Leapster

Credits

Descriptions by
GoAnimateFan199Pro, and ScottonCLG

Captures by
Christian Adams and Henrynguye5

Editions by
Henrynguye5

Video captures courtesy of
Digital media resources, Battery empty and more fails BW and Ngoc Ngu

Background

The Leapster Learning Game System was an educational handheld game console aimed at 5- to 10–11-year-olds (preschool to fourth grade), made by LeapFrog Enterprises. The system featured a directional pad and a touchscreen with a stylus pen that enables young users to interact directly with the screen. Released on October 7, 2003, the Leapster had two revisions and remakes throughout its entire lifetime. The Leapster L-MAX, a version that has one extra feature (an A/V TV output, which allows the user to view and hear gameplay on their television) was released in 2004. The L-MAX console's size was decreased, and the pen took the form of a wire instead of a thread. The Leapster TV, a screenless version with the same basic control layout in a console form, was released in 2005 and retired in 2007. LeapFrog released the Leapster2 handheld device as a successor to the Leapster in July 2008. The Leapster2 was essentially the previous system with an added USB port and SD card slot. Both the Leapster and Leapster L-MAX were retired in 2014 and the Leapster2 was retired in 2019; following this, the Leapster Learning Game System officially ended production.

Leapster

(October 7, 2003-2009 [final game] 2014 [end of production])

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Logo:

• Original Variant: On a white background, we see a set of blue abstract squares forming and eventually filling the screen. Then we see a split second of the text "LEAPSTER" (in blue). We then cut back to the white background and see the text zoom in towards the screen. As of 2006, a copyright notice appears.
• Leapster L-MAX Variant: On a same white background, we see a set of purple abstract squares forming and eventually filling the screen. Then we see a split second of the text "LEAPSTER" and "L-MAX" (in purple). We then cut back to the white background and see the text zoom in towards the screen.

Technique: The squares forming, the text zooming in.

Music/Sounds: A rising synth note, then a warbling melody. This was extended and rearranged in 2005.

Availability: The original variant can be found on the original Leapster consoles when you turn on the console, also seen when you turn on a Leapster TV with a Cars cartridge inserted to the slot.

Leapster TV

(2005-2007)

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Logo: We see multiple letters flying around the screen which form "LEAPSTER". Then, a blue rectangle enters the screen. Inside the rectangle is blue "static", resembling TV static. A blue cord slides up and pops itself into the rectangle, causing the static to transform into the word "TV". The rectangle then implodes and the same word "pops" in.

Technique: The letters flying around, the static, the cord, the "pop".

Music/Sounds: A happy-mood tune, and a pop when "TV" appears.

Availability: Seen when turning on a Leapster TV console.

Leapster 2

(July 1, 2008-2019)

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Logo: On a white background, we see a green "2" bounce to the middle right from the top right of the screen. A blue cord plugs itself in the open space on the "2". We zoom out. As that happens the cord fades out. "Leapster", in blue, fades in.

Technique: The "2" bouncing, the cord plugging itself in, the zooming and fading.

Music/Sounds: A 3-note high-pitched theme. Think the Lorimar logo.

Availability: Seen on original and special edition Leapster2 consoles.

Copyright Notice:

2006-2007: (C) LeapFrog Enterprises