For those who have kids that have outgrown the Leapster and the Leapster2 might want to look into the Didj. This portable gaming system is designed for children ages 6 to 10, and has many cartridges (sold separately) that are both educational and entertaining, generally based on popular tween trends like High School Musical 3 and Hannah Montana.

Like the Leapster2, it is designed to be connected to the computer via USB for more interactivity. For example, kids can go online and trade the points they have earned for modifications in their game worlds. In fact, there was times that it demanded connectivity.

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I had a chance to try out the Leap Frog Leapster a while ago, and I finally got a chance to try out the Leapster2.

Those who might not be familiar with the Leapster should know it is a handheld gaming system with an educational focus, designed for kids ages 4-8. It would appear that very little has changed as far as the layout of the Leapster2 in comparison to the original Leapster.

What makes the Leapster2 different from the original is the ability to plug it in to the computer via USB. From there, a kid can download games, preview titles, and access the online rewards and bonus games that they have earned playing the cartridge games.

Another feature that is different that its predecessor is that it has space for an SD card. You can save programs like drawings or pictures to the cards, and thus print them out or view later, but the slot is in a very awkward place. The SD card slot is actually behind the battery pack, and removing the card after you are done is somewhat difficult.

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Considering the popularity of musical video games like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, DJ Hero, and all of their imitators, gamers everywhere are believing that they can play music. Of course, there is more to music than just hitting buttons at the right time, but that isn’t the issue. My point is that if you are going to play the music for a game, then you might as well play it loud.

This is the reason why Altec Lansing has created the Stage-Gig amplified speaker. It can connect with any gaming console, and has a 6.5 inch woofer for 40 watts of ear-splitting sound power. There is a volume knob there to control the extra blast, and, just in case you are wondering, the knob don’t go to 11. Of course, the user has the option of making it even louder because the Stage-Gig has RCA outputs for extra speakers.

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This isn’t the first time that we have covered one of TRITTON’s gaming headsets, and if the company keeps making headphones of this quality, then it won’t be the last, either.

Although the AX 720 is designed to work with the XBox, PS3, and PC, it certainly would give the gamer the most mileage if used with the first two. The AX720 includes a 720 AMP, and it is designed as a Dolby Digital recorder to place the gamer into a whole new realm of sound.

No software CD was included with the setup, but you will need to set it up with the optical cable if you really want to experience the full effect of the sound with the included AMP.

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Take a gander at this sweet looking Wii peripheral. Yes, that is right, it is nothing more than a full scale replica of a Heckler and Koch MP5 sub machine gun made for Wii games.

This gun features a built in Wiimote, Nunchuk, MotionPlus sensor, rechargeable battery, speaker, and even rumble support. This isn’t the first time someone has made a gun-type controller for the Wiimote, or one that could house the Nunchuk. However, I can’t figure out for the life of me where the Wiimote or Nunchuk fits on this apparatus.

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Those who want to see Wii accessories that are more exciting than the black Wiimote and Nunchuck might appreciate the Wii Cyberbike.

The Wii Cyberbike is what its box implies, a stationary bike designed for the Wii. It comes with a game that involves the player biking around the world picking up pollution, or something. Apparently, this world in the game is something not of this world, as the island on the side of the box implies. (Something about that island reminds me of Myst, for some odd reason.)

I’m told that the Wii Cyberbike is also going to work with Wii Mario Kart, but I’m guessing for only one player. Let’s hope this isn’t the player who travels the slowest because he or she has to pedal while his or her competitors have motorized autos.

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Everyone knows that there is an upcoming new color for the Wii Remote controller and Nunchuk controller, where it will be available in Henry Ford’s favorite color back in the day where the Model T was the hottest thing on four wheels. Just in case you are still clueless, we’re talking about the color known as black – where those who mark November 16 on their calendars can look forward to a new black Wii Remote controller that will be accompanied by a black Wii MotionPlus accessory at a suggested retail price of $49.99. For those who want to complete the experience, a black Nunchuk controller will be going for $19.99 a pop.

Press Release

Electronic Arts normally dabbles in video games, but this time round they aim to get kids more involved with reading by announcing the development of FLIPS, an innovative new book range that was specially developed for the Nintendo DS. FLIPS aims to offer kids regardless of age a fun and creative method of reading their favorite tomes. Working with several of the UK’s leading publishers of children’s books and magazines, soon schoolchildren with a DS can enjoy modern classic titles from critically acclaimed authors such as Cathy Cassidy, Eoin Colfer, Enid Blyton, alongside various writers from the popular boys series, ‘Too Ghoul for School’ on their handheld console. Each FLIPS title will boast multiple books and the first four titles will be released exclusively on Nintendo DS when December 4th rolls around in the UK. Individual FLIPS title will come with six to eight books, and will be sold separately with an expected price tag of ￡24.99. Now parents have one less excuse to prevent their kids from getting a Nintendo DS, eh?

Press Release