LeapFrog Enterprises, creators of the Leapster series of educational game devices, announced that it will release 14 titles for its Leapster2 and Didj platforms throughout 2009.
Eight new games are planned for the company's Leapster2 system. Three of these are based upon licensed Disney properties --
Disney/Pixar's Up! will teach early number sense and shapes, while
Disney's The Princess and the Frog and
Disney Fairies: TinkerBell contain lessons on early math.
Additional licensed properties will be featured in upcoming games like
Star Wars: Jedi Reading and
X-Men: Wolverine. Other titles in the Leapster2's 2009 lineup include
Ni Hao, Kai-lan: Beach Day, My Amusement Park, and
Digging for Dinosaurs.
Leapster targets older children with its Didj Custom Gaming System, a handheld device that focuses on more advanced learning concepts. This year's Didj lineup spans six titles in all, including the math-oriented
NFL: Rush Zone and a
High School Musical-licensed game that teaches music, melody, and rhythm.
Future Didj releases include
X-Men: Wolverine, Neopets: Quizara's Curse, Star Wars: Jedi Trials, and
Disney Fairies.
"Educational gaming has evolved and is now recognized for delivering competitive and exciting gaming that rivals traditional videogames," said LeapFrog's director of game development, David Perkinson. "In 2009 we are extending our libraries with a wide variety of popular game genres to appeal to kids of different ages, genders and personalities, while also keeping pace with age-appropriate learning content."
