The system was packaged well and was easy to get up and running after installing four AA batteries, which were not included. There are ports on the handheld system for an AC adapter, earphones, and USB. The system fits perfectly in my children's hands and the buttons are well laid out. An attached stylus is also provided for gameplay and writing drills.
The games are very educational and engaging, providing hours of fun for my kids. Games containing logic, math, spelling, geography, and reading are all available for purchase. I love that games can be installed via the web, or can be purchased in cartridge form at stores. I can't finish this review without mentioning the quality screen that is on this little system. The picture quality is amazing and the touchscreen worked very well. Great job LeapFrog!
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Leapster Explorer is a device designed for children that the manufacturer chose do devote exclusively to educational content. The device is well designed, my niece and nephew, age 6 and 4 respectively, were able to get up to speed in using the Explorer almost immediately. I was definitely impressed with the ease which with they were able to learn how to play with this device. This particular Leapster Explorer package comes with a strong protective case, a cartridge based educational app, and a card with a redemption code with which you can choose one app from a list of 8 or so online educational apps. While there are far more online apps than the 8 you get to choose from with this card, in my opinion, they are not of the same quality as the cartridge based apps.This device is clearly designed to compete with the Nintendo DS and also it ends up being in competition with smart phones like the iPhone. I think the main selling point of the Leapster Explorer is that it is designed solely for educational apps. This means that if you buy this device for your child, your child will be shielded from the sometimes violent games that are offered on the Nintendo DS and the iPhone (via the Apple App Store). So, you know that, no matter what your child plays, he or she will be playing something educational. Frankly, I think this is the main selling point of this device. You can get some educational apps for the Nintendo DS (not many though) and you can get a lot of educational apps for the iPhone, but only the Leapster Explorer offers these types of apps exclusively.
Finally, I would like to recommend that a potential buyer also consider the LeapPad Explorer. The LeapPad Explorer seems to be compatible with many of the educational apps that the Leapster Explorer plays but contains a bigger screen and a built in camera. (It is also more expensive!) Personally, I think that the Leapster Explorer is fun to use and my niece and nephew were not put off by its small size, indeed, it seems perfect for them, but I thought I should mention the options that you have.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program I'm really torn between liking this unit and not liking this unit.Admittedly, our preschooler has gotten alot of learning and entertainment value from this unit and he has played with this Leapster Explorer practically everyday for the past month and a half.
However, here are some of the likes and dislikes I have regarding the Leapster Explorer...
Pros:
*While he's using it, it keeps our preschooler engaged and is both fun and educational for him.
*It offers good clean, wholesome educational and fun apps.
*Very rugged and tough.
*Carrying case provides excellent protection to the handheld and cartridges.
*The monitor displays excellent graphics and colors.
*When unit is left idle, it automatically powers down. I think I like this feature the most.***
Cons:
*This unit does not come with an AC adapter. It is an additional purchase. About $10.00 $15.00 or you can get the rechargable batteries and the docking station for an additional $50.00+
*Although this unit is USB, it is for transmission only and does not power the unit.
*Cartridges are a bit pricey $24.00+ and the online web store is very limited on their selections. (We did find some Leapster Explorer download cards at Mal-Wart, on clearance, for $14.97 which contained two cards, each good for one downloadable app, ebook, game or video, through their online store. However, as an iPad 2 owner, we get access to thousands of apps, games and video for free... which in all honesty, puts this unit to shame.)
*The user agreement is extremely intrusive and you essentially agree to allow them to violate your privacy. We agreed, but we did not use any of our primary computers to install their software. (You may want to review or install their user agreement and software on a cleaned or scrubbed computer.) -1 star
*Loaded with lots of advertising. This direct marketing to children is absolutely shameful, deplorable and just leaves me feeling pretty sour about leapster. -1 Star
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program My 7-year-old son is computer freak. He loves handheld games, he loves computer games, he loves ipod apps. He also loves geography and maps, so when I was given the opportunity to review this product, I jumped on it. While the typical Leapster's age range is 3 7, this pack's software allows you to enter your grade, up to 8th grade.There is one free download game that comes with it. My son selected Jewel Train. It's fun (according to him), but since it's a puzzle game of putting together tracks, it definitely promotes higher thinking skills.
I like that this kit comes with the case, so that you are entirely equipped to keep up with extra cartridges and protect the gaming unit.
You can set up and personalize (and download that free game) after you set up an account and hook it up to your computer. This was quick and easy.
He's also excited to possibly add on the LeapFrog Leapster Explorer Camera and Video Recorder, which at $20 seems reasonable to me.
I was worried that he would think it was babyish, but he doesn't really, although he still honestly prefers the Nintendo DS for gaming fun. I wish I had gotten something like this when he was younger, and highly recommend it for parents of 3 5 year olds.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program We've had the Leapster Explorer for several weeks now and feel that we can properly review it now. With the Globetrotter pack you'll get the Explorer (in green), the carrying case (which can hold several game cartridges), one free app download from their website, and the Globe Earth Adventures. Neither of my girls (ages 4 and 5) were very interested in the Globe Earth Adventures. It's only been played once or twice. When we registered the Leapster Explorer with Leap Connect we were also given another free download. We downloaded Jewel Train and Sugar Bugs. Both my girls loved playing those games. The Leapster Explorer already had the Pet game which the girls created, named, and took care of their own pets. They love this game too! You can connect the Leapster with the computer to download more shampoo and treats for your pet. My kids constantly earn more tokens by doing the Alphabet practice. They never run out of tokens now that we've figured that out.My kids loved the Leapster so much they had a garage sale and used their profit to buy Ni Hao and Tinkerbell game. You can also connect the Leapster to Leapster Connect and use tokens to download apps for the game cartridges you've purchased. My girls can't get enough of their Leapster. The only problem is we run through the 4 AA batteries like water. The screen is big and obviously takes a lot of battery power to work. So, have a huge stash otherwise you'll have disappointed kids when their game shuts off.
We've held off on letting our kids play with electronics but I'm so glad I let them get the Explorer. They are learning math skills (Tinkerbell game) and lots of creativity with the free apps. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a hand held game system for their young child.
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