LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game System - Green 4 - 10 Years by LeapFrog List Price: $59.99 $49.97 At Amazon on 11-8-2008.

Features Portable interactive system with action-packed games focused on learning essentials for preschool to fourth grade Comes with 2 games built in. Expandable with large library of games Teaches phonics, spelling, math, art, music and more Product Review Here is one handheld gaming system that both parents and kids will be able to agree upon. The Leapster Learning Game System takes the brain-building principles that Leapfrog laid out in its earlier electronic learning devices (which have an interactive book format) and applies them to a video-game format. Leapster draws kids in with familiar video game templatesall of which have a secret weapon: a built-in learning component. LeapFrog hopes that kids will become so engaged in the gaming aspects and familiar television and movie characters offered by this toy that they wont even notice that theyre learning and reinforcing valuable reading, math, and language skills. Aimed at 4- to 10-year-olds, the 6-by-4-inch Leapster is sized for little hands and comfortably shaped with safe, rounded edges. The 2-1/4-inch touch screen is ample for most of the gaming activities; although a little cluttered when used for the art and drawing modules. Buttons are suitably placed on either side of the unit for thumb-operated control. The right side features "A" and "B" buttons for selecting settings and answers while the left has a multi-directional gamepad for game play. A pen is also attached for drawing, selecting tools and settings, and dragging and placing objects. The 3-inch backlit display makes games visible in the dark (although parents will prefer that the Leapster is shut off at bedtime) and the animated graphics, while not completely state-of-the-art are well done and suitable for this age range. The Leapster Learning Game System takes the brain-building principles that Leapfrog laid out in its earlier electronic learning devices (which have an interactive book format) and applies them to a video-game format. As with the manufacturers LeapPad products, the Leapster does require the purchase of additional cartridges to expand its capabilities. Kids can choose titles with their favorite characters to play educational games with. The star-studded list of celebrity narrators includes TV personalities, such as SpongeBob Squarepants, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Dora the Explorer; and movie stars, such as Nemo, Cinderella, Ariel (The Little Mermaid), and Batman. Leapfrogs own cartoon star, Tad, is narrates a few as well. While stocking up on the extra software titles can get expensive, it also gives parents some control and input on which characters theyd like their kids to learn from. And, characters for these titles are appropriately matched to the maturity of the targeted grade level (pre-K through 4th grade). Starting up or hitting the Home button takes players to the main menu. There is one staple pre-loaded game that children will likely come back to again and again. Rabbit River is based on the Frogger game format, but with an additional learning element. In letters mode, kids guide their bunny to hop floating logs to the other side of the river while jumping on specific letters to identify them or spell out a requested 3- or 4-letter word. In numbers mode, the bunny must land on specific numbers on the logs to skip count by twos or form a correct equation. The other pre-loaded activity is Color Corral, an interactive coloring book designed to boost creative problem-solving skills. This module is like a kids version of Photoshop and offers a variety of scenic templates, colors, tools, and moving icons that kids can combine for an infinite number of possibilities. The included manual gives suggestions on how to reinforce these math, reading, and art concepts in the real world. . Each game offers multiple skill levels so kids can ease into new territory at the beginner level and challenge themselves with more advanced learning problems as they understand the concept. If kids are stumped at any point during a game, they can hit the Hint button and receive a friendly push in the right direction from an animated tutor, Edison the firefly. Edison also appears automatically if kids answer a question incorrectly several times in a row and coaches the child to reach the correct answer. The Pause button lets kids stop the game for a snack break and pick back up again where they left off. Designed for portability, the Leapster fits easily in a backpack or tote bag and is ideal for more purposeful edutainment on the go, whether its a quick game on the bus ride to school or hours of playtime during vacation travel. This learning system runs on four AA batteries or on a rechargeable battery pack when combined with the Leapster L-Max Recharging System (sold separately). Leapster covers this handheld device under a 3-month warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde Product Description Now parents and kids can both feel good about time spent playing electronic games with the Leapster Learning System by LeapFrog. An exciting library of educational games (sold separately) turn this handheld device into a conduit of exciting learning adventures that teaches reading, math, critical thinking, vocabulary and more. Kids can play fun games, read electronic books, create cool art and watch interactive videos. Color display on backlit screen is gentle on the eyes while the jack for optional headphones is gentle on other people's ears. Ages 4 to 10 years. Imported. Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism So a few people have asked which one to purchase and we were wondering the same. I actually purchased both and called Leapfrog to get as much information as possible to make a good decision. In short you probably couldnt go wrong no matter which way you went. LMax: I didnt buy the LMax, but the rep at Leapfrog said the only difference with the LMax is that it can plug into a TV for dual screen gaming (with LMax titles). I did not care about this functionality since I have 2 kids and didnt want them fighting over who got to use the TV. Plus I cant imagine the graphics looking very good on a TV. You can use Leapster titles on the LMax and LMax titles on the Leapster (so the number of titles are the same). Old Leapster: This one is the larger version that more of a "triangular" shape. The Leapfrog rep said the internal components are the same, as the new one. The differences here are; Larger size, Heavier, Larger Screen and more built in games. The Larger Screen and more built in games are nice. The additional internal games are matching letters/numbers, some shape games, and some reward system for points earned in those other games. The pen is also slightly larger. The battery compartment is vastly different on both so beware of rechargable battery pack that you purcahse. Here are the stats: Weight: 14.5 oz Width: 7 5/8" (largest part) 4 1/2" approx (shortest part) Height: 5 1/8" (largest part) Thickness: 1 3/4" (largest part) (this is hard to measure since its more tiangular shaped) Screen Width: 2 3/4" Screen Height: 2 3/4" New Leapster: This is the more "square" leapster. It is much smaller but so is the screen. There are less internal games (see the additional ones that are excluded above). There is also a new internal activity but its more of a commercial with other games and characters in those games (so mostly useless). The thumbpad looks like it might be easier for small children since its more of a " + " shaped pad with more unique up, down, side action. The old one has more of a circular thumbpad so I might see smaller children hitting up direction as well. Because the shape is smaller theres more room when you put this one in the Leapster case (you probably could use the case with a game cartridge still in the Leapster which a previous reviewer said you cannot do with the older large leapster. Here are the dimensions: Weight: 10.9 oz Width: 6 3/8" (largest part) Height: 4 3/8" (largest part) Thickness: 1 3/4" (largest part) Screen Width: 2 1/4" (approx) Screen Height: 2 1/4" (approx) Ok thats probably more information than anyone wants to know but you're on your own on the choice. We are planning on giving this to our children on Christmas but right now I think we are leaning toward the smaller one (as it will probably be easier for our daughter and her small hands) - but this opinion could change before Christmas. Good Luck - and Merry Christmas (or other celebrated holiday). LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game System - Green Available from Amazon Updated on 11-8-2008.

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