28 Jun LeapsterGS
Having two small children of my own, I am very familiar with the Leapfrog brand so when I had the opportunity to review the new LeapsterGS I was very excited.
The LeapsterGS lives up to the Leapfrog name and definitely did not disappoint.
The first thing I noticed about the LeapsterGS is how sleek the design is. The LeapsterGS is ergonomically designed to fit into hands of different sizes and is available in two colours; pink and green.
The LeapsterGS is a handheld gaming system with some fantastic features. One of my favourite features is the new built-in motion sensor. Players can turn, tilt and shake the LeapsterGS, allowing for multi-sensory learning.
The LeapsterGS also has a built in camera which was a definite hit with my five year old daughter! She loved taking pictures with the LeapsterGS and found it very easy to do.
The LeapsterGS also comes with three apps; the Pet Pad, Escape to Sillies and the third app can be chosen by the child from one of three games from the App Centre. I thought having three apps included with the LeapsterGS was brilliant as children can get started playing straight away. I thought all the games were visually brilliant and very enjoyable for children. All the games make learning fun which is ideal.
To add more games to the LeapsterGS you can connect to the App Centre which is full of educational and engaging games that are age appropriate. Both PCs and Macs can be used to purchase games and any game purchased can also be used on the Leapster Explorer and the LeapPad. Content can be purchased in digital form as well as cartridges. The LeapsterGS has a place to insert the cartridges so you have the option of both.
The LeapsterGS also has a video recorder, microphone and 2GB of storage. The LeapsterGS takes 4 AA batteries and Leapfrog state there is a 10-11 hour battery life.
I was extremely impressed with the resolution of the LeapsterGS. The games were very clear and very colourful which is perfect for its target audience.
I also thought the parent tracker was an excellent feature. This is an online tool that enables parents to view their child’s learning development. Both children’s progress and achievements can be tracked by their parents.
The LeapsterGS is a fantastic update to the Leapster Explorer and definitely makes learning fun. Having seen my 5 year old use the gaming device, it without a doubt engages, entertains and enhances learning.
