V.Flash

V.Flash
DeveloperVTech
Koto Laboratory
ManufacturerVTech
TypeEducational home video game console
GenerationSeventh generation
Release dateSeptember 2006
Introductory price$100
DiscontinuedDecember 27, 2013
MediaCustomized encased CD-ROM "V.Disks"
CPUARM9 from LSI Logic
StorageMemory card
Graphics3D Capable
Controller inputJoystick
Marketing targetChildren aged 5-10
PredecessorV.Smile
SuccessorInnoTV

The V.Flash Home Edutainment System, also known as V.Smile Pro in Europe, is a seventh-generation educational home video game console and spinoff from the V.Smile series of video game consoles developed by VTech and Koto Laboratory.[1] Unlike the V.Smile, this game console uses 3D graphics. This system is designed for kids aged 6 to 10.[2]

Although critics praised the V.Flash for improving on the V.Smile's base, the console's sales lagged behind the former.[3] VTech discontinued the V.Flash shortly after and shifted focus back to the V.Smile.

History

It was revealed at the 2006 London Toy Fair,[4] and released in September 2006.[5] The system retailed for $100.[2]

Games

Since the console did not sell as well as the V.Smile, not many games were made for it. All games were released in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, France and Germany, with the exceptions of Bratz Fashion Pixiez: The Secret Necklace, which was not released in the United Kingdom and Germany, Multisports, which was exclusive to Germany, and Scooby-Doo!: Ancient Adventure, which was not released in Germany. Additionally, Bratz Fashion Pixiez: The Secret Necklace, Cars: In the Fast Lane and Disney Princess: The Crystal Ball Adventure were released in Mexico.

There are 10 titles known to have been released. The Princeton Review was involved in the development of educational content for some games.[2][6]

# US/UK title Overseas title(s) Age range
1 Bratz Fashion Pixiez: The Secret Necklace Spain Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Misterio del Collar
France Bratz Fashion Pixiez: Le Collier Magique
Mexico Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Secreto del Magico
Netherlands Bratz Fashion Pixiez: De Magische Ketting
United States6-8
Spain6-9
France6-9
Mexico6-9
2 Cars: In the Fast Lane Spain Cars: El Carril Rápido
France Cars: À Fond La Caisse!
GermanyCars: Auf Der Überholspur
Mexico Cars: El Corredores Rapido
Netherlands Cars: in de Snelle Baan
United States6-8
United Kingdom5-7
Spain6-9
France6-9
Germany6-8
Mexico6-9
3 Disney Princess: The Crystal Ball Adventure Spain Disney Princess: El Castillo de las Princesas
France Disney Princess: L'aventure enchantée
GermanyDisney Prinzessinnen: Das zauberhafte Märchen-Abenteuer
Mexico Disney Princesas: La aventura encantado
United States6-8
United Kingdom5-7
Spain6-9
France6-9
Germany6-10
Mexico6-10
4 N/A[a] GermanyMultisports
France Défis Sports
Germany6-8
France6-9
5 Scooby-Doo: Ancient Adventure Spain Scooby-Doo: Viaje Al Pasado
France Scooby-Doo!: Les Civilisations Perdues
MexicoScooby-Doo!: Las Viajan de Pasado
United States6-8
Spain6-9
France6-9
6 Shrek the Third: The Search for Arthur Spain Shrek Tercero: ¿Donde Está Arturo?
France Shrek Le Troisieme: En quête d'Arthur
Germany Shrek Der Dritte: Die Suche nach Arthus
United States6-8
United Kingdom7-9
Spain6-9
France6-9
Germany6-8
7 SpongeBob SquarePants: Idea Sponge Spain Bob Esponja: Misión Esponja
France Bob L'Éponge: Une Idée Spongieuse
Germany Spongebob Schwammkopf: Ein Schwamm voller Ideen
United States8-10
United Kingdom7-9
Spain6-9
France8-11
Germany8-10
8 The Amazing Spider-Man: Countdown to Doom Spain El Asombroso Spider-Man: Persecicíon en la Ciudad
France Spider-Man: Course-poursuite à Manhattan
Germany Spider-Man: Angriff der Super-Schurken
United States8-10
United Kingdom7-9
Spain8-11
France8-11
Germany8-10
9 The Incredibles: Mission Incredible Spain Los Increíbles: Misión Increíble
France Les Indestructibes: Les Indestructibes À La Rescousse
Germany Die Unglaublichen: In unglaublicher Mission
United States8-10
United Kingdom7-9
Spain8-11
France8-11
Germany8-10
10 Wacky Race on Jumpin' Bean Island Spain Carrera Loca En La Isla De Las Vainas Fritas
France Dingo'Rallye: Fou! Fou! Fou!
Germany Das Verrückte Rennen Der Hüpf-Bohnen Insel
United States5-7
United Kingdom5-7
Spain6-9
France6-10
Germany6-8
11 National Geographic Kids[7] Unreleased, showcased in a 2007 V.Tech catalog ?-?

CDs

Unlike most other CD-ROM-based consoles, this system uses 12 cm CDs enclosed with plastic to protect damage from touching (although it could also protect from piracy), which is somewhat similar to 3.5" floppy disks or UMDs. The discs use the ISO 9660[8] file system, without any copy protection mechanism other than a simple sensor in the case jacket, making it possible to make a disc image out of the media.[9] Because of this, the V.Flash can also play audio CDs and user-recorded CD-Rs using the supplied disc adapter.

Other hardware

The processor is an ARM9 processor from LSI Logic. Files are stored in 3 main formats: .mjp (Motion JPEG), .ptx (Pro Tools session file), and .snd. The latter have been determined to be PCM WAV files.

Capable of rendering 1.5 million polygons per second and equipped with a 32 bit CPU, this system is directly comparable to the fifth generation game consoles, such as the PlayStation.

The system may use a memory card to save games.[2]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Although the name is in English, Multisports was exclusive to Europe and no English version exists.

References

  1. ^ Amos, Evan (2021). The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox. No Starch Press (published Sep 8, 2021). p. 237. ISBN 9781718500617.
  2. ^ a b c d "New & Future Releases". Children's Technology Review. 15 (3): 15. March 1, 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  3. ^ "VTech Annual Report 2007" (PDF). VTech Corporate.
  4. ^ "VTech Unveils a New CD-Based Home Edutainment System – V.Flash at London Toy Fair". VTech. 26 January 2006. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  5. ^ Orland, Kyle (October 26, 2006). "Nine year old wins scholarship for edu-game idea". Joystiq. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  6. ^ Buckleitner, Warren (May 1, 2006). "Getting Smart on Smart Toys". Children's Technology Review. 14 (5): 8. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  7. ^ "VTech Products". VTechkids. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  8. ^ "V.Flash Explorations". Emu Vibes. 26 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "V.Flash Hacking". vtech-v-flash-hacking.webnode.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.