Leapster Explorer Review

The Leapster Explorer is Leapfrog’s latest handheld console specifically designed around educational learning for children.

Leapfrog have an undeniably excellent reputation for learning toys and their latest Leapster is no exception if the positive reviews from parents and educational critics are anything to go by.

While the system is recommended for ages four to nine, younger children already adept with technology will find appeal in the system as well.

Updated Leapster Screen

Old Leapster 2:
Resolution:160X160
Size: 3″
What This Means:Smaller Screen, blocky images.

New Leapster Explorer
Resolution: 320×240
Size: 3.2″
What This Means: Larger screen with more details.

The Leapster Explorer has an updated screen which is a huge improvement on the Leapster 2 which struggled to live up to the graphics demands of the games.

Leapster Explorer is also now a touch screen device that kids can touch with their fingers, no more sharing your iphone or ipad!

The system also comes with a stylus for finer pointing on the screen and this can be comfortably be used by left or right handed writers.

The screen is larger and brighter and can be viewed from a number of angles unlike the old Leapster screens which means you can share in your child’s learning.

Handheld Console For Kids

At this point the console only comes in Green/White and Purple/White but this may change in the future.

The system is tough, lightweight and no strain for a young child to hold though a hand-strap would have been a nice extra.

Energy wise, it takes 4 AA batteries but it is recommended you purchase the Leapster Explorer Recharger as well to save on batteries.

The charger is extra and future Leapster releases would do include a USB recharging option.

Usage is moderate, not too power hungry, but its nice to be able to charge it up overnight and have it all ready to go in the morning.

What Can You Do With the Leapster Explorer?

Kids can play games and read ebooks on the Leapster Explorer, all with a focused learning experience.

Full Leapster Explorer Games are available by purchasing cartridges that slip into the console while smaller game apps or Leaplets, are available online and downloaded to the system.

Kids can also access Leapworld and use their system to interact with others in the Leapworld environment.

Parents can of course monitor all this by logging into the Leapster Learning Path area of the Leapfrog website.

Leapfrog have also designed a camera that can attach to the Leapster which will enable kids to take photographs and store them on the system.

The photographs can be viewed on the Leapster Explorer’s screen and then kids can draw all over the photos, adding funny messages and goofy looks.

The photos can then be exported or used in other games. This is a great addition to the Leapster Explorer by adding an outlet for creativity and sharing, and will no doubt be popular with kids.

Intuitive Learning Styles

The Leapster Explorer is intuitive about your child’s learning level.

If children continually struggle, the console will adjust accordingly and conversely if they are excelling, the Leapster Explorer adjusts the learning level accordingly, providing more difficult puzzles and challenges so learning is optimized.

For families, if you have more than one child who wants to use the Leapster Explorer you can set up multiple accounts in the system and it will remember each child’s settings and where they are up to for each game.

Downsides

Free Game Could Be Better

There are a few aspects of the Leapster Explorer that bear mentioning, given its status as an educational and non-sensational gaming device.

I don’t think these points detract from the overall value of the Leapster Explorer but it is something parents should be aware of before they purchase the system.

The Leapster comes with a free app, or small game where you can look after a pet. The pet requires attention in a number of areas to keep it happy. Your child looks after the pet including activities like shampooing.

When shampoo runs out you are promted to go online and “buy” more. Not sure what Leapfrog were thinking when they did this.

The game is fairly pointless and time-wasting. Its a small point but one to bear in mind.

Hopefully with the additional educational game cartridges and a little guidance, your kids will lose interest in this quickly.

Advertising

Another element worth mentioning for parents is the existence of a “Trailers” area on the console’s home screen.

When launched the system displays a number of option buttons including one that leads kids to short advertisements for games available for the Leapster Explorer.

The ads include snippets of games you may not wish to purchase for your children because of the title’s focus on action and violence, games including Clone Wars and Wolverine and the X-Men.

Thankfully some parents with computer skills have found a way to get rid of both the ads and the pet program.

Not essential but makes the Leapster Explorer more appealing.

So, What’s In the Box?

Out of the box the Leapster Explorer comes with the LeapPet game where kids care for an electronic pet as well as a Leaplet download card which allows for download of small apps from the website.
The box contains:

• Leapster Explorer handheld console
• Leaplet learning app download card
• LeapPet game
• USB cable
• Quick start guide
• LeapFrog Connect CD (to access online Leapworld and Learning Path: Mac/PC Compatible)

Leapster Explorer Verdict

Our Rating: Excellent

Overall very cool and a major improvement on the Leapster 2.

Leapfrog have taken the feedback from parents about the Leapster 2 and made some changes.

The screen is beautiful and being able to see things like the Pixie-dust in the Tinker Bell game add to to the immersive experience.

We like the range of options-it is no longer just a games console but an ebook reader and with the camera option coming soon, the ability for kids to create with this device will increase.

Games from earlier Leapster systems are not compatible with the Leapster Explorer which is a bummer.

Leapfrog have done really well in the past by designing their systems to be backwards compatible but not so this time, but from what I understand Leapfrog view the Leapster Explorer as the first of their next generation machines and they weren’t able to fit everything in.

The Leapster Explorer will be well loved by families and will provide a welcome distraction to keep kids away from your grown-up toys for quite a while but just keep in mind that you may need to guide them through or around things like the trailers and the free game which can waste time.

Where To Buy The Leapster Explorer

Leapster Explorer is hard to find right now, but it is available online, and if you order from Amazon you can receive free shipping. If it doesn’t suit your child or you have technical issues, you can send it back using their great customer service. (Just don’t throw out the packaging!).