The Leapster is a portable handheld gaming system for ages 5-14. It was first released on October 7, 2003, with a new model design in 2005 and the L-Max with A/V hookups that same year, the Leapster TV in 2006, the Leapster 2 in 2008, the Leapster Explorer in 2010, and finally the Leapster GS Explorer in 2012. The Leapster line was discontinued around 2012, when LeapFrog's LeapPad tablets were released. However, the brand was brought back with the Leapster Ultra in 2023.
Games[]
Most games will come in either a tall cardboard box, or a plastic case if it's a newer revision of the game. Very few games from bundles don't have packaging, and will simply be inside of a small plastic bag, sometimes without the cartridge's manual.
The seal of the plastic case is often some tape like plastic on the right side where one would open the case, and some plastic around the whole case. When cutting the first seal on the side away, you'll be able to remove the shrink wrap first, then the bit of clear tape around the opening of the case on the side which is a bit stronger than the shrink wrap.
List of Games[]
Buttons[]
| Icon | Name |
|---|---|
|
Up |
|
Down |
|
Left |
|
Right |
|
A |
|
B |
| File:Home-bttn-leapster.png | Home |
| File:Hint-bttn-leapster.png | Hint |
| File:Pause-bttn-leapster.png | Pause |
Trivia[]
- The earliest versions of the Leapster L-Max had the 2000-04 logo. The later versions used the 2004-08 logo.
- All Leapsters use four AA batteries, except the Leapster TV, which uses four C batteries.
- Every game made for the Leapster systems was made in house with Macromedia Flash MX 2004, meaning no third parties could make or publish any games for the system.
- If there’s no input for the Leapster for several minutes, it will automatically turn off to save power. It will also turn off automatically at the end of the Leapster versions of The Letter Factory and Talking Words Factory.
- The Leapster will also auto power off when the battery power is very low. When the batteries are low, the unit goes into black screen, and makes a "honk!" noise quickly 2 times, then from the bottom, pops up a low battery symbol and a “!” flashes, as a reminder to change the batteries.
- When very low or critical, it closes the game to a black screen, does the warning with honk noise at full volume, and shows a red solid "X" instead of a "!" across a depleted battery, then turns off. It does not say anything.
- Some cartridges can change the low battery UI (likely to be Foster Home's for Imaginary Friends, Backyardigans)
- Starting up with an incompatible, or dirty cartridge will make a dinging sound and flash a question mark ('?') onscreen every few seconds.
- If the game is not approved by LeapFrog, then a screen will appear stating that the game is not approved by LeapFrog.
- If you try to tilt a cartridge, it will make gurgling sounds, cause weird effects mainly with the graphics and/or sound, or freeze the game.
- The classic version of the Leapster has no built in OS. If you turn it on without a cartridge, it will show a screen telling you to insert a cartridge.
- You can access a diagnostic menu by holding down the Hint button while turning on the Leapster. On this screen you can calibrate the touch screen, get info about the inserted cartridge and system ROM. This screen is also on the Leapster2, and it has more features like an option to format the inserted SD card. The only Difference on the Leapster L-Max’s Diagnostic Menu is that the User can change the Video mode from NTSC and PAL.
- There is also a “Super Duper Programmer Mode!” In the Leapster’s Diagnostic menu. To access it, Go to the Diagnostic Menu by holding the Hint button while turning on the Leapster, then Press Hint + Left + A + B All at the same time. This should take you to a “Super Duper Programmer Mode!” Animation before taking you to a Red Version of the Diagnostic Menu. There is also a LCD Test by Going to the Super Duper Programmer Mode, then Pressing Hint + Down + A + And Pressing B A Bunch of times, That would get you to the LCD Test Menu. Once it’s Done, then it goes back to the Super Duper Programmer Mode! Animation and back to the Diagnostics Menu.
- The codename of the main chip used in the Leapster is known as the Dart.
Gallery[]
See Leapster/Gallery