LeapFrog, a company known for producing children’s video game consoles and software has made a new hardware announcement. They announced “LeapTV” which is a motion controlled “Active” video gaming system designed for kids.
LeapFrog is well known for its LeapPad tablets which provide a child-friendly, durable tablet to help parents protect their iPads from little fingers. This is a similar response to motion controlled consoles like the Wii, WiiU, and Xbox One with Kinect. LeapTV purportedly “changes the way children learn by combining activity and movement with best-in-class educational curriculum.”
This console is interesting because it features “LeapFrog”-ed versions of the Nintendo WiiMote and the PlayStation Eye camera. The controller can also transform into a laser pointer that will interact with games. Take a look at the announcement trailer here.
The LeapTV is will release this fall (likely in time for the holidays) and will be priced at $149.99.
The jury is still out on whether or not there is a real market for this console. The parents who would buy a console for their children and haven’t already bought a Wii U, PS4, or Xbox One are likely the same parents that are relying on their iPad or Android phone.
The $!50 price tag is attractive compared to the other options available, but, again, it is difficult to see the sales on this one take off.
What do you think? Sound off in the comments below!