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Big Screen Solitaire - White Review
Put away that old deck of cards -- the Big Screen is back. Now classic electronic card games are better than ever with a larger screen, easy-to-move cards, an undo button and an auto-backlight. Play Klondike or Vegas Solitaire and, for an extra challenge, turn on the electronic timer to race against the clock. Will Big Screen Solitaire bring you piles of stress or stacks of success? There's only one way to find out.
LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System - Green Review
 Children will love playing the educational games. View larger. |
 Insert different game cartridges (sold separately) for endless fun. View larger. |
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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 system
Pentium III 500 MHz processor
Monitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768
Available USB port
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
300 MB free disk space
Internet connection
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or higher
CD reader
Mac Requirements
Mac OS X 10.4+
PPC G4 or any Intel-based Apple computer
Monitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768
Available USB port
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
300 MB free disk space
Internet connection
Safari application
CD reader
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.
Leapfrog Explorer Recharger Review
Explorer Recharger
Power up your Leapster Explorer Handheld to learn anywhere. This Recharger enables full recharging in 4 hours for on-the-go play and learning. It includes an AC adapter to plug in and play anytime. The handheld will operate for approximately 6 to 11 hours when fully charged.
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Requires 2 'AAA' Batteries (included).
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This screen for this game measures approximately 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" and the game itself measures approximately 3 3/4" x 2 1/2". CR2032 lithium battery is included.
LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game Up Review
LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game: Up
Join Carl and Russell on a high-flying adventure based on the Disney·Pixar movie Up! When Carl’s house takes to the skies, it’s up to you to guide Russell and Carl on their soaring journey. Along the way, use your math and reasoning skills to fill your Adventure Book with treasures and travel souvenirs. Features expanded play for the Leapster2 system, so Leapster2 players can connect online for extra games, activities and rewards, and parents can connect online to the LeapFrog® Learning Path to see what their child is playing and learning. All Leapster games work with all Leapster systems.
Teaches:
-Early number sense
-Addition and subtraction
-More than / less than
-Sorting and classifying
-Spatial relationships
-Shapes
-Animals
Appropriate for ages 5 to 8 years (grades K to 2).
