Leapster L-Max Learning Game System - E

A souped-up Leapster with new exciting features!.

Publisher: LeapFrog Category/Genre: Leapster - Educational Platform: Leapster Price: $99.99 Graphics: Very good Playability: Very fun and easy to play Reading Level: Varies Release Date: 08/19/2005 ESRB Rating: E

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this new version of Leapster extends the play options of this excellent educational handheld to include game play using a television screen. Kids can plug the handheld into the television for a big screen experience, and unplug for on-the-go gaming without a break in the game play.

L-Max greatly enhances parental involvement in the Leapster learning process because parents can see what is happening in the program as it is projected on the television screen. At times, the L-Max creates a dual screen where what appears on the handheld is different from what appears on the television screen -- it's cool.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jinny Gudmundsen

In 2003, the Leapster Multimedia Learning System revolutionized video game playing by providing young children with a handheld system that was both fun and educational. Now, a new souped-up version of Leapster called L-Max is hitting the market.

With the Leapster L-Max Learning Game System, kids still get the great mechanics that made the Leapster system work so well, including a touch-sensitive high-resolution screen (160 x 160 pixels); good sound quality; a multi-directional game pad button and other outsized gaming buttons. But what makes this version so special is that it can plug into a television for a bigger screen gaming experience. In addition, when the new L-Max is connected to a television, it will, at times, create a dual-screen experience by displaying different images on the television screen and the handheld screen. Kids also can draw on the handheld screen and then send what they have created to the TV screen so that their work can be incorporated into the video on the television.

The new L-Max will play all the old titles in the Leapster library on the built-in screen as a handheld (not connected to the television). A few of the older Leapster titles will project to the television screen, but to get the full benefit of the new model, parents will want to consider buying software designed specifically for the L-Max.

Users of the old Leapster model will notice a button on the side of the tethered pen which they have to click when interacting with the television screen. The clicking is not necessary when using the L-Max as a handheld (not connected to the television) -- a mere touch will activate the screen.

The L-Max operates on the go, in a manner similar to the new VSmile Pocket handheld. Kids can be playing the L-Max with a cable connected to the television, but decide to disconnect so that they can take it with them. The L-Max gaming will continue in the handheld mode without a break in the action.

For owners of the old Leapster, is the new Leapster L-Max worth buying? Yes, because being able to extend play to a large TV screen allows parents to share in their child's learning experience. The L-Max also makes it much easier for parents to give their kids support and encouragement. Finally, the dual-screen game play in the new L-Max titles, such as Letters on the Loose, adds an exciting twist.

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