LeapFrog’s Sonic X for the Leapster is a Sonic themed Edutainment game. Sonic, a.k.a. “Sonic The Hedgehog” is one of the best-known video game characters in the world. Sonic X is an animated television series, featuring the video game hero Sonic the Hedgehog and is based on the storylines of the Sonic Adventure series. The series was animated and produced in Japan by TMS Entertainment with the partnership of Sega and the Sonic Team. In 2003, 4Kids Entertainment licensed Sonic X for American U.S. licensing, allowing companies like LeapFrog access to the popular video game character.

Sonic X for the Leapster and Leapster L-Max is suited for player’s ages 5-7 years old. Players will enjoy navigating Sonic thru 3 different worlds, while improving their Counting, Addition, Subtraction skills. The game can be best classified as an educational “platform jumper” or “platformer”, where the player must jump from and to platforms or over obstacles. The game does a great job of letting the very youngest of players experience some of Sonics most famous moves, such as the ability to run uphill and thru Roller coaster-like loops. Your youngster will not have control over Sonic during these preset action sequences, but we are certain that most kids will not notice – leaving your child satisfied and thrilled at the same time. Different math problems must be solved in order to advance. These exercises range anywhere from very basic counting and sequencing to additions and subtractions with numerical and visual support. Three different educational mini games will be encountered throughout the game, which can also be accessed directly thru the main menu along with the three different worlds of Sonic X. We found Sonic X to be very similar, if not identical in game-play to “Numbers on the Run” for the Leapster L-Max”. Looks to us like Leapfrog is “recycling” game-play, which makes the customer end up with essentially the same game, only with different graphics.

Overall Sonic X is a fun game that offers a good balance between education and entertainment. The animation and action is far more immersive compared to Sonics “Numbers on the Run” clone. That’s why we are giving Sonic X our Thumb’s Up.