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LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System - Green by LeapFrog
Product SummaryManufacturer: LeapFrog Brand: LeapFrog Format: CD-ROM Release Date: 2008-07-01 Model: 21155 Color: Green Product features: - 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.
Accessories:
Toys and Games Reviews of LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System - GreenCustomer Review: Major disappointment with the Leapster 2 Summary: 1 Stars
My 5 year old son received the Leapster 2 as a birthday present in August from his grandparents. We had used the original Leapster for several years with both my 5 year old and my 7 year old. The cartridge system had worked well and they had enjoyed the games. When I found that the new Leapster2 would have an online component I thought, "about time". This is such a no brainer for expandability these days. Boy was I wrong! LeapFrog has given a new meaning to "no brainer" with its (clearly premature) release of the Leapster2.
We started by turning the device on and creating a "player profile" for my son. Without connecting it to the internet, or using any of his old Leapster cartridges, there is one game available. It is called Dragon Kingdom, but should be called "Short and Boring". Clearly, the online content was the next thing to try. I installed the LeapFrog Connect software and received any updates. The software then told me to connect the handheld with the included USB cable and link my son's player profile to the online connect program. I plugged in the cable and waited ... the small info space at the top of the screen said "checking Leapster2 handheld" with little bars moving across the screen. After about 20 sec, the screen displayed "connected". However, under the section that says "pick player profile to connect", there were no profiles. I tried disconnecting and reconnecting ... nothing. I made another profile for my daughter ... nothing. I searched the website for help with this issue ... maddening! I wondered if deleting the profiles and starting over would help ... nope! In frustration, we put the game aside into my "to do" pile and my son moved on with his other gifts.
Several months later (we all know how those "to do" piles go), I found enough time to try to solve the problem again. I basically went through all the same frustrating steps with the same results and decided to just call customer service. Oops! - no customer support phone number on the website. Just a place to email my question. Does anyone else hate this? You finally find the time to solve a problem and you can't even talk to anyone. You have to email your question and wait several days for an answer from India ... (sorry for the rant). So, here was my email ...
** "I have the Leapster2 and have put a profile (actually 2) on the handheld. I then installed the connect software and received the latest updates. When I connect it and turn it on the connect program says "checking Leapster2 handheld" with several green bars moving from left to right. After about 20 sec, it displays "Leapster2 connected" for about 3 sec, and then disappears. Then, no profiles come up on the left hand side. I've tried deleting a profile and remaking it, but this still never shows any of the profiles. Now what?"
Several days later I got this response (from Jobelle M) ...
** "Try creating again a player profile on your Leapster2 handheld. Launch first your LeapFrog Connect Application, then the application will tell you when are you going to connect your device to the computer. Link the player profile to your LeapFrog account and activate the Learning Path, click the Parents button and sign in. On the Parents Home page, click "Link player profiles" to link the player profile. Create a child footprint for him or her before you link the player profile."
OK, the exciting grammatical syntax aside, this is exactly what I had already tried to do (several times). You can't "link the player profile" if there are NO PLAYER PROFILES! Although I read this response in late November, I didn't have time to try to play with the thing again until this morning. I figured I'd try again to walk through these steps. When I started up the Leapster 2 connect software I was informed that there was an important new update (surprise .. wonder if anyone else had concerns). After downloading and reinstalling the new software I connected the handheld and ... it miraculously came up with our player profiles!! Amazing. I guess Jobelle hadn't known that there was a critical update coming ...
So, I now went through the (somewhat confusing and involved) process of linking the profiles to the online "learning path" for parents. I was surprised to see that in the drop-down box for selecting the profile to link to contained all of the current profiles, and the ones I had deleted. Now I had to select from one of the three "Jack's" and two "Claire's".
Next I went to the "games" section of the connect program and found 2 games that were free to download .. Letterpiller and a numbers game. I had a spare 256mb SD card and popped it in. The manual says the card will be reformatted. I downloaded the games and the Connect program said they were now installed on my handheld. I disconnected and tried to load up ... nothing. Not even able to click on the SD card icon on the handheld. Hmm, I took out the card and popped it in my computer's card reader. It hadn't been formatted and in fact still had old pictures on it! No leapster content whatsoever. I reformatted it (with FAT32 selected) and tried again. Now the Connect program said I didn't have a card in the handheld at all. I reformatted (again) with the FAT format option and tried again. Now when I connected to the online system the program said it was syncing to the handheld. When finished, I disconnected and turned on the handheld. Now it recognized the card was there!! Hallelujah! But when I clicked on the SD icon, the handheld said, "click on a game to get started" ... but there were no icons on the screen to click. I tried to go back but the handheld was locked up. Turned it off and tried the whole connect thing again ... essentially re-installing the 2 programs. This time when I clicked on the SD icon, it showed one picture (Letterpiller), but the other picture was blank. I was able to play the Letterpiller game, but there was no way to back out of it and get back to the home screen. I turned it off and back on, and then was instructed that the game was not working and to "have my parents reconnect the handheld to the internet to download the games again". Oh joy ... here we go again!!! Maybe I'll email Jobelle ...
Just so it is clear, I am an engineer with years of tech experience and plenty of history of solving other computer problems. This is a prime example of a product that was rushed to market with very little (if any) beta-testing, poorly designed online system, and scanty, disappointing product support. I wonder how many of these have ended up in the junk drawer .. or the trash can. That's where ours is going.
Description of LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System - GreenWith this smart handheld system, children learn valuable school skills through a variety of animated games and activities. Kids use the interactive touch screen and stylus throughout 30 educational games featuring characters they love. The Leapster2 System also offers several options for creative play. Little learners can easily connect online for extra activities and rewards. And best of all, parents can use the Leapster2 to connect to the LeapFrog Learning Path, an online, interactive tool in which parents can get updates and see firsthand what their children are learning. Leapster2 System comes with built-in starter games; additional software sold separately. Requires 4 "AA" batteries, not included. Measures 13"W x 10.5"H. 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. 
Children will love playing the educational games. View larger. | 
Insert different game cartridges (sold separately) for endless fun. View larger. |  | What We Think Fun Factor: 
Durability:  (what this means)
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
Learning & Education Toys
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