Parents' Quick Nintendo 2019 Christmas Guide

Twice in the last few days I have seen frantic parents trying to determine which mobile game system to get for their kid this Christmas. This article will be short and sweet.

These are the Nintendo systems readily available new:

• Nintendo 2DS
• New Nintendo 2DS XL
• Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL (discontinued so not discussed)
• Nintendo Switch Lite

Overview of the 2DS line:

• Thousands of games dating back to 2004 due to ability to run old DS games (DS was the predecessor to the 2DS and 3DS)
• 2DS is very durable - it's a slab!
• New 2DS XL is clam shell design which protects the screen
• Low price
• Nearing end of production life
• Not many, if any, future new games expected
• The base 2DS cannot play "New Nintendo" labeled games. There are few games with this label. Unfortunately, Minecraft is one of these games.

Note for parents regarding the 3DS: The first thing most people do it turn off the 3-D mode! The 3DS was out prior to to the 2DS. The 2DS is a 3DS with the 3-D mode removed. I wouldn't hesitate buying a 3DS if you can find one.

Now the Switch Lite:

• Game library goes back to 2017
• Only plays Switch games - but none of the Labo construction kits
• Games are still being developed (already thousands available)
• System is much more powerful than the 2DS and 3DS
• Hottest system on the market in 2019
• Nintendo Online is required to play friends on the internet. An annual membership is $20 which is much cheaper than the equivalent Xbox or Playstation service. This service also includes a nice library of old '80s NES and early '90s Super Nintendo games such as Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong Country, and numerous Zelda titles.
• Suggestion: Buy a case to protect the system
• Suggestion: Buy an SD card to increase storage space

My recommendation:

• Young children who need durability: 2DS (cheap and durable)
• Older children: Switch Lite

What about used:

I have purchased many used mobile Nintendo games systems from individuals and Gamestop.  I have never had an issue. This may be a great way to get a 2DS or 3DS if you are concerned about your kid breaking it. I wouldn't purchase a used Switch Lite this year; the price is almost the same as new!

The Case for Physical Media

Samsung has announced that they will stop selling Blu-ray Disc players in the US. Samsung to Stop Selling BD Players in US

While this news probably means little to most, I'm sad to see this happening. Is this the first step in the demise of owning your own copy of your favorite movie? Perhaps.

While I enjoy streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime and love that I can access more content than I would every watch, I still prefer to own a physical copy of the movie.

Physical media has a permanence you do not get with these services. Without fail near the end of each month there are many articles posted about what's leaving Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu. Some shows create such an uproar that the service even has to reconsider letting it's license expire. This is such the case with Friends on Netflix. Friends Uproar on Netflix

There are many advantages to physical media.

• No compression in sound or picture - streaming needs compressed in order to deliver content
• No license agreement with the streaming services - you own it for the life of the physical medium
• You can lend to friends
• You are not dependent upon an Internet Service Provider
• Privacy - your viewing habits are not monetized for the streaming services's gain

The same argument applies to video games. I collect the physical copies of games I have purchased going back to my beloved Atari. The importance of physical media was driven home by two events late last year:

Activision shuts down Guitar Hero Live servers, spawning lawsuit

Nintendo Wii Shop shuts down

And don't forget music albums! We used to buy the entire album to get that one single. Online definitely has lower price, but at what cost? What about songs that aren't singles? Today they'd be simply lost rarities. Back in the day the entire album contained a complete cohesive package - including incredible artwork. Some had hidden gems that could have been singles. For example Boston's first album gets radio play today. Guns 'N Roses' Appetite for Destruction album is another example. Those albums had a few singles, but over the years most of the songs on those albums have become classic rock staples.

Nothing lasts forever, but with physical media and working hardware you can be the master of your content.

Improving the NES Classic or SNES Classic

I had a difficult time deciding whether to get the NES Classic (Nintendo Entertainment System Classic) or the SNES Classic (Super NES Classic.)  I ended up with both and I'm glad I did.

There is one major short-coming with these mini-consoles.  The controller cords are just too short!

Today (February 2019) I picked up two twin packs of SNES Classic extension cords from Best Buy. These are Insignia brand and work perfectly. They are being clearanced out at $4.99 each! Each extension cord is six foot long.

I bought two sets. I then daisy-chained the two together. Bingo! I can now sit an additional twelve feet away from the console.  Hello couch!

FAQ:
Can I use SNES Classic extension cords for the NES Classic?  Yes.

Can I use an SNES Classic controller on the NES Classic? Yes.

Do they work on an original '80s NES or '90s SNES? No.

If you haven't picked up one of these mini-consoles, hurry!  They are no longer manufactured. Nintendo must have been tired of printing money. I have found that the SNES Classic is much harder to find than the NES Classic. Beware online, though. I've seen some weird overseas versions of it that may not be legit - even on Amazon!

Both consoles allow you to save games in progress - up to four per games. The SNES Classic even has a rewind feature. This makes games like Earthbound so much more enjoyable. When you die, rewind and continue.

Game on!