and one to two-player modes.
Adding to the Switch’s adaptability is the ability to play games online and via physical gaming cartridges. Parents love the cartridge option because it allows children to play games they love without the risks of being connected to the internet. This old-fashioned way of playing video games gives parents nostalgia and provides a more private playing experience.
Online games can be purchased through Nintendo’s eShop, and cartridges can be bought in stores or online. Nintendo requires a subscription to play online, and monthly charges range from $13.99 to $34.99. Cartridge play will save you money and keep your children from the dangers of the internet.
Parental Control Options in the Nintendo Switch
Parental Controls are plenty on the Switch. Nintendo has given parents various ways to protect their children while enjoying their gaming experience. The variety of options ensures that children of different ages and parents with varying wants can all have options. Parents can tighten or loosen controls as they see fit. Parental controls are featured on the device and in the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app.
Parental Controls for Content:
Nintendo offers a “restriction level” to filter only age-appropriate content to your child. These restrictions limit browsing gameplay and game news, screenshots and videos on social media networks, communication with other players, and virtual reality mode. There are three choices in restriction levels:
- “Child”: restrictions for players 13 years old and younger.
- “Preteen”: slightly less restrictions than “child” mode.
- “Teen”: most appropriate for players ages 17 and older.
Time Limits:
Nintendo also allows parents to set screen time limits for the device. Parents can control the total daily time and set a specific “bedtime.” The Parental Control app also allows parents to suspend screen time limits for the day. This option is great for traveling, on special occasions, or when you want to let your child have more than the average screen time.
Best Nintendo Switch Games for Kids
One of the best ways to ensure your child is playing age-appropriate games is to ask other parents! We have compiled a list of the best Nintendo Switch games for kids, as parents and their children recommended. These popular games will keep your child safe from inappropriate content while allowing them to have fun gaming!
Here are the top 15 Nintendo Switch games for kids:
- Super Mario Odyssey
- Mario Kart
- Animal Crossing
- Splatoon
- Minecraft
- Overcooked
- Unravel 2
- Nintendo Switch Sports
- Just Dance
- Ring Fit
- Big Brain Academy
- Oregon Trail
- Mario Maker
- Luigi’s Mansion
Key Takeaways:
Pros of the Nintendo Switch
- The Switch is a versatile experience that lets players use it as an at-home console or take it to-go as a handheld device. Gamers can easily transition from the two modes.
- Cartridge play: Players can play games via game cartridges inserted into the console that require no internet connection.
- Parental Controls for screen time and content limits are available on the device and through a parental control app. There is a wide variety of options for strict or looser controls.
Cons of the Nintendo Switch
- As a handheld device, children can take it anywhere, increasing the amount of time they can play. If you want your child to play video games only at home—to lessen the time spent on the device—you may have to insist they use the Switch only in console mode.
- Similarly, playing via cartridge means that the device doesn’t need an internet connection, and your child can play almost anywhere as long as they have battery power.
- The Switch’s versatility is nice, but it also means your child can play from anywhere and at any time. This may mean parents struggle to keep screen time low and increase the possibility of the device being lost or stolen.
MMGuardian helps you navigate Parental Controls to give your children a safe digital experience.
As parents, you want your children to engage in the digital world while ensuring their safety. When children access the internet through gaming devices like the Nintendo Switch and a smartphone without proper safeguards, they could potentially be exposed to threats like sexual and violent content, cyberbullying, and online predators. However, the internet can be a place of exploration, creativity, and connection when the proper protections are in place. MMGuardian takes the work out of protecting your children and puts it in the palm of your hand.
The MMGuardian phone and parental control app are easy for parents to navigate. The options for screen time and content restrictions vary, allowing parents to strengthen or loosen controls as they see fit. This flexibility also allows the MMGuardian phone, a Samsung smartphone with MMGuardian software, to grow with your child as they age. If you are concerned about keeping your child’s innocence while allowing them to interact with the digital community, MMGuardian will give you the protection you need.
