I mentioned earlier that the LeapPad and the LeapsterGS share compatibility with the LeapFrog cartridge system — this is a big deal, as owners of the older Leapster Explorer can use their cartridges with the newer LeapsterGS. My son has friends with Leapster Explorer devices, and he can play those older cartridges on his LeapsterGS. (But I don’t believe the newer cartridges designed for LeapPad and LeapsterGS will play on the Explorer.)
My son has some great games that we acquired while he was enjoying the LeapPad (1), and both of us are happy that he can continue to play those games on the LeapsterGS. That said, he did get two new cartridges to test, The Magic School Bus: Oceans and the Disney Phineas and Ferb games.
My son was pleasantly surprised to find The Magic School Bus: Oceans available to him. I had originally loaded it as an app for my iPad for testing and review, and he loved the story and the interactive elements it contained. But this cartridge has a completely new interface as well as some fun games that he can now play by himself. The game advertises that it teaches about 100+ animals and provides a lot of fun facts about the ocean, and I cannot count the number of times he’s called me over to show me something new he’s discovered. There are a number of mini-games that he can select (some use the stylus) and as he plays he fills up the gas tank that unlocks more secrets and there’s this cool feature called MicroMods that let him customize certain features of the game such as his Magic School Bus Driver’s License. I don’t think he’s discovered all the game badges yet, either, but the 2 year old has now discovered the cartridge and I’m anticipating an upcoming battle for this well-done title.
As for the Disney Phineas and Ferb cartridge, I’ll go ahead and be the adult here and tell you that I’ve played it more than my son. I love Phineas and Ferb, and while my 5 year old is slowly discovering this gem of a show, he just doesn’t yet quite get all of the humor. He loves the cartridge that has elements of logic and math, but there’s a story running through the cartridge that has the boys designing gadgets that involve a bit more complex topics than my 5 year old seems to be able to comprehend. It doesn’t matter — the game is here when he’s ready, and it’s hilarious. If you’ve got a Phineas and Ferb fan, it’s a great cartridge for the LeapsterGS or the LeapPad2.
The LeapsterGS has an improved processor, so it’s going to be faster than the Leapster Explorer, and just as the LeapPad2 has a rechargeable battery pack for sale, you can also pick one up for the GS if you want to save some money on batteries. The GS has some familiar hardware, as well… rear-facing camera, headphone jack, stylus, speaker and microphone, and micro USB connector. It’s a great little gaming system, and I’ve had just as much fun playing some of the included games (and my son’s cartridges) as he’s had.
My 5 year old has access to a number of devices in our house — iPad, Nabi 2, LeapPad2, and LeapsterGS. Over the last few weeks I’ve watched to see what he does when given so many choices, and I’ll admit that what I’ve observed is quite surprising. One day he’ll be playing Angry Birds like crazy on my wife’s iPad, the next day he’s playing a wave runner-style game on the Nabi and the next day he’s learning about shrimp and lobsters on the LeapsterGS. He doesn’t seem to have a favorite, but instead hunts down the device that gives him whatever it is he’s seeking at the moment. And because he typically isn’t given full access to the iPad, he’s more likely to reach for the Nabi or the LeapsterGS. (He’s given up on trying to use the LeapPad2 after losing one too many custody battles — he knows he can play the cartridges on the GS, too.)
As for the 2 year old, the LeapPad2 is the clear winner. It’s his, and he knows it. I don’t know how long this will last, but he’s hung on to the original LeapPad for some time now, so I’m not anticipating him losing interest in the LeapPad2 anytime soon. What’s even funnier is that he now asks for me to roll him down the LeapFrog aisle at Target to look at the cartridge box covers.
I’ve tested and reviewed a lot of hardware for kids in the past, and I always fall back on the most basic of tests — do my kids enjoy it? Are my kids learning things or developing skills that will benefit them elsewhere in life? Do I have to worry about my child using this piece of hardware without my constant supervision? And do my children feel good about themselves… are they proud of what they are doing… do they seek out my approval or praise? With the LeapFrog hardware, the answers to these questions are always the right ones. Yes, my kids enjoy it. Yes, they’re learning things. No, I don’t have to worry about drops or inappropriate content. Yes, they smile and scream for Dad to come running so they can show me what they’re doing.
As with all things, they get the hardware in moderation. But when they do get it, they enjoy the time. And I don’t feel guilty about letting them use the devices. I’m also lucky in the sense that I’ve got two boys with a 3 year age difference so I’ll get some long-term use from the LeapFrog devices. But ultimately it all comes down to my watching and observing them with the hardware and determining if it’s a good thing or a bad thing. Technology can go both ways when it comes to kids (and adults), but I’m comfortable with not only the content I’m seeing on these two devices, but also with the time spent using them.
Right now, I’ve got a 2 year old who is starting to eye the LeapsterGS. I can almost hear the gears in that head of his as he wonders what his big brother is learning and playing. The 5 year old is keeping the GS close, however, and even dear old Dad is finding it hard to sneak in some time with Phineas and Ferb. But he’s gotta sleep sometime.
Note: I’d like to thank Monica at LeapFrog for making two little boys grin ear-to-ear. I’d also like to thank Emma for the review copy of Magic School Bus: Oceans.
