Leapfrog Leapster and L-Max?

[Schachteles]

My DD who is almost 5 wants to start playing video games...and now the parent that I thought I would never be comes out...I tell my DH how I am not going to have violent games and they need to be about learning. Well people have told me about the Leapsters...anyone have insight on these? Also, they have the Leapsters and also L-Max's...what is the difference? Right now the L-Max's are about $30 more then the other, is it worth it??

THANKS, Kim

 

[texasthree]

The leapster is ony a handheld game the L-Max can be plugged into the television and played as well. I know leapsters will also play L-max games.
There is also a video game called vsmile that plugs into the television to be played. Its around $40-$50 depending on a good sale but also required puchased of a plug($9, or you could us batteries but it goes through them fast). Vsmile is educational games as well. We have both and love them both. Leapster is portable so nice to take in the car, etc.
If you buy the leapster I would consider buying the charger or you will be going through a lot of batteries as well.

 

[Schachteles]

Ok, so if we say the Leapster it is, would you spring the extra few bucks and get the L-Max? I am just starting to look now, it certainly won't be under the tree but I was thinking about her birthday in March.

 

[Dina]

With DS#1 (last year), I sprung for the L-MAX. Our wires to plug into the TV stopped working though after 6 months (though that probably was our fault as my youngest kept pulling them out and putting them back in), but DS was just as happy to just play on the game screen-- and didn't miss the ability to play it on the TV. We rarely used it on the TV. We also have V-smile, and that is played on the TV. This year we got another Leapster for DS#2(3yo), as he loves his brother's-- he's a little under the age, but he hasn't had trouble playing it. We just got him the regular Leapster-- we didn't bother with the LMax this time. I've also found that most of my son's friends just have the regular leapster. I just happened to find the LMax last year at a great price on Black Friday.

My kids also love their Leap Pads. We love Leap Pad products.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

My son has Leapster and LOVES it! All the games are educational, which was a huge selling point for me. I decided NOT to get the LMAX, because he also has the V-Smile which is for the TV. My V Smile set came with the plug, so no batteries to worry about. I also just bought one for my cousin's daughter for $30 on Black Friday at Walmart!

I would go for the regular Leapster...unless you think you will plug it into the TV to use it.

 

[SarahKate]

We never used our L-Max on the TV, and we've had it for over a year. The games are definitely educational (but FUN) and age appropriate. I'd say unless you think you'll use it on the TV, just buy a regular leapster and take the xtra money you save and buy another game.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

We went with the regular leapster and haven't missed not being able to plug them into the tv at all, but I agree with the poster who said get the charger! I have one with a charger and one without and the one without goes through tons of batteries (I will definitely be getting another charger soon).

 

[dismom301930]

My DDs (5 and 6) love their Leapsters. They love the games and I love that they are educational as well as fun. They are both getting two more Leapster games for Christmas. I also purchased the V-Smile system for the TV for Christmas (Black Friday at Walmart for $30). I have seen them play it at friends' houses and they seem to really like it. The V-Smile games are also educational, like the Leapster, and I think my youngest DD2.5 will also be able to play this with her sisters.

 

[lilstint]

I just bought the Little Leaps for my 2 year old grandson at BJ's bundled with 2 games for 39.99.

I saw it set up at Target yesterday and it really looked like a piece of junk (I think it was broken already). Plus the games were on sale for 14.99 and the variety was VERY limited. They had it for the same price (39.99) but with no software included. Although I know I got a good price on it I'm thinking of returning it.

If anyone here has this one I'd love to hear your experience with it.

 

[rileysmommy]

I got my 5 year old dd a Leapster this year for Christmas. She likes that her cousins all have Gameboys but I don't think she is ready for that yet. I also really like the fact that the Leapster games are educational.

Thanks for the tip about the charger; I will have to pick one up after Christmas.

 

[stm61]

I got the vsmile for my dd a few yrs ago because she was trying to play her brother's play station. She's turning 8 in Jan, is in 2nd grade, and still plays with it. The games are a little cheaper then the leapster games are. The games have an easy and a harder setting, she still plays the easy version, tho I really think she should move to the harder one. Vsmile also has a hand held version called the vsmile pocket. It comes with a plug for the power outlet in the car and plays the same games as the tv vsmile. DD asked for the new tv vsmile game system this yr, I can't think of the name. It's aimed at older kids and uses cds/dvd's instead of the game cartridges. I didn't get it because she still plays the original game, plus I had visions of the cd's getting scratched and ruined.

 

[texasthree]

We have the vsmile to use on the tv so we just bought the regular leapster. You can usually find a better deal on the leapster than the L-max.