Leapster 2 or DS??? But I'm wondering if the Leapster wouldn't be more their speed?
1478218
The Nintendo DS and the Leapfrog Leapster are two different platforms with mainly two different uses. The Leapster is a learning system and all of the games are directed at developing a young childs mind through fun learning. I have a 5 y/o going on 6 that loves her Leapster. There are titles with characters that will keep your childs attention (i.e. Spongebob, Dora, Diego, Spiderman, etc) She has friends that have a DS but I feel she's getting much more out of the Leapster. The Nintendo DS is a game unit with far more entertaining games than learning. I think it would be better for you to look at the software rather than the platforms to make a wise decision on how your boys will use their systems and if it will satisfy your needs. You can look for video reviews on a number of sites prior to purchasing games to determine if it's a good buy.
453940
I bought my daughter a DS when she turned 4, and she is now 6 1/2 and has just started playing it a bit more. I thought about the Leappad for her, but since she doesn't play her DS much, I will probably opt out or load up a netbook with educational games for her. She loves cameras and taking videos though, and I thought it would be good for that. Do you guys have anything else you can suggest for a 6 1/2 year old who can work my smartphone better than I can? It should be able to take pictures, videos, be sturdy, and offer educational games geared at older children. She is in the first grade, but is reading at a third grade level. I bought my daughter a DS when she turned 4, and she is now 6 1/2 and has just started playing it a bit more. I thought about the Leappad for her, but since she doesn't play her DS much, I will probably opt out or load up a netbook with educational games for her. She loves cameras and taking videos though, and I thought it would be good for that. Do you guys have anything else you can suggest for a 6 1/2 year old who can work my smartphone better than I can? It should be able to take pictures, videos, be sturdy, and offer educational games geared at older children. She is in the first... » Read More I bought my daughter a DS when she turned 4, and she is now 6 1/2 and has just started playing it a bit more. I thought about the Leappad for her, but since she doesn't play her DS much, I will probably opt out or load up a netbook with educational games for her. She loves cameras and taking videos though, and I thought it would be good for that. Do you guys have anything else you can suggest for a 6 1/2 year old who can work my smartphone better than I can? It should be able to take pictures, videos, be sturdy, and offer educational games geared at older children. She is in the first grade, but is reading at a third grade level. « Show Less
1294873
My children who are now all a bit older, went through the same phase. They learned they needed to be X years old to have a DS. I believe the bar was set at age 5 or when they were responsible enough. Granted, the youngest tend to get things younger and younger, but still...it's nice for the oldest to be special. We went the Leapster route and my son was content for about a year....possibly a bit longer. The games were not as challenging as those for DS and he was very proud of HIS own special game system. They do make some games for the younger ones now, but why not be successful with a Leapster first and move up to a DS? You'll be glad you did! My children who are now all a bit older, went through the same phase. They learned they needed to be X years old to have a DS. I believe the bar was set at age 5 or when they were responsible enough. Granted, the youngest tend to get things younger and younger, but still...it's nice for the oldest to be special. We went the Leapster route and my son was content for about a year....possibly a bit longer. The games were not as challenging as those for DS and he was very proud of HIS own special game system. They do make some games for the younger ones now, but why not be successful with a... » Read More My children who are now all a bit older, went through the same phase. They learned they needed to be X years old to have a DS. I believe the bar was set at age 5 or when they were responsible enough. Granted, the youngest tend to get things younger and younger, but still...it's nice for the oldest to be special. We went the Leapster route and my son was content for about a year....possibly a bit longer. The games were not as challenging as those for DS and he was very proud of HIS own special game system. They do make some games for the younger ones now, but why not be successful with a Leapster first and move up to a DS? You'll be glad you did! « Show Less
1821092
We haven't tested it out yet, it's for Christmas. But other games we bought in the past that said "(works with LeapPad Tablets, LeapsterGS, and Leapster Explorer)" have worked in the LeapPad 2. Sorry I couldn't be more specific.
1959928
Definitely not the Leappad. I'd go with the Kindle Fire because you can do so much more on it. In either case, don't buy too early as the return clock is ticking and be sure to give a gift receipt. :) Good luck!
898369
The original Leapster games should play on the Leapster 2, but the Leapster 2 games will not work on the original Leapster system. To my knowledge, neither will work on the new tablet-type system.The only thing you might discover is that the original Leapster games won't look as good on the Leapster 2 games on that system - lower quality graphics, etc, much like you would see with Nintendo, etc.I hope this helps!
1155853
I agree wholeheartedly that it depends on the child. Our daughter received her ds at 5 and had no problems using it right away. Our son just turned 3 and we're considering purchasing something similar for him because he already knows how to do some things on the computer and work portions of my iphone. If you think the stylus may be too difficult for him to handle at this age, go with the leapster or let them try an old gameboy perhaps.
1067736
The Leapster explorer, Leapster explorer GS, as well as the Leapster explorer leappads 1 and 2 all take the same cartridges. With the excepetion of the leappad 1 we have all listed above between 4 boys. Any of the explorer games are comapatable with explorer devices :)
1253033
You'd be amazed at what kids can do. Give them the tablet and they just take off like a rocket learning. With a few guided lessons and with just the right apps your child will certainly enjoy using and growing with the Leapfrog LeapPad Tablet. we've had ours since my son was 3 1/2 but my God daughter turned 3 this September and she sits down with it and taps away and watches videos, takes photos and tries playing games. great part is they don't grow out of it for a while when they are that long and its so durable that even if a child has the dropsy's its still safe to use. My son has thrown ours several times and it just amazes me that it still works I can't say the same for his other gaming counsel.
332459
The leapster explorer is a little hard for a 3 year old but it you sit and help them the first few times they should get the hang of it. The ixl and mobigo were very boring, don't waste your money. The leapster explorer is also better than the leapster 2 because you can keep in in pre-k mode so your child doesn't get upset like mine did when it got too hard.
1013931
I disagree, just having spent an hour reading reviews for both. The LeapPad has lots of bad reviews, the only complaint on the InnoTab is the battery consumption (I read ALL of them on vtech's website.)The huge difference between the 2 is the ability to play movies on the Vtech. But the LeapPad takes pictures, so it depends on what you are looking for.
1139697
I read your question wrong. I would definetly upgrade from the Explorer to one of the Leappads. They are much better to play then the explorer and do have the cameras and a bigger screen. We updated from one device to the other for our boys.
879475
Hi H. Sexton-Which leapster do you have? It looks like each new game is $20+ for the Leapster 2. Thanks.
1317022
Having had both I will say battery life, graphics and sound are all much better. Plus it uses the same cartridges as the LeapPads so as they move to that system you don't have to buy an entire new set of cartridges.
820034
I just wanted to correct this. Leapster TV does offer a 2nd controller. I'm doing my homework on Leapster TV and Vsmile and I found out that Leapster TV does have a 2nd controller. You have to look at the games before you buy them to ensure the game is two player though
1049772
I also have been debating between both devices. I build PC's as a hobby, so I thought it would be an easy decision to make. Wrong!! I've gone back and forth several times looking over the specifications of each and this is my personal conclusion. I am getting the Leapster Explorer because: The screen area is larger on the Explorer The Fisher Price ixl does not have charging stand available The ixl doesn't have a program like Learning Path for the Explorer. The device doesn't aid parents in tracking kids progress very well. Due to the construction of the ixl, the Explorer is built to last a lot longer. The flip top on the ixl looks much too easy to break off. Well, that's my opinion.... Good luck to all of you.
1294875
My three yr old daughter got a LEAPSTER for her 3rd Christmas. And she did quit well with it and has played the older games. She is now 4 and doing math. So I think they are very age apporiate IF used with learning games. It takes them awhile to figure it all out but she played what she could with the pre-k games. (coloring, shapes, take care of pets, etc.)