Leapster Explorer Review
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Educational Toy of the Year 2011
This is a review of the Leapster Explorer Learning Game System which was awarded the Toy Industry Association's prestigious 2011 Educational Toy of the Year Award, an indication that this little handheld packs a lot of exciting features that are not only fun but can also aid in learning.
Together with the handheld unit, 24 learning games have been released so far.
The Leapster Explorer is exciting for several reasons. Features such as the nice & crisp 3.2" color touch screen, e-book capability, a wide range of learning games and downloadable apps based on characters popular with the kids, and last but not least LeapWorld integration all contribute to this system being a major leap forward (pun intended).
Besides that, Leapfrog created a fancy hardware add-on that turns the unit into a camera that can shoot both still photographs and video: the photo / video camera module.
Last updated: 06/19/2011 - more info about new games for 2011
Together with the handheld unit, 24 learning games have been released so far.
The Leapster Explorer is exciting for several reasons. Features such as the nice & crisp 3.2" color touch screen, e-book capability, a wide range of learning games and downloadable apps based on characters popular with the kids, and last but not least LeapWorld integration all contribute to this system being a major leap forward (pun intended).
Besides that, Leapfrog created a fancy hardware add-on that turns the unit into a camera that can shoot both still photographs and video: the photo / video camera module.
Did you know that LeapFrog recently announced a new system that promises to be even better than the Leapster Explorer? Check out the LeapPad Learning Tablet Review!
Last updated: 06/19/2011 - more info about new games for 2011
What can the Leapster Explorer Do?
Kids learn while they play
The Leapster Explorer is marketed as an Educational Learning Game System. Sounds like a mouthful but it does capture what this toy is all about. Every single cartridge that you can get for it targets one or more specific sets of skills, like language, math or science.
The Game part? All skill building is cleverly wrapped in fun games and exercises filled with characters that kids are very familiar with, such as the Toy Story 3 crew, Cars 2, Disney Princess, etc. With the Leapster Explorer, they learn while they play and play while they learn.
The two videos below give you a good cursory overview of the personalized learning experience as well as the skill-building capabilities of the system; many of its games can adapt to the skill level of the child.
The Game part? All skill building is cleverly wrapped in fun games and exercises filled with characters that kids are very familiar with, such as the Toy Story 3 crew, Cars 2, Disney Princess, etc. With the Leapster Explorer, they learn while they play and play while they learn.
The two videos below give you a good cursory overview of the personalized learning experience as well as the skill-building capabilities of the system; many of its games can adapt to the skill level of the child.
curated content from YouTube
Leapster Explorer vs Leapster 2
A Ton of New Features - Worth the Upgrade?
The Leapster 2 is still being sold, but I would not buy it and get the Explorer instead. Here's why.
Compared to its predecessor
, the Leapster Explorer has a processor that is 4x faster, as well as 4x the amount of memory (512 MB).The new finger-touch screen is a high-res 320x240 3.2" screen, which is much sharper and crisper than the older 160x160 3" screen.
Some of the cool features that the older Leapster models don't have include:
E-books - Really nice feature. Pages can be flipped by sliding your finger on the screen. Future integration with the Tag Reading System is a possibility.
Download Leaplet Learning Apps - Many apps are available for download via the LeapFrog Learning Path application
Online Play - Connects to LeapWorld for online play
Interactive Flash cards - Virtual on-screen flash cards are very useful as a learning tool for math, vocabulary etc.
Videos - The new high-res 320x240 3.2" color screen allows for decent playback of movies (that have to be downloaded from LeapFrog - you can't upload your own movies to the device!)
Customizable Virtual Pet that can be uploaded to the LeapWorld online environment.
Art and Animation Studio
Last but not least - and I'll mention this a couple of times more to help you avoid post-purchase disappointment - games for the Leapster 2 are not compatible with the Leapster Explorer. So if you have a bunch of old Leapster 2 games - they won't work on the new unit. Also, Explorer games are not compatible with older models.
Leapster Explorer - Toy of the Year 2011
Educational Toys Category
In February 2011, the Toy Industry Association bestowed the Leapster Explorer with the Educational Toy of the Year award! (source)
That's certainly re-assuring, but ...
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Leapster Explorer Cars 2 Special Red Edition
New for 2011!
of the Leapster Explorer, together with the all new Cars 2 game.If your kids love the Cars movies and are excited about the new Cars 2 movie coming this June, then obviously this is the one to get!
I only wish they had, for this special edition, changed the coloring of the word Explorer to red as well. The lime green just does not look right ...
Here's a demo video of the Cars 2 game:
curated content from YouTube
24 Learning Game Cartridges Available
(2 new releases added 06/19/2011)
So far Leapfrog has released 24 new cartridge-based Leapster Explorer Games that work exclusively with the new educational gaming unit.The Leapster Explorer
is not backwards compatible with the original Leapster or Leapster 2 games!Here is a list of games that have been released so far:
- Disney Pixar Toy Story 3
- Ben 10
- Disney Princesses: Pop-Up Story Adventures
- Dora the Explorer
- Ni Hao, Kai-lan: Super Happy Day!
- The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Plushy Rescue
- eGlobe
- Mr. Pencil
- NFLRush Zone
- SpongeBob SquarePants Fists of Foam
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
- Wolverine and the X-Men
- Tangled
- Disney Pixar Up
- Disney Princess And The Frog
- Pet Pals
- Star Wars Jedi Reading
- Scooby-Doo Pirate Ghost Of The Barbary Coast
New 2011 release!
- Disney Pixar Cars 2
New 2011 release!
- Digging for Dinosaurs
New 2011 release!
- Pet Pals 2 - To be released; summer 2011
- Leap School - To be released; summer 2011
- SpongeBob Cart Racingl - To be released; summer 2011
Check out my Leapster Explorer Games article for a complete and detailed review of all available games.
Downloadable Apps
Leapfrog calls them Leaplets
Here's another item that came out with the Leapster Explorer. This is a set of Leaplet Download Cards
.A Leaplet is a downloadable piece of content that can be transferred to the handheld unit when it is connected to your computer. Currently the following types of content are available:
- E-books
- Leaplet Games
- Videos
- Flash cards (math, language)
A pack of two cards can be had for under $12.
A typical app download costs 1 card, but videos for example cost two. For what you get, $6 per app is too much in my opinion. So far we've only downloaded the free app that came with the unit when we bought it.The video below explains the download capabilities in a little more detail.
curated content from YouTube
LearningPath Integration
Keep track of your child's progress
The Leapster Explorer is fully integrated with the Learning Path progress monitoring application.If you are not familiar with some of the other interactive LeapFrog products like the Leapster 2 or the TAG Reading System
, Learning Path allows you to connect your child's device to a computer via USB and usage data, such as which books were read, which games were played, scores for quizzes, skill level, and overall progress are monitored and reported on.This helps you review and keep track of your child's accomplishments and learning activities, and lets you reward your child with printable cards, progress awards etc. It's really neat.
The video below gives you a short overview of how LearningPath works with the Leapster Explorer.
curated content from YouTube
LeapWorld Integration
Mobile Educational Gaming with the online portal
LeapWorld is a new online virtual world learning environment that is freely accessible by owners of LeapFrog interactive learning toys like the Tag system and Leapster familiy of products.
The online environment has its own games and activities but there is a cross-over between the Leapster Explorer
and Leapworld. For example, a customizable pet that can be created on the Explorer can be uploaded to the online environment in LeapWorld where your child can further play with it.In case you're concerned about online safety, LeapWorld is available only to owners of interactive LeapFrog producs such as the Tag readers and Leapster products, and has a set of basic parental controls such as friend lists, blocking / reporting, timers etc. Thumbs up for that!
Here's two videos that give a short overview of LeapWorld and how the Leapster Explorer integrates.
curated content from YouTube
Leapster Explorer Camera Add-on module
Take pictures and videos!
add-on module clicks onto the bottom of the Leapster Explorer, turning it into a photo / video camera!With it your child can capture video or take pictures which they can then personalize with fun effects. They can also use their pictures as icons / images in games and record and create their own music videos.
Images can be shared in galleries online via the LeapWorld portal.
I love this add-on! Don't expect grown-up digital camera quality images; they're good enough and the video is decent too.
My only peeve with this thing: Our daughter has a pink Leapster Explorer and the camera module is available in green only. Not clever, LeapFrog.
Here's a short preview video:
curated content from YouTube
Leapster Explorer Recharger
Nice-to-have Accessory
comes with a set of rechargeable batteries, AC Adapter and a base unit used to recharge the system.Considering the amount of batteries this unit may consume during its lifetime this may not be a bad investment.
The recharging base can charge the unit in about 4 hours. A fully charged Leapster Explorer allows for 6 to 11 hours of game play - kind of depends on the types of games being played.
The AC adapter allows for plugged-in-use of the game system.
Looking for a Pink Leapster Explorer?
Here's the scoop
Note 06/21/2011: This has changed recently; on Amazon you can find more than plenty of Pink Leapster Explorer systems for a normal price
LeapFrog, for whatever reason, made a deal with Toys R' Us to give them the online retail 'exclusive' for the Pink Leapster Explorer. So if you've been trying to find one online at Walmart, Target or Amazon, that explains why you did not find any. It was probably one of those business decisions, who knows.
Pink Leapster Explorer ($69.95)
Pink Leapster Explorer Carrying Case
Leapster Explorer vs Mobigo & Fisher-Price iXL
The Leapster Explorer is not the only touch-screen handheld learning game system on the market. Its main competitors are the VTech Mobigo and the Fisher-Price iXL 6-in-1.
The Mobigo lacks e-book capability, but does offer some other interesting things, like an integrated slide out QWERTY keyboard and a nice touch screen that has several input modes (tap, slide, etc). It is also $15~20 cheaper than the Explorer and its games can be had for under $12.
The iXL by Fisher-Price is a worthy competitor for the Leapster Explorer since it offers e-books, MP3 capability (yes you can upload your own tunes), a photo player, has an SD Memory Card slot and does not use a cartridge based system; all games are sold on CD-ROM and copied onto the device.
For your comparison, here are the complete reviews of the competition:
The Mobigo lacks e-book capability, but does offer some other interesting things, like an integrated slide out QWERTY keyboard and a nice touch screen that has several input modes (tap, slide, etc). It is also $15~20 cheaper than the Explorer and its games can be had for under $12.
The iXL by Fisher-Price is a worthy competitor for the Leapster Explorer since it offers e-books, MP3 capability (yes you can upload your own tunes), a photo player, has an SD Memory Card slot and does not use a cartridge based system; all games are sold on CD-ROM and copied onto the device.
For your comparison, here are the complete reviews of the competition:
Reviews Elsewhere (updated 05/31/2011)
Amazon 109 reviews 3.5 stars
Walmart 149 reviews 4.7 stars
ToysRUs 134 reviews 4 stars
Leapster Explorer Review / Demo Video
Still not convinced? This 2 minute video gives a good demo of what all you can do with Leapfrog's latest rendition of their best-selling Learning Game System (looks like it was done at a trade show). It highlights the gaming experience, shows how the finger touch screen works and demos the e-book capabilities. Very neat!
Tip: In many stores you can try it out for yourself before you buy it.
Tip: In many stores you can try it out for yourself before you buy it.
curated content from YouTube
Reader Comments
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Adele
Feb 15, 2012 @ 7:35 am | delete
- My little boy has this set up, he was 3 in November and it's awesome. He's got to grips with it really quickly. But I do think it's all about how your child learns. If their smart cookies they'll take to it very quickly.
I was wondering that if I were to borrow a friends cartridge would it work in my sons hand set? Does the info learnt store on the cartridge or the hand set?
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Marge247
Jan 30, 2012 @ 1:48 pm | delete
- Once you have uploaded the game play info and achievements to date on to leapfrog connect, can you then download all of that info on to a new leapster explorer console? My daughter currently has the green console, but we want to get her the pink one (long story), but she doesn't want to lose all of her points, achievements, medals etc... Thank you.
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Mom of 2
Jan 24, 2012 @ 8:55 pm | delete
- Do u happen to know if they will come out to expand the memory in the explorer.
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cffutah
Jan 13, 2012 @ 11:20 am | delete
- didn't know this gift won toy of the year, online shopping for a gift right now for our 6yr old, enjoyed your lens indeed, thank you.
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anna
Jan 11, 2012 @ 3:40 pm | delete
- can we use same games of leapster 2 for leapster explorer?
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TechDad
Jan 12, 2012 @ 4:37 pm | delete
- Nope. See the section about the game cartridges above ...
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joannegarrett
Dec 26, 2011 @ 11:15 am | delete
- how do you download the app by computer
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TechDad
Jan 12, 2012 @ 4:38 pm | delete
- You will need to install the software that came with the system. Takes a little while to set up but once installed it will work with other LeapFrog products too (you'll have to add drivers for each seperately later on).
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Mimi84
Dec 4, 2011 @ 8:21 pm | delete
- How long does it last on regular batterys? Just bought 3 for my boys for Christmas!!
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TechDad
Jan 12, 2012 @ 4:44 pm | delete
- Hard to say all depends on play time, we change batteries every two-three weeks with mild usage. Never really monitored it, but if it was outrageous in terms of battery use I'd remember.
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GayleMcLaughlin Nov 29, 2011 @ 3:31 pm | delete
- Thorough review of the Leapster. Squid Angel blessed
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ShandiGP
Nov 28, 2011 @ 11:33 pm | delete
- You convinced me. I want one for my future kid. Creative use of the sticky note, too (customer review summary). *blessed*
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Susan Barkley
Nov 24, 2011 @ 6:10 pm | delete
- My son (age 4) LOVES his Leapster, he got it for his birthday and has played with it for months, he has learned SO much from this toy, there are so many different learning opportunities!!! This has been the best gift ever!!
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desa999
Nov 18, 2011 @ 10:48 pm | delete
- Outstanding site with some well chosen photos and comments. Well done.
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Me :)
Sep 29, 2011 @ 7:40 am | delete
- My daughter is 2 years old. Will the Explorer be too advanced for her or hard for her to play.? Hmmmm... Or is there any other consoles you recommend for a 2 year old? Thanks :)
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TechDad
Jan 12, 2012 @ 4:42 pm | delete
- I would not recommend it for two year old, it's a little too complicated for that age. My son started messing with his sister's Leapster Explorer when he was about 3.5, and was OK with some of the games (especially the built-in pet).
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Mom of a 5 yr old and a 2 yr old
Feb 20, 2012 @ 7:58 am | delete
- Our 5 year old received the Explorer for Christmas and our 2 year old loves it. They fight over it. We're getting our 2 year old one and we're going to only put videos from the app center on it. She's too little for games, but she can surely watch the videos and it's easy to take to restaurants, in the car, anywhere.
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leonlow
Aug 8, 2011 @ 12:42 pm | delete
- I love leapfrog products. When comes to educational toys for my daughter, I'll check out leapfrog first.
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kidsworld
Aug 7, 2011 @ 9:58 pm | delete
- My kids love this product. They enjoy playing Wolverine which i love because it enhances their spelling and word building capabilities.
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kidsworld
Aug 3, 2011 @ 10:25 pm | delete
- Love this product! An excellent review of everything. Brings it to life!
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Related Links
LeapFrog Leapster Explorer Learning Game System
- Amazon; make sure you compare prices; some sellers are selling it below the MSRP of $69.95
All available Leapster Explorer games - 14 new games were announced, which will only work with the new LeapFrog Leapster Explorer. This article has details about all of them!
- Amazon; make sure you compare prices; some sellers are selling it below the MSRP of $69.95All available Leapster Explorer games - 14 new games were announced, which will only work with the new LeapFrog Leapster Explorer. This article has details about all of them!
by TechDad
TechDad lives in Dallas with his wife and 3 awesome kids. They're little, hence all the toy reviews and kid-related articles.
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