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Put innovative creativity and fun at your kids' fingertips --
and watch them learn in the process -- with the The LeapFrog
Leapster 2 Learning Game System. This battery-operated handheld
game system goes where your children go, and brings plenty of
learning fun along. It comes with two pre-installed educational
games, and many more are available: purchase an optional SD card
separately for access to additional online games and to take
advantage of other online features; or you can purchase game
cartridges to add to your Leapster 2 repository. The included
games have skill levels suitable for children ages 4 to 8.
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Children will love playing the educational games. View larger
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Insert different game cartridges (sold separately) for endless
fun. View larger
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What We Think
Fun Factor:
Durability:
(what this means)
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The Good: Battery-powered console goes where your child goes,
offers versatile, educational fun.
The Bad: An SD card, which must be purchased separately, is
required to take advantage of some Leapster 2 features.
In a Nutshell: Handheld game console offers fun, educational
games that accommodate your child's learning curve.
At a Glance
Ages: 4 to 8
Requires: Four AA batteries
The console has a comfortable, curved shape, although it may be
a tad large and heavy for smaller hands. It features a full-color
touch screen and sound that's a far cry better than the beeps of
old-school handheld consoles. (Parents will appreciate the volume
control and a jack for headphones!) Control and manipulate the
console with the included stylus and with the videogame-style D
pad and other buttons.
We found the initial set-up to be relatively easy: install the
four required AA batteries, and navigate through the
self-explanatory screens to create user profiles for up to 3
children (which come in handy for accessing online features).
After this quick set-up, a menu screen will appear, where you can
choose to play the pre-loaded games, go online, or insert a game
cartridge.
Fun and Learning
Leapster 2 games are designed to grow with your child ages 4
through 8. The console is pre-loaded with two games: The "Dragons
to the Rescue! Learning Game," is a "video game" type activity
with four different levels, the first helping kids identify
letters and numbers, the most advanced giving them spelling and
multiplication practice, all while navigating a dragon past
monstrous storm clouds and scrambling to collect magic crystals.
The "Creativity Castle Art Studio" is a rather low-tech art
program. Players can select a background scene to "color" using
the stylus and "decorate" with fun animated stamps. While it does
foster creativity, this program is somewhat clumsy -- your Paint
program on your PC does a much better job. But "Dragons" was fun
enough to keep even an adult tester enjoyably diverted.
Unfortunately, an SD card is required for taking advantage of
some of what the Leapster 2 has to offer -- which is a drawback,
because it must be purchased separately. For example, without the
SD card (which offers more memory) you cannot save artwork.
In the meantime, without the SD card, you can still purchase
game cartridges, as well as download new games, or take advantage
of the online "Learning Path". (This online program allows you to
register and upload your children's Leapster 2 profiles to show
you their learning activities and their progress.) And you still
can plug your console -- with the included USB cable -- into your
PC for your children to view and print "rewards" for completing
different game levels (for Dragons to the Rescue, they're
certificates of achievement) or to print pictures to color with
actual crayons (to encourage some "old-fashioned" creativity!)
You must first install the Leapster 2 software on your computer,
which comes on the included CD-ROM.
What's in the Box
Leapster 2 Game System, USB cable, CD-ROM
PC Requirements
All Leapster games work with all Leapster systems.
PC Requirements
Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system
Pentium III 500 MHz processor
Monitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768
Available USB port
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
300 MB free disk space
Internet connection
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or higher
CD reader
Mac Requirements
Mac OS X 10.4+
PPC G4 or any Intel-based Apple computer
Monitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768
Available USB port
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
300 MB free disk space
Internet connection
Safari application
CD reader
From the Manufacturer
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Leapster2 Connected Learning Game System Introducing
Leapster2 - the only preschool learning game system that offers
personalized ins into what your child is learning. Following
on the heels of the best-selling Leapster® learning game system,
the new Leapster2 handheld is the next generation of
learn-everywhere gaming from LeapFrog. Like the Leapster learning
game system, the Leapster2 handheld offers a robust learning
experience through built-in tutorials and learning levels that
adapt automatically to your child’s pace. Its touch screen and
stylus help develop motor skills used in writing, while its
compact design makes it easy for kids to play on the go. It’s
also compatible with all 30+ Leapster learning games, so kids can
practice a wide variety of skills for school as they play and
learn with their favorite characters. Yet the Leapster2 system
also offers a whole new layer of benefits by connecting to the
computer. Your kids can play on the go, and then connect their
handhelds to your home computer to collect fun rewards they’ve
earned. A new online creativity studio also lets them upload art
that they’ve created, embellish it or change it completely, and
publish it to share. With the new USB connection, you can also
see your children’s progress in recent games, get detailed
updates on the skills they are exploring and share in their
accomplishments. The Leapster2 system is one of three new
LeapFrog Connected learning systems that connect to the LeapFrog
Learning Path, a free online tool at leapfrog.com that offers
unparalleled ins into your child’s learning. Appropriate for
ages 4 years to 8 years. Works only with Leapster and Leapster2
learning game systems.
- The preschool gaming handheld that connects to the LeapFrog Learning Path, an online experience that lets you see what your child is learning..
- Play and learn school skills on the go or connect online for extra activities and rewards..
- Library of over 30 exciting learning games featuring characters kids love..
- Included and additional games teach skills in a range of subjects, such as language arts, reading, mathematics and science..
- Parents can connect online to the LeapFrog Learning Path to see what their child is learning. Kids connect online for extra activities and rewards..