Console advice

[Benny]

A mate of mine is on the market for a console, his daughter (9 years old) has asked for one for Christmas. In turn he knows I game and wants to know which to get her. I initially mentioned the Xbox Series | S, obviously if he can get his hands on one. However he has just emailed me and informed me he has been into GAME near him and the bloke in store suggested the Xbox One S. As far as I can see that costs the same as the new Gen, surely would be better off getting the newer gen over the One S? I appreciate the New gen S is digital only but can't help but think newer gen would be the better option.

Anyway I feel a little out of my depth advising for his daughter as I don't have kids and I always have a bit of a tendency to go for the higher end version of tech. But would people agree the One S is a good buy or the Xbox Series | S?

Cheers

B

 

[Benny]

The new series S would be better for future proofing for sure. The issue is, getting on. Stock isn't around at the moment.

I guess it depends on what they are going to play really. If they are going to play fortnite, Minecraft etc... Then the older Xbox One S or PS4 might be better, and you can get them fairly easy too!

Yeah I was thinking the same, I mean you are going to be paying the same price for either as think game are knocking them out at £250? at the moment. Also as you say availability is going to be touch and go
for a while. I wanted the Series X for my birthday in December. Guess will have to see how that pans out.

As far as I know ROBLOX Minecraft and fortnight was mentioned. Yeah I will suggest he gets the One S I think. It has larger storage and the drive may be useful if they have DVD's. I just thought they might have dropped in price.

Thanks for your advice mate.

 

[Benny]

I would go for the switch over an Xbox for the portability and bigger pool of games suitable for the child’s age.

Will mention it to him mate as it is something they might not have considered but the little one asked for an xbox, could avoid a potential christmas day meltdown if he sticks to the plan.

 

[Benny]

The other issue with the Series S is that it's digital only, so there goes the chance of cheap second hand games that kids can actually afford.

I doubt either a 9yr old or your friend wants to deal with buying direct from MS for £60 a game, or hunting out decent prices on cd-keys etc.


Although as mentioned above, there's not a huge range of family/kids games as there is on the Switch.

Yeah that is a valid point for sure. I mentioned switch as an option to him, I have also mentioned it is digital only so it is down to him to decide now I guess.

 

[Benny]

Game Pass sorts this issue easily enough.

I'd definitely go Series S. I think it's criminal that the One S is priced at £250. They're clearly cashing in on lack of next gen stock. I paid £220 for my One S on 2018 and it came with five games brand new. £250 is ridiculous.

Also, the Switch is definitely a good shout too. The indie games are cheap on the store. I picked up Stardew Valley for £12 and I've had about 250 hours out of it so far. You can also play Fortnite and I think it supports cross play so if she's just after something like that to play with her friends and has asked for an Xbox for that reason, the Switch would still do the job. Plus it's portable!

Agree with everything you have said mate, shocked at the prices of the One S currently. Anyway he was unable to secure a Series S so had to opt for one in the end. Just so he has it, IF any stock becomes available between now and Christmas he can always return the unit.

Big thanks for everyone's input