What game console to buy for your child and what games to play on it. Sharing my personal experience

We recently discussed how to keep a child occupied if he has a smartphone. Today I want to expand on this topic.

First, we’ll look at which game console to choose for your child. And in the second part I will show what games children can play on these consoles.

It will be interesting, and I hope that the discussion in the comments will be no less lively than under the influence.

1. Which console to choose

From personal observation, I’ve found that what kids enjoy most is the enhanced console experience. My daughter enjoyed playing on the Xbox Series X, but after purchasing the PlayStation 5, where the gamepad had excellent vibration, sound and gyroscope, she was completely integrated into the Sony console and no longer wants to switch to Xbox.

Therefore, I recommend choosing the PlayStation 5 as a hospital for children.

What if you need a portable device? In this case, there are many options. First of all, I would advise you to pay attention to Chinese retro consoles with emulators. Here are two arguments in favor of this choice:

✔️ You can introduce your child to classic games.
✔️ These devices have a durable build and a relatively low price.

Topic: Which portable console to buy in 2024 so as not to regret it. There are 5 options

In my case, my daughter plays such a retro console in Game Boy Advance games. There are many colorful and interesting projects that are easy to learn.

However, there is another option – Nintendo 3DS. She has drawn on her rich and varied library of projects that are not plot-heavy (this is important for children’s games) and get carried away by their gameplay.

True, buying a 3DS can cost a lot more. In my case, my daughter regularly returns to this console with several games that are disabled on other platforms.

And here, for about the same price tag, it comes to our aid Nintendo Switch, which rightfully takes its place next to the PS5 as the best solution for playing with children. And all because:

✔️ Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console, a child can play both on the TV and in bed.
✔️ Joycons are equipped with advanced vibration, children love it. I checked. And even one set is enough for a cooperative game.
✔️ The most diverse library of games that a child will be interested in playing. Both retro and modern designs.

So, we came to the conclusion that the best choice would be to purchase the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch at the same time. Now let’s discuss which games are best for a child to play independently, and which ones can be played together.

2. What games to choose for your child

In order not to stretch the material, I will be brief. The list is the maximum possible and is compiled solely on the basis of personal experience:

✔️The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023, Nintendo Switch)

It is best to play this game on your own; the child will need to be a spectator.

After all, “Zelda” is a sandbox game where the most interesting thing is trying different things, reasoning according to the principle “what will happen if we try to do this?“

✔️Astro’s Playroom (2020, PlayStation 5)

In this project, on the contrary, it is better to immediately give this person a gamepad.

Trust me, you’ll be thrilled with how DualSense works in Astro’s gaming room.

✔️Super Mario Odyssey (2017, Nintendo Switch)

And again we have a “one-sided cooperative” project.

To begin with, you should go through the first couple of levels on your own, and then hand the controller to the child, which he showed, and finally, closely followed your gameplay.

✔️Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017, Nintendo Switch)

But here I advise you to try driving in split-screen. Mario Kart is very easy to learn and designed for competitive multiplayer.

Believe me, you will have fun racing for an hour or an hour and a half.

✔️Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (2021, PlayStation 5)

The game may seem difficult for a child to learn, but can be spectacular to watch as a parent. It has a very cool implementation of DualSense, an interesting plot (entirely in English) and dynamic gameplay.

In my case, the principle works “adult plays, child watches like a cartoon“, but I recommend giving the controller to your child about two hours after the cinematic prologue.

✔️Sackboy’s Big Adventure (2020, PlayStation 5)

Here the recommendation is, plus or minus, similar to Astro’s Playroom.

Hand over the controller right away and watch as a toddler gets sucked into this cute and sadly underrated platformer.

✔️Animal Crossing: New Horizon (2020, Nintendo Switch)

One of the most interesting projects on the list. We still play on the same island as a family. We distribute responsibilities (Mom, yesterday we got prices for a replica on Sundays, my daughter is responsible for the decor of the house) and do not kill the entire harvest.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a great interactive dollhouse for the whole family.

My collection features the games we’ve been playing a lot lately, as well as the projects we’ve played the most. The game titles on handheld consoles are mostly the same, just the game versions are slightly older.

Everything needs moderation

Of course, you need to give your eyes a break and not devote all your free time to computer games. However, spending an hour and a half with your child visiting exciting, visually beautiful games is priceless. Don’t start this opportunity now, because children open up so quickly.

And be careful not to write your thoughts on this matter in the comments, I’m sure there will be an interesting discussion there.