Leapster Systems

Leapster (2003)

The original Leapster that started it all. Has a strange "upside down" design.

Variations:
Blue/Silver, Red/Silver, Pink/Silver

• Most (if not all) original Leapsters sold came bundled with the game "Learning with Leap" in one form or another.

UNKNOWN:

• Has the biggest screen of any Leapster model.
  (I need to get a 2006 model to compare it with. Otherwise, the screen is bigger than the one on the L-Max and Leapster2.)
• Two versions of the original model were released; the first one (black D-pad ring) has no game built in, with Learning with Leap being bundled in as a seperate cartidge. The second version (colored D-pad ring) has the game built in, with a few alterations.
  (Versions and seperate "Learning with Leap" cartridge exist, I'm unsure if the "black ring" model actually has no built-in game.)

Leapster L-Max

A model released in 2005. Has a video-out function that allows for dual-screen gameplay in certain games.

Variations:
Blue/Silver, Red/Silver, Pink

• The pen has a button on it. When the video-out function is being used, the button must be pressed down in order to use the touchscreen. Otherwise, it just displays a cursor on the TV screen.
• "Leapster L-Max" branded games, which are distinguished by their grey/gold color scheme and unique boxes, will work on an original Leapster or Leapster2, and vice versa. However, some features are exclusively available on the L-Max system and its' video-out function.
• There are two versions of the L-Max. The first version (Early 2005) includes Rabbit River from Learning with Leap as a built-in game. The second version (2006?) includes a minigame from "Scooby-Doo! Math Times Two!" instead.

Leapster (2006)

A revised model of the original Leapster released circa 2006. Has a layout similar to that of the L-Max, however the video-out functionality is not there.

Variations:
Green/Silver, Pink

• Despite using the startup animation from the original Leapster, the startup sound actually comes from the L-Max.

UNKNOWN:

• The screen is smaller than the original 2003 model.
  (I need to get a 2006 model to confirm this.)

Leapster TV

A TV-only Leapster console. Has a controller that stores neatly into the console's base and a second controller port.

• The pen has a button on it. The button must be pressed down in order to use the touch panel on the controller. Otherwise, it just displays a cursor on the TV screen.
• Most (if not all) Leapster TVs sold in the US came bundled with the game "Dora the Explorer: Piñata Party!"

UNKNOWN:

• Playing L-Max games on the Leapster TV doesn't unlock any of the L-Max exclusive features.
  (I haven't seen much footage of the Leapster TV being used with L-Max games.)
• The second controller port just duplicates Player 1's inputs.
  (I haven't gotten any confirmation on this.)

Leapster2

A "new" model released in 2008. Has a USB port to allow it to connect to a PC.

Variations:
Green/Blue, Pink, Star Wars, SpongeBob, Disney Princess, Toy Story 3, Cars

• Much of the original Leapster's catalog were re-released as "Learning Path Connected" games. These re-released games would track the user's progress to then be seen on the LeapFrog Connect software. This functionality only works when you're playing said game on a Leapster2, however.
• When connected to a computer, you were able to earn a few rewards, including (but not limited to) game demos. Anything saved in the built-in "Creativity Castle" program could also be viewed and edited on a computer.
• The Leapster2 has an upgraded CPU and more RAM than the original.

UNKNOWN:

• No games explicitly need the Leapster2 in order to work.
  (I have yet to confirm this.)