Leapster v Nintendo DS

dancingirl · Jul 7th, 2008, 11:09 PM

Purchased Nintendo DS for the girls (3 and 5 years old) but having second thought as very hard to get educational games for younger kids.

She needs to learn math and reading/writing.

Nintendo DS
Pro:
- Lots of very entertaining games
- Probably keep her interested for much longer
- Potential of availability of educational games

Cons:
- Not much educational games available atm

Leapster
Pro:
- Very educational
- Simple to use

Cons:
- Games so damn hard to find need to import from US/eBay since even Myer/Toy R Us very often run out of stock (I live in Australia)
- She probably get bored by the time she turns 7

I also want to buy the Tag system but not sure if it is any good/really help with reading.

Please let me know your opinions.
Thanks.

Mrs. MC · Jul 7th, 2008, 11:19 PM

My son has Vtech, he is 3 and taught himself how to play all of the games. I think it is great ! I am not familiar with the other systems.

ChristyR143 · Jul 7th, 2008, 11:42 PM

I think leapster definitely for the 3 yr old. I got both of my boys (ages 6 and 3) a DS for Christmas and the 3 yr old doesn't get it yet. We ended up getting a leapster for him and he loves it. (Truth be told, the 6 yr old does too).

qtiekiki · Jul 8th, 2008, 01:26 AM

I think you are comparing very different things here. Nintendo DS is not really meant to be educational IMO; it's just a handheld gaming system for entertainment. Leapster and Vtech are made for educational purposes. So if you want something for education/learning, then you get the Leapster or Vtech. If you want something fun to play with that will last into teenage years, then get the DS. Although by the time your kids are teenager, the DS might be phrasing out.

MonkeyGirl · Jul 8th, 2008, 01:35 AM

if u keep the ds's then you can always put gameboy advance games in them. the advance might have had more educational games made for it.

caliprincess · Jul 8th, 2008, 02:53 AM

I have both. I bought the Leapster for my 4 year old and all she does is try to scribble on it. My 7 year old plays on the DS everyday (now that school's out), it's not as educational as the Leapster but he likes the DS more. I also bought a DS for myself so I can play all those Brain games.

Don't buy Mario Cart for the DS because it's all I play now. It's so addicting! Even my 4 year old can play it. She can't drive as well as me but I was shocked she can navigate those courses with ease!

galligator · Jul 8th, 2008, 03:31 PM

Start with a Leapster style game. My 2nd girl practically taught herself to read all alone when she was 4 with a phonics set we found for our reading device (which I thing was a leapfrog). My 4-year old son is not quite ready for the more console-style games, but he can still use the reader/pen device.

ChristyR143 · Jul 8th, 2008, 03:51 PM

Phonics is A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

Demosthenes · Jul 10th, 2008, 02:00 PM

I have the DS for myself, and I use it almost exclusively for educational purposes. I <3 it, and will definitely be getting it for my baby when he's old enough (by then there will probably be another console). There may not be many educational games for children at the moment, but I'm sure the market will expand.

I'm a huge fan of Spanish Coach, Word Coach, Brain Age 1/2, trivia and puzzle games, etc. I think if you stay away from the Hannah Montana/Spongebob type games, your child can learn a lot from the DS line.

eviemarie · Jul 10th, 2008, 04:20 PM

DS isn't really for education my daughter wants one for her birthday!
My daughter is 6 an has a barbie laptop it is brilliant for education loads of spelling, mathes and grammer.

She also want a nintendo wii but so do i!

Taz · Jul 11th, 2008, 12:34 PM

Ds consoles can be great for either gameplay or learning.

They do some great memory and maths games...

I believe they do some great literacy games too....

Imaprincess07 · Jul 11th, 2008, 05:55 PM

My son is 3 and has the Leapster and loves it and he also plays his sisters v-tech that i got her when she was 3. I think those two are best for educational games. My daughter also has a DS and Game Boy and thier is alot more games to choose from. I voted for the leapster for educational purposes.

View Poll Results: Which console to buy ?
Nintendo DS	7	63.64%
Leapster	4	36.36%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

Jul 7th, 2008, 11:09 PM	#1
dancingirl Member Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 323	Leapster v Nintendo DS Purchased Nintendo DS for the girls (3 and 5 years old) but having second thought as very hard to get educational games for younger kids. She needs to learn math and reading/writing. Nintendo DS Pro: - Lots of very entertaining games - Probably keep her interested for much longer - Potential of availability of educational games Cons: - Not much educational games available atm Leapster Pro: - Very educational - Simple to use Cons: - Games so damn hard to find need to import from US/eBay since even Myer/Toy R Us very often run out of stock (I live in Australia) - She probably get bored by the time she turns 7 I also want to buy the Tag system but not sure if it is any good/really help with reading. Please let me know your opinions. Thanks.

Jul 7th, 2008, 11:19 PM	#2
Mrs. MC Member Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,793	My son has Vtech, he is 3 and taught himself how to play all of the games. I think it is great ! I am not familiar with the other systems. __________________

Jul 7th, 2008, 11:42 PM	#3
ChristyR143 But it was on sale!! Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,853	I think leapster definitely for the 3 yr old. I got both of my boys (ages 6 and 3) a DS for Christmas and the 3 yr old doesn't get it yet. We ended up getting a leapster for him and he loves it. (Truth be told, the 6 yr old does too). __________________

Jul 8th, 2008, 01:26 AM	#4
qtiekiki Member Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 873	I think you are comparing very different things here. Nintendo DS is not really meant to be educational IMO; it's just a handheld gaming system for entertainment. Leapster and Vtech are made for educational purposes. So if you want something for education/learning, then you get the Leapster or Vtech. If you want something fun to play with that will last into teenage years, then get the DS. Although by the time your kids are teenager, the DS might be phrasing out. __________________ Have: Tokidoki: Inferno Gioco, Adios Star Canguro, Paradiso BV, Foresta Zucca, Spiaggia Cucciolo, Citta Trenino, Original Print Angioletto, Tan Playground Caramella, Olive Camo PG Angioletto (Thanks vmasterz), Tutti Avventura, Original Print Ciao Fendi: Cognac Leather Spy LV: Monogram Klara Want: Fendi: Medallion and/or Black leather Baby Spy Chanel: Classic Flap and/or Cambon Tote

Jul 8th, 2008, 01:35 AM	#5
MonkeyGirl ♥ Dwight ♥ Joined: Dec 2007 Location: L.V. Lalaland ;) Posts: 1,556	if u keep the ds's then you can always put gameboy advance games in them. the advance might have had more educational games made for it. __________________ My Hopefuls LV Damier Ebene Speedy 30 (Christmas time!!) [] Marc Jacobs Daisy Perfume [] Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Starfish Pendant [] Chanel Le Vernis Blue Satin Nail Polish [] Louis Vuitton Monogram Key and Change Holder [] Rebecca Minkoff Cloud Grey Nikki Bag []

Jul 8th, 2008, 02:53 AM	#6
caliprincess Member Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 773	I have both. I bought the Leapster for my 4 year old and all she does is try to scribble on it. My 7 year old plays on the DS everyday (now that school's out), it's not as educational as the Leapster but he likes the DS more. I also bought a DS for myself so I can play all those Brain games. Don't buy Mario Cart for the DS because it's all I play now. It's so addicting! Even my 4 year old can play it. She can't drive as well as me but I was shocked she can navigate those courses with ease! __________________ It's not just a bag, it's Prada.

Jul 8th, 2008, 03:31 PM	#7
galligator Mostly Harmless Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 784	Start with a Leapster style game. My 2nd girl practically taught herself to read all alone when she was 4 with a phonics set we found for our reading device (which I thing was a leapfrog). My 4-year old son is not quite ready for the more console-style games, but he can still use the reader/pen device.

Jul 8th, 2008, 03:51 PM	#8
ChristyR143 But it was on sale!! Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,853	Phonics is A-W-E-S-O-M-E. __________________

Jul 10th, 2008, 02:00 PM	#9
Demosthenes Member Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,068	I have the DS for myself, and I use it almost exclusively for educational purposes. I <3 it, and will definitely be getting it for my baby when he's old enough (by then there will probably be another console). There may not be many educational games for children at the moment, but I'm sure the market will expand. I'm a huge fan of Spanish Coach, Word Coach, Brain Age 1/2, trivia and puzzle games, etc. I think if you stay away from the Hannah Montana/Spongebob type games, your child can learn a lot from the DS line. __________________

Jul 10th, 2008, 04:20 PM	#10
eviemarie www.designerclothing Joined: May 2007 Location: Stratford Upon Avon Posts: 1,342	DS isn't really for education my daughter wants one for her birthday! My daughter is 6 an has a barbie laptop it is brilliant for education loads of spelling, mathes and grammer. She also want a nintendo wii but so do i!

Jul 11th, 2008, 12:34 PM	#11
Taz Member Joined: Oct 2007 Location: U.K Posts: 2,106	Ds consoles can be great for either gameplay or learning. They do some great memory and maths games... I believe they do some great literacy games too....

Jul 11th, 2008, 05:55 PM	#12
Imaprincess07 Member Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Baby land!! Posts: 1,011	My son is 3 and has the Leapster and loves it and he also plays his sisters v-tech that i got her when she was 3. I think those two are best for educational games. My daughter also has a DS and Game Boy and thier is alot more games to choose from. I voted for the leapster for educational purposes. __________________