But then, this is effectively the same concept as Amazon's 'stuff you might like' system, and if you don't want corporations trying to use your data to sell you more things, you're probably best staying away from the web altogether. Also, in the section where you analyse your child's progress in the games, there's a side panel entitled 'Grow my child's learning path', which is effectively an ad for other Leapster 2 games, couched in rather emotionally manipulative language. But to get to it, you have to sign in to the complete LeapFrog Connect service – so that'll be all your personal details in their hands, then. With the Toy Story 3 version of Leapster 2, the package comes complete with access to a downloadable mini-game based on the film. There's a lot of barely disguised marketing though. The service also sends out emails so you can effortlessly spy on your little gamers. Okay, so you should probably know the bit about how long they've been on the console, but the info on how they've done with letter and number recognition is genuinely interesting. There's also a Parents area where you can study data on what your children have been playing, for how long, and what they may have learned in the process.
Leapster game list install#
You install the software on PC or Mac, then plug in your console via USB: your child can then access the dedicated online area where they're able to download new demos, play online games and mess around with the simple Art Studio feature. Interestingly, Leapster 2 also comes with an iTunes-like online service called LeapFrog Connect. In addition, we employ UK teachers to review the curriculum and the content to ensure it is appropriate." My sister is a qualified Montessori pre-school teacher and seems happy enough with what's on offer, and I've definitely noticed that my son is gradually taking more care with the number tasks that interupt the platforming sections in Sonic (which are sort of the digital equivalent of vegetables, grudgingly consumed before you get any ice cream.) Their spokesperson told me, "We have an educational advisory board who review all of our products. The games are developed in the US, so I wondered if their approach to teaching – especially language development – would be suitable for British children. I asked LeapFrog about the veracity of the educational content. My sons like Cars, a very simple racer interspersed with some mid-circuit spelling tests, but their favourite is Sonic the Hedgehog, a neat little platformer that most closely resembles a more grown-up game. We inherited a system from my sister's children when they outgrew it, and their favourite title was Ratatouille, based on the Pixar movie, which has fun recipe challenges – like a sort of junior Cooking Mama. Games are available for around £15-£20, though you'll find them cheaper on Amazon Marketplace and eBay, of course.
Leapster game list full#
This year will see four new releases, a full Toy Story 3 title as well as Disney Tangled, The Penguins of Madagascar: Race for 1st place and Scooby Doo: Maths Times Two. The game cartridges are mostly Disney and cartoon licenses, combining familiar gameplay features with numeracy and literacy challenges. Switch it on and you'll find a simple built-in Dragon Kingdom game, which offers a mini art package and a sort of child-friendly version of a vertically scrolling shooter (without the shooting, of course). And there's a chunky stylus that fits into a hole on the top of the machine when not in use (it's attached via a string too, which means you don't end up losing it every five minutes a la the DS pen.) But the functions are well thought-out, with a '?' button for game hints as well as a 'Home' option to get players back to the start screen. The two-inch, 160x160 display has a reasonably limited colour palette but it's fine for the games on offer, while the touchscreen functionality is basic, and sometimes a little laggy. If you've never seen a Leapster, the handheld system it most closely resembles is an old Sega Game Gear. These are modest additions to the basic green and blue model, but it's the same price, and I thought it was a good excuse to assess the system. The company has just released a Toy Story 3 version of Leapster 2, complete with decals of Woody, Buzz and the aliens on the fascia, as well as access to a Toy Story 3 mini-game. The systems have shifted over seven million units worldwide over the last six years, and there are now around 40 games available, all developed by LeapFrog itself. This chunky handheld games console manufactured by Californian educational toy company, LeapFrog, was first launched in the UK in 2004, followed four years later by Leapster 2, featuring a USB port and computer connectivity. If you're the parent of a four-year-old child, the chances are you already know plenty about Leapster.
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