Considering Nintendo DS instead of Leapster 2: Any ideas or opinions out there regarding this comparison ??
1155855
I don't recommend a DS for a 3 1/2 year old. My 10 year old loves his DS but his 6 year old brother has difficulty using it. By the time your 3 1/2 year old "grew" into the DS someone will have another, better product. I recommend keeping it simple, stick with Leapster.
1700538
I think it about the same extra feature that is not needed. My grandson has enjoyed his explorer and I bought cartridges and games from leapfrog. Power cost more
1317023
I would say the explorer has better graphics and a seemingly larger screen. And the games are also more fun, more engaging, somewhat closer to a DS than a "kiddie" handheld console.
429520
go with the leapster 2. my nephew has it. cheaper games and more fun for 4-8 yr olds. For 2-4 the discovery is great but limited, too much advertising, the leapster 2 is very durable. not sure how durable discovery is but possibly. read some of the reviews on the discovery. My father in law got it for my daughter. And my nephews have the leapstere so they can;t share games. either is great but I'd go with the 2. note there is no camera on the discovery
285222
I know you can on the Leap Pad, but not sure about Leap Pad 2. Sorry that I couldn't be more help to you.
1155858
For any child 5 and under, I would have to recommend the Leapster 2. Even at 5, they would still get a couple of years out of it before they lost interest. I have an advanced 4 year old, and he is showing no signs of outgrowing his, plus their are several new games designed for an older age range (Digging for Dinosaurs, Wolverine, etc). My reason for discouraging the DS is that it is less educational but much cooler as far as graphics. Therefore, once they get into the DS the Leapster will be history, but so will the much more educational games.
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!
1778292
my son got his 1st ds at 6 and still loves it. I think a ds lite is fine i dont think you need a dsi. It did break at the hinge (his fault) so we bought him a second hand refurb one for 70.00 aud.i can tell you he takes very good care of the hinge now after being without it for a while. Rather than buying mario etc games that can be expensive buy some non trademark games or pre owned games. my son is a tech head and loves his play station 2 and wii but i think he would say he loves his ds best. having said all that i agree also with the itouch or ipad as most of the apps are free and there are loads of educational apps available on the net. my son got his 1st ds at 6 and still loves it. I think a ds lite is fine i dont think you need a dsi. It did break at the hinge (his fault) so we bought him a second hand refurb one for 70.00 aud.i can tell you he takes very good care of the hinge now after being without it for a while. Rather than buying mario etc games that can be expensive buy some non trademark games or pre owned games. my son is a tech head and loves his play station 2 and wii but i think he would say he loves his ds best. having said all that i agree also with the itouch or ipad as most of the apps are free and there... » Read More my son got his 1st ds at 6 and still loves it. I think a ds lite is fine i dont think you need a dsi. It did break at the hinge (his fault) so we bought him a second hand refurb one for 70.00 aud.i can tell you he takes very good care of the hinge now after being without it for a while. Rather than buying mario etc games that can be expensive buy some non trademark games or pre owned games. my son is a tech head and loves his play station 2 and wii but i think he would say he loves his ds best. having said all that i agree also with the itouch or ipad as most of the apps are free and there are loads of educational apps available on the net. « Show Less
634197
Thanks. The graphics seem better with Leapfrog compared to our Baby VSmile, and I'd like to buy the VSmile for the game compatibility but can't afford that and a Leapster.
474919
Hi There! I would say...after playing a little with both...that they are quite equal! I like the Leap Frog Learning Path. It is great to see how my son is doing and what he is learning. Vtech has a similar, but not as parent oriented program..its called vsmile world or something. The part I really like about the VSmile is that you can play the same games in their home game systems as well. I am getting my son the new Vsmile Motion for Xmas. It is like a Wii for younger kids. It will play all of the Vsmile games as well. Very cool. I would say they are both excellent choices...but I have always liked Vtech products. I might be a little biased...who knows!??! Good Luck! Hope this helps!
1525656
We have the leap pad ultra (looks like a mini tablet), but I think it maybe compatible since many say the game works with various leap pad devices.
634200
Hi There!I would say...after playing a little with both...that they are quite equal! I like the Leap Frog Learning Path. It is great to see how my son is doing and what he is learning. Vtech has a similar, but not as parent oriented program..its called vsmile world or something. The part I really like about the VSmile is that you can play the same games in their home game systems as well. I am getting my son the new Vsmile Motion for Xmas. It is like a Wii for younger kids. It will play all of the Vsmile games as well. Very cool. I would say they are both excellent choices...but I have always liked Vtech products. I might be a little biased...who knows!??!Good Luck! Hope this helps! Hi There!I would say...after playing a little with both...that they are quite equal! I like the Leap Frog Learning Path. It is great to see how my son is doing and what he is learning. Vtech has a similar, but not as parent oriented program..its called vsmile world or something. The part I really like about the VSmile is that you can play the same games in their home game systems as well. I am getting my son the new Vsmile Motion for Xmas. It is like a Wii for younger kids. It will play all of the Vsmile games as well. Very cool. I would say they are both excellent choices...but... » Read More Hi There!I would say...after playing a little with both...that they are quite equal! I like the Leap Frog Learning Path. It is great to see how my son is doing and what he is learning. Vtech has a similar, but not as parent oriented program..its called vsmile world or something. The part I really like about the VSmile is that you can play the same games in their home game systems as well. I am getting my son the new Vsmile Motion for Xmas. It is like a Wii for younger kids. It will play all of the Vsmile games as well. Very cool. I would say they are both excellent choices...but I have always liked Vtech products. I might be a little biased...who knows!??!Good Luck! Hope this helps! « Show Less
99296
I have a lefty son who seems to have no problem playing his Leapster 2. He started with the original and we upgraded to the newer style. I heard no complaints and have seen no reduction in his level of interest or playing time. Honestly, I hadn't even thought about it! But it does not seem to be an issue for my lefty (or my righty son, for that matter). Hope this helps.
667411
Well.. the leapster is not a leap pad/tablet, but the ultra IS. Leapfrog makes a leapster explorer (which is a handheld) and a leapster GS (also a handheld) the leap pads (1 and 2) and now the new leap pad ultra. With the exception of the orignial leap pad and the new ultra, we have all systems, and the game runs on them. I think you need to clarify that they are getting a leapster explorer, which takes these green cartridges. It is possible they may be getting a used leapster (which is a much older version of the system and takes much larger cartridges... I am not sure it is still sold in stores, but of course is second hand) I would ask for clarification.
879478
Get the DS. If your kids are already playing the Wii, they will be probably be bored with the kids stuff on the Leapster. There are TONS of games available for the DS. Many are very simple for young children (Crayola Treasure Adventure), then there are lots of adult oriented games (Brain Age, Professor Layton, etc). .. Then there are lots of games in the middle for all ages.
1632980
Absolutely! My son is 2 and a half and loves it. His favorite games on it currently are counting at the dragon cafe and the alphabet flash cards. He also loves watching the letter factory on it and has some ebooks. The screen isn't as durable as a Nintendo ds so make sure she knows to be gentle with it. I really feel it's apps are far superior to anything else I have found for educational preschool games.
1061905
Most likely not from what I understand and have read the leapster and leapPad games are not compatible