Nintendo

What is Nintendo?

Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 are gaming consoles that work both as home consoles connected to a TV and as portable handheld devices. They feature beloved game franchises like Mario, Zelda, Pokémon, Splatoon and Animal Crossing. With Nintendo Switch Online, children can play multiplayer games online, use voice chat through a separate phone app in many Switch games, and purchase games digitally via the eShop. Switch 2 also has GameChat, a built-in chat feature that requires parental approval through the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app for children under 16 and supervised users.

Age rating: Varies by game (PEGI 3–18 / ESRB E–M). The console itself has no inherent age limit, but online features require a Nintendo Account.

Why do kids like it?

• Beloved game franchises. Mario, Zelda, Pokémon and Animal Crossing are among the world’s most recognised game brands. Kids know the characters and worlds intimately.
• Playing together on the couch. Nintendo Switch supports local multiplayer — multiple players can share the console with split Joy-Cons. It’s social and inclusive.
• Take it anywhere. The console works as a handheld, making it perfect for travel, car rides and visiting friends.
• Generally family-friendly reputation. Nintendo is known for creating safe, creative games. Many parents choose the Switch specifically for this reason.
• Creativity and collecting. Games like Animal Crossing and Super Mario Maker let kids build, design and express themselves. Pokémon is all about collecting and trading.

What are the real risks?

• Online play with strangers. In games like Splatoon, Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros., children can be matched with unknown players.
• Chat features vary by game and console. Many Switch games use the Nintendo Switch Online app on a phone, while Switch 2 has GameChat with parental approval for children under 16 and supervised users.
• eShop spending. Children can purchase games, DLC and microtransactions digitally if purchases are not PIN-protected.
• Friend code sharing. Friend codes can be shared in chats, on social media or in gaming forums and create contact with strangers.
• Third-party games with mature content. The eShop also contains games from other developers with higher age ratings than Nintendo’s own family-friendly titles.

Settings to check

1. Install the Parental Controls app: Open Nintendo Switch Parental Controls and connect the app to your child’s console.
2. Set play-time limits: Open the app → Play-Time Limit, and choose daily play time and whether the console should warn or stop.
3. Restrict games by age rating: Open the app → Restriction Level, and choose an age level that blocks games with higher age ratings.
4. Restrict online communication: Open the app → Communication with Others, and turn off or limit free communication with other players.
5. Control GameChat: Open Nintendo Switch Parental Controls → GameChat, and approve or limit GameChat for children under 16 and supervised users.
6. Require PIN for eShop purchases: Open Nintendo Account → eShop → Purchase Restrictions, and require a PIN or block purchases.
7. Limit sharing screenshots and videos: Open the app → Posting to Social Media, and prevent sharing from games to social media.
8. Check activity reports: Open the app → Monthly Summary/Play Activity, and see which games were used and for how long.

How to talk about it

“Who do you usually play against online — friends you know, or random players?”

“Which chat features does your game use — the phone app, in-game chat or GameChat?”

“What do you do if someone you don’t know asks for your friend code?”

Last reviewed: July 2026