1. The LeapPad2 now has a front-facing camera — a big deal for kids wanting to take pictures of themselves. With the previous version, you had to flip the LeapPad around and either have someone else take your picture or hope you had yourself lined up properly.
Last year I wrote about my (then) 4-year-old son’s experiences with LeapFrog’s take on the tablet — the LeapPad. I’m happy to report that now, a year later, that LeapPad is still going strong and in the hands of my 2-year-old. I’ve lost one of the back panels that covers two of the four batteries, but despite numerous drops, spills, and bumps (against sides of tables, cars, and heads), that little tablet has held up nicely. I still have to occasionally put on my referee hat when the two boys both want to play with the LeapPad (and this is typically only when one of them picks up the tablet in front of the other), but the squabbles really slowed down once my 5-year-old gained proficiency with the more advanced Nabi tablet. Still, he’s got quite a few favorite games on the LeapPad, including a Scooby Doo game that teaches spelling at a speed and level that he enjoys and matches the words that he’s learning in school.
The LeapFrog Connect service is also still available; you can connect the LeapPad2 to your computer and upload data from the various apps that track your child’s progress with spelling, math, reading, and more. It’s not that useful for me right now with my 2 year old, but I imagine it won’t be much longer before I can actually start making sense of some of the results. Until then, I’m just pleased when my youngest hops up on the couch with me to watch him flip ebook pages and do sketches and take photos. He’s also just discovered Pet Pals 2, and he’s got a little digital puppy dog that he’s feeding, walking, training, and more. It won’t be too much longer before he’s starting to write letters, read along with some ebooks, and figure out some of the more complex games.
4. A faster processor is now available, and that’s one of the more noticeable improvements. With the original LeapPad, there was some latency at times. It was most noticeable in the ebook apps where pages would turn or in games where new screens would need to be loaded. That’s definitely been fixed in the new version, and I was quite impressed with how fast apps would open and close.
My son has some great games that we acquired while he was enjoying the LeapPad (1), and both of us are happy that he can continue to play those games on the LeapsterGS. That said, he did get two new cartridges to test, The Magic School Bus: Oceans and the Disney Phineas and Ferb games.
Do Leapster games work with Leapster 2?
2 of 2 found this helpful. Do you? Yes, all Leapster Explorer game cartridges work with the LeadPad technology.
What age is Leapster GS for?
| Product Dimensions | 5.9 x 14 x 1 inches |
|---|---|
| Release date | June 1, 2010 |
| Mfg Recommended age | 4 – 8 years |
| Department | Female |
| Manufacturer | LeapFrog |
Does the LeapPad ultimate use cartridges?
The LeapPad Ultimate does come with a cartridge slot, and most cartridge games should work with it, as there is a lot of cross compatibility with the various tablets, with the LeapFrog Epic being the main one that has problems, as it lacks a cartridge slot.
Yes, the LeapPad Ultra is compatible with LeapPad1, LeapPad2, and LeapPad3 cartridge games and apps. The LeapPad Ultra plays cartridge games labeled LeapPad, Explorer, and Leapster Explorer.
FAQ
Are LeapPad cartridges compatibility?
Is leapster discontinued?
Do Leapster games work on Leapster 2?
Which leapster play both Leapster Explorer games?
