* Leapster 2 vs Leapster Explorer: A Comparison of Leapfrog Leapster Differences

If you are looking to buy a handheld educational games system for your child, a Leapster is a great choice. I speak from the heart as my son's Leapster 2 has been a welcome resident in our home for more than two years, and is still played with almost every day.

Imagine the satisfaction of watching your child happily engaged in a game that you know is not only fun, but educational too.

But before you can buy your kid's new favourite toy, you need to choose between the Leapfrog Leapster Explorer, and its older and cheaper counterpart, the Leapster 2.

Leapster Explorer Offers A Broader Learning Experience

The Explorer really excels is in its enhanced functionality. It has e-reader and video-playing capability. Plus, with the addition of the camera attachment ($24.99), it can be used as a digital camera that can store and edit 1,000 photos. It also has a much broader curriculum than the Leapster 2.

Where the Leapster 2 games focus on developing numeracy and math skills, the Explorer also offers games covering health, social studies, geography and map skills.

Leapster 2 The Value Option

All these extras on the Leapster Explorer come at a price. Beyond the extra $20, there are additional costs to consider. Unlike the Leapster 2, the Leapster Explorer is not backwards compatible. This means that any existing collection of Leapster games you have will be redundant of you upgrade to the Explorer.

Used, and new discounted games are readily available to use with the Leapster 2 as the console has been around for two years, and you can use games from the first Leapster too. This makes it really cheap to add to the games collection, and keep your child interested in it.

Since the Leapster Explorer is a new console, you will most likely need to pay full price for any games you wish to buy.

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Although there is little difference in the screen sizes, the improved screen resolution on the Leapster Explorer does make it easier to play.

Both consoles have rechargers available to buy separately. These really are essential, and will surely save you money when compared to the cost of buying replacement batteries.

Decision Time

Now you have enough information to make your decision.

For a younger child (3-5 years) with little experience of handheld gamers, the Leapster 2 is a great choice. It will provide more than enough entertainment, without confusing them with extra features. Plus, with used cartridges readily available on eBay for just a few dollars, you can rapidly expand the games collection to keep them engaged in their new toy.

For more experienced gamers, or children towards the middle and upper end of the age bracket (5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 years), the Leapster Explorer is packed full of features to keep them busy.

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Experienced Older Gamers

If your child already has a gaming system that you are looking to upgrade, and is towards the upper age range for the Leapster toys, consider buying a Nintendo DS. This will last longer and as all Nintendo DS games work with any Nintendo DS system it is cheap and easy to pick up cartridges online, so although the initial outlay is more than the Explorer, the ongoing costs will be less.