leapster or v-smile???
1111150
Actually, you are incorrect. ALL Leapster games play on ALL Leapster products. In response to the original poster, Leapster is handheld only, Leapster L-Max is both portable and tv-play, and Leapster TV is tv-only. So for the best of both worlds, get the L-Max. V-Smile has HORRIBLE reviews as a totally defective product that doesn't last, whereas Leapster is VERY durable and takes lots of abuse with no problems. I say stick with Leap Frog.
829938
I would suggest the Fisher Price table as we had the LeapFrog table and it lasted less than a year before it stopped working. I am a (rare, I think!) parent that does not allow her children to abuse their toys, books, etc. and they are taught to respect their belongings. All that to say that there has been no rough play with it. It looks absolutely brand new. I've changed the batteries several times using different brands each time to no avail. I contacted LeapFrog customer service twice and received an answer of "change the batteries" and "our warranty only lasts 90 days". Needless to say, they were no help whatsoever. I even asked for a wiring diagram so that I can try to pinpoint the problem myself, but they said one wasn't available. They did send a 15% discount code as consolation. In my opinion, it's not enough to purchase an expensive LeapFrog product again. This was a very disappointing situation as this table was my daughter's favorite toy and she enjoyed it while it lasted.
1294878
I'm kind of in the same boat. My six year old will be getting a DS for Christmas and I thought it would be nice for my 3 year old to have his own gaming system. I'm pretty sure they would fight over the DS if we didn't get him something of his own. Is a Leapster age appropriate for my 3 year old?
1240197
***Copied and pasted my response to a similiar question*** Hi Janice, or in this case jloveforever4 The bookworm within me squeals with joy because I really love Vtech's V.Reader :) To answer your question...The e-reader on the Innotab does not compare to what the V.Reader offers. As you stated the V.Reader books (cartridges) come with games built in to help reinforce reading skills. This is not the case with the Innotab. The books available on the cartridge games are just the e-book. The stories are animated and include a dictionary but no games. The Innotab's e-reader does have educational value cause it will read the book to your child and define words, however I could do that myself. The skills my son learns through the games (at least for me) are what give the V.Reader value. Vtech has updated their V.Reader, so when looking to purchase one you will see that most retailers still have the old one available. You can tell the difference between the two because the new one has a raised keyboard (soft buttons) versus the old one which has a touch screen keyboard. The new one includes a photo viewer/video player, a mediocre art studio, and an app to practice writing so it may be something worth checking out (I have the old one). If reading is what your looking for the V.Reader is the better device, and with all those upgrades you will still have it all in one (minus the mp3). The titles available for this device are great and we use ours right before bedtime. It's a great way to spend extra time with my little guy! Hope that helped.
317572
Hi. I have both handheld versions, which I love both. Though I do have to say that my vpocket is doing something funky, and that disappoints me because neither systems get used enough to be in poor shape. I really take care of them. I was looking to by the vflash, but read some terrible reviews, and then again, they just did a toy review toy special on TV and gave it a thumbs way up high from all the kids and teachers who played with it for over 2 months, kids were engaged just watching other kids play - and of course, teachers loved it because of the educational value. I think looking for kick butt graphics and the like is hopeless in the educational department. Between my two handheld versions, I would call them close to equal, with Leapster being ahead.
261441
My 3 year old nephew loves his - the games vary greatly in age appropriateness. My 7yr old niece still uses hers constantly. I had to get the little one a Leapster2 so they would stop fighting over it.
261249
To be honest, my son is very young and cant fully use it. I figured when he does start using it more, he would be up to date. I would say for the price difference, the 2 prob. Would be smarter. Leap frog has such great products, I am sure the 2 is packed with great stuff and a lot less $.
1981304
Thanks! My grandson is 7months old. I was looking at leapster but daughter-in-law says she's heard vtech is better. Which is best & there seems to be different programs which is best for his age?
1155854
My daughter got her DS when she was barely 6. Her barely 3 year old brother used many of the games, some of them just didn't interest him or were too hard to play. I am buying him a Leapster 2 for his 4th birthday coming up. We had the original leapster we bought my daughter when she was tiny and it has since broke. While some DS games are fine for the little ones, I think the Leapster is a better choice for them at this age. And, like someone else said, in a few years there will be a new system out the older kids will want anyway.
1294876
My daughter also got a Leapster 2 when she was 3. She took to it right away and loved it! There are a bunch of age appropriate games for it and they're educational. Not so with the DS (which she has now, and which makes me miss the Leapster). It has a nice bright color screen and a stylus, so your kid might like it very much.
1852213
Here's a great site that list the differences in a few of the learning systems:http://hubpages.com/hub/VTech-MobiGo-vs-Leapfrog-Leapster-Explorer-vs-Fisher-Price-iXL
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.)
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
208912
My girls have the leappad 2 and the Explorer games is what it works with if that helps you any.
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 :)
469074
My mom told me she wanted to get my older girls these [ages 5.5 and 8.5] I told her to get the Leap Pad since they have games to age 9. I would think my 8 year old would be bored.
552700
I'm thinking so was looking at it for a 6 year old rather then innotab or leap pad. I also checked out the getjar markplace and they have several games we can get for them all free as well. Other reveiwers also said that you can put amazon market place on to it.