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V.Smile

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VTech V.Smile

Top: A French first-generation V.Smile (Model 6122)
Bottom: A second-generation V.Smile (Model 752)
ManufacturerVTech
Product familyV.Smile
TypeEducational home video game console
GenerationSixth generation
Release date
  • WW: August 4, 2004[1]
Discontinued2010; 14 years ago (2010)[citation needed]
Units sold11 million[2]
MediaSmartridge
System on a chipSunplus SPG200 @ 27MHz[3]
Controller inputUp to 2 V.Smile controllers, optional keyboard/mouse, graphics tablet, and dance pad available
PredecessorVTech Socrates
SuccessorV.Flash

The V.Smile (stylized as V.SMILE TV LEARNING SYSTEM) is a sixth-generation educational home video game console manufactured and released by VTech. The system was first released on August 4, 2004. Its titles are available on ROM cartridges called "Smartridges", a pun on the system's educational nature. Several variants of the V.Smile console are sold, including handheld versions and models with added functionality such as touch tablet integrated controllers or microphones. The V.Motion[4] is a variant that includes motion-sensitive controllers and has titles designed to take advantage of motion-related "active learning".

Several versions of V.Smile and V.Motion consoles continued to be sold after newer models were introduced (frequently offered in alternative color schemes), placing the systems in various niches of the educational toy market. Some key differentiators between systems and the ability to fully utilize all game functions include the options of a microphone, touch tablet, additional joystick port (for 2-player gameplay), stylus-enhanced controller, or motion sensitive game pad (with V.Motion).

Hardware

[edit]

A V.Smile generally has on and off buttons, two joystick ports, and a compartment for keeping the cartridges in addition to the cartridge slot. The system can run using either an AC adapter or with batteries.[5] The V.Smile can hold up to six titles in this compartment.[6]

The V.Smile is a standard cartridge-based system that will play the title inserted.[5] When there is no cartridge inserted, the startup logo plays continuously. The graphics of games are primarily sprite-based.

The console is often bundled with a particular game, the original and most popular being a game called "Alphabet Park Adventure". Other pack-in games included a Winnie the Pooh game bundled with a Orange/Purple console variant, a pink/purple colored console was shipped later, targeting girls and bundled with a Cinderella game and a later Red/Blue and Red/Silver model, which was bundled with a Scooby-Doo game.

The V.Smile was released in several countries with different names:

Country Distributor Name Tagline Age range
United States VTech V.Smile TV Learning System Turn Game Time Into Brain Time! 3-8 years
United Kingdom VTech V.Smile TV Learning System Learning is child's play! 3-8 years
Portugal Concentra[citation needed] V.Smile Sistema Educativo De TV Aprender é divertido! 3-7 years
Spain VTech V.Smile Aprendizaje Interactivo Por TV ¡Aprender es un juego de niños! 3-8 years
Mexico VTech V.Smile Aprender Interactivo Por TV ¡Aprender es un juego de niños! 3-8 years
France VTech V.Smile Console TV Éducative La première console de jeu éducative pour les petits! 3-7 years
Netherlands ? V.Smile TV Learning System Leren is kinderspel! 3-7 years
Germany VTech V.Smile Das Lernspiel-System Lernen wird zum Kinderspiel! 3-8 years
Italy Giochi Preziosi[citation needed] V.Smile Sistema di apprendimento TV Imparare è un gioco da bambini! 3-7 years
Denmark TOP-TOY A/S[citation needed] V.Smile Det ær lekande lætt att lære! ?
Sweden ? V.Smile TV Learning System Det är lekande lätt att lära! 3-7 years
Norway ? V.Smile ? ?
Finland ? V.Smile ? ?

The buttons on the game system and controllers are large to accommodate small children's less developed manual dexterity. The default controllers consist of an joystick, four colored buttons, a large Enter button, a "Learning Zone" button that immediately takes the player to a minigame section of the software, an Exit button (that either brings up an option to end the game or to keep playing, or to exit out of any menu that the player is in) and a Help button (which repeats the spoken instructions or hints provided by the game to the player).[6] A small latch on the bottom of the controller allows the analog stick to be moved to the other side of the buttons, in order to accommodate left-handed players. This makes it the first console to be bundled with an ambidextrous controller.

Variants

[edit]

A second generation of the V.Smile console was launched in 2007. This model (Model 752) is bundled with a microphone, and a redesigned controller was shipped, which now comes with a graphics tablet built in. However, the design of the console is the same as the first, apart from the presence of a microphone holder. The internals of the system also appear to be based upon the design of the first-generation console, as software meant for the first-generation console is playable on the second-generation console, and vice versa, although software that takes advantage of the microphone feature will disable the sections of the software that requires the use of the microphone if played on the first-generation console.

In 2008, a translucent-faced V.Smile TV Learning System Limited Edition console was released including two joysticks, and the Alphabet Park Adventure game cartridge. The console colors were reversed (translucent orange face with purple body) from the normal console colors (solid purple face with orange body).

An English Special Edition of the V.Smile included two controllers, a game cartridge and a console with reversed body colors

The last revision of the console (Model 1086) was the smallest of the main line, becoming shorter and square in shape, it retains 2 controller ports, but it adds V-Link functionality, and the cartridge storage on the back removed the cover and became smaller with space for only 4 games. The console also drops stereo sound, having a video and mono audio jack.

V.Smile Pocket and V.Smile Cyber Pocket

[edit]

The V.Smile Pocket is a handheld version of the V.Smile console, released on September 10, 2004. It features a built-in Passive matrix-based color LCD display and a monaural speaker, but is otherwise similar to the desktop console counterpart. However, there is no connector for an additional joystick, and thus many games that support two player mode will disallow access selection of the said mode. The device is not compatible with games that uses any of the other accessories due to the lack of an additional joystick port. It was originally introduced in Orange/Purple, but a Pink/Purple model was introduced later in line with the color schemes available for the desktop console.

A second V.Smile Pocket model was introduced in 2007, in which a microphone is added to the device.[7] Apart from the new feature, added support for games that use the microphone, and a repositioning of the speaker from the lower right to the upper left, it retained the appearance of the first V.Smile Pocket model. Still, if compared side-by-side, a slight difference in the bulkiness of the lower half of the unit can be seen, with the New V.Smile Pocket being a bit slimmer and narrower towards the bottom. The game system is larger than devices such as the Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS, although the V.Smile Pocket uses full size Smartridges from the console, and is generally offered at lower prices in most of the markets.

A third generation called V.Smile Cyber Pocket was introduced in 2008. The console was redesigned with a smaller flip-open screen (still Passive matrix-based) and an integrated graphics tablet, while retaining the microphone introduced in the second generation V.Smile Pocket. A proprietary port was added to the console, which a flash drive-like device called the “V-Link” with a matching proprietary connector on one end and a USB connector on another, could plug into the Cyber Pocket. This device is used to transfer the data of games that support such function to a PC, which would in turn upload the data to a website. The data could then be used to chart the player's progress as well as be used to unlock bonus games on the said website.

During 2008's Black Friday sales, limited supplies of New V.Smile Pocket units were sold at U.S. Walmart stores for the reduced price of $25 USD. This was roughly half of the cost of a single Xbox 360 Game Disc at that time, and nearly one-tenth the cost of a PlayStation Portable game system bundle.

PC Pal

[edit]

The PC Pal, released on June 20, 2008, is a variant of the basic V.Smile console with an integrated accessory, a more colorful and functional version of the Smart Keyboard accessory with built-in joystick and tablet controls. Unlike a regular V.Smile system, the V.Smile PC Pal has a port for the V-Link accessory. It comes bundled with a Smartridge of games for the keyboard that teach typing and other basic keyboard skills. The main unit looks like a standard V.Smile system with the name "PC Pal" printed on it. It can play all Smartridges, but since the joystick controls are built into the keyboard, the setup is more easily used on a desktop surface with a small TV serving as a monitor, similar to a personal computer. For someone who already owns a V.Smile, the Smart Keyboard accessory and a touch tablet enhanced joystick will provide a similar experience. Since the keyboard can be disconnected and a standard joystick or other V.Smile accessory used, the PC Pal can function as a normal V.Smile system.

V.Motion and V.Smile Motion

[edit]
Portuguese V.Smile Motion. This model lacks a V-Link port.

A newer variant of the V.Smile is the V.Motion Active Learning System (Model 788) or V.Smile Motion, released in September 2007. It uses built-in wireless controller with accelerometers that detect three axes of movement.[8] The controller can be tilted in a direction to achieve a result on the screen. The V.Motion controller is adaptable by handedness.[9]

Titles released after the V.Motion system are designed to use its motion controls. However, the traditional joystick directional control can be used,[8][9] and all Smartridge titles can be played across the V.Smile line of systems.[10] The system's storage compartment can hold up to nine Smartridges.[9]

The V.Motion won the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval for 2008, and the Creative Child 2008 Seal of Excellence.

Accessories

[edit]
  • The V.Smile TV Learning System Plus Joystick includes a built-in writing pad and stylus. The joystick with writing pad works on both the original V.Smile and the New V.Smile TV Learning System, and can be used to take advantage of newer Smartridges that use the writing pad functionality in games.
  • The V.Smile Smart Keyboard is a PC-like keyboard that can be connected to a V.Smile System console. It includes several activities and lessons that teach typing, letters, spelling, and logic.
  • The V.Smile Smartbook includes the "Smartbook" - an interface with a stylus that holds activity books and works together with Smartridges (an idea pioneered by Sega with their Sega Pico and Japan-only Advanced Pico Beena educational gaming systems). The activity book plays along with the smartridge and the Smartbook knows which page is being used while the touch sensitive stylus directs the play. The Smartbook may come bundled with a Scooby-Doo Activity Book + Smartridge. Additional Activity Book and Smartridge combos such as "Dora's Got A Puppy" or "Toy Story 2" are also available to use with the SmartBook device.
  • The V.Smile Art Studio is a large touch pad and stylus device that allows for "paintings" to appear on screen. Interactive stamps, color palette, picture drawing, color mixing, animation maker, coloring-in pictures are some of the features of the Art Studio. It comes with an Art Studio specific Smartridge.
  • The V.Smile V-Link is an accessory that works only with the Cyber Pocket, PC Pal, V.Motion systems, and a few of the newer V.Smiles. It allows the user to track their progress by keeping the accessory plugged into the Game Console where it automatically tracks a child's progress and scores. When plugging the V.Link into a PC's USB port, it auto connects to a secure website where the child can see how they rank against all V.Smile players also using V-Link. As children play more of their Smartridges and master more skills, they are rewarded with online bonus games that are "unlocked" by their progress.
  • The V.Smile Jammin' Gym Class is similar to dance pads made popular by Dance Dance Revolution. It is called a "soft exercise mat for interactive play, dance and exercise" by VTech. It includes 10 different active learning activities and connects directly to either the V.Smile TV Learning System or the V.Smile V.Motion with the Jammin' Gym Class cartridge. It helps teach letters, numbers, colors, spelling, and health concepts.

Note: Aside from the V-Link, these accessories are intended for the TV-connected consoles, not handheld versions of the V.Smile.

Competition and comparisons

[edit]

The V.Motion was introduced as a low-cost, educational alternative to the popular Wii console, to which it has been compared due to its use of motion controllers.[8][9]

The V.Smile Pocket's direct competition is the handheld Leapster by LeapFrog. The Leapster TV Learning System is the less high-profile but available counterpart to the multiple V.Smile and V.Motion consoles that are direct connect to the TV. The Leapster L-Max is comparable to the V.Smile Cyber Pocket and is stylus-enhanced. VTech has the advantage in number and diversity of available accessories such as SmartBooks and Art Studio, whereas LeapFrog's Leapster accessories are generally focused on portability options such as batteries and cases. The Leapster is also more technically powerful then the V.Smile, albeit with a lower screen resolution and audio quality.

The V.Smile family in general is more focused on TV connectability, while the Leapster family is more focused on the handheld, portable systems, but both VTech and LeapFrog have moved to compete with one another on both fronts. Leapster systems and games tend to be slightly more expensive than V.Smile games. The Leapster does have an age range for some games that reaches up to age 11, which is territory more for the V-Flash than the V.Smile. Noteworthy is that both LeapFrog and VTech continue to sell previous generation handhelds at a reduced price compared to the Leapster 2 and the New Improved V.Smile Pocket.

The V.Smile PC Pal variant console and Smart Keyboard accessory faces direct competition with LeapFrog's ClickStart educational computer offering, and indirect competition with various toy educational laptops and low cost desktop PCs with children software and child-friendly accessories installed. While the V.Smile SmartBook console may have faced competition from the Sega Pico due to the similarity of the concepts, the Sega Pico was not available outside Japan for a long time.

Rough comparisons in technological capability with the V.Smile consoles in terms of graphics and sound can be made to Nintendo's SNES console,[7] thus generally the V.Smile is technologically comparable to most fourth generation consoles despite being released in the seventh generation era. The V.Smile systems in general are offered for a fraction of the price of those consoles when they were new, and the V.Smile systems were designed specifically for children with a focus on education.

Durability and quality of plastics and other components of the V.Smile systems is in-line with expectations given the low cost of the devices. Replacement game system hardware can often be bought for less than the cost of a single game on dedicated current generation console game systems from Sony, Microsoft or Nintendo on the market.

Games

[edit]

Many educational game Smartridges for the V.Smile involve licensed characters popular with children.[7] Some of these properties include Scooby-Doo, Bob the Builder, The Little Mermaid, Go, Diego, Go!, and The Wiggles. In addition to commercial characters, some V.Smile releases also feature original content with non-commercial characters, such as those in Soccer, Little Red Riding Hood, and Whiz Kid Wheels.

Smartridges are categorized by the intended age of players, with labels indicating suitable age groups. Some releases were updated versions of existing games to incorporate microphone and/or touch tablet enhanced gameplay.

List of V.Smile games

[edit]
A normal light purple "smartridge", with a sprigged pin protector, and educational contents table on the backside

Several games were released in different countries, and as a result of the console being aimed at younger children who might not know English, they were translated into their respective languages. The games also have a suggested age range on the box, that sometimes changes depending on which country it was released in. The Console and its games were sometimes distributed by different companies, such as Concentra in Portugal, and Giochi Preziosi in Italy.

Some V.Smile games were rereleased with V.Motion functionality. All Smartridge titles are compatible with the V.Smile family of systems including the original V.Smile system, V.Motion, V.Smile Pocket, and Cyber Pocket.[10]

The cartridges are light purple in color, but there are others; ones that work with accessories are bright yellow, V.Smile SmartBook games are red, and transparent dark purple cartridges, which came with several bundles of the special edition console in different games. Cartridges designed for V.Motion are a rounded top with a hole in the shape of a "V" and are orange in color.

There are known unreleased titles, Adventures in Oz, which was listed on Amazon by VTech in 2004 before the console was released, but it is unknown if it was ever developed or if/when/why it was cancelled.[11] and also, the German VTech plans to make an untitled Bumba game, it was cancelled in the Netherlands and in Germany.

There were 70 titles known to have been released:

   Background shading indicates games with special edition clear purple cartridge variant.
# US/UK Title Overseas title(s) Age range V.Motion Version/ Needed Accessory Release date Licenser
1 The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood France Les aventures du Petit Chaperon Rouge
Germany Entdecke die Welt von Rotkäppchen
United States4-6 No 2004 VTech
2 Action Mania Portugal Action Mania
Spain Action Manía
France Sporti'Folies
Netherlands Sport Games
Germany Sportskanone
United States3-7
Spain3-5
France4-7
Netherlands3-5
Germany3-6
Exclusive 2008 VTech
3 Aladdin's Wonders of the World Spain El Maravilloso Mundo de Aladdin
France Les fabuleuses aventures d'Aladdin
Netherlands De wonderwereld van Aladdin
Germany Aladdins Welt der Wunder
Italy Il magico mondo di Aladdin
South Korea Aladdin - 할라디오ㅣ소ㅣ한모험거임
United States5-7 & 6-8
Spain5-8
France5-7
Netherlands5-7
Germany5-8
Italy5-7
No 2005 Disney Interactive Studios
4 Alphabet Park Adventure Portugal Aventura Do parque do Alfabeto
Spain Aventuras en el Parque Alfabeto
France ABC Land Aventure
Netherlands Alfabet Pretpark
Germany Abenteuer im ABC Park
Italy Avventura nel Parco Alfabeto
United States3-5
Portugal3-5
Spain4-7
France4-7
Netherlands3-6
Germany4-7
Italy4-7
No 2004 (Original)

2007 (Re-release)

VTech
5 The Backyardigans: Viking Voyage France Les Mélodilous: Les explorateurs vikings United States3-5
France3-6
No 2006 Nick Jr.
6 Barney: The Land of Make Believe Germany Barney: Erlebnis-Reise United States3-5 No 2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
7 Batman: Gotham City Rescue Spain Batman: Rescate en Gotham City
France Batman: Panique a Gotham City
Netherlands Batman: De Redding van Gotham City
Germany Batman: Rettung von Gotham City
United States6-8
Spain6-9
France6-8
Netherlands6-9
Germany6-10
No 2005 Warner Bros. Interactive
8 Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Imagination Adventure Spain Barrio Sésamo: El Mundo Fantástico de Epi y Blas
France 5, rue Sésame: Les Aventures Imaginaires d'Ernest et Bart
Germany Sesamstrasse: Ernies & Berts Fantastiches Abenteuer
United States4-6
Spain4-7
France4-6
Germany4-7
No 2006 Sesame Workshop
9 Blue's Clues: Collection Day United States3-5 No 2005 Nick Jr.
10 Bob the Builder: Bob's Busy Day Portugal Bob o Construtor: Um Dia Atarefado
Spain Bob y sus Amigos: Un Día de Trabajo
France Bob le Bricoleur: Les P'tits Chantiers de Bob
Germany Bob der Baumeister: Bobs Spannender Arbeitstag
Denmark Byggemand Bob: Bobs Travle Dag
Sweden Byggare Bob: Bobs Stressige Dag
Netherlands Bob de Bouwer: Bob's drukke dag
United States3-5
Spain3-5
France3-5
Germany3-6
Denmark3-5
Sweden3-5
Netherlands4-6
No 2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
11 Care Bears: A Lesson in Caring Spain Osos Amorosos: Una Lección de Amor
France Les Bisounours: Le monde merveilleux des Bisounours
Germany Pflegebären: eine Lektion in Pflege
United States3-5
France3-5
No 2004 American Greetings
12 Cars: Rev it Up in Radiator Springs Portugal Carros: Aventura em Radiator Springs
Spain Cars: Acelera el Motor en Radiator Springs
France Cars: Quatre Roues
Netherlands Cars: Spektakel in Radiator Springs
Germany Cars: Vollgas in Radiator Springs
Italy Cars: Motori Ruggenti
Denmark Biler: Ræs I Kølerkildekøbing
Sweden Bilar: Kör ikapp I Kylarköping
Norway Biler: Full Gass I Radiator By
United States4-6
Portugal4-6
Spain4-7
France4-7
Netherlands4-6
Germany5-8
Italy4-6
Yes 2006 Buena Vista Games
13 Cars 2 ? United States4-6
France4-7
Germany5-8
Exclusive 2011 Disney Interactive Studios
14 Cinderella's Magic Wishes Portugal Cinderela: Os Sonhos Mágicos de Cinderela
Spain La Cenicienta: Los sueños mágicos de Cenicienta
France Cendrillon: Le rêve enchanté de Cendrillon
Netherlands Assepoester: De wonderwereld van Assepoester
Germany Cinderella: Lernen im Märchenland
Denmark Cinderella: Askepots magiske ønsker
Finland Cinderella: Tuhkimon Taikatoiveet
United States5-7 & 6-8
Portugal5-7
Spain5-8
France4-7 & 5-7
Netherlands5-7
Germany5-8
Yes 2005 Disney Interactive Studios
15 Cranium Partyland Park: A carnival of play-and-learn fun France Cranium: Le Parc d'attractions
Germany Cranium Freizeit Park: Ein Jahrmarkt Voller Spiel-Und Lernspaß
United States4-6
France4-6
Germany4-6
No 2007 Hasbro
16 Dora the Explorer: Dora's Got a Puppy Germany Dora: Dora hat einen Welpen'
Netherlands
Dora: Dora heeft een puppy'
United States3-5 Smartbook 2007 Nick Jr.
17 Dora the Explorer: Dora's Fix-it Adventure Portugal Dora a exploradora: Em busca das Peças Perdidas
Spain Dora la exploradora: La Aventura arregla-todo de Dora
France Dora l'exploratrice: Les aventures de Dora Apprentie Mécano
Netherlands Dora: Dora's Reparatie Avontuur!
Germany Dora: Dora's Reparatur-Abenteuer
United States3-5
France3-6
Netherlands4-6
Yes 2005 (Original)

2007 (Re-release)

Nick Jr.
18 Elmo's World: Elmo's Big Discoveries Spain El Mundo De Elmo: Grandes Descubrimientos De Elmo
France Le Monde d'Elmo: Les Grandes Découvertes D'Elmo
United States3-5
Spain3-5
France3-5
Maybe 2005 Sesame Workshop
19 Finding Nemo: Nemo's Ocean Discoveries Portugal Á Procura De Nemo: Nemo À Descoberta Do Oceano
Spain Buscando a Nemo: Los Decubrimientos de Nemo
France Le Monde De Nemo: Nemo à la découverte de l'océan
Netherlands Finding Nemo: De wonderwereld van Nemo
Germany Findet Nemo: Nemos Unterwasserabenteuer
United States4-6
Portugal4-6
France4-7
Germany4-7
No 2005 Disney Interactive Studios
20 Go, Diego, Go!: Save the Animal Families France Go Diego!: À la rescousse des animaux!
Netherlands Go Diego, Go!: Red de Dierenfamilies!
United States3-5 No 2007 Nick Jr.
21 Handy Manny Portugal Manny Mãozinhas
Spain Manny Manitas
France Manny Et Ses Outils
Germany Meister Manny's Werkzeugkiste
United States3-5
Portugal3-5
Spain4-7
France4-6
Germany3-6
Yes 2009 Disney Interactive
22 United States Jammin' Gym Class
United Kingdom Dance 'N Learn
Spain Gimnasio Interactivo
France Défi Gym (Tapis Multisport)
Netherlands Muziek En Leer Mat
Germany Lern-Und Tanzmatte
United States4+
United Kingdom4+
Spain4-8
France4-8
Netherlands4-8
Germany4-7
Dance Pad 2006 VTech
23 Kung Fu Panda: Path of the Panda France Kung Fu Panda: La mission de Po
Germany Kung Fu Panda: Der Weg des Panda
United States4-6
France4-6
Yes 2008 DreamWorks
24 Learnin' Wheels France Apprenti' pilote
Germany Freds Zahlen Rallye
? No 2004 VTech
25 Lil' Bratz: Friends, Fashion and Fun Spain Lil' Bratz: Amigos, Moda y Diversión
France Lil' Bratz Au top de la mode: Complices, Cools et Class'
United States4-6 No 2006 MGA Entertainment
26 Little Einsteins France Les petits Einstein
Germany Kleine Einsteins
United States3-5
France3-5
Germany3-6
Yes 2009 Disney Interactive
27 The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Majestic Journey Portugal A Pequena Sereia: A Viagem Fantástica de Ariel
Spain La Sirenita: El Viaje Fantástico de Ariel
France Le Petit Sirene: Ariel devient une princesse
Netherlands De Kleine Zeemeermin: De wonderwereld van Ariel
Germany Arielle, die Meerjungfrau: Arielles aufregendes Abenteuer
Denmark Den Lille Havfrue: Ariels majeræriske rejse!
Finland Pieni Merenneito: Arielin Majesteettinen Matka
United States4-6
Portugal4-6
Spain4-6
No 2004 Disney Interactive Studios
28 Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Portugal A Casa Do Mickey Mouse
Spain La Casa De Mickey Mouse
France La Mansion De Mickey
Netherlands Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Germany Micky Maus Wunderhaus
Sweden Musses Klubbhus
United States4-6
France4-6
Yes 2008 Disney Interactive
29 Mickey Mouse: Mickey's Magical Adventure Portugal Mickey Mouse: A Aventura Mágica de Mickey
Spain Mickey Mouse: La Aventura Mágica de Mickey
France Mickey: Mickey à la recherche de Pluto
Germany Micky: Mickys magisches Abenteuer
United States5-7
Portugal5-7
France5-7
Germany5-8
No 2004 Disney Interactive Studios
30 Monsters vs. Aliens Spain Monstruos contra Alienigenas
France Monstres contre Aliens
Germany Monsters Vs. Aliens
United States3-5
Spain4-6
France4-6
Germany4-7
Yes 2009 DreamWorks
31 My Pet Puppy Spain Dakota y su mascota
France Mon Toutou tout fou!
Netherlands Mijn Puppy!
Germany Mein Erster Hund
Sweden Min Hundvalp
Finland Koiranpentuni
United States3-5
Spain3-5
France3-6
Netherlands3-5
Germany3-6
Sweden3-5
Yes 2009 VTech
32 My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Tigger's Bedtime for Bouncer ? ? Exclusive ? Disney Interactive
33 Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Happy Chinese New Year! France Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Joyeux nouvel an chinois! United States3-5
France3-5
Exclusive 2009 Nickelodeon
34 NASCAR Academy: Race Car Superstar United States4-6 Exclusive 2009 VTech
35 Noddy: Detective for a Day Portugal Noddy: Detective por Um Dia
France Oui-Oui: Détective d'un jour
Germany Noddy: Detektiv für einen Tag
United States3-5
Portugal3-5
France3-4
No 2008..? ?
36 PC Pal Island ? ? PC Pal 2008 VTech
37 The Princess and the Frog: Tiana's Big Dream Spain Tiana Y El Sapo:
France La Princesse Et Le Grenouille: Le grand rêve de Tiana
Germany Küss den Frosch: Tianas Großer Traum
United States4-6
France4-7
Yes 2010 ?
38 Ratatouille: Remy's New Recipes Spain Ratatouille: Las recetas de Remy
France Ratatouille: Les nouvelles recettes de Rémy
Germany Ratatouille: Remys neue Rezepte
United States4-6
Spain4-6
No 2007 Disney/Pixar
39 Scooby-Doo!: A Night Of Fright Is No Delight United States3-6 Smartbook 2007 Warner Bros. Interactive
40 Scooby-Doo!: Funland Frenzy Spain Scooby-Doo!: Misterio en el Parque
France Scooby-Doo!: Panique à Funland
Netherlands Scooby-Doo!: Griezelen in Het Pretpark
Germany Scooby-Doo!: Im Lernpark
Italy Scooby-Doo!: Avventura a Funland
Denmark Scooby-Doo!: Sjov i Forlystelsesparken
Sweden Scooby-Doo!: Tivoli-Tokerier
United States4-6 & 5-7
Spain5-7
France5-7
Netherlands5-7
Germany5-8
Italy4-6 & 5-7
Denmark5-7
Sweden5-7
Yes 2004 Warner Bros. Interactive
41 Shrek: Dragon's Tale Spain Shrek: El Cuento De La Dragona
France Shrek: Le rhume de Dragonne
Netherlands Shrek: Het Verhaal Van Draakje
Germany Shrek: Die Geschichte Des Drachen
United States6-8
France6-9
Netherlands6-9
No 2005 DreamWorks
42 Shrek Forever After Spain Shrek: Felices Para Siempre
France Shrek 4 : Il était une fin
United States4-6
Spain4-7
France4-7
Exclusive 2010 DreamWorks
43 Shrek the Third: Arthur's School Day Adventure Spain Shrek Tercero: En Busca De Arturo
France Shrek Le Troisiéme: L'Aventure D'Arthur
Netherlands Shrek De Derde: Arthurs Schooldag Avontuur
Germany Shrek der Dritte: Ein Spannender Schultag
United States4-6
Spain5-8
France4-6
No 2007 DreamWorks
44 United States Smart Keyboard
United Kingdom Smart Keys
Spain Teclado Interactivo
France Tip Tap
Germany Tastatur
United States5+
United Kingdom4+
Spain4+
Germany6+
Smart Keyboard 2007 VTech
45 Snow Park Challenge Germany Wintersport United States4-6
Germany4-7
Exclusive 2009 VTech
46 United States Soccer Challenge
United Kingdom Football Challenge
Portugal Football Challenge
France Football Challenge
Netherlands Voetbal
Germany Fußball Schule
United States4-6
United Kingdom4-6
Portugal4-6
France4-7
Netherlands5-8
Yes 2006 VTech
47 Spider-Man & Friends: Doc Ock's Challenge Spain Spider-Man y Amigos: La Aventura Del Doctor Octopus
France Spider-Man & ses amis: Le Défi du Docteur Ock
? No 2005 Marvel Comics
48 Spider-Man & Friends: Secret Missions Portugal Spider-Man & amigos: Missões Secretas
Spain Spider-Man y Amigos: Misiones Secretas
France Spider-Man & ses amis: Missions Secrètes
Germany Spider-Man & Freunde: Geheime Missionen
United States4-6
Portugal4-7
France5-7 & 5-8
Yes 2004 Marvel Comics
49 Spider-Man & Friends: Where is HULK? United States3-5 Smartbook 2007 Marvel Comics
50 SpongeBob SquarePants: A Day in the Life of a Sponge Spain Bob Esponja: Un día en la vida de una esponja
France Bob L'Éponge: Une jourée dans la vie d'une éponge
Germany Spongebob Schwammkopf: Der Tag des Schwamms
United States6-8
Spain6-9
Germany6-9
Yes 2005 Nickelodeon
51 Super Why: The Beach Day Mystery United States3-5 Exclusive 2010 Out of the Blue Enterprises
52 Superman: The Greatest Hero Spain Superman: El Hombre De Acero
France Superman: A La Rescousse!
Netherlands Superman: De Grootste Held
Germany Superman: Der Superheld
United States6-8
Spain6-9
France6-9
No 2006 Warner Bros. Interactive
53 The Lion King: Simba's Big Adventure Portugal O Rei Leão: A Grande Aventura de Simba
Spain Rey León: La Gran Aventura de Simba
France Roi Lion: Simba découvre la jungle
Netherlands De Leeuwenkoning: De wonderwereld van Simba
Germany Der König der Löwen: Simba große Abenteuer
Italy Il re leone: La Grange Avventura di Simba
Denmark Løvernes Konge: Simbas store eventyr
Sweden Lejonkungen: Simbas stora äventyr
Norway Løvenes Konge: Simbas store eventyr
Finland Leijona Kuningas: Simban Suuri Seikkailu
United States3-5
Portugal3-5
Spain3-5
France3-5
Netherlands3-5
Germany3-6
Denmark3-5
No 2004 Disney Interactive Studios
54 Thomas & Friends: Engines Working Together France Thomas Et Ses Amis: Les Locomotives S'Entraident
Germany Thomas & Seine Freunde: Freunde Halten Zusammen
United States3-5
France3-5
Yes 2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
55 Tinker Bell Portugal Sininho
Spain Campanilla
France La Fée Clochette
Denmark Klokkeblomst
United States4-6
France5-8
Denmark4-6
Yes 2009 Disney Interactive Studios
56 Toy Story 2 United States4-6 Smartbook 2007 Disney/Pixar
57 Toy Story 2: Operation Rescue Woody Portugal Toy Story 2: O resgate de Woddy
Spain Toy Story 2: El Rescate De Woody
France Toy Story 2: Buzz À La Rescousse!
Germany Toy Story 2: Woddys Spannende Rettung
Italy Toy Story 2: Operazione: Salvataggio Di Woody!
United States4-6
Portugal4-6
Spain4-6
France4-6
Germany4-7
Italy4-6
No 2005 Disney Interactive
58 Toy Story 3 Portugal Toy Story 3
Spain Toy Story 3
Italy Toy Story 3'
United States3-5
Portugal3-5
Spain3-6
Italy3-5
Yes 2010 Disney Interactive Studios
72 ? France ?
Germany Untitled Bumba Game
Germany3-5 Exclusive TBA 2008 Studio 100
59 Up France Lá-Haut
Germany Oben
United States4-6
France4-6
Germany4-7
Yes 2009 Disney Interactive Studios
60 V.Smile Art Studio Spain V.Smile Estudio De Arte
Germany V.Smile Zeichenatelier
Denmark V.Smile Tegnestudie
? Drawing Tablet 2006 VTech
61 WALL-E Germany WALL-E United States3-5 Yes 2008 Disney Interactive Studios
62 Whiz Kid Wheels Portugal Condução Divertida
Spain Conducción Divertita
France Mission pilote
Netherlands Truckie's Rekenrace
Germany Flitzers Schlaue Städtetour
United States6-8
Portugal5-8
Spain5-8
Netherlands5-7
No 2005 VTech
63 The Wiggles: It's Wiggle Time! United States3-5 No 2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
64 Wild Waves FranceMartin le Dauphin United States4-6
France4-7
Exclusive 2009 VTech
65 Winnie the Pooh: The Honey Hunt Portugal Winnie the Pooh: Em Busca do Mel
Spain Winnie the Pooh: En Busca de la Miel
France Winnie l'Ourson: La Chasse au miel de Winnie
Netherlands Winnie de Poeh: De wonderwereld van Poeh
Germany Winnie Puuh: Die Honigjagd
Denmark Peter Plys: Honningjagten
Norway Ole Brumm: Honningjakten
Finland Winnie The Pooh: Hunajajahti
Sweden Nalle Puh: Honungsjakten|
Japan Winnie the Pooh: Honey Taskiya
United States3-5
Portugal3-5
Yes 2004 Disney Interactive Studios
66 Wonder Pets!: Save The Animals! United States3-5 Yes 2008 Nickelodeon
67 Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Attack of the 50 Foot Fleegle ? United States3-5 Yes 2009 Nickelodeon, Starz Media
68 Zayzoo: An Earth Adventure ? United States5-8 No 2005 VTech
69 Zayzoo: My Alien Classmate Spain Zayzoo: Mi Amigo Del Espacio
Netherlands Zayzoo: Mijn Buitenaards Vriendje
Germany Zayzoos Lernall
Netherlands5-8 No 2005 VTech

V.Smile Baby Infant Development System

[edit]
V.Smile Baby Infant Development System
A Spanish V.Smile Baby system (Model 690)
ManufacturerVTech
Product familyV.Smile
TypeVideo game console
GenerationSixth / Seventh
Release date2006[12]
MediaROM cartridge

An unrelated and separate spin-off system called the V.Smile Baby Infant Development System, was released shortly after the original V.Smile TLS was introduced to the market. The games and cartridges of a V.Smile Baby IDS are not compatible with a V.Smile TLS and vice versa. This is an important distinction since so many of the other consoles named "V.Smile" are inter-compatible. The control system for the V.Smile Baby Infant Development System is significantly different from those used in the V.Smile TLS that is targeted at older children: it does not have the features of a typical game controller, instead the design is more like that of a playboard. The controls consist of a mode slider, two switches (one for power and the other toggles the board between standalone play mode and console control mode), 7 buttons (5 shape buttons, a "fun" button, a small Exit button), and a roller ball hooked up to a sensor. The controller itself has a speaker which comes into play during standalone mode (in which it functions as a playboard that play music, speech and sound when interacted with). The controller communicates with the console by means of infrared signaling, and runs off six AA (Lithium) batteries. It also lacks a pink variant for girls, V.Smile Baby only ships with an orange color scheme.

The console itself is rather unusual in design, having only an on-off switch and permanently attached cables carrying composite video signal and mono audio through two RCA connectors. It runs off four AA (Lithium) batteries or a 6V DC power supply (sold separately), although European systems are missing the DC-in port, only being able to use batteries. The console has a cartridge slot as well as indents to hold four additional cartridges for storage. Also, powering off the controller will also power off the console if the console is switched on at the time. It was designed for kids ages 9 months-3 Years old.

It was released in several countries with different names;

Country Name Tagline Age Range
United StatesUnited Kingdom V.Smile Baby Infant Development System Learning Grows As Baby Grows! 9-36 Months
Spain V.Smile Baby Sistema De Aprendizaje Infantil Por TV N/A 1-3 Years
France V.Smile Baby Un système évolutif spécialement conçu pour l'éveil des tout-petits! 1-3 Years
Sweden V.Smile Baby Utvecklingssystem För Spädbarn Lärandet växer med barnet! 9-36 Months

List of V.Smile Baby games

[edit]
The Baby cartridge is more rounded, with normal exposed pins, but it still retains the educational contents table on the backside.

This is an (possibly) incomplete list of games for the system.

Most games were released in both NTSC and PAL, with PAL region titles sometimes having a different English name to its US counterparts. Most games were also translated for other European market languages.

The game Bailey Goes to Town came included with the Bailey Teddy bear that functioned as a controller.

There were only 14 titles known to have been released;

# US/UK Title Overseas title(s) Licenser
1 A Day On The Farm Spain Un Día en la Granja
France Un jour à la ferme
Germany Mein erster Bauernhof
Netherlands Een dag op de boerderij
VTech And John Deere
2 Baby Einstein: World of Discoveries Spain Baby Einstein. ¡Baby Descubrimientos!
France Baby Einstein. Un monde de découvertes
Disney Interactive Studios
3 Bailey Goes to Town VTech
4 Barney: Let's Go To A Party! HIT Entertainment
5 United States Care Bears
United Kingdom Care Bears Care-A-Lot Park
American Greetings
6 Discovery With Baby Mickey & Friends France Les découvertes de Mickey et ses amis Disney Interactive Studios
7 Learn & Discover Home Spain La Casa de los Animalitos
France La Maison des Animaux
Netherlands Dierenhuis
Germany Meine Kleinen Tierfreunde
Sweden Lär och upptäck
VTech
8 United States Mother Goose
United Kingdom Play And Learn Nursery Rhymes
9 Noah's Ark Animal Adventure France L'Arche De Noé L'aventure des animaux
Netherlands De Ark van Noach: Dieren Avonturen
VTech
10 Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood Adventure Spain Aventuras en el Bosque de los Cien Acres
France Winnie Et Ses Amis Dans La Foret Des Rêves Bleus
Netherlands Poeh's Honderd Bunderbos Avontuur
Sweden Nalle Puhs Äventyr i Sjumilaskogen
Disney Interactive Studios
11 The Backyardigans: Big Backyard Adventure
Netherlands Het Backyardigans: Grote Achtertuin Avontuur
Nickelodeon
12 United States Time For Teletubbies
United Kingdom Make Friends with the Teletubbies
France C'est l'heure des Teletubbies Ragdoll Productions / BBC Worldwide
13 My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood Adventure Spain My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Aventuras en el Bosque de los Cien Acres
France My Friends Tigger and Pooh:Winnie Et Ses Amis Dans La Foret Des Rêves Bleus
Netherlands My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Poeh's Honderd Bunderbos Avontuur
Sweden My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Nalle Puhs Äventyr i Sjumilaskogen
Disney Interactive Studios
14 United States Cars: Radiator Springs Journey
Spain Cars: viaje de Radiator Springs Disney Interactive Studios
Pixar

Region protection and inter-compatibility

[edit]
The pins in both V.Smile and V.Smile Baby cartridges are the same, although both systems are not compatible with each other.

Even though the V.Smile range of games are compatible with most of its consoles, the V.Smile Baby games aren't. The cartridges are shorter, but are also thicker and wider than normal V.Smile ones, meaning they can't fit on other systems. However, both cartridges have the same connector and pins, meaning V.Smile Smartridges, which are slimmer and narrower, can be physically inserted into the V.Smile Baby and connected, although it's harder to do so, and the game won't work with the console.

The V.Smile range of consoles are apparently not region-locked. While the console itself come in NTSC and PAL versions and the BIOS on the consoles appear to be region specific (distinguishable from the speech sample played in the screen after the VTech logo when the console is started with no cartridge inserted),[citation needed] games purchased from an NTSC region can play on PAL systems and vice versa. Observations suggest that both the V.Smile and V.Smile Infant Development System used different methods of booting: The V.Smile and V.Smile Pocket variants will apparently boot into their own BIOS, then obligingly run the software on the cartridge.

The V.Smile Baby appears to boot from the default BIOS when a cartridge of the same region is inserted or when there's no cartridge in the system, but appears to boot from a different BIOS when a cartridge of a different region is inserted.[13] Currently it is unknown if the extra BIOS resides on the cartridge or on the console itself.[14]

Reception

[edit]

Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that Vtech's V.Smile Baby product, marketed for ages nine months to three years, may not meet the claims that it helps with early childhood development or education in any way, stating that children ages 0 to 2 years are basically too young to understand anything and many cannot watch TV.[15]

On October 17, 2011, AAP's Council on Communications and media released a report titled Media Use by Children Younger than 2 Years concluded that "the educational merit of media for children younger than two years remains unproven despite the fact that three-quarters of the top selling infant videos make explicit or implicit educational claims," and further found that media viewing by children under 2 years of age can have a negative effect on language development.[16]

Video game and technology critics are also quick to discount Vtech's line of products, including V.Smile (ages 4–8), V.Smile Baby (ages 9m–3), V.Flash (ages 6–10), V.Smile Pocket (ages 3–8), and V.Reader, citing the lack of professionally developed games, as VTech consoles had no major third party video game publishers by 2009[17] aside from Disney Interactive.[citation needed]

Critics also state that the V.Smile proves the notion that the need for special electronics for children is artificial, as products like mainstream consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Wii), tablets (iPad, Android), and computers (PC, Mac) have a variety of educational and children's software. Furthermore, such devices offer flexibility that allows children to grow with them, not outgrow them.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "V.Smile Games". Giant Bomb. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  2. ^ "VTech Introduces InnoTV, Perfect Educational Gaming System for Preschoolers Offers Educator-Supported Learning Games for Under US$70". VTech. 2015-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  3. ^ "V.smile motion Schematics" (PDF). 10 August 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  4. ^ "VTech Introduces InnoTV, Perfect Educational Gaming System for Preschoolers Offers Educator-Supported Learning Games for Under US$70". VTech. 2015-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  5. ^ a b "How to Hook Up VTech V.Smile to a TV". Techwalla. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  6. ^ a b "Vtech V-Smile Learning System Instructions | How To Adult". How To Adult. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  7. ^ a b c Beschizza, Rob. "Hands-On With VTech's V.Smile Kids' Game Console (I'd Like Homebrew)". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  8. ^ a b c Buckleitner, Warren (2008-07-31). "Motion Gaming Adds a Mission That Blends Learning With Fun". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  9. ^ a b c d Williams, Jenny. "Vtech V.Smile Motion™ Active Learning System: You know, for kids!". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  10. ^ a b "VTech Takes on Head-to-Head "Smart" Play with New V.Smile Motion Smartridges". VTech. 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2024-01-06.
  11. ^ "VTech V.Smile Learning Game: The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood : Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games". Amazon UK.
  12. ^ "VTech Unveils V.Smile Baby and V.Smile Enhancements at London Toy Fair". 26 January 2006.
  13. ^ "V.Smile (Platform) - Giant Bomb". 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  14. ^ Confirmed with a PAL V.Smile Pocket bought in Malaysia and a NTSC V.Smile Cyber Pocket brought in from the US using both an Australian PAL smartridge and a North American NTSC smartridge. Likewise, the V.Smile Baby was tested using a PAL console bought in Malaysia and a North American NTSC smartridge.
  15. ^ Keim, Brandon. "It's Official: To Protect Baby's Brain, Turn Off TV". Wired. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  16. ^ "Policy Statement: Media Use by Children Younger Than 2 Years". Council on Communications and Media. The American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  17. ^ Vinciguerra, Robert. "The Top Ten Most Hilariously Bad Game Consoles of All Time". The Rev. Rob Times. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
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