Leapster 2 vs Leapster Explorer?

We got the Leapster Explorer for our 3 1/2 yr old son. A friend of mine with a son around the same age recommended it. Our son LOVES it. He only plays the Pet game that is on it and the Toy Story 3 game he got for Christmas. He does really good with it. I haven't tried the other, so I can't say which is better. I know the one we have connects to the computer and has other attachments and stuff for it that you can buy. It also has games on the computer and a way for the parents to track how their child is doing.

My 3 and 4 year olds love their Leapster Explorers. I had the same question when I bought them and and also considered the iXL and Vtech handheld. The screen is much clearer on the Explorer, and I love being able to download leaplets, which I'm not sure the Leapster 2 can do. Good luck with your decision, and remember, whatever you choose, he'll love it!

We got my son (4 1/2yr old) the Explorer and I love it! The screen size is bigger than the LP 2, can connect to the computer so you can check progress/add leapet codes and yes, will grow with him longer too. I've had no issues with his Explorer at all and we even bought the charging station for it so it won't eat AA batteries all the time like the old L Max he used to play with that was his sisters!

For games we have- Toy story 3, UP, Xmen (one of his favs) and Mr. Pencil (a fav too). Pre installed was Pet Pad where he takes care of a pet that he likes too. And I've downloaded Jewel Train, one of the short books and Monster Bash using the leapet codes.

You can also preview the games and books before you get them with the leapets too so you aren't wasting them! As he does well on the games, he earns badges and those can get turned in for things to add to the games from the website when it's connected to the computer.

S.

My son received his Leapster 2 for Christmas 2 years ago. He is also 4, and plays with it constantly. The games do get progressively harder, and I can't imagine him being done with it any time soon. They hold his attention, help him to learn, and can withstand just about anything! Good luck!

We have both systems and my boys like playing with both of them. The Leapster 2 currently has a lot more games compared to the Explorer. The Leapster 2 plays all the games from the previous Leapster and LMAX sytems whereas the Explorer is new and only has perhaps 15 titles total. My boys had the Leapster & the LMAX for years before we bought them the new Leapster 2s when their old ones died.
The Explorer has more online abilites if you like things like that. You can buy apps for the Explorer.
I would take a look at the titles available to see which one has more character titles of interest maybe to help you decide.
We really love both. I know..not helpful LOL

I wondered too, and emailed LeapFrog before Christmas and this is what they told me. The Leapster2 was only created to give the original Leapster owners an upgrade that plays the same games. It and it's games are being phased out. The Explorer is the newest generation and they are only making new games for it (Explorer games do not work on Leapster Leapser2 and vice versa). My daughter got the Explorer for Christmas (she is almost 4) and LOVES it. We also bought her the camera attachment, which was a huge hit.

Get the leapster explorer
It's the new version of the leapster 2
We went through 2 leapster 2s both the system stopped playing the games , just kept restarting
The leapster explorer has not only games but also ebooks and online apps, and the games are more customizable, ie some of the spellign games you can import your childs spelling list from school into the game. they also adapt and you can choose what you want your child to work on.