Leapster vs Leapster L-Max?

[OceanAnnie]

I'm thinking about getting the Leapster. We have a v-smile so it may be an overlap to get the L-Max? I don't know much about the Leapster. If you have one, what are your thoughts? Are the games interchangeable? I was pricing them and looking them over in Target the other day. I saw games that were specifically for Leapster and L. L-Max.

I'm so confused.

 

[GJM]

I would like to know this also. My nephew has a leapster Max, but I purchased a leapster game that says will work in all leapster's. I asked in TRU but they didn't know.

Anyone???

 

[paysensmom]

The Lmax is the newer version. The new games they come out with will only work in the Lmax. The old games for the leapster will work in the Lmax. If you are ok with the older games and dont care if you get any of the Lmax games, then save some money and buy the leapster.
I have the Lmax though and my son loves, loves it!! I got it for him when he turned 4. I am going to get the Lmax for my daughter in July when she turns 4 It is such a great learning tool!! Really helped with the sounds of the letters!
Hope that helps!

 

[EthansMom]

Actually, the LMAX is good only on the t.v. and the regular Leapster is portable. Most of the LMAX and regular Leapster games can be used on both systems... there's actually a spot on the package each game (upper left) where it says which platforms (LMAX and/or Leapster) it can be played on.

My kids use their Leapsters mostly in the car and in bed, so the LMAX just wouldn't work for us.

We do love, love, love Leapster! Get a Leapster case and use rechargeable AA batteries.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

Actually, the LMAX is good only on the t.v. and the regular Leapster is portable. .

Actually, the LMAX can be played as a portable and can also be hooked up to the TV...so I would recommend the LMAX...can be played on the go and also on the TV.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks guys!

I do know they are fun and educational! I have some family members that have them. Their parents wish they had gotten the L-Max. I'm just thinking the v-smile we have is about the same thing. But then, it may be outgrown before long. I don't know.

Anyway, I'm trying to make up my mind soon so that when anyone asks what is needed for Christmas, I can say games for the Leapster (or L-Max) or Target gift cards so they can get games and/or accessories.

I would be getting it for the portability more than anything. I did look for the case but didn't see them anywhere at Target. Are they located in the same area as the machine and games?

 

[EthansMom]

I would be getting it for the portability more than anything. I did look for the case but didn't see them anywhere at Target. Are they located in the same area as the machine and games?

If you want portability, you want the regular Leapster. The LMAX isn't portable.

Yes, the cases are usually near the games and machines. My Target doesn't seem to stock the cases well, but our Walmart usually has them in-stock. Also, Toys R Us usually has them. The cases don't fit the new Leapster dimensions as perfectly as they do the old triangular design, but I had emailed LeapFrog prior to getting DD's and that size case is intended for both game sizes. The case protects the game very nicely and the exterior pocket can hold several game cartridges.

Post the age and sex of your child and folks here would be happy to recomend favorite games.

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

If you want portability, you want the regular Leapster. The LMAX isn't portable.

The LMAX IS portable and allows two modes of playing - on the go as a portable, or connect to your TV. We have one for my dd, and we have done both - connect it to the TV, and as a portable. It can also play the leapster game, and also play the L-Max games. Check out their website...

http://www.leapfrog.com/en/families/leapster/leapster_learning0/lmaxgirl.html

It even says that you can use it on the go and on the TV.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I was debating this too, between the Leapster and L-Max, but then Toys R Us had the L-Max on sale for $69.99 and the regular Leapster was $59.99 so I figured for $10 more I would get the newer version L-Max. This way he can play any game with it and hook it up to the TV if he ever wants to, even though he has a V-Smile too.

The Toys R Us sale is through this Saturday.

 

[camouseketeer]

If you want portability, you want the regular Leapster. The LMAX isn't portable.

This isn't true. The LMAX IS portable. My kids take it in the car all the time.

To answer the OP:

We own LMAX's. If I were to do it again I would probably buy regular Leapsters and here's why:

1. The Leapster screens are bigger than the LMax screens.

2. I'm not sure if LMAX games can be played on regular Leapster. But if they can't, there usually is a regular Leapster version of the same game. (ie there is a Letter Factory game for LMAX and for regular Leapster.)

3. LMAX cartridges have TV games that can ONLY be played on TV. Thus on a LMAX cartridge that has 4 games, my kids can only play 3 of them on their own (without being hooked up to the tv). So when we use it on the go, they only can use 75% of the cartridge. They can play 100% of the games on the go on regular Leapster cartridges.

4. I really don't hook the TV cable up much. I thought I would, but I don't, so again, we don't get to use the games that can't be used on TV.

5. I see fewer and fewer new cartridges being made for LMAX only. Most (or all) that are made now seem to be able to be used on either machine. Each box says what machines can use it.

Either machine is great, however, and we just love them!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Yep LMax is definitely portable. We bought it due to the added bonus of being able to hook it up to the TV. But the main reason was because of the portability.

Ours has been up in the cupboard for a while now waiting for Christmas. I thought it would be great for the kids to use on the plane (during our flight home from WDW). Can anyone tell me if it is really noisy? I don't want anyone to get annoyed on the plane.

 

[camouseketeer]

Can anyone tell me if it is really noisy? I don't want anyone to get annoyed on the plane.

Yes it is noisy (and can be annoying to listen to) but it has a jack for headphones!

 

[StephMK]

DS has a regular Leapster but picked out an L-Max game for his bday. It works fine, there are just certain features that will only work on the max. It doesn't seem to affect the games and I'm not sure what he can't do/see.

FYI - there are some Leapster games at Kohl's - on sale for $19.99 and I used the friends coupon found here today to drop it a little lower. They had Thomas, Cars, Batman mult./div for older kids & an I Spy version. I bought the Spy since that was closest to his age range & he has Cars already.

 

[OceanAnnie]

DS has a regular Leapster but picked out an L-Max game for his bday. It works fine, there are just certain features that will only work on the max. It doesn't seem to affect the games and I'm not sure what he can't do/see.

FYI - there are some Leapster games at Kohl's - on sale for $19.99 and I used the friends coupon found here today to drop it a little lower. They had Thomas, Cars, Batman mult./div for older kids & an I Spy version. I bought the Spy since that was closest to his age range & he has Cars already.

Thanks! I didn't know Kohl's had the games!

We are going to get the machine.

I did notice there were a lot more Leapster games than L-Max games at Target. I was surprised there wasn't more of a selection for L-Max.

Oh, WaltD4Me, I see the sale on L-Max is through Saturday. Hmmm. It is enticing!

I guess the sticking point is it doesn't look like the L-Max games are interchangeable with the Leapster games? And if they are why do they make separate games for both?

 

[mamalle]

Leapster Lmax is portable. we have two of them and take them on our road trips every year. I think they get more use in the car then at home.

 

[camouseketeer]

I guess the sticking point is it doesn't look like the L-Max games are interchangeable with the Leapster games? And if they are why do they make separate games for both?

Leapster games can be used on the LMAX. I'm not sure if LMAX games can be used on Leapster.

Leapster games are cheaper than LMAX games and can often be found on sale. LMAX games are rarely on sale.

I think they make separate games for both since they want owners of both kinds to buy as many cartridges as possible!

 

[T. Lynn]

LMax games can be used on the Leapster.

We have the regular Leapster and have 2 LMax games and they work.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I just want to thank everyone for their input! It was a great help. It cleared up the game confusion for me.

And a great big thank you to WaltD4Me for letting me know about the Toys R Us sale going on!!!! I got them today! I'm so happy! I had two to buy for and your tip saved me a lot of money. In addition to the $40 I saved, I also got a $10 off store coupon applied on the spot (I didn't even know what the lady was doing!) and a $10 GC handed to me to use later! Essentially I got the L-Max for the regular Leapster price and money back! Of course I'll spend it on games, but it won't be all (technically) out of my pocket. I love a bargain! Yippie!!!

I was having a hard time justifying the added expense of the L-Max when we already have a system for t.v., but once I saw the sale it was a no brainer! (That and knowing they will outgrow the one we have before long.)

Thank you all again for the advice and helping me to save money too! I love the budget board!!!!

I was debating this too, between the Leapster and L-Max, but then Toys R Us had the L-Max on sale for $69.99 and the regular Leapster was $59.99 so I figured for $10 more I would get the newer version L-Max. This way he can play any game with it and hook it up to the TV if he ever wants to, even though he has a V-Smile too.

The Toys R Us sale is through this Saturday.