Are you a parent on the hunt for the ultimate game console for your 5-year-old little one?
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one will provide the best experience for your child while also being safe and age-appropriate. From the classic Nintendo Switch to the action-packed PlayStation, every console has its own strengths and weaknesses.
But fear not, because we’re here to help you find the best game console for your 5-year-old that will not only provide endless entertainment but also foster creativity and learning.
These consoles have been tried and tested by our own kids, including our nieces and nephews.
So grab a cup of coffee and join me as we dive into the wonderful world of gaming and discover the perfect console for your young gamer.
10 Best Games Consoles for 5 Year old 2023
Contents
- 1. Nintendo Wii U 32GB Mario Kart 8
- 2. Beijue 16 Bit Handheld Games
- 3. Nintendo Switch Lite
- 4. PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB Console
- 5. Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Edition Console
- 6. Sega Genesis Mini Games Console
- 7. Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller
- 8. Douddy Handheld Gaming Console
- 9. LeapFrog LeapPad Academy Kids’ Learning Tablet
- 10. EASEGMER 16-Bit Kids Handheld Games
- 5 Must-Have Facts to Consider While Buying Game Console For 5 Year Old Kids
1. Nintendo Wii U 32GB Mario Kart 8
Best Console for Multiple Kids Play
The Nintendo Wii U is a great option for parents who want to give their younger children a gaming console that is age-appropriate and family-friendly. With its Mii characters and a selection of games that are suitable for all ages, the Wii U provides a fun and interactive gaming experience that the whole family can enjoy.
The Wii U’s interface is easy to navigate, and the console offers two options for playing: on the TV screen or on the gamepad. The gamepad is lightweight and features its own screen, speaker, control pad, stylus, microphone, and camera, making it a versatile and engaging tool for gameplay.
The console comes with a charging dock for the gamepad, which is convenient and easy to use. However, one downside of the Wii U is its limited game library, especially if you are looking for non-Nintendo games. Many third-party game developers have shifted their focus to Xbox and Playstation, which means that the Wii U may not have as wide a selection of games as some other consoles.
Overall, if you are looking for a family-friendly gaming console that provides a fun and interactive experience for kids of all ages, the Nintendo Wii U is definitely worth considering.
2. Beijue 16 Bit Handheld Games
Best Handheld Games Console For 5 Year Old
If you’re looking for a lightweight & affordable handheld game console for your kid, give Beijue 16 Bit Handheld Games a try! It’s a 0.24 pound handheld rocking 100 pre-loaded games console.
Though the length of this game console is 6.3”, it offers a 3” display. The display size might feel smaller compared to others, but your 5 years old won’t be bothered by the screen size. All the buttons including the A, B, X & Z are nicely constructed – giving your kid a great pleasure while playing.
This handheld game console comes with a rechargeable Li-on battery, which is able to give 4-5 hours of backup after full charge. The battery capability alone makes it a great handheld option for traveling. The charger cable is approximately 2.6 feet & it’s enough for your kid to charge & play while you’re driving.
Beijue 16 Bit Handheld Game console is packed with 100 exciting games, including puzzles, sports and other games. The graphics of the games are good, and the sound quality is pleasing too. Not only will your kids have a blast playing these games, but they’ll also exercise important skills like hand-eye coordination and problem-solving.
And don’t worry about your child’s rough-and-tumble playstyle; the Beijue game console is built to last with its rugged and shatterproof casing. So, let your little one explore, learn, and have a blast with the Beijue 16 Bit Handheld Games – it’s the perfect handheld gaming console for your 5-year-old!
3. Nintendo Switch Lite
Best portable game console for 5-year-old
If you’re looking for a handheld portable gaming console that has a premium feel, then the Nintendo Switch Lite is an excellent choice. I recently got my hands on this console, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed.
The Nintendo Switch Lite is half the size of the Nintendo Wii U, making it incredibly easy to carry around. But don’t let its size fool you; this console packs a punch when it comes to gaming.
What I really appreciate about this console is how comfortable it is to hold, even during extended gaming sessions. The console’s design is perfect for grabbing with both palms, and my kid can keep his fingers at the top, allowing for complete control over the console.
The Switch Lite has a sleek and slim design, measuring only 3.6 by 8.2 by 0.6 inches (HWD) and weighing 9.8 ounces. It resembles the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode with both Joy-Cons attached, but in a slightly smaller size. This design makes it incredibly convenient for travel, picnics, and other outdoor activities, where you or your kids need to stay entertained.
In conclusion, the Nintendo Switch Lite is an excellent handheld portable gaming console with a premium feel. Its comfort, portability, and multiple color options make it a must-have for any gaming enthusiast.
4. PlayStation 4 Pro 1TB Console
Best for its multiple-playing options
Looking for limitless entertainment options for you and your little ones? Look no further than the PlayStation 4 Pro! This powerful gaming console offers realistic visuals and multiple playing options for an immersive experience that the whole family will enjoy.
With features like anti-aliasing, visual FX, HDR, and vivid textures, the PS4 Pro delivers stunning visuals that bring games to life like never before.
But that’s not all – the PlayStation 4 Pro also boasts 4K video capability and HDR technology, which offer a vibrant and lifelike range of colors. This makes it perfect not only for playing games, but also for watching movies or shows with stunning clarity and realism.
With multiplayer options available, your kid can connect with friends and play online, adding a whole new level of excitement to their gaming sessions.
Unfortunately, this console doesn’t offer backward compatibility, so previous-generation games won’t work on it. And, it’s worth noting that a subscription fee is required for multiplayer mode.
But don’t let that stop you from considering this console- overall, the PlayStation 4 Pro is an excellent choice for any young gamer looking to explore multiple playing options and immerse themselves in a truly unforgettable gaming experience.
5. Xbox One S 1TB All-Digital Edition Console
The Xbox One S 1TB is a perfect match for kids who are a little nerdy. This gaming console allows streaming of 4k video on popular platforms like Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix. It also features high dynamic range technology that delivers vibrant and radiant colors in videos and games.
If you prefer disk-free control, the Xbox One S 1TB could be the perfect match for you. You can download and play games whenever you want, without the hassle of physical disks.
The console comes with a 1-year warranty for hardware, ensuring tension-free gaming. Additionally, the manufacturer provides a 90-day warranty for accessories and controllers.
Overall, the Xbox One S 1TB is an excellent choice for kids who enjoy gaming and streaming video content. With its range of features and affordability, it’s sure to provide endless hours of entertainment for the whole family.
6. Sega Genesis Mini Games Console
If you’re a fan of classic gaming of the 90s & want your kid to play those games, then the Sega Genesis Mini is a perfect choice for your kid. This miniature console is the perfect replica of the iconic Sega Genesis console.
This console is pre-loaded with 42 legendary games for your kid to play & enjoy. The installation process of this console is super simple. All you have to do is set up the controllers with the console & plug it to the TV or monitor through a HDMI cable.
The controllers are well-functioned and well built. Unfortunately, these controllers don’t support bluetooth connectivity, instead – they are connected to the console through 6 feet wires.
My game play experience was pretty good with this mini-version game console. It includes a wide range of games from different genres, including platformers, RPGs, racing games, and many more. The games are announced in four waves, with each wave containing 10 games (+2 bonus games, 42 in total).
Overall, the Sega Genesis Mini is a perfect way to pass the nostalgia of the 90s to your kids that defined a generation. With its authentic design, pre-loaded games, and plug-and-play functionality, it’s a must-have for any gaming enthusiast parents.
7. Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller
Have a spare phone in your house? Use that phone for creating a handheld game console for your 5 years old with Razer Kishi Mobile Games Controller.
The overall build quality of this controller is pretty good. This controller features clickable analog thumbsticks for greater accuracy and tactile feedback, as well as precision input buttons and a D-pad (directional pad). Honestly, the analog sticks and buttons feel very good, but the D-pad did not seem that great to me.
As it’s not a bluetooth integrated controller, the controller can offer zero latency by directly connecting to the device’s charging port. The phone itself can be charged even if the controller is installed via the USB-C or lighting port from outside of the controller.
The grip is great. With its ergonomic and flexible design, it’s comfortable to hold during long gaming sessions and can be stretched and clamped on most Android phones for a secure grip.
However, while testing this controller – I felt like this controller wobbled sometimes if the phone screen was as big as Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Also, the trigger buttons are not clicky which doesn’t feel very good.
This controller is compatible with both android and iPhone. Just check if your phone is compatible with OTG, otherwise this controller won’t work.
8. Douddy Handheld Gaming Console
Best game console for Road Trip
The Douddy 16-Bit handheld gaming console is a game-changer that you can play anytime and anywhere. The 16-Bit processor ensures that you get better music effects and more beautiful pictures, making your gaming experience even more enjoyable.
This console is a great way to keep your kids entertained without relying on the internet. With 220 classic and interesting built-in games, your kids will never get bored. And the best part? Each game is carefully selected without any repetition.
Let’s talk about the power source and all the other cool features! This console offers three different power sources, including a rechargeable lithium battery, USB cable (which can be connected to a power bank), and AAA batteries. So, whether you’re at home or on the go, you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming.
9. LeapFrog LeapPad Academy Kids’ Learning Tablet
If you’re looking for a big display educational game console for your kid, then consider purchasing LeapFrog LeapPad. This game console features a 7-inch shatter safe screen on which your kid can play up to 20 educational apps.
If the number of games looks low, don’t worry – you can always purchase games from the LeapFrog App Center.
The build quality of this game console is solid & it comes with a stylus. Kids can play and learn many things as all the preloaded apps are educator approved. For example, children can develop learning skills like coding, reading, math, science, spelling, puzzles, and logic by playing those 20 apps.
The storage component of this game console is spacious enough, it features 16 GB storage and offers a microSD card slot (supports up to 32GB). With LeapFrog LeapPad, you don’t have to worry about your kid playing games for an excessive amount. You can control which app your kid can play for how long through the parental control feature.
This console can also be used for preparing your kids for school. With this game console, they will grow smarter compared to others. Overall, LeapFrog LeapPad is one of the best educational game consoles for 5 year olds you can buy.
10. EASEGMER 16-Bit Kids Handheld Games
Looking for a fun and educational gift for your child? The EASEGMER 16 Bit handheld gaming console could be just what you need!
Not only does this console offer a whopping 220 brand-new games, including educational, non-violent, and sports options, but it also has the potential to boost your child’s problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and critical thinking abilities. Plus, with a weight of just 3.06 oz, your child can easily take it on the go without any hassle.
But that’s not all. The console boasts a crystal-clear, high-definition 2.5-inch display with 16-bit graphics that will bring each game to life. And let’s not forget about the rechargeable lithium battery, which can be rechargeable using a simple USB cable, making it a convenient and eco-friendly option.
5 Must-Have Facts to Consider While Buying Game Console For 5 Year Old Kids
We enlist some points which will help you to choose the right game console for a kid.
1. Comfort first!
No doubt that a comfortable gaming console gives you blissful service. To ensure much pleasure, you need to focus on the sleek design, gamepad, grip, etc. However, another critical factor is weight. Though you buy it for your kid, try to choose the lightweight console.
2. What about the Game library?
Continuously playing a few games may make your kid bored. That’s why while buying a game console for a kid; you need to look at the game library of that particular gaming console.
For example, PlayStation 4 offers hundreds of games that can be played in multiplayer mode.
However, it would help if you saw the game type because some game libraries has 18+ and R-rated games which will be bad for your kid.
3. Portability matters!
Portability is another essential feature to look at because it helps carry the console wherever your kid wants. Under this feature, you can look at how tiny or small your device is.
Nintendo offers many portable gaming consoles, whereas the PlayStation series isn’t portable.
4. Also, don’t forget to check Options
You will find many options in a gaming console, but all don’t go perfectly with your kid. For example, if your kid loves to game and cartoon, you can choose the console that allows watching TV and gaming. That’s why it will be better to find your kid’s preference.
5. Last but not least- Durability!
Kids typically don’t take care of their playing items. So, when you wish to give a gaming console to your kid, you have to focus on durability; otherwise, you need to replace it frequently.
Conclusion
We have reached the end of our discussion on the best game console for a 5-year-old, and we hope that our suggested list has helped you make a decision.
So, what is the best console for a 5-year-old? If you prefer a portable and budget-friendly option, you could choose the Nintendo Switch Lite. Or, if you want multiple playing options with 4K capability, you could choose the PlayStation 4 1TB Console.
We are delighted to share our top picks and buying recommendations with you. So, choose the one that suits your needs and give your child a happy gaming experience.