PROS
- Portable : The Leapfrog Leapster2 can go where your child goes. The battery-operated console has a comfortable, curved shape, a full-color touch screen, videogame-style D pad, volume control and a jack for headphones.
- Educational: It has built-in tutorials and different learning levels to suit your child. Your child can learn at his or her own pace. The Leapfrog Leapster2 comes with 2 pre-installed educational games – a “video game” type activity with four different levels and a simple art program. More games can be purchased via SD cards or game cartridges. It is also compatible with all 15 original Leapster learning games
- Web Connectivity: The Leapfrog Leapster2 connects to the Leapfrog Learning Path, a free online learning program. This online program allows you to register and upload your children’s Leapster 2 profiles to show you their learning activities and their progress. Your children can play on the go, and then connect their handhelds to your home computer to collect fun rewards they’ve earned. An online creativity studio also lets them upload art that they’ve created, embellish it or change it completely, and publish it to share.
- Wide Range of Subjects: Leapfrog Leapster2 games teach skills in a wide range of subjects, such as language arts, reading, mathematics and science.
- Ease of Use: The Leapfrog Leapster2 is so easy to use it is even suitable for a 2-year-old.
CONS
- Batteries: The Leapfrog Leapster2 needs 4 AA batteries so it can get expensive. A rechatging station or an AC adapter can be bought separately.
- Consoles: There are only 2 colours available, green and pink.
- Games: Some games are quite simplistic and only suitable for younger players. Skills include identifying numbers, identifying letters, and finding the next step in a sequence. Costs can add up quite a bit for additional games.
- Storage: An SD card, which is an additional purchase, is required for storing your child’s work and downloaded games.
- Screen Resolution: The screen resolution is bit lacking and can strain your child’s eyes. It is a good idea to take regular short breaks while playing.
A note of Advice: Although it is a good idea to introduce young children to electronic and computer games, these must be used in moderation. As your young child is still developing physically, it is important for them to continue to use pencils, crayons and paints so they can develop muscles and coordination needed to write and draw. Although hand-held games are great, they do not teach your child to play in a give-and-take manner with other children. There must be a proper balance of playing electronic games and normal interactions with people around them. To get the most out of Leapfrog Leapster2, you can play with your child and then discuss what makes the game interesting or not and also come up with paper and pens ideas to improve on the games. You can also set up challenges such as rewarding your child with a favorite family activity when he or she shows improvement in their scores within a certain time.
