V.Smile
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. The graphics are primarily sprite-based. The console is often bundled with a particular game, with most models including a game called "Alphabet Park Adventure". 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[5] is a major variant with its own software lineup that includes motion-sensitive controllers and has titles designed to take advantage of motion-related "active learning". The V.Motion and Smartridges are fully backwards compatible with other V.Smile variants and V.Smile Smartridges, and a V.Motion Smartridge can also be played on any V.Smile console, albeit with limited functionality.
 | |
  Top: A French first-generation V.Smile (Model 6122) Bottom: A second-generation V.Smile (Model 752) | |
| Manufacturer | VTech |
|---|---|
| Product family | V.Smile |
| Type | Educational home video game console |
| Generation | Sixth generation |
| Release date |
|
| Discontinued | 2010[2] |
| Units sold | 11 million[3] |
| Media | ROM cartridge |
| CPU | Sunplus SPG2xx[4] |
| Storage | Flash memory on ROM cartridge |
| Controller input | Up to 2 V.Smile controllers, optional keyboard/mouse, graphics tablet, and dance pad available |
| Predecessor | VTech Socrates |
| Successor | V.Flash |
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).
Variants
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. Originally only available in Orange/Purple and bundled with a Winnie the Pooh game, a pink/purple colored console was shipped later, targeting girls and bundled with a Cinderella game. Much later, a Red/Blue and Red/Silver model was introduced and bundled with a Scooby-Doo game.
It was released in several countries with different names:
| Country | Distributor | Name | Tagline | Age range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
VTech | V.Smile TV Learning System | Turn Game Time Into Brain Time! | 3-8 years |
 |
VTech | V.Smile TV Learning System | Learning is child's play! | 3-8 years |
 |
Concentra | V.Smile Sistema Educativo De TV | Aprender é divertido! | 3-7 years |
 |
VTech | V.Smile Aprendizaje Interactivo Por TV | ¡Aprender es un juego de niños! | 3-8 years |
 |
VTech | V.Smile Aprender Interactivo Por TV | ¡Aprender es un juego de niños! | 3-8 years |
 |
VTech | V.Smile Console TV Éducative | La première console de jeu éducative pour les petits! | 3-7 years |
 |
? | V.Smile TV Learning System | Leren is kinderspel! | 3-7 years |
 |
VTech | V.Smile Das Lernspiel-System | Lernen wird zum Kinderspiel! | 3-8 years |
 |
Giochi Preziosi | V.Smile Sistema di apprendimento TV | Imparare è un gioco da bambini! | 3-7 years |
 |
TOP-TOY A/S | V.Smile | ? | ? |
 |
? | V.Smile TV Learning System | Det är lekande lätt att lära! | 3-7 years |
 |
? | V.Smile | ? | ? |
 |
? | 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 analog stick, 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). 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.
A second generation of the V.Smile console was launched in 2007. The console (Model 752) is now 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).
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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
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. However, at the moment there is no Red/Silver or Red/Blue V.Smile Pocket.
A second-generation V.Smile Pocket was introduced in 2007, in which a microphone is added to the device. 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 generation V.Smile Pocket. 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
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
A newer variant of the V.Smile is the V.Motion Active Learning System (Model 788), released in September 2007, introduced as a low-cost, educational alternative from VTech to the popular Wii with its built-in controller accelerometers that detect movement. The V.Motion system includes a wireless, motion activated joystick that is adaptable by handedness. The controller can be tilted in a direction to achieve a result on the screen, alongside the traditional joystick directional control. It won the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval for 2008, and the Creative Child 2008 Seal of Excellence.
Accessories
- 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. 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
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 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 face competition from the Sega Pico due to the similarity of the concepts, the Sega Pico has not been 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 or Game Boy Advance systems, thus generally the console is technologically comparable to most fourth or fifth generation consoles despite being released in the seventh generation era of gaming consoles. 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
The majority of educational game Smartridges offered for the V.Smile involve licensed characters popular with children in the target age group of 3 to 7 such as Scooby-Doo, Bob the Builder, The Little Mermaid, Go, Diego, Go!, and The Wiggles. CGI-animated characters from movies also found their way to the V.Smile, including Kung Fu Panda, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo and Cars. Vtech also offers less commercial or traditional characters in games such as Soccer, Little Red Riding Hood, and Whiz Kid Wheels.
Smartridges are labeled for the intended age of players. Two major categories are Junior Thinkers (Ages 4–6) and Master Minds (Ages 6–8). There are also Beginner's games with age ranges of 3-5, and Advanced games for ages 6–9, such as SpongeBob SquarePants: A Day in The Life of a Sponge. The educational content and difficulty of gameplay is age appropriate. For example, in Dora's Fix-it Adventure (Ages 4–6), Dora will not fall from the edge of a platform if the child makes a mistake when moving her. Instead she will get up on her tiptoes and appear unbalanced. For children in the older age range, Cinderella and Batman games offer more challenging educational and action-based gameplay.
Some titles may include the text "New and Improved Version" on the covers. These are updated versions of existing game titles that now include microphone and/or touch tablet enhanced gameplay, such as Sing Along through use of the microphone feature that was added to second generation V.Smile consoles and the New V.Smile Pocket.
List of V.Smile games
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 re-released with V.Motion functionality, while some were exclusive to the system, and others were never upgraded.
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. The V.Motion cartridges are a rounded top with a hole in the shape of a "V" and are orange in color.
There is 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.[6] 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 | Developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood | Les aventures du Petit Chaperon Rouge Entdecke die Welt von Rotkäppchen | 4-6 | No | 2004 | VTech |
| 2 | Action Mania | Action Mania Action Manía Sporti'Folies Sport Games Sportskanone | 3-73-54-73-53-6 | Exclusive | 2008 | VTech |
| 3 | Aladdin's Wonders of the World | El Maravilloso Mundo de Aladdin Les fabuleuses aventures d'Aladdin De wonderwereld van Aladdin Aladdins Welt der Wunder Il magico mondo di Aladdin | 5-7 & 6-85-85-75-75-85-7 | No | 2005 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 4 | Alphabet Park Adventure | Aventura Do parque do Alfabeto Aventuras en el Parque Alfabeto ABC Land Aventure Alfabet Pretpark Abenteuer im ABC Park Avventura nel Parco Alfabeto | 3-53-54-74-73-64-74-7 | No | 2004 (Original)
2007 (Re-release) |
VTech |
| 5 | The Backyardigans: Viking Voyage | Les Mélodilous: Les explorateurs vikings | 3-53-6 | No | 2006 | Nick Jr. |
| 6 | Barney: The Land of Make Believe | Barney: Erlebnis-Reise | 3-5 | No | 2005 | HIT Entertainment PLC |
| 7 | Batman: Gotham City Rescue | Batman: Rescate en Gotham City Batman: Panique a Gotham City Batman: De Redding van Gotham City Batman: Rettung von Gotham City | 6-86-96-86-96-10 | No | 2005 | Warner Bros. Interactive |
| 8 | Sesame Street: Bert & Ernie's Imagination Adventure | Barrio Sésamo: El Mundo Fantástico de Epi y Blas 5, rue Sésame: Les Aventures Imaginaires d'Ernest et Bart Sesamstrasse: Ernies & Berts Fantastiches Abenteuer | 4-64-74-64-7 | No | 2006 | Sesame Workshop |
| 9 | Blue's Clues: Collection Day | 3-5 | No | 2005 | Nick Jr. | |
| 10 | Bob the Builder: Bob's Busy Day | Bob o Construtor: Um Dia Atarefado Bob y sus Amigos: Un Día de Trabajo Bob le Bricoleur: Les P'tits Chantiers de Bob Bob der Baumeister: Bobs Spannender Arbeitstag Byggemand Bob: Bobs Travle Dag Byggare Bob: Bobs Stressige Dag Bob de Bouwer: Bob's drukke dag | 3-53-53-53-63-53-54-6 | No | 2005 | HIT Entertainment PLC |
| 11 | Care Bears: A Lesson in Caring | Osos Amorosos: Una Lección de Amor Les Bisounours: Le monde merveilleux des Bisounours Pflegebären: eine Lektion in Pflege | 3-53-5 | No | 2004 | ? |
| 12 | Cars: Rev it Up in Radiator Springs | Carros: Aventura em Radiator Springs Cars: Acelera el Motor en Radiator Springs Cars: Quatre Roues Cars: Spektakel in Radiator Springs Cars: Vollgas in Radiator Springs Cars: Motori Ruggenti Biler: Ræs I Kølerkildekøbing Bilar: Kör ikapp I Kylarköping Biler: Full Gass I Radiator By | 4-64-64-74-74-65-84-6 | Yes | 2006 | Buena Vista Games |
| 13 | Cars 2 | ? | 4-64-75-8 | Exclusive | 2011 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 14 | Cinderella's Magic Wishes | Cinderela: Os Sonhos Mágicos de Cinderela La Cenicienta: Los sueños mágicos de Cenicienta Cendrillon: Le rêve enchanté de Cendrillon Assepoester: De wonderwereld van Assepoester Cinderella: Lernen im Märchenland Cinderella: Askepots magiske ønsker Cinderella: Tuhkimon Taikatoiveet | 5-7 & 6-85-75-84-7 & 5-75-75-8 | Yes | 2005 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 15 | Cranium Partyland Park: A carnival of play-and-learn fun | Cranium: Le Parc d'attractions Cranium Freizeit Park: Ein Jahrmarkt Voller Spiel-Und Lernspaß | 4-64-64-6 | No | 2007 | Hasbro |
| 16 | Dora the Explorer: Dora's Got a Puppy | Dora: Dora hat einen Welpen' Dora: Dora heeft een puppy' | 3-5 | Smartbook | 2007 | Nick Jr. |
| 17 | Dora the Explorer: Dora's Fix-it Adventure | Dora a exploradora: Em busca das Peças Perdidas Dora la exploradora: La Aventura arregla-todo de Dora Dora l'exploratrice: Les aventures de Dora Apprentie Mécano Dora: Dora's Reparatie Avontuur! Dora: Dora's Reparatur-Abenteuer | 3-53-64-6 | Yes | 2005 (Original)
2007 (Re-release) |
Nick Jr. |
| 18 | Elmo's World: Elmo's Big Discoveries | El Mundo De Elmo: Grandes Descubrimientos De Elmo Le Monde d'Elmo: Les Grandes Découvertes D'Elmo | 3-53-53-5 | Maybe | 2005 | Sesame Workshop |
| 19 | Finding Nemo: Nemo's Ocean Discoveries | Á Procura De Nemo: Nemo À Descoberta Do Oceano Buscando a Nemo: Los Decubrimientos de Nemo Le Monde De Nemo: Nemo à la découverte de l'océan Finding Nemo: De wonderwereld van Nemo Findet Nemo: Nemos Unterwasserabenteuer | 4-64-64-74-7 | No | 2005 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 20 | Go, Diego, Go!: Save the Animal Families | Go Diego!: À la rescousse des animaux! Go Diego, Go!: Red de Dierenfamilies! | 3-5 | No | 2007 | Nick Jr. |
| 21 | Handy Manny | Manny Mãozinhas Manny Manitas Manny Et Ses Outils Meister Manny's Werkzeugkiste | 3-53-54-74-63-6 | Yes | 2009 | Disney Interactive |
| 22 | Jammin' Gym Class Dance 'N Learn | Gimnasio Interactivo Défi Gym (Tapis Multisport) Muziek En Leer Mat Lern-Und Tanzmatte | 4+4+4-84-84-84-7 | Dance Pad | 2006 | VTech |
| 23 | Kung Fu Panda: Path of the Panda | Kung Fu Panda: La mission de Po Kung Fu Panda: Der Weg des Panda | 4-64-6 | Yes | 2008 | DreamWorks |
| 24 | Learnin' Wheels | Apprenti' pilote Freds Zahlen Rallye | ? | No | 2004 | VTech |
| 25 | Lil' Bratz: Friends, Fashion and Fun | Lil' Bratz: Amigos, Moda y Diversión Lil' Bratz Au top de la mode: Complices, Cools et Class' | 4-6 | No | 2006 | MGA Entertainment |
| 26 | Little Einsteins | Les petits Einstein Kleine Einsteins | 3-53-53-6 | Yes | 2009 | Disney Interactive |
| 27 | The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Majestic Journey | A Pequena Sereia: A Viagem Fantástica de Ariel La Sirenita: El Viaje Fantástico de Ariel Le Petit Sirene: Ariel devient une princesse De Kleine Zeemeermin: De wonderwereld van Ariel Arielle, die Meerjungfrau: Arielles aufregendes Abenteuer Den Lille Havfrue: Ariels majeræriske rejse! Pieni Merenneito: Arielin Majesteettinen Matka | 4-64-64-6 | No | 2004 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 28 | Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | A Casa Do Mickey Mouse La Casa De Mickey Mouse La Mansion De Mickey Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Micky Maus Wunderhaus | 4-64-6 | Yes | 2008 | Disney Interactive |
| 29 | Mickey Mouse: Mickey's Magical Adventure | Mickey Mouse: A Aventura Mágica de Mickey Mickey Mouse: La Aventura Mágica de Mickey Mickey: Mickey à la recherche de Pluto Micky: Mickys magisches Abenteuer | 5-75-75-75-8 | No | 2004 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 30 | Monsters vs. Aliens | Monstruos contra Alienigenas Monstres contre Aliens Monsters Vs. Aliens | 3-54-64-64-7 | Yes | 2009 | DreamWorks |
| 31 | My Pet Puppy | Dakota y su mascota Mon Toutou tout fou! Mijn Puppy! Mein Erster Hund Min Hundvalp Koiranpentuni | 3-53-53-63-53-63-5 | 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! | Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Joyeux nouvel an chinois! | 3-53-5 | Exclusive | 2009 | Nickelodeon |
| 34 | NASCAR Academy: Race Car Superstar | 4-6 | Exclusive | 2009 | VTech | |
| 35 | Noddy: Detective for a Day | Noddy: Detective por Um Dia Oui-Oui: Détective d'un jour Noddy: Detektiv für einen Tag | 3-53-53-4 | No | 2008..? | ? |
| 36 | PC Pal Island | ? | ? | PC Pal | 2008 | VTech |
| 37 | The Princess and the Frog: Tiana's Big Dream | Tiana Y El Sapo: La Princesse Et Le Grenouille: Le grand rêve de Tiana Küss den Frosch: Tianas Großer Traum | 4-64-7 | Yes | 2010 | ? |
| 38 | Ratatouille: Remy's New Recipes | Ratatouille: Las recetas de Remy Ratatouille: Les nouvelles recettes de Rémy Ratatouille: Remys neue Rezepte | 4-64-6 | No | 2007 | Disney/Pixar |
| 39 | Scooby-Doo!: A Night Of Fright Is No Delight | 3-6 | Smartbook | 2007 | Warner Bros. Interactive | |
| 40 | Scooby-Doo!: Funland Frenzy | Scooby-Doo!: Misterio en el Parque Scooby-Doo!: Panique à Funland Scooby-Doo!: Griezelen in Het Pretpark Scooby-Doo!: Im Lernpark Scooby-Doo!: Avventura a Funland Scooby-Doo!: Sjov i Forlystelsesparken Scooby-Doo!: Tivoli-Tokerier | 4-6 & 5-75-75-75-75-84-6 & 5-75-75-7 | Yes | 2004 | Warner Bros. Interactive |
| 41 | Shrek: Dragon's Tale | Shrek: El Cuento De La Dragona Shrek: Le rhume de Dragonne Shrek: Het Verhaal Van Draakje Shrek: Die Geschichte Des Drachen | 6-86-96-9 | No | 2005 | DreamWorks |
| 42 | Shrek Forever After | Shrek: Felices Para Siempre Shrek 4 : Il était une fin | 4-64-74-7 | Exclusive | 2010 | DreamWorks |
| 43 | Shrek the Third: Arthur's School Day Adventure | Shrek Tercero: En Busca De Arturo Shrek Le Troisiéme: L'Aventure D'Arthur Shrek De Derde: Arthurs Schooldag Avontuur Shrek der Dritte: Ein Spannender Schultag | 4-65-84-6 | No | 2007 | DreamWorks |
| 44 | Smart Keyboard Smart Keys | Teclado Interactivo Tip Tap Tastatur | 5+4+4+6+ | Smart Keyboard | 2007 | VTech |
| 45 | Snow Park Challenge | Wintersport | 4-64-7 | Exclusive | 2009 | VTech |
| 46 | Soccer Challenge Football Challenge | Football Challenge Football Challenge Voetbal Fußball Schule | 4-64-64-64-75-8 | Yes | 2006 | VTech |
| 47 | Spider-Man & Friends: Doc Ock's Challenge | Spider-Man y Amigos: La Aventura Del Doctor Octopus Spider-Man & ses amis: Le Défi du Docteur Ock | ? | No | 2005 | Marvel Comics |
| 48 | Spider-Man & Friends: Secret Missions | Spider-Man & amigos: Missões Secretas Spider-Man y Amigos: Misiones Secretas Spider-Man & ses amis: Missions Secrètes Spider-Man & Freunde: Geheime Missionen | 4-64-75-7 & 5-8 | Yes | 2004 | Marvel Comics |
| 49 | Spider-Man & Friends: Where is HULK? | 3-5 | Smartbook | 2007 | Marvel Comics | |
| 50 | SpongeBob SquarePants: A Day in the Life of a Sponge | Bob Esponja: Un día en la vida de una esponja Bob L'Éponge: Une jourée dans la vie d'une éponge Spongebob Schwammkopf: Der Tag des Schwamms | 6-86-96-9 | Yes | 2005 | Nickelodeon |
| 51 | Super Why: The Beach Day Mystery | 3-5 | Exclusive | 2008 | Out of the Blue Enterprises | |
| 52 | Superman: The Greatest Hero | Superman: El Hombre De Acero Superman: A La Rescousse! Superman: De Grootste Held Superman: Der Superheld | 6-86-96-9 | No | 2006 | Warner Bros. Interactive |
| 53 | The Lion King: Simba's Big Adventure | O Rei Leão: A Grande Aventura de Simba Rey León: La Gran Aventura de Simba Roi Lion: Simba découvre la jungle De Leeuwenkoning: De wonderwereld van Simba Der König der Löwen: Simba große Abenteuer Il re leone: La Grange Avventura di Simba Løvernes Konge: Simbas store eventyr Lejonkungen: Simbas stora äventyr Løvenes Konge: Simbas store eventyr Leijona Kuningas: Simban Suuri Seikkailu | 3-53-53-53-53-53-63-5 | No | 2004 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 54 | Thomas & Friends: Engines Working Together | Thomas Et Ses Amis: Les Locomotives S'Entraident Thomas & Seine Freunde: Freunde Halten Zusammen | 3-53-5 | Yes | 2005 | HIT Entertainment PLC |
| 55 | Tinker Bell | Sininho Campanilla La Fée Clochette Klokkeblomst | 4-65-84-6 | Yes | 2009 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 56 | Toy Story 2 | 4-6 | Smartbook | 2007 | ? | |
| 57 | Toy Story 2: Operation Rescue Woody | Toy Story 2: O resgate de Woddy Toy Story 2: El Rescate De Woody Toy Story 2: Buzz À La Rescousse! Toy Story 2: Woddys Spannende Rettung Toy Story 2: Operazione: Salvataggio Di Woody! | 4-64-64-64-64-74-6 | No | 2005 | Disney Interactive |
| 58 | Toy Story 3 | Toy Story 3 Toy Story 3 Toy Story 3' | 3-53-53-63-5 | Yes | 2010 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 72 | ? | ? Untitled Bumba Game | 3-5 | Exclusive | TBA 2008 | Studio 100 |
| 59 | Up | Lá-Haut Oben | 4-64-64-7 | Yes | 2009 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 60 | V.Smile Art Studio | V.Smile Estudio De Arte V.Smile Zeichenatelier V.Smile Tegnestudie | ? | Drawing Tablet | 2006 | VTech |
| 61 | WALL-E | WALL-E | 3-5 | Yes | 2008 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 62 | Whiz Kid Wheels | Condução Divertida Conducción Divertita Mission pilote Truckie's Rekenrace Flitzers Schlaue Städtetour | 6-85-85-85-7 | No | 2005 | VTech |
| 63 | The Wiggles: It's Wiggle Time! | 3-5 | No | 2005 | HIT Entertainment PLC | |
| 64 | Wild Waves | Martin le Dauphin | 4-64-7 | Exclusive | 2009 | VTech |
| 65 | Winnie the Pooh: The Honey Hunt | Winnie the Pooh: Em Busca do Mel Winnie the Pooh: En Busca de la Miel Winnie l'Ourson: La Chasse au miel de Winnie Winnie de Poeh: De wonderwereld van Poeh Winnie Puuh: Die Honigjagd Peter Plys: Honningjagten Ole Brumm: Honningjakten Winnie The Pooh: Hunajajahti | 3-53-5 | Yes | 2004 | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 66 | Wonder Pets!: Save The Animals! | 3-5 | Yes | 2008 | Nickelodeon | |
| 67 | Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Attack of the 50 Foot Fleegle | ? | 3-5 | Yes | 2009 | Nickelodeon, Starz Media |
| 68 | Zayzoo: An Earth Adventure | ? | 5-8 |
No | 2005 | VTech |
| 69 | Zayzoo: My Alien Classmate | Zayzoo: Mi Amigo Del Espacio Zayzoo: Mijn Buitenaards Vriendje Zayzoos Lernall | 5-8 | No | 2005 | VTech |
V.Smile Baby Infant Development System
 A Spanish V.Smile Baby system (Model 690) | |
| Manufacturer | VTech |
|---|---|
| Product family | V.Smile |
| Type | Video game console |
| Generation | Sixth generation era |
| Release date | 2006[7] |
| Media | ROM 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| V.Smile Baby Infant Development System | Learning Grows As Baby Grows! | 9-36 Months |
| V.Smile Baby Sistema De Aprendizaje Infantil Por TV | N/A | 1-3 Years |
| V.Smile Baby | Un système évolutif spécialement conçu pour l'éveil des tout-petits! | 1-3 Years |
| V.Smile Baby Utvecklingssystem För Spädbarn | Lärandet växer med barnet! | 9-36 Months |
List of V.Smile Baby games
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) | Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A Day On The Farm | Un Día en la Granja Un jour à la ferme Mein erster Bauernhof Een dag op de boerderij | VTech And John Deere |
| 2 | Baby Einstein: World of Discoveries | Baby Einstein. ¡Baby Descubrimientos! 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 | Care Bears Care Bears Care-A-Lot Park | ||
| 6 | Discovery With Baby Mickey & Friends | Les découvertes de Mickey et ses amis | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 7 | Learn & Discover Home | La Casa de los Animalitos La Maison des Animaux Dierenhuis Meine Kleinen Tierfreunde Lär och upptäck | VTech |
| 8 | Mother Goose Play And Learn Nursery Rhymes | ||
| 9 | Noah's Ark Animal Adventure | L'Arche De Noé L'aventure des animaux De Ark van Noach: Dieren Avonturen | VTech |
| 10 | Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood Adventure | Aventuras en el Bosque de los Cien Acres Winnie Et Ses Amis Dans La Foret Des Rêves Bleus Poeh's Honderd Bunderbos Avontuur Nalle Puhs Äventyr i Sjumilaskogen | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 11 | The Backyardigans: Big Backyard Adventure | Het Backyardigans: Grote Achtertuin Avontuur | Nickelodeon |
| 12 | Time For Teletubbies Make Friends with the Teletubbies | C'est l'heure des Teletubbies | Ragdoll Productions / BBC Worldwide |
| 13 | My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Pooh's Hundred Acre Wood Adventure | My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Aventuras en el Bosque de los Cien Acres My Friends Tigger and Pooh:Winnie Et Ses Amis Dans La Foret Des Rêves Bleus My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Poeh's Honderd Bunderbos Avontuur My Friends Tigger and Pooh: Nalle Puhs Äventyr i Sjumilaskogen | Disney Interactive Studios |
| 14 | Cars: Radiator Springs Journey | Cars: viaje de Radiator Springs |
Region protection and inter-compatibility
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), 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.[8] Currently it is unknown if the extra BIOS resides on the cartridge or on the console itself.[9]
Criticisms
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, does not meet the claims that it helps with early childhood development or education in any way, stating that children ages 0 to 2 years do not understand what is going on on a TV screen.[10]
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.[11]
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 have no major third party video game publishers[12] aside from Disney Interactive.
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 allow children to grow with them, not outgrow them.
See also
References
- "V.Smile Games". Giant Bomb. Giant Bomb. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
- https://crappygames.miraheze.org/wiki/V.Smile
- "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.
- "SunPlus: The biggest chip company you've never heard of". 18 April 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
- "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.
- https://www.amazon.co.uk/VTech-V-Smile-Learning-Game-Adventures/dp/B000296M6A
- https://www.vtech.com/en/press_release/2006/vtech-unveils-v-smile-baby-and-v-smile-enhancements-at-london-toy-fair/
- "V.Smile (Platform) - Giant Bomb". 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
- 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.
- Keim, Brandon. "It's Official: To Protect Baby's Brain, Turn Off TV". Wired. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- "Policy Statement: Media Use by Children Younger Than 2 Years". Council on Communications and Media. The American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
- Vinciguerra, Robert. "The Top Ten Most Hilariously Bad Game Consoles of All Time". The Rev. Rob Times. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
External links
- Official website (archived)
- 20th Century Retro Games entry (gallery page for various VTech V.Smile models)