Amazon.com Review
With games that reinforce skills like math and spelling, the LeapFrog DIDJ is a custom gaming system that parents won't mind seeing their children spending their afternoons with. Using your computer and the LEAPFROG Connect application, games can be customized to provide all kinds of learning opportunities for all kids between the ages of six to ten.
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What We Think
Fun Factor: 
Durability:
(what this means)
The Good: Entertaining, interactive system with educational games.
The Bad: The computer interface takes a little getting used to.
In a Nutshell: Customizable digital characters and worlds make learning fun. |
At a Glance
Ages: 6 to 10
Requires: Four AA batteries and a computer with an Internet connection for set up.
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Making the DIDJ Your OwnBefore kids start creating, an adult will want to install four AA batteries (not included) in the DIDJ and set up the system. A convenient product guide pamphlet walks you through the necessary set-up tasks. This process involves installing the LEAPFROG Connect application onto your computer and transferring the included game, JetPack Heroes, onto the handheld DIDJ with a USB cable (included).
Before you close the software down, kids will want to create their own custom avatars using the Didjerator. With a huge color palette to utilize, and the ability to make your avatar a robot with vampire fangs or dress it in a tuxedo with sneakers, it may take awhile to get each character perfect. Once this is done, the avatars can be downloaded to the handset and are available to play in any game that uses Didji characters.
Fun, Customizable Way to Learn
The included game, JetPack Heroes, stars your favorite character in a fight against the villain Gooracha. Players use math skills to free the energy buddies they have captured and provide light and life for the entire planet. Quick fingers control the hero's jet pack and gun that is used to navigate the erratic landscape and stop enemy goons in between answering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems.
Additional games that develop skills like vocabulary and spelling are available. One enticing feature of the interactive software is that points that are earned while playing, called Bitz, can be uploaded to your computer and then traded in for micromods, game updates such as new spaceships, backgrounds, or music.
Interactive Education
Overall, we had a great time creating our own characters and immersing ourselves in DIDJ worlds. The computer interface was clearly designed with young computer users in mind, which makes it easy to navigate. Several point and click menus put a wide variety of tools at your fingertips.
One cool interactive feature is the learning path. After game information is uploaded from the handset, parents can follow a link in the connect software to see their children's progress, making it easy to track success.
Kids are sure to enjoy studying for tests when they can set the DIDJ to use their own math facts and spelling words, making this unique system a great investment.
What's in the Box
Didj, USB cable, and CD with LEAPFROG connect computer application, which includes one game.
PC Requirements:
Windows XP or Windows Vista operating system
Pentium III 500 MHz processor
Monitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768
Available USB port
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
300 MB free disk space
Internet connection
Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or higher
CD reader
Mac Requirements:
Mac OS X 10.4+
PPC G4 or any Intel-based Apple computer
Monitor resolution of at least 1024 X 768
Available USB port
256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
300 MB free disk space
Internet connection
Safari application
CD reader
From the Manufacturer
Didj Custom Gaming System Introducing Didj - the first-ever gaming handheld that lets you customize both the gaming and learning. Designed for grade schoolers aged 6 to 10 years, the Didj system offers the action-packed, high-resolution gameplay that kids expect, combined with the robust learning you trust LeapFrog to deliver. But the Didj handheld also connects to the computer to offer something no other system has offered: truly customizable gameplay and curriculum. Kids can play and learn anywhere with characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Star Wars and more popular shows, and then go online to trade the points they¿ve earned for modifications to the game worlds, moves, sound effects, music and more. They can even create their own Didji characters in the online Didjerator. Kids and parents can also shape the learning online by choosing the math and spelling skills they¿d like the games to focus on. Multiplication hard to master? Kids can choose to be quizzed on specific times tables, such as the 6s, 7s and 8s tables. Spelling a stumbling block? Create a custom spelling list from the 10,000-word database and practice for next week¿s test. Didj delivers all this, plus the personalized tutorials and self-leveling learning that are signature to LeapFrog gaming systems. With the USB connection, parents can also see their children¿s progress in recent games, get detailed updates on the skills their kids are exploring and share in their accomplishments. The Didj custom gaming system is one of three new LeapFrog Connected learning systems that connect to the LeapFrog Learning Path, a free online tool at leapfrog.com that offers unparalleled insights into your child¿s learning.
