OK parents..Leapster or Vsmile?(baby versions and regular) What say ye?

[scooper]

My mother said she wants to get our boys (2 and 5 months at the moment) one of these systems for Christmas. We would get the baby system this year and the regular next year. She asked me to research a little and report back to her on which direction to go with this. I figured, hey! I happen to know of a community of gamers that is no doubt raising their little ones to be gamers.

I'll take suggestions based on any factors. Ease of play, variety of games, reliability, etc....

Thanks ahead of time.

[rkmsuf]

We have the Leapster. 2 in fact. One for each.

Kids love it. Not familiar with Vsmile.

I'd suggest making sure you have a power adapter for the Leapster. Thing eats batteries.

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

My kids love Vsmile. We actually had to put it away as they were fighting over it.

[Butter]

My kids like the VSmile, but are 6 and 4 and growing out of it. Good variety of games, but don't expect PS3 graphics or anything.

[Ksyrup]

We haven't "upgraded" from the LeapPad we bought our (now) 7 year old about 4 or 5 years ago. In fact, we'll probably just break it out for the 2 year old and see if she likes it and won't get a new one.

[Izulde]

Leapster seemed to have a lot more stuff for it... or at least what I can recall from working at Target a few years back during the Christmas rush.

[Lorena]

We have both but the Leapster seems to be more popular. We've had the Leapster now for about 3 years and both our children (6 and 2 1/2 year old) love it. We've had Vsmile now for a little over a year but damn, those things eat a hell of a lot of batteries, so I agree with rksmuf that you'll need to get an adapter. We'll probably end up getting an adapter for the Vsmile as well cuz it's just kinda sitting there.

In case you wanna see reviews:

Vsmile (http://www.amazon.com/V-Smile-Interactive-Learning-Handheld-Game/dp/B0007WWZIQ/sr=8-2/qid=1161901694/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-3069219-2104730?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games)
Leapster (http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Leapster/dp/B00009IM6O/sr=8-36/qid=1161902345/ref=sr_1_36/104-3069219-2104730?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games), Leapster L-Max (http://www.amazon.com/Leapster-L-Max-Handheld-Learning-System/dp/B0008FUCYQ/sr=1-2/qid=1161901948/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-3069219-2104730?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games).

Whichever you get, I'm sure your kids will love it. We also have a LeapTop (http://www.epinions.com/kifm-Toys-All-Leap_Frog_School_Time_LeapTop/display_~reviews) that teaches kids the alphabet by name and sound, numbers, forming 3 letter words... it's pretty damn awesome. Our son is 2 and a half years old and he knows his alphabet and numbers already and can form a few words as well. I highly, highly recommend it. It's amazing what a toddler's brain can absorb by just pushing buttons.

[scooper]

Thanks for the input. Of course, now I'm wondering if either will support FOF 2007.