 LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System Reviews
Learn from others who have bought LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System - check out these Leapster 2 reviews.
Nice product, poor deployment!, August 22, 2008 and Update 01/12/09
Without a doubt, the Leapster2 is a nice, stylish game system that is
age-appropriate for young children. It is easy to handle and, for the most part, easy to use. The games
available include many popular titles (Cars, Backyardigans, Disney Princesses, Dora, Thomas, etc.).
But that's where the fun stops. The difference between the Leapster2 and the original Leapster is that the
Leapster2 was designed to work with the "LeapFrog Learning Path" program, which allows you to see the progress your
child has made in learning various subjects and concepts. That was promised in early August, then delayed and
announced it would be ready by August 21st. On August 22nd, LeapFrog announced that Learning Path has now been
delayed and will launch in "mid-September".
Until the Learning Path becomes active, the online "downloadable" games that are touted will not function and are
not available. The ability to see the progress your child makes is not available. There are issues with the
Leapster2 "freezing up" which was supposed to be fixed with a software update. If you plug in an SD card so your
child can save pictures he/she has colored, they can not save them because that feature "will become active when
the downloadable games are available".
We purchased TWO Leapster2 game systems (one pink, one green) from Amazon at $70/each. We also purchased TWO game
cases at $15/each, and 3-4 game titles. While the kids are still able to enjoy them to some extent, I can't help
but to feel I was sold something that was high on promise but VERY VERY short on delivery. I am very disappointed
in LeapFrog in how they have handled this product launch, as I have come to expect better from them.
Update 01/12/09:
After 6 months of use, our Leapster2 is FINALLY functioning the way we had hoped and expected. While the pink
Leapster2 functioned well, we had issues with the "Leapster Connect" software recognizing the two Leapster2's that
we had purchased. After working with a Leapster support rep (Bill), who was VERY helpful and patient, it was
determined that the issue was related to the SD card in our green Leapster2, even though the card functioned for
all other uses. Leapster sent us a pre-formatted 128Mb card with the two downloadable games (those were not
available until sometime in September/October). Upon installing the new card, everything functioned better.
As for the "LeapFrog Learning Path" website... now that it is
finally online and functional, it's really helpful for seeing how much time your child is spending playing
the games. It also gives you a decent idea of how they are doing with certain skills, though it would be nice
if it identify your child's weaknesses and recommend things to work on. One caveat is that the time-spent is
cumulative, based upon when you last uploaded the data. So although it does accumulate play data for a while,
you should plug it in weekly if you want to know how much time s/he is playing on a weekly basis (otherwise,
you'll get something like 12 hours for one week).
After 6 months and several updates and headaches, I would change my review to 4 stars if I could. However, I am
still disappointed that Leapster released a product that was so clearly not ready for market. It appears they have
corrected some issues, but still have other issues outstanding. The game systems HAS proven durable, though I would
recommend screen protectors to keep the screen from getting scratched, and highly recommend the LeapFrog Leapster2
Learning Game Case if your child plans to travel with his/her Leapster2, and the LeapFrog Leapster2 Recharging Station if your
child uses it often (batteries are expensive!!).
Better than ever!, July 7, 2008
We owned a Leapster L-Max that quit working due to an "accident."
Because our 3 year old has loved and used that machine several times a day we had to replace it. He had
learned so much from the previous Leapster and the reviews of the V-Smile were poor, so we decided to go with
another Leapster. While we did go back and forth about whether we wanted another L-Max for the
TV play capability or whether we wanted the online funcitonality of this new Leapster 2. We had to put some thought into which
feature, the TV or online, we would use most. We decided that we would really like the ability to track
learning progress on line and that for $10 less, we would rather have that function. We also decided to look
for a Leapster TV system, which we found on clearance, to replace the TV play capability of the old L-Max, so
he could still use all the games on the TV and yet have 2 seperate toys and develop the motor skills of the 2
systems instead of one. This new Leapster is SO cute. The colors are great, the shape is better than the old
ones, in my opinion. The stylus pen is secured by a thin fabric like cord rather than a heavy electronics
cord, so it is easier to maneuver and it doesn't seem like it will break as easily. The sound is better and
the screen is just as nice, if not better. We are very happy with this purchase, and our son likes it too. We
have not tried the other games yet, but his old ones work just fine, as they are supposed to. I would
defintitely recommend this model (Leapster 2). I will also update the review when I
have used the online functions.
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