Vsmile versus leapster

[Vanquisher]

I am thinking of getting my daughter a learning gaming system for Christmas. She turns 3 in March. I don't want to get both, and I can't afford to get both (Vtech and Leapfrog), so what should I get?

There is the V Smile, V smile pocket, Leapster, Leapster L-Max, V Flash, and Leapster TV.

Ack! What do I get? I want it to last, and I want it to be the best one for her now, as well as in the years to come. What is my best bet?

I'm only familiar with the V-Smile and the Leapster. I'd lean towards V-Smile b/c it's easier for a 3 year old to manipulate than the Leapster.

[PrincessFiona]

We had the leapster and were going to just get a new one when his broke...I decided to check out the vsmile though (since it was in the same aisle). I would have just bought another leapster (despite the fact that they now come with pre-installed commericials ) but dh bought him a vtech vsmile for the little tv in our kitchen....and...a handheld.

The vtech/vsmiles are awesome. The games have similar names to their leapster counterparts but are much more gamelike and much less education like....and yet they have the same educational content.


They involve climbing ladders, going to different worlds, opening up diff doors, climbing, leaping, jumping over monsters, etc....all in the name of learning numbers, letters, reading, shapes etc.

Even my 7 1/2 year old has a renewed interest and has laid down his gameboy

We just ordered $300 of educational games from germany for our vsmile so that it will reinforce the german learning in the home.

Now that I've switched, I could never go back to leapster.

Kris

[Vanquisher]

Kris,

Thank you! That is so helpful. You have made up my mind!

[mommax3]

This is late, but I would also have to recommend the vsmile over the leapster. We have had both, and the vsmile is WAY better, for the reasons Kris stated so eloquently! If you get the vsmile console, make sure to get the power cord (sold separately) because the batteries don't last very long.

Sally