Product Description

LEAPSTER EDUCATIONAL GAME - SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS - You'll help SpongeBob save the day when you play 5 action-packed learning games!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #425 in Toys & Games
• Brand: LeapFrog
• Model: 30420
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Dimensions: 8.75" h x 1.26" w x 5.28" l, .29 pounds

Features

• Help SpongeBob collect ingredients for a new and improved Krabby Patty sauce!
• Add the correct coins to make the Claw game come to life.
• Burst bubbles to capture the letters on the jellyfish and create words.
• Use logic and reasoning skills to create different Krabby Patty sauces for Patrick to test.
• Teaches reading and phonics skills, math and money, classification and logic and reasoning.

From the Manufacturer
A new restaurant in Bikini Bottom means competition for the Krusty Krab. SpongeBob has an idea to save the day ¿ he¿ll make a new, improved Krabby Patty sauce that will win back customers! Play 5 action-packed learning games as you help Sponge Bob collect ingredients, create the sauce, and test it on Patrick! Leapster2 players can connect online for extra activities and rewards. And with the LeapFrog® Learning Path, parents can see what their child is learning. Appropriate for ages 4 years to 8 years. All Leapster games work with all Leapster systems.

Customer Reviews

They won't even know they are learning!
This is a great game. I would not recommend it for children under 4 unless your child is just extremely advanced. My 4 yo can play some areas of the game easily, but the word areas are more difficult and he becomes frustrated. BUT for kindergarteners this game is just right. My 6 yo is learning a lot, and unlike other learning software, she doesn't mind playing it because it's fun and of course there is the very cute and charismatic Sponge Bob.
The goal of the game is to get ingredients to make a new secret sauce. Upon completing the different areas of the game you are given some of the ingredients to make the sauce. So the children get the sense of reward for all of their work. That's been enough motivation for my daughter. It teaches counting, math, letters, word building, and there's music (I'm probably leaving a few things out) It's wonderful, a must have for all leapster owners.

stick to manufacturer's age
I saw this item on several websites with a recommended age of 3-6 years. I bought it for my son today (he got the leapster for Christmas) The age recommendation on the box is 5-8 yrs. My son is 4 and although he likes Sponge Bob, he told me he can't do it & asked me to play the games while he watches. Even the level 1 games are conciderably more difficult than the games on the cartridge that came with the toy. One section involves counting coins. I'm sure he will "grow into" the games and learn them from watching me- he sits on my lap while I play. I would definitely recommend this one for a slightly older child.

Alright... if you really like SpongeBob
The idea of this game is that the child helps Sponge Bob collect ingredients to create a new secret sauce. The animation is cute, but the games are too easy (my son is 4) and it takes too long to collect the ingredients. Once enough ingredients are collected, the child then gets to play "kitchen chemistry" which is not much fun. The child can either guess at the recipe or tap or SpongeBob to get it. Patrick does the taste test and it is funny to watch his reactions, but "kitchen chemistry" is just not exciting, interesting nor challenging enough to keep the child coming back for more.

In addition to "kitchen chemistry", the cartridge has four other games:

"Counting Claw": Has 3 levels, deals with counting change. the child sticks coins into a slot until he has put in the right amount. My son blindly sticks the coins in the slot until SPongeBob reacts. Then he enjoys playing the claw machine game and the wacky prizes that come out. But he learns nothing.

"Conveyor Chaos": Very similiar to the bunny game that comes with the leapster system. Done a little better, but not very versatile.

"Musical Garden": The child only has to play with assorted sea music until the timer runs out. The child's symphony is not played back. Music appreciation?? Whatever.

"Bubble Scrubber": The one redeeming game on this cartridge. Unfortunately it only deals with 4 letter words. And there is nothing to entice the child to try more challenging levels. I did get my son to start using level 3 instead of 1 by playing it with him and now he prefers level 3. Although I do know the value of repetition, a few more words would be nice.

After experiencing First Grade (which is still my son's favorite), I was disapointed. This game is only mediocore.