With a shape that can slide into a large pocket, the new LeapPad Explorer is based on the discontinued didj (2008) operating system. Features include a 5 inch color screen, accelerometer (for tilt input), monotouch screen with tethered stylus, d-pad controls and a single, front-facing camera. There’s also a USB plug to connect to your computer (needed to download apps), a rather low res but fully functional camera, 2 GB of memory and no SD card expansion. For sound, there’s a microphone (in) and headphone jack and speakers (out). It is powered by 4 AA batteries. Software is managed the old fashioned way — by plugging in a $20 cartridge (sold at retail) or downloaded at less cost by tethering the device to a Windows or Macintosh computer. By year’s end (holiday 2011) the software library will include about 80 “apps” that will include 14 onboard LeapPad activities, 20 cartridges and 50 learning games that can be downloaded by way of the USB port, when plugged into a host computer. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Mixing a side-scrolling collecting adventure with multiple-choice workbook problems is nothing new, and this title is no exception. Children guide a Penguin through simple levels, earning badges as they kick rats, collect popcorn and complete activities. This title covers basic math content — such as comparing quantities, solving tangram shape puzzles and completing addition or subtraction problems. Created by InLight Entertainment for Leapfrog. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
This new format Leapster cartridge (for Leapster Explorer only) targets girls with seven princess-themed games. As you flip through pages of the book, reading-related challenges come up. For example, you are asked to touch items that help clear the path, to get into a castle. Created by Other Dream for Leapfrog. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Of the three new format Leapster cartridges this one, targeting older children, seemed the most fun and was the best designed, perhaps due to some of it’s side-scrolling game play which looked passable on the small, crisp Leapster Explorer screen. In the story segment of the game, you try to defeat Dr. Animo to free Ben’s friends, working through five levels, each with a science/geography related activity. Designed by Virtuos for Leapfrog. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating.
Completely re-designed around a Flash-based format (the same as the didj), this year’s Leapster Explorer ($70, for ages 4-9) won’t run older Leapster cartridges. But it will run older didj software, making this a new beginning for the trusted Leapster line. The didj has been discontinued. The games we tested featured characters from Toy Story 3, Dora, Star Wars, SpongeBob and the NFL. A USB link lets you download additional “Leaplets” (or apps), including ebooks from Leapfrog’s TAG library. Requires 4 AA batteries. Subscribers, please log into our database using your password to read the full review along with our rating, and see why this received our Editor’s Choice Award.