what do y'all think of the 'leapster'?

[ipomoea]

I thought I had hit upon a brilliant idea of developing Flash-type games on the PDA for my 3 1/2-old toddler. I downloaded some freeware files ranging from simple powerpoint "alphabet" slides to some really promising Flash-based alphabet and math games for the pre-K set. We were out at the local Toys R Us, and lo and behold I came across what I think is a brilliant Leap Pad product, the Leapster. At around $80, it is quite expensive, but considering it has a touch-pen screen and really built for a toddler in mind (save for the relatively large directional button pad), I think it is a neat, educational alternative to shoot-em-up games. And I think it is a viable option for the kid/kids in the rear. Without even bothering to go back and doing some googling, it was (instant gratification time), called the wife, and plunked down around $120 (including tax) for the game unit (comes with 6 bonus games), and a kindergarten cartridge (about $24). I was glad that the amazon.com prices were not too far off. Whewww. One finds on the packaging a Flash by Macromedia logo -- guess what the system is based on??? But really, y'all need to check it out, if you haven't already. Part of my reasoning was that my kid has already started to like my Axim.

[kemosabe]

My wife says that many of the other mommies over at babycenter.com give the Leapster raving reviews and we are also considering getting one in the near future (for my son, not for me )...

[TheWorm]

We haven't "upgraded" to the Leapster yet, but our daughter (3) loves all things Leappad (currently using "My First Leappad"). IMO they have a great line of educational/fun products.

[kemosabe]

To follow up on what TheWorm said...

...we bought the LeapStart Learning Table for my 9 month old and he loves it. Actually, I think he likes the tunes which are kind of catchy... They do seem to have a pretty decent product line!

[ipomoea]

What really attracted me to the product was its form factor. I have seen several web sites that describe how PDAs are being used from K-12 up to graduate school. It appears that some "early adopter " educators are exploring various ways in using both the PDA and laptops for different purposes. And they are coming up with some amazing applications. For instance, a freely available tool, http://classinhand.wfu.edu/, not only converts a PDA into a web server, but also enables a teacher to wirelessly control powerpoint presentations, as well as interact with the students from the pda. My son has already "mastered" some of the Leapster games, particularly the shape, color, and pattern-type routines. The great thing is that he is learning some skills while enjoying, and more importantly, preoccupied with something for stretches of time. Caveat: not too many cartridges are currently available. If he doesn't get new challenges to work on, he'll probably get bored with the unit in another couple of weeks.

[tim.s]

My daughter turned 3 before Christmas and got if for a birthday present. She likes it a lot (calls it her "game toy").

The graphics are great and the screen is good quality - I think we can thank the Game Boy Advance type products for pushing the field of hand-held products.

The only problem we've had is some occasional trouble with the pen. Sometimes you can't get it to activate an object no matter what you do. (thinking of getting a replacement)

She hasn't played much this past couple weeks. She's gotten hooked on PlayhouseDisney.com. She suddenly started running the mouse and navigating the online games by herself. I think the interactive nature of the Leapster is partly responsible.

[mooz]

I remember my toddler sitting on my lap as I introduced him to a pc and "learning games" The number of educational electronic games that followed is a blue blur now. It has been 10 years now. Ten years of game boys, segas, nintendos, ps1, ps2, pc games, etc.
I'm hoping it will end soon.
Note from a technology dad.

[devnull]

My eldest Grrrl has had one since Christmas (thanks Santa) and plays it a couple of times a week for an hour or so.

Pros:
- Above average depth of games. Every time I see Kat playing with it, she seems to have a different game - even with the same cartiridge.
- Form Factor. My 5 yr old is rather petite and she has no troubles accessing the controls.
- Intuitive software. As most of us parents know, the leap frog software designers are some of the best. It never ceases to amaze me whenever Kat gets a little "stuck", the game is immediately giving her verbal clues.
- Battery use. Even during the heavy usage times, just after Christmas, we were going 2-3 weeks per set of batteries.

Cons:
- The unit lays well in your child's hands, but has no real handle or grip area. We ended up buying the case for it (highly recommended) after a couple of nasty drops to and from the car. It comes with a easy zipper, a good handle, and room for a couple of cartridges.
- No "built-in" games. If you loose all the cartrigdes, it no-workie.
- Washed out screen. I use an iPAQ daily for lesiure and work. I know, I'm spoiled. However the screen on the leapster gets almost completely washed out in bright light. I would love just a little more oooommph there.

Overall I still give it a 9 out of 10 stars. It's one of the better learning games I've ever seen, even when compared to PC based games.

[tim.s]

We exchanged the Leapster for a new one shortly after my last posting in this thread. The new one works great.

I can tell it's a different "model" because the backlights on the pen and touch pad are a different color - they must have fixed the problems of the earlier model.

Using the Leapster has made my 3 1/2 year old much better at mouse and keyboard navigation - playing games like Frogger and navigating mazes. Dora the Explorer is "great".

[Pilot4jen&mook]

We love the Leapster!
My daughter prefers to play her "Dora" game on her's vice watch DVD's on our "RES". Wonderful product!

[Dano]

Big fan of the Leapster as well. . . .have a bunch of cartridges and carrying case.

Best accessory for it is a car adapter (from Radio Shack) that supplies it with endless power on road trips, cause man, that thing will suck down the AAs