LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game System - Green
by LeapFrog
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Our Price: $88.88 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $17.49 (click here) Category: Toy See more product details |
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Toys and Games Reviews of LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game System - Green
Customer Review: Surprisingly disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
We bought the LMax a couple of weeks ago, and it's already broken. Parts of the screen is not responding to the pen. We first started using Leapfrog products with My 1st LeapFrog. My then toddler loved it and used it everyday. We ended up buying everyone book there was. We then bought the LeapPad with Writing. The pen never worked properly. It was always a half an inch off target. My daughter got frustrated and used it less than a handful of times. We tried replacing the pen, but it never fixed the problem. With reservaations, we decided to get the LMax. My daughter, who's 4 now, just loves anything to do with a TV. I'm disappointed not just with the Leapster unit but the game cartridges as well.
We have the Scooby game that comes with the LMax unit. It seems more like "arcade" games..very mindless play. We now have the Dora and SpongeBob. Since our unit is broken, I don't know how Dora is, but I played with SpongeBob on the LeapFrog website. The SpongeBob game is one where you move the cursor around and help Patrick get "things" to put in a carton. Where is the educational value? I plan to return this game. I tried several other game cartridges online and found maybe 2 that could be worthwhile, the Math Mission and Thomas.
If we had a game system that worked, we might just keep this game and save us the hassle of returning. After buying a defective LeapPad w/Writing and LMax, I'm throwing up my hands with LeapFrog. I have to wonder if they have a QC problem. Despite all its shortcomings, my daughter really likes this and becomes completely engaged with it (when/if it's working). That said, it would be nice if the games had more educational value. I don't need my 4 year old to be an arcade gaming expert.
Customer Review: Leapster Family
Summary: 5 Stars
When my daughter was four, my husband brought her home a Leapster for Christmas. It's the older, larger Leapster. She absolutely LOVED it. Then her younger brother kept borrowing, so we decided to buy him his own when HE turned four. Hubby came home with the L-Max for him. I have to be honest and say that we've never even once plugged it into the tv. He doesn't know it has that feature and I'm not going to tell him. Now the three year old is always borrowing a Leapster. Since both of the older kids *still* play with theirs regularly, we'll be buying the three year old his own this Christmas. My daughter has had hers almost 3 years and we've had no problems with it at all. My son has had the L-Max for a year and we've had no problems with it either. My children are NOT gentle with this toy. They swing it around by the stylus, they drop it on the ground, they've even been known to hurl it across the room in a dramatic temper tantrum. (I'm not proud of that but I'll be honest at least!) Anyway, we think these are great products. They are worth every single penny in my house.
I like the fact that all the games we already own are interchangeable among all the machines so we don't have to buy the same age range of games for each new machine that comes out. I would highly recommend this product as one for your child. I am delighted that for once in my life, we spent money on a toy that could grow with our child that is actually growing with our children! It's still a desireable toy even 3 years later. AND it hasn't been discontinued early. Unlike all the other Leapfrog products we've purchased, this one is a major winner!
Customer Review: Fun Fun Fun for your little ones!
Summary: 5 Stars
We bought the Leapster for our 5 year old son for his birthday and he loves it!! It does tend to eat through batteries rather quickly and we did try rechargables but they died rather quickly. And changing batteries means finding the small screwdrivers (#3 on the must have list for parents with small kids!) and removing the 4 screws. What is REALLY nice is that the screws are held on to the unit via a spring mechanism. So no hunting the floor for small black screws that always end up 10' away in the corner of the kitchen under the mat by the fridge!
The unit I find is quite well built and it's been dropped from an odd counter or two or three (ouch!) but it's still alive and kicking. Quite unlike the Nintendo DS system that we mistakenly bought him when he was stuck at home sick for 10days. It ended up back at Nintendo and I got a new refurbished unit that is now well hidden. The screen has a few scratches but so does my ipod and cell phone. I wish that there was a parental control over the maximum volume with and without a headset. My little guy loves to put it a full volume and arguments have resulted when I've tried to lower the volume (he's stubborn, like dad...:).
The selection of games are amazing and yes somewhat pricey but that's the nature of the beast. Video games consoles and laser/inkjet printers are a loss leader for the manufacturer. They get you on the cartridges!! My son loves the Car's game the best. Mr. Pencil I suspect is showing a problem with the calibration of the pen but the other games work well.
Overall I have to give this unit 5+ stars for a great gaming system that has an education side as well.
Customer Review: They're Learning (And They Don't Know It)
Summary: 5 Stars
One year ago, we purchased the Leapster Learning System for our son (then a preschooler). After twelve months of regular use I can say with great confidence that I have never been happier with an electronic gaming system. The game is durable (it's been dropped a few times), the controls are easy for little hands to manipulate (no cries for help every two minutes), and is ideal for Kindergarten preparation (the tethered stylus helps promote pencil use). The various cartridges available are wholesome, educational, and fun.
Now a couple of months into Kindergarten, our son is reading level two books thanks to "Mr. Pencil's Learn to Read and Write," "Kindergarten," "Reading With Phonics," and "Letter Factory." He was learning how to read and write long before he (or we) knew it! So, the greatest value-added feature is that this fun system is enhancing his Kindergarten experience and curriculum. Perhaps more telling than my review though is that with Christmas just around the corner, our son added two new Leapster games to his Wish List. That says it all!
I do highly recommend the above mentioned games for Pre-K children, as well as Spongebob Saves the Day (for fun). Definately invest in the charging station (it will pay for itself in the first year) and the case (it's pretty sturdy and can hold at least 6 cartridges (probably more) . Also, pick up a pair of headphones that will fit your child. The built-in headphone jack is perfect when you need a little quiet (like in the waiting room or grocery store).
Sturdy, affordable and educational, this is a toy you and your child can feel good about.
Customer Review: A Must Have!
Summary: 5 Stars
We purchased a Leapster for my 5 year old son for Christmas - he desparately wanted a game boy, but we felt this had a better educational value! What a great toy! Although priced high - has definately been worth it. My 5 and 4 four year olds both love playing with it. It was the true hit of Christmas. Both of my boys are able to play all the games and have begun spelling, reading, counting, figuring out money and many other activities. We purchased the following games to go with it - Dora, SpongeBob, Kindergarten and the 1st grade cartridge. Each cartridge offers different activities and exciting ways to learn while playing games. True to the Leap Frog system - the company is already offering two new cartridges and now a carrying case - we will be buying all of these as soon as available. This is a great alternative to a game boy - learn and play at the same time. The graphics are excellent, the screen has a plastic cover that snaps over it to keep it clean. The directions are given in each activity very clearly and at any time the child can ask for a hint to help them along if they get stuck. My kids have been playing with this non-stop for over a month and I haven't needed to replace the batteries yet. There is a jack for an A/C adapter if necesssary and a headphone outlet. We now use this toy in doctor's offices, restaurants and anywhere else I need my kids to sit quietly. They love it! And I must confess I find myself playing the games sometimes too. I think it is great that my 4 year old is now spelling simple words and my five year old came to me to explain how to count money! Thanks Leapster! I highly recommend!