LeapFrog's Didj / Leapster 2 handhelds go on sale

They aren't quite ready to ship, but LeapFrog's big-boy-and-girl gaming / learning handhelds are finally up for pre-order over on the outfit's website. For those who missed the February introduction, the firm is hailing the web-connected Didj (pictured) as the "first completely customizable educational gaming platform," and given that it is summertime here in the US of A, this is probably your only shot at getting your kiddo to do anything beneficial for their brain for the next two to three months. Get in line now for $89.99 (Didj) / $69.99 (Leapster 2).

[Via CNET]

Read - Didj order page
Read - Leapster 2 order page

[raging_hamsterx @ Jul 7th 2008 4:27PM]

doom?

[yode @ Jul 7th 2008 5:51PM]

Crysis..?

[bohsocks @ Jul 8th 2008 9:13AM]

Can it play Adventure Island at 200fps? No? How about Wonder Boy then?

[SHoe @ Jul 7th 2008 4:31PM]

...by Numbers! Solve mathematical equations to send the Martian demons back to depths of hell! All this and more from the "first completely customizable educational gaming platform".

I'm going to go out on a limb a bit here and call this one: bad idea.

[Pochi @ Jul 7th 2008 5:00PM]

I am going to call it "lots of disappointed children."

[deyanimay @ Jul 7th 2008 4:32PM]

Whats up engadget when i look at the home page it says 1 comment but i already refreshed twice and see nothing?

[xstream @ Jul 7th 2008 4:39PM]

and by that time there are 4 already :p

[xstream @ Jul 7th 2008 4:38PM]

there is a reason why the one thing is called gaming and the other thing is called learning. by playing with something a child can learn something about it. but by playin with monsters you can't learn math by nature, linking those monsters and math together is just not a good or logical idea by any measures. though i must admit that for some childs math can be a monstrous experience

[Yipcanjo @ Jul 7th 2008 4:39PM]

Well... with the power of LeapFrog behind it, this gaming platform ought to do *very* well!

[xstream @ Jul 7th 2008 4:41PM]

oh yeah, the power of leapfrog o_0

[Phil Ringsmuth @ Jul 7th 2008 4:45PM]

Funny how something that's supposed to be educational has a name that can't be pronounced...

"Did-juh", "Did-jay", "D-I-D-J", "Dee-duh-jyuh" ???

[xstream @ Jul 7th 2008 4:56PM]

in german it sounds like "ditch" and i think thats exactly what you should do if you are leapfrog stock holder

[TareX @ Jul 7th 2008 4:57PM]

You must really hate ur son to buy him this so-called gaming handheld. You can get a used DS for a lot less on ebay...with games.

[LiqwidZero @ Jul 7th 2008 5:06PM]

The Game Gear is back!

[Shane @ Jul 7th 2008 5:44PM]

I always liked that design.
I loved the first design of the gameboy advance.

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jul 7th 2008 5:53PM]

If this was a SNES/NES emulator instead, i would be all over it.

[Pengadget @ Jul 7th 2008 6:31PM]

who cares about this?

[Steven @ Jul 7th 2008 7:22PM]

Someone hack it to play emulators.

[Wormbolt @ Jul 7th 2008 7:43PM]

Will it play Frogger?

[Eli Burke @ Jul 7th 2008 9:04PM]

Everyone here under say... 25-30.. is of course going to think this is silly: it's not a DS, it's over-priced, the games suck, etc. But pop out a kid or two and your tune will change.
The Leapster is rugged. It has a lot of licensed properties that toddlers, kids, and their parents are familiar with. Games are clearly marked with suggested (narrow) age ranges. Games are user friendly, and lots of them don't require the ability to read.
And best of all is the hook: it's educational! Your kids can *play games* and *learn* at the SAME TIME! As a parent, this makes you feel good about spending your money.

The Leapster2 is a guaranteed hit, and the Didj will probably do great as well.

[whiskey @ Jul 7th 2008 8:48PM]

Eww! Educational!

[Brian Sexton @ Jul 7th 2008 9:46PM]

Not ready to ship? I think I saw Didj hardware available at Fry's Electronics in Campbell, California a few days ago.

[Josh @ Jul 7th 2008 11:34PM]

10 points to the first person to get a NES emulator running on this.

[Marvin Quach @ Jul 8th 2008 8:47AM]

We can use these points to win at life, right?

[Kitt @ Jul 9th 2008 5:34AM]

My kid got his last week. Wal-Mart is shipping.

The concept is cool. The download "Jet Pack Hero" game is kinda kool.

Unlike the Leapster, it has more of a video game feel to it. My 6yo loves it. The connection to the computer allows for downloading additions and updates for games as well as the Didj.

[Ryan @ Aug 29th 2008 3:41AM]

When my five year old started correctly talking about polygons from the back seat of the car, I was convinced.