Parents planning to gift popular gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation, or Microsoft Xbox this Christmas are being urged to take crucial preparatory steps. Failure to do so could lead to festive frustration, technical delays, and even unwelcome surprise bills.
Why pre-Christmas setup is essential
According to AO.com’s gaming and AV expert Nick Bunce, a common festive blunder is leaving the unboxing and setup until Christmas morning. Christmas Day typically sees gaming servers overwhelmed as millions of new users worldwide simultaneously try to set up consoles, create profiles, and download games.
"A big mistake we see every Christmas is families unboxing a brand-new console on the big day - only to face long waits for updates," said Nick. "I would always advise parents to set the console up in advance - it can save a lot of stress." He recommends finding a quiet moment before the 25th to download all necessary system updates and create any required online accounts, allowing children to play immediately.
Optimising your console's location and connection
During this setup phase, parents should also consider the console's permanent home. The device's location can significantly impact performance and longevity. Nick Bunce advises ensuring the console is placed in a safe, well-ventilated space, clear of dust and with adequate breathing room. Avoid tucking it behind the TV or piling other items on top.
Testing the internet connection is another vital step, even for consoles used primarily for single-player games. Most devices require a reliable connection for critical updates. "Consider using a wired connection or a WiFi booster" if the wireless signal is weak, Nick suggested. This is also the ideal time to adjust display and audio settings for your specific television.
The critical step to prevent surprise bills
Perhaps the most important pre-Christmas task is configuring parental controls to restrict in-game spending. Games like Fortnite, Roblox and FIFA often feature microtransactions, and stories of children running up huge bills are common. PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo all offer robust parental controls allowing parents to set spending limits or require a passcode for purchases.
"We've all heard stories about families being caught out with unexpected charges - especially when no parental controls were set up in advance," warned Nick. Taking time to implement these settings provides peace of mind. It's worth noting that Nintendo has a strict "no refunds" policy for digital purchases, and other platforms rarely refund for 'accidental purchases' once content is used.
By completing these steps beforehand, parents can ensure Christmas morning is filled with fun, not frustration, and protect themselves from unexpected expenses.
