Ot: Leapster Tv or V Smile?!?!?!

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Discussion Overview

The thread centers around participants sharing their experiences and opinions regarding the Leapster TV and VSmile gaming systems for young children. Participants discuss their personal experiences with both products, including performance, durability, and educational value.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the VSmile's durability, citing negative reviews about it quitting after a few months and lack of tech support.
  • Another participant shares a positive experience with the VSmile, noting its simplicity and that their daughter still enjoys it at age six.
  • One participant mentions their VSmile quit working after a few months, expressing disappointment and suggesting that Leapfrog products are generally better.
  • A different participant reports that their VSmile also stopped working after a short period, describing it as a waste of money.
  • Another participant inquires about the VSmile Pocket as an option for younger children, wanting to include them in gaming experiences.
  • One participant notes that the original VSmiles seemed to work well, suggesting a change in manufacturing quality over time.
  • Another participant shares a positive experience with the Pocket Leapster, emphasizing its educational value and suitability for their child.
  • One participant mentions that their child got bored with the VSmile, indicating a lack of engagement with the games.
  • Another participant expresses satisfaction with both the VSmile and VSmile Pocket, highlighting their durability and educational benefits.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ regarding the reliability and educational value of the VSmile and Leapster TV. Some participants report negative experiences with the VSmile, while others express satisfaction with both products.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences with the products, focusing on their children's engagement and the educational aspects of the games.

Who May Find This Useful

Parents and caregivers considering educational gaming options for young children may find the shared experiences relevant.

chefjenibel
chefjenibel
Messages
295
Okay, ladies (and gentlemen). I am desperately trying to decide between the Leapster TV and the VSmile for my son for Christmas. He is an "advanced" 3 (knows all his letters, numbers, colors, shapes, etc) So even though the Leapster TV says 4 &up I'm not worried about that aspect.
Who has had experience (good or bad) with either product? I have read a number of horrible reviews about how the VSmile quit working after a few months and no tech support from v tech.
I've also read that the Leapster TV's joystick is too "loose" and it isn't easy to stop the cursor on games. And that picture and sound quality are poor (not sure I'm too worried about this, either, I wouldn't expect it to look like PlayStation or XBox!) :p
I would like any opinions any of you have on these game systems. I will have to weigh the pros and cons and make a decision by the end of the week.
Thanks in advance!!!!!!
 
Love the V-Smile. Bought it when it FIRST came out. Only complaint back then was that the Leap Frog one had way more cartridges, but now that's really not an issue.

I think overall that Leap Frog has better graphics, but I personally love the simplicity of the V-Smile. My daughter is now six, and still loves to play it.

HTH!
 
I am glad I am not the only one with that problem I bought the v-smile for my boys for christmas and it quit in a few months too. I don't have that leapster tv, but I am always buying leapfrog stuff for my kids and family members, I think they do wonders. We have so many magnetic leapfrog stuff on our fridge right now you can't see white, lol. I don't usually buy toys for my kids and if I do it's something they are going to learn something from, if they get just for fun toys it is usually from someone else.
 
I bought the VSmile for Kaylee for Christmas last year. It lasted untill about April and that might be extending it a bit. She didn't rough house it, it stayed in the livinging room so I could supervise her while playing but it just quit working one day. She was very advanced for a 3 yr old also, and I found she was easilly bored w/the topics of the games for younger kids but didn't quite have the hand-eye coordination to play the 4-7 yr old games. All around it was a huge waste of money in my opinion. I have found PC games to be the best way to go hands down.
 
What about the v smile pocket ones. My older two are getting game boys, and I wanted to younger two to not be left out so I thought this might be an option for them.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Thanks for your input! This sounds exactly like what I've read on the online reviews. Seems like the "original" V Smiles worked fine. They must have changed something in the manufacturing, and it seems since last Christmas, they just haven't been holding up. You ladies have confirmed my suspicions. :(
Leapster TV, here we come! :D
 
I have both the v-smile and the v-smile pocket. I like them both. We got it when it first came out (the original) and it works fine. We've never had any technical issues from either of them. I personally think they're very fun.
 
I bought my then 6 yr. old son the Pocket Leapster last Christmas and he loves it! (I'm extremely anti-game-boy etc.) This way he can have a game like his cousins but I feel good knowing that he's actually learning something! The game cartridges and skill taught are absolutely wonderful! (Coming from a primary teacher!) I don't think you'll regret purchasing Leapfrog!
 
I bought Caleb the Vsmile and he got bored with it. :(
 
Love the Vsmile and Vsmile pocketWe bought Caleb the Vsmile last Christmas, it has certainly held up. He was 3 when he got it, but it hasn't been until the last 4 months that he's really gotten into the games. Sooo, for his 4th bday last month, we got him the vsmile pocket since we'll be taking that long flight to Germany in a few months. He loves it just as much. I like the Leapfrog products too, but I liked the fact that the games that are played on the Vsmile, can also be played on the Vsmile pocket..no need to buy a bunch of new games. I love that he's learning as he's playing. Caleb can be hard on his Vsmile, but it has yet to break or shut down. I hope this helps. :)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Leapster TV and V Smile?

Leapster TV is designed for interactive learning with a focus on educational games and activities, while V Smile is more of a traditional gaming console aimed at younger children, offering a variety of fun games that may not be as educationally focused.

Which system has a better selection of educational games?

Leapster TV generally has a better selection of educational games, as it is specifically designed to promote learning through play, featuring titles that cover subjects like math, reading, and science.

Is Leapster TV suitable for younger children?

Yes, Leapster TV is suitable for younger children, typically ages 4 to 8, as it offers age-appropriate content and interactive gameplay that can help with early learning skills.

Can V Smile games be played on Leapster TV?

No, V Smile games are not compatible with Leapster TV. Each system has its own library of games, and they are designed to work exclusively with their respective consoles.

Which system is more user-friendly for kids?

Both systems are designed with young children in mind, but many parents find Leapster TV to be more user-friendly due to its intuitive interface and interactive features that engage children in learning while they play.

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