LeapFrog Didj Custom Learning Gaming System

Don't buy it!!

Bought this for my son for Christmas to use when we are traveling in the car and on longer trips. He really likes the games. He is 7. They have good educational value too. I like that. Seems like it could be perfect.

Now for the bad:
-Had to exchange at the retail store within the first 2 weeks as the first unit completely died.

Even after that.. the new unit has these issues:
-Unit will reboot intermittently while in the middle of a game.
-Sometimes the unit won't recognize cartridges unless you reboot it a few times.
-The leapfrog connect software is a little slow and seems like it was cobbled together by a few different developers.

Last week we went on a 2 week trip with it. We made sure the batteries were charged and I powered it on before we left. Everything seemed like it was ok. After we got on the plane, there was a message about a "Tuneup" which required a PC to fix. We didn't have a PC with us as we were on our trip. So my son couldn't use the game for the entire 2 week trip.

If you look at support FAQs on Leapfrog's web-site, most of the ways of fixing the Didj are to connect it to a PC, and then reset the device or the profile. This requires you to have a PC with you at all times. It also requires you to erase your childs profile on the Didj and lose their progress.

I really like the system. I'm just very disappointed in the quality. One of the worst electronic devices I have ever owned. I'm a geek and buy a lot of electronics.

Update: 8/2009: Had to return the unit and get rid of all the games/accessories. Couldn't take the unreliability anymore. Didj had exchanged my unit in June. After only 6 hours of use, the new unit failed.

I bought this game for a 5 year old boys birthday. I got it on clearance for 35 dollars and he is still playing it. He reads and adds and it was so great watching him add by himself for the first time. I had a little problem when downloading it my home computer didn't have enough memory but, my laptop did so it works great now. I would recommend this for anyone with kids because it is educational and fun!!

I got this game system on Clearance at our Wal-Mart for $15. A $100.00 system for $15; you can't go wrong. I have had it about 2 weeks. We have the jetback heros game and the Didj Racing tiki tropics. My children ages 6-9 and I love it. The best thing besides them learning and playing at the same time is that I got my Nintendo DS back. My kindergardener is doing the 1st grade and even some 4th grade work on it; He is non-schooled homeschooled. My other 2 children are public schooled and I download there weekly spelling lists to the system instead of spending hours calling out 40 words day after day. The only problem I have had is getting into the learning path on the website, but they send me e-mail updates on their learning. Overall I think it is a great investment, especially if you can find it for $15 like I did.

This is a very good and helpful learning game for children of all ages. The only thing that I don't like about is that the batteries run down sooooo fast.
Other than that this is a great product and I would recommend to other parent that have children that love to play games, or even be a slower learner then others. This is an GREAT PRODUCT!

My son always has loved his Leapster, and now this is the perfect bridge to a more "sophisticated" video game system (which still has a wealth of learning sinisterly interwoven into it's games). My 6-year old plays Sonic constantly, and has no idea that I've been tracking his performance on the web, nor that I have been secretly increasing the grade level of his game questions....he just knows he likes to play it. Would definitely recommend it to any parent.

My son got the didj for christmas, so I could put his spelling words in so he can learn them. The only thing I did not like about it is. For what you pay for the system, I think it should of come with a chargeable batterie. I know it has an ac adpter but don't help if we are on a long car ride and the batteries goes. But other then that my son loves it

This is a great product for game players because it ecourages learning at the same time.

My 7 year old used to play the leapster but in the last 6 months has grown tired of it. We decided it was time for an upgrade to the Didj. We couldn't be happier with out decision. The screen is bright, the product is durable (already taken a few drops), and the game selection is nice. My computer is several years old and I haven't had any of the other stated problems with connecting it online. It worked the first time we set it up, and everything downloaded quickly. My son saves his games just fine so I am also not aware of any of those problems either. He loves the fact that he can customize his own didjie as he calls it and can change it with his moods. I love that I can integrate what he is currently working on in school and we haven't had a problem with the system yet. His 11 year old cousin even loved playing it. Awesome product and definetely worth the money, you get what you pay for and this time Leap Frog certainly delivered.

Bought this for our daughter who is struggling with spelling. She finds this way more fun then writing her words five times each. I know this is a new product but the game selection could be better. she had out grew her vtech last winter. This is great for int he car when we have to go somewhere and can't work on her spelling until later.