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Here is one handheld gaming system that both parents and kids
will be able to agree upon. The Leapster Learning Game System
takes the brain-building principles that Leapfrog laid out in its
early electronic learning devices (which have an interactive book
format) and applies them to a video-game format. Leapster draws
kids in with familiar video game templates—all of which have a
secret weapon: a built-in learning component. LeapFrog hopes that
kids will become so engaged in the gaming aspects and familiar
television and movie characters offered by this toy that they
won’t even notice they’re learning and reinforcing valuable
reading, math, and language skills.
With the Leapster Learning System children can play games, read
books, create art, and watch videos. ed at kids ages 4 to 8
years, the 6-by-4-inch Leapster is sized for little hands and
comfortably shaped with safe, rounded edges. The 2.25-inch touch
screen is ample for most of the gaming activities; although a
little cluttered when used for the art and drawing modules.
Buttons are suitably placed on either side of the unit for
thumb-operated control. The right side features "A" and "B"
buttons for selecting settings and answers, while the left has a
multi-directional gamepad for game play. A stylus is also
attached for drawing, selecting tools and settings, and dragging
and placing objects. The 3-inch backlit display makes games
visible in the dark (although parents will prefer that the
Leapster is shut off at bedtime) and the animated graphics, while
not completely state-of-the-art, are well done and suitable for
this age range.
As with the manufacturer’s LeapPad products, the Leapster does
require the purchase of additional cartridges to expand its
capabilities. Kids can choose from a star-studded list of their
favorite characters to play educational games with, such as
SpongeBob SquarePants, Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer,
Nemo, Cinderella, Batman, and more. Leapfrog’s own cartoon star,
Tad, narrates a few as well. While stocking up on the extra
software titles can get expensive, it gives parents some control
and input on which characters they’d like their kids to learn
from. Plus, characters for these titles are appropriately matched
to the maturity of the targeted grade level (pre-K through 4th
grade).
This handheld system is a perfect fit for small hands and easily
portable. Starting up or hitting the Home button takes players to
the main menu. There is one pre-loaded game that children will
likely come back to again and again. Rabbit River is based on the
Frogger game format but with an additional learning element. In
letters mode, kids guide their bunny to hop floating logs to the
other side of the river while jumping on specific letters to
identify them or spell out a requested 3- or 4-letter word. In
numbers mode, the bunny must land on specific numbers on the logs
to skip count by twos or form a correct equation. Another
pre-loaded activity is Color Corral, an interactive coloring book
designed to boost creative problem-solving skills. This module is
like a kid’s version of Photoshop and offers a variety of scenic
templates, colors, tools, and moving icons that kids can combine
for an infinite number of possibilities. The included manual
gives suggestions on how to reinforce these math, reading, and
art concepts in the real world.
Each game offers multiple skill levels so kids can ease into new
territory at the beginner level, then challenge themselves with
more advanced learning problems as they understand the concept.
If kids are stumped at any point during a game, they can hit the
Hint button and receive a friendly push in the right direction
from an animated tutor, Edison the firefly. Edison also appears
automatically if kids answer a question incorrectly several times
in a row and coaches the child to reach the correct answer. The
Pause button lets kids stop the game for a snack break and pick
back up again where they left off.
Designed for portability, the Leapster fits easily in a backpack
or tote bag and is ideal for more purposeful edutainment on the
go, whether a quick game on the bus to school or hours of
playtime during vacation travel. This learning system runs on
four AA batteries or on a rechargeable battery pack when combined
with the Leapster L-Max Recharging System
( http://www..com/LeapFrog-Leapster%C2%AE-L-Max-Recharging-System/dp/B0008FUCP0 )
(sold separately).
From the Manufacturer
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The Leapster Learning Game System teaches in the way your child
loves to play. With the Leapster and Leapster L-Max library of
software titles, your child can play action-packed educational
games featuring characters that they know and love. The
interactive touch screen and pen allow your child to write, draw,
and paint, while vivid animation lets them learn essential school
skills with story-based games. The Leapster Learning Advantage
Offers: * Multiple Skill Levels: Adjustable skill levels let kids
learn at just the right pace for them. * Tailored Tutorials:
Integrated tutorials help children learn new concepts,
step-by-step. * Grows With Your Child: The Leapster software
library features games for pre-K through 4th grade. What it
Teaches: * Rhyming * Spelling * Numbers * Counting * Addition *
Subtraction * Art and music
- Handheld computerized learning system.
- Interactive touch screen and pen.
- Multiple Skill Levels: Adjustable skill levels let kids learn at just the right pace for them..
- Tailored Tutorials: Integrated tutorials help children learn new concepts, step-by-step..
- Grows With Your Child: The Leapster software library features games for pre-K through 4th grade..