Zach’s Toybox

With this smart handheld system, children learn valuable school skills through a variety of animated games and activities. Kids use the interactive touch screen and stylus throughout 30 educational games featuring characters they love. The Leapster2 System also offers several options for creative play. Little learners can easily connect online for extra activities and rewards. And best of all, parents can use the Leapster2 to connect to the LeapFrog Learning Path, an online, interactive tool in which parents can get updates and see firsthand what their children are learning. Leapster2 System comes with built-in starter games; additional software sold separately. Requires 4 "AA" batteries, not included. Measures 13"W x 10.5"H.

Put innovative creativity and fun at your kids' fingertips -- and watch them learn in the process -- with the The LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System. This battery-operated handheld game system goes where your children go, and brings plenty of learning fun along. It comes with two pre-installed educational games, and many more are available: purchase an optional SD card separately for access to additional online games and to take advantage of other online features; or you can purchase game cartridges to add to your Leapster 2 repository. The included games have skill levels suitable for children ages 4 to 8. .caption { font-family: Verdana, Helvetica neue, Arial, serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; } ul.indent { list-style: inside disc; text-indent: -15px; } table.callout { font-family: verdana; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1. 3em; } td.think { height: 125px; background: #9DC4D8 url(http://images.amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/callout-bg.png) repeat-x; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; border-bottom: 1px dotted #000000; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; } td.glance { height: 100%; background: #9DC4D8; border-left: 1px solid #999999; border-right: 1px solid #999999; padding-top: 10px; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px; padding-bottom: 10px; width: 250px; } Children will love playing the educational games. View larger. Insert different game cartridges (sold separately) for endless fun. View larger. What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Battery-powered console goes where your child goes, offers versatile, educational fun. The Bad: An SD card, which must be purchased separately, is required to take advantage of some Leapster 2 features. In a Nutshell: Handheld game console offers fun, educational games that accommodate your child's learning curve. At a Glance Ages: 4 to 8 Requires: Four AA batteries The console has a comfortable, curved shape, although it may be a tad large and heavy for smaller hands. It features a full-color touch screen and sound that's a far cry better than the beeps of old-school handheld consoles. (Parents will appreciate the volume control and a jack for headphones!) Control and manipulate the console with the included stylus and with the videogame-style D pad and other buttons. We found the initial set-up to be relatively easy: install the four required AA batteries, and navigate through the self-explanatory screens to create user profiles for up to 3 children (which come in handy for accessing online features). After this quick set-up, a menu screen will appear, where you can choose to play the pre-loaded games, go online, or insert a game cartridge. Fun and Learning Leapster 2 games are designed to grow with your child ages 4 through 8. The console is pre-loaded with two games: The "Dragons to the Rescue! Learning Game," is a "video game" type activity with four different levels, the first helping kids identify letters and numbers, the most advanced giving them spelling and multiplication practice, all while navigating a dragon past monstrous storm clouds and scrambling to collect magic crystals. The "Creativity Castle Art Studio" is a rather low-tech art program. Players can select a background scene to "color" using the stylus and "decorate" with fun animated stamps. While it does foster creativity, this program is somewhat clumsy -- your Paint program on your PC does a much better job. But "Dragons" was fun enough to keep even an adult tester enjoyably diverted. Unfortunately, an SD card is required for taking advantage of some of what the Leapster 2 has to offer -- which is a drawback, because it must be purchased separately. For example, without the SD card (which offers more memory) you cannot save artwork. In the meantime, without the SD card, you can still purchase game cartridges, as well as download new games, or take advantage of the online "Learning Path". (This online program allows you to register and upload your children's Leapster 2 profiles to show you their learning activities and their progress.)  And you still can plug your console -- with the included USB cable -- into your PC for your children to view and print "rewards" for completing different game levels (for Dragons to the Rescue, they're certificates of achievement) or to print pictures to color with actual crayons (to encourage some "old-fashioned" creativity!) You must first install the Leapster 2 software on your computer, which comes on the included CD-ROM. What's in the Box Leapster 2 Game System, USB cable, CD-ROM PC Requirements All Leapster games work with all Leapster systems. PC Requirements Windows XP or Windows Vista operating systemPentium III 500 MHz processorMonitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768Available USB port256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)300 MB free disk spaceInternet connectionMicrosoft Internet Explorer version 6 or higherCD readerMac Requirements Mac OS X 10.4+PPC G4 or any Intel-based Apple computerMonitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768Available USB port256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)300 MB free disk spaceInternet connectionSafari applicationCD reader

Protect any Leapster2 or original Leapster learning game system! Carrying case also holds up to 4 game cartridges. Leapster handheld and game cartridges sold separately.

Learn essential reading and mathematical skills while flying through these four action-packed races. Choose to race as your favorite character: McQueen, Mater, Flo or Ramone. Collect tokens along the way and use them to help light up the neon lights in Radiator Springs. Two skill levels help children learn at just the right pace. In-depth tutorials guide them as they understand new concepts. Teaches phonics, uppercase and lowercase letters, patterns and matching. For use with Leapster Learning System (sold separately).

Embark on a wild karate adventure SpongeBob style! Master Udon is up to no good and has squirrel-napped Sandy. Foil this madcap plan by joining forces with martial arts masters SpongeBob and Patrick. Focus all your force to kick, chop and think your way through the hidden dangers all the way to the Ninja Castle. Once Sandy's saved, wipe your brow and take a bow. And, you can customize your game online with the math skills you're studying in school. For use with the Didj Custom Gaming System, sold separately.

Battle robotic clones to save the planet! Invader Zim has a sinister plot to overtake Earth. In this action-packed side-scroller, you'll do battle as SpongeBob, Danny Phantom or El Tigre. Harness their special powers and your math skills to defeat the forces of evil. And, you can customize the game online with the math skills you're studying in school. For use with the Didj Custom Gaming System, sold separately.

This will help you to learn important reading and math skills as you feed, groom and care for your puppy, take it for walks, play catch, and more. Then show what you know in the big dog show and win "money" by showing off your smarts. Kids will learn phonics skills, counting, letter writing and responsibility. For use with the Leapster Learning System or Leapster TV Learning System, this is sold separately.

Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker have just learned that a powerful new droid weapon is being built that would give the Separatists the winning advantage. Join these Jedi knights as they race against time to stop what would almost certainly be a fatal blow to the Republic and the Jedi Order. Best of all, you can customize the game online with subjects you're studying in school. For use with the Didj Custom Gaming System, sold separately.

Embark on dangerous rescue missions as Anakin, R2-D2, C-3PO and other Jedi knights to free members of the Republic imprisoned on federation cruisers and increase your Jedi ranking. Fly to enemy ships, engage in starflight battles and duel with light sabers while learning basic mathematics and telling time skills. The order of the galaxy depends on your success.Leapster2 players can even connect online for extra activities and rewards. And best of all, parents can use the Leapster2 System to connect to the LeapFrog Learning Path, an online, interactive tool in which parents can get updates and see firsthand what their children are learning. For use with any Leapster Learning System (sold separately)..

Welcome to Carnival Marvel. Step right up to play six fun-filled learning games that teach 45 essential kindergarten reading and math skills. Play each learning game to earn tickets to buy monster parts. Then, build an entire monster and teach it a silly dance so it can take the stage. Requires Leapster Multimedia Learning System (sold separately).