Leapster vs Vtech Smile

[Slowlybeingdrivenmad]

My DS is 4 1/2 and I am going to get him his first electronic game toy for Christmas. I understand both the Leapster and Vtech Smile are educational and ideal for little ones. You can plug both into the main tv or have them separate.... I just don't know which one to buy him.... can anyone give me any advice? I also heard the playstation two is good and there is a game called 'play'... I'm just at a loss as to what to do.... help!!!!

I am in the same position as you. DS will be 5 on 20th December.

PS2 - there are a few games for his age range but nothing that looks both fun AND educational.

Leapster. My only concern is that DS had both the Baby Leap-Pad and the Leap-Pad plus Writing unit - both not used much and both developed big faults despite the limited use - my discussions with Leap Frog regarding the Leap Pad plus Writing unit are on-going. To be fair I do have to say that their Customer Services people have been fantastic and have sent me replacement bits free of charge.

I am thinking about a V-Smile pocket for DS simply because of the problems I have experienced with the Leap Frog products. The game slook pretty much the same for both products.

Thank you. Think I'll go for the v-smile

We have the V smile. DS1 - 6yo - loves it. DS2 is just gone 3 and he loves it too - not that he knows exactly what he's doing, but he can operate it to some extent.

We have Thomas game, Toy Story 2, and Nemo (my favourite). I have been known to have a quick go on long journeys. DH really should get me a Nintendo DS!

Would highly recommend V Tech. Never had any problems (apart from it eats batteries, obviously) and it must be pretty robust as it has been dropped a couple of times (though it generally lives in the bag which we bought to go with it).

I have no experience of the V-smile, but my dd2 (also 4.5) LOVES her leapster! She got if off FC last year and still plays with it.

Don't get me wrong, its definitely one of those toys that she plays with for a while and then it goes to the bottom of the toybox for a spell, but it always comes back out ...and always with great gusto

hth xx