Our families love Nintendo. Whether it is a Friday night family competition with classics like Super Mario Kart or some independent play with Super Smash Bros, we like that the Nintendo Switch has a wide variety of games that the whole family can enjoy.
Here are some tips that can help our family when it comes to starting out on your Nintendo and video game adventure.
Balance Screen Time
One of the first things we do is establish a designated time when the Nintendo Switch can be played. When everyone is aware of the time or time limit, then it makes it easier to have that distinction of when the games are put away. For our family, video games are only allowed on the weekends and after homework and chores have been completed. If anyone is caught sneaking video games during the week, they risk losing play for the entire weekend. Then once video games are earned, we establish time limits like 30 minutes and then take a break. With vacations and especially vacations where there is extended time on a plane or in the car, we adjust the parameters too.
Incentivize Screen Time
When you create a boundary with screen time, it makes it easier to reward or incentivize it too. For example, if our kids help out with a chore they normally don’t have to do, we will let them earn extra time towards video games. Similarly, if they go above and beyond on a classroom project or get a good report, then we award bonus time too.
Have Friendly Competitions
We love picking out a game like Super Mario Kart or Mario Jamoboree Party and having a family game night. This can be a fun idea too when kids have their friends over. Whether you decide to do a bracket competition for Mario Kart or just play some of the mini games in Jamboree Party round robin style, laughter and fun are sure to be had. The kids are always surprised when mom and dad do well on a game. We enjoy reminding them that we played Nintendo 8-bit growing up so we have been playing Nintendo long before they were. You can easily make it into a whole themed evening. Order some pizzas and encourage dressing up like your favorite character.
Don’t forget to have enough controllers for everyone! We love the Joycon controller.
Our favorite games for family/friend competitions
–Super Mario Kart
–Super Mario Jamboree Party
–Super Smash Bros
Allow Independent Play
As much as our kids love playing Donkey Kong or Pikmin together, they also enjoy their independence. Our son likes playing Minecraft, while our daughter loves Princess Peach Showtime. Our family only has one Nintendo Switch console, so they have to share. If they decide they want to play separately, they have to alternate.
Our favorite independent play games
–Luigi’s Mansion 2
–Princess Peach Showtime
–Donkey Kong Country Returns
Adjust Levels
Remember that within the game you can also adjust levels. This helps balance out one person who might be really proficient at a game and one person who might just be starting out. We also make sure to adjust the level of the computer characters too so we don’t get too discouraged when we play.
Cool Down
Sometimes the emotions and excitement gets the best of all of us. Don’t be afraid to take a break and have a cool down moment. Because while it can be fun to defeat Bowser on the screen, no one wants a real life Bowser with a fiery temper.
Have Designated Storage
Whether it is a space on a shelf or a carrying case, it is important to have a space where all of the games and controllers can go. When everyone knows where that space is, it serves as a reminder to all who play that they need to return their controllers and games to that space. Because no one wants their video game area to look like Donkey Kong came through it!
Our favorite accessories
–Nintendo Joy Con controller
–Charging Station
–Carrying Case
We were gifted items from Nintendo. All of our thoughts/opinions are our own.
