Customer Reviews

LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Disney-Pixar Cars 2 (works with LeapPad & Leapster Explorer)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Recently my oldest son, 5 years old, received the new LeapPad from LeapFrog to review for free along with Disney Pixar Cars 2. The great thing about this learning tablet is that it takes the same cartridges as our Leapster Explorer. So when one boy isn't playing Disney Pixar Cars 2 on the LeapPad, he's playing it on the Leapster Explorer.

About the Game: In Disney Pixar Cars 2, children will join Mater and Lightening McQueen in a global race-turned-espionage tale. Along the way, children will practice measurements, problem-solving, graphs, sequencing and patterns.

I had to pry the game out of my son's hands to learn more about it to share with you. So that said, you can be sure he loved it on the LeapPad. And when he wasn't playing with Cars 2 on the LeapPad, my 4 year old was playing with it on the Leapster Explorer. But once I got my hands on it, I chose to play it on the LeapPad to share my thoughts with you.

From the Main Menu of the game there are 5 places to visit:

Adventure Mode: You drive around Radiator Springs finding collectibles. You can meet characters along the way to talk too. It lets you know when you can talk or stop somewhere. There are activities along the way, like customizing cars or keep Mater disguised using number sequencing. As you complete activities you can get badges.

Activity Mode: There looks like there are eight activities in this mode - but two of ours were locked by the time I started playing. Activities in this mode include Airport Chase (matching, fine motor skills), Finn's Photo Mission (graphing), Secret Decoder (matching), Finn's Jump (fine motor skills, tracking), Oil Rig Chase (matching, reading signs, fine motor skills), Disguise Device (number sequencing).

Salvage Yard: Where collectibles from Radiator Springs adventure mode are stored.

Badges: The different badges earned.

Micromods: I haven't ever used micromods. You download them LeapWorld to change or enhance the game somehow. It could be new game music, character upgrades, game modes or moves, etc.

The only thing I was disappointed in was the packaging. I miss having a way to easily organize my games. I kept all previous Leapster Explorer Games in their boxes on a shelf, so the boys can easily find what they are looking for and put their games back. The new packaging has to be ripped apart to remove the game, leaving you with a loose game to easily misplace.

That is everything I discovered! Overall the game is pretty cute and I am impressed with the skills it's teaching. Cartridge games for Leapster Explorer and LeapPad usually retail for $24.99. If you find them less, it's a bargain.

This is just one of many great Leapster Explorer games out there. It really was the best toy we ever bought my son. He has used it since his 3rd birthday, and he's 4 now. It has taught him so much! This Cars 2 game has entertained him for hours and taught him some great math concepts at the same time.

another great game from leapster. my son loves this game and doesnt even realize that he's learning math concepts ;) my son is 4 years old and has no problem solving the clues/problems. he tries even harder when he realizes that he can open up new areas of the game and "race" with McQueen.

My son is having a great time with this new game. I have no idea why people are complaining about the more environment-friendly packaging. Come on people- do you REALLY need all those plastic cases? Go get ONE container for all the games.

My son is 3 and a 1/2 and he enjoys playing the games. It's a good idea to run through the games yourself to make it easier to unlock each playing level. He especially likes the way the cars talk to each other during the game.

The old leapster cartridges had plastic on both sides protecting the microchip. The explorer cartridges leave them exposed - a bad idea with kids who play rough. Why make a sturdy kid tough game system, but flimsy cartridges (which are excessively expensive by the way). So that's my reason for dinging it a star.

In terms of the game itself - educational value is exceptional and you can purchase an expansion app for it on the leappad. My son started doing measurements recently (he's 5) and he's gotten the concept a lot faster with this game than the hours we've spent in classroom time teaching the concept. He plays w it at least 4-5 times each day. What my husband and I love best is it has a racing game (with just entertainment value) plus all the educational components and my son plays with them ALL!

Purchased this game for my Grandson's Leapster Explorer. I like that he is learning as he plays a game. And he has a great time playing, not realizing he is learning at the same time.

My son loves "Cars" and loves this game. He is learning a lot from it also. Great educational and fun game. We love the leapfrog products.

My son is obsessed with the Cars movies so he loves this game and can do quite a bit without help.

This was a great addition to his leap pad & he is learning more ways to play. Good education with fun!