New Switch for Christmas: Anything Else I Need to Do or Buy So It's Good to Go Xmas Morning?

Xyzzy on 20/12/2019 - 17:09
Last edited 20/12/2019 - 17:09

Hi -

I picked up a Switch (full, not Lite) for my daughter for Christmas along with a couple of games.

Just wanted to check if there is anything else I need to do/get to ensure it is fully enjoyable on Christmas morning.

My brief internet search suggests a microSD card is required (and some are on the front page of ozBargain right now).

Is a microSD card essential on day 1, or will in become necessary only once the quantity of games increases?

Also, any particular size or speed or brand recommended? There was something in the news about one causing a Switch to melt, don't want that.

Anything else I should know?

From my days with an Xbox we had to set it up before Xmas to allow it to update for hours, before wrapping it up for Christmas morning. Hopefully that's not required for a Switch?

Thanks in advance.

Gaming Game Console Nintendo

Comments

  • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 20/12/2019 - 17:11
    +1

    Is a microSD card essential on day 1, or will in become necessary only once the quantity of games increases?

    Only necessary once the quantity of save data increases/update sizes.

    • GuniGuGu on 24/12/2019 - 14:09

      Disagree… I bought NBA 2k20 for example. Game will not play without an SD card.. so if you bought any games, I'd just double check they don't require an SD card. I'm pretty certain most well-designed games are fine, just be weary of the ports.

  • thatonethere on 20/12/2019 - 17:12
    +3

    Depending on age and independence of the daughter Id set it up, update and familiarise so you arent doing it in the fly xmas morning.

    • WoodYouLikeSomeCash on 20/12/2019 - 17:15
      +1

      OP probably wants to leave it wrapped up so that the OP’s daughter doesn’t think it’s second hand.

    • Xyzzy on 20/12/2019 - 17:25

      She'll be fine (better than me, anyway) setting it up and getting it going.

      Just want to make sure she won't be stuck waiting for umpteen gig of updates to come down our not so fast ADSL2+ connection; as was the case with the xbox years ago.

      I haven't heard of this being an issue for the Switch though.

      • sss333 on 20/12/2019 - 17:46
        +1

        System updates will be quick, however what games did you get? Some may require large downloads.

        • Xyzzy on 20/12/2019 - 17:55

          Pokemon Shield and Legend of Zelda Links Awakening.

          • sss333 on 20/12/2019 - 18:11
            +4

            @Xyzzy: They don't have any big required downloads so you'll be fine.

  • Noire on 20/12/2019 - 17:16
    +2

    If you are considering picking up few more games from the eshopon sale at the moment.

  • iniff on 20/12/2019 - 17:54
    +2

    I just set one up yesterday, we played Mario party for a while before I connected it to the internet when it did a quick update to the switch and Mario Party. Downloading Mario Kart did take a while after that tho.

    SD card not required day 1 but I did read today that you can’t move downloads from internal to SD so if she gets one later and wants the games on the SD she would need to redownload them.

    Another note, I had great difficulty connecting it to my phones hotspot (just moved, no internet yet). The fix seemed to be using manual settings instead of selecting the wifi from a list.

    • MrsJones on 20/12/2019 - 20:58

      About how long did Mario Kart take to download? Wondering if it’s worth unwrapping and doing it before Christmas Day….

      • jace88 on 20/12/2019 - 23:32
        +1

        I feel that the Switch is probably one of the few consoles you can give and open up on Christmas Day vs an Xbox/PS4 which will have huge updates to download. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is 6.7GB so it's not huge huge.

        As for memory card, not essential but depending how many eShop games you plan to buy in the future… but maybe get at least a 128gb one to be safe? I have a Sandisk 200gb in mine for the past couple of years and it's fine. But be weary of buying a dodgy/fake memory card from cheap sellers online - either buy from Amazon (and fulfilled by Amazon) or just pay a bit more and buy from JB Hifi or Officeworks etc…

  • chumlee on 20/12/2019 - 23:22

    I would get some cream for those whip marks all over your back

  • tebbybabes on 20/12/2019 - 23:47
    +1

    Been using our switch for about a little over a month now. Haven't needed any SD cards as of yet. Only own 3 games so far, Pokemon Sword, BOTW, and Mario Odyssey.

  • OverburdenedWarrior on 21/12/2019 - 00:01
    +3

    Consider grabbing a screen protector. Better safe than sorry. I used this one: https://www.ebgames.com.au/product/nintendo-switch/228472-pl…

    It was fairly easy to put on, even though I hate doing them. None of the phone stores nearby would touch it.

  • Richie65 on 23/12/2019 - 14:46

    Wheres the best deal for a switch at the moment?

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