Leapster or Leapster 2?

[mom2aiden]

Any recommendations on which on would be better? The Leapster 2 is a little more expensive, but I have read reviews that folks had some problems with it. Will the same games work in both systems?

My DS will be turning 4 in a few weeks and I think he will love this!! He already loves to play games on the computer (Disney, Noggin, Sprout), however he sometimes will do something to make the computer look funny, or not work right, so we thought this would be a great solution. Plus, we're driving to WDW this year (12 hours), so this will be a big help too.

Also, what sort of "rules" do you have around playing video games? Right now, we have instituted a rule that if he does not get a "happy face" at preschool, then he can't play any computer games that day. It's also the first thing taken away for bad behavior.

I guess I'm asking what kind of time restrictions are appropriate for a 4 year old?

Thanks!!!

 

[mom of princessx2]

Santa brought dd4 the Leapster for Christmas and we thought it was just fine. Cute graphics, a few games, but then dd2 always wanted to play with it so I found a Leapster 2 at Kohls for around $25 after Christmas and picked it up. It has much better graphics and when you purchase a game cartridge you can play more games on 2. For example although cartridge is interchangable maybe you get 3 games on Leapster but 5 or 6 on Leapster 2. If the $ is not a problem I would go with Leapster 2.

 

[acogs69]

I bought my DD5 the Leapster 2 for Christmas and she loves it. I decided on the Leapster 2 since it was able to use more games. Sometimes the website Leapfrog has sales going on that you might be able to get the Leapters 2 with a bundle.

 

[minnie4me]

I would go with the Leapster 2, you get more for your money.

My DS is 6 and enjoys it very much. We have an XBox 360 and a Wii too, they each offer a different type of enjoyment. What I like best about a leapster is that your child doesn't really realize they are learning. Some games they grow out of sort of fast while others they don't. DS is very into Star Wars, got him the Jedi math game, then a jedi reading game just came out. When he saw it he flipped. So, grandma has it tucked away for Easter. I try to get my games on sale. Toys r us and target both run sales from time to time and you can get games for $20 instead of $25. I got a game recently for $17 !!

I don't believe there is a right or wrong amount of time kids should be playing video games. Well, I guess there is a wrong amount of time if that is all they do. I am more lax with the leapster because it is a learning tool. It sometimes goes in the car with us too.
I don't think you will be disappointed with your choice !!

 

[cjackearl]

I don't have a recommendation on Leapster vs. Leapster 2 because my son uses the Leapster one of his sisters got 4 years ago. It still works very well. As far as amount of time, we have a no media during the week rule with the girls, but I let our son play the Leapster as much as he wants. It's really self limiting, I think. He plays it for maybe 20 min. max at a time, then moves on. BTW, he's turning 4 on April 22. When's your little boy's b-day?

 

[RMulieri]

I got the Leapster 2 for DD.I have had NO problems with it, and believe me she has dropped it ,wet it, and more. Leapster can not play as many of the games as leapster 2.

 

[mom2aiden]

I don't have a recommendation on Leapster vs. Leapster 2 because my son uses the Leapster one of his sisters got 4 years ago. It still works very well. As far as amount of time, we have a no media during the week rule with the girls, but I let our son play the Leapster as much as he wants. It's really self limiting, I think. He plays it for maybe 20 min. max at a time, then moves on. BTW, he's turning 4 on April 22. When's your little boy's b-day?

Thanks for all the feedback! Sounds like Leapster 2 will be the winner

My son turns 4 on April 20th! The time has gone by so fast

 

[mickeymaker2003]

My Walmart has Leapster 2s on sale for $49 (they might even be down to $39). They are the only retailer to have Disney ones. The Cars version is really cute (it is mostly red with black rubberized grips and a picture of Lightning McQueen on it). My daughter got that one instead of the pink princess one.

 

[MNdisneymom]

I had to check this out because my DS 6 has been playing leapster for 3 years now. (Had to replace it once after discovering what happens when it's left in a car overnight in subzero temps, yikes!!) Other than that, it's been really great. He has almost aged out of most of the games, but still plays it for fun.

About which is better...JMHO.... I went on the Leapfrog website, and a lot of the games that they have are just repackaged (ie no leapster 2 extras anyway). Also, you can play the leapster 2 games on the original leapster. My DS prefers the older games, but does have jedi math and it works fine. If the price is drastically different and you don't want to shell out the extra $$, the leapster is just as good.

About game time for kids...We have the rule that he only plays the leapster while traveling (in the car, around town), or when he's sick (laying on the couch, really bored). I've broken that one only a few times over the past couple of years, and he is okay with it. We have a nintendo DS that we share, and we might play it for 5-10 minutes before bed (he loves playing the carnival game, and battleship) but even that isn't very often.

--Just reread your original post...and for a long car trip, the Leapster is perfect! (maybe have a new game as a surprise for when he starts to get antsy? I did that on our last FL trip and barely heard a peep the whole plane ride!)

 

[mom2princessj]

We have the regular leapsters and have recently been having some issues with both of them (and we have had them since Christmas). My kids absolutely LOVE playing the games...they've learned alot. But right now the leapsters are turning themselves off or not turning on at all at times. I've read many have had this issue with both leapster and 2. Good luck...its a good investment and the games are interchangeable between leapster and 2!