V.Flash

V.Flash

Developer	VTech Koto Laboratory
Manufacturer	VTech
Type	Educational home video game console
Generation	Seventh
Release date	September 2006
Introductory price	$100
Discontinued	2007
Media	Customized encased CD-ROM "V.Discs"
CPU	ARM9 from LSI Logic
Storage	Memory card
Graphics	3D Capable
Controller input	Joystick
Marketing target	Children aged 5-10
Predecessor	V.Smile
Successor	InnoTV

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/Defis Sports, which was exclusive to Germany and France, 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
Bratz Fashion Pixiez: The Secret Necklace	Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Misterio del Collar Bratz Fashion Pixiez: Le Collier Magique Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Secreto del Magico Bratz Fashion Pixiez: De Magische Ketting	6–8 6–9 6–9 6–9
Cars: In the Fast Lane	Cars: El Carril Rápido Cars: À Fond La Caisse! Cars: Auf Der Überholspur Cars: El Corredores Rapido Cars: in de Snelle Baan	6–8 5–7 6–9 6–9 6–8 6–9
Disney Princess: The Crystal Ball Adventure	Disney Princess: El Castillo de las Princesas Disney Princess: L'aventure enchantée Disney Prinzessinnen: Das zauberhafte Märchen-Abenteuer Disney Princesas: La aventura encantado	6–8 5–7 6–9 6–9 6–10 6–10
N/A [a]	Multisports Défis Sports	6–8 6–9
Scooby-Doo: Ancient Adventure	Scooby-Doo: Viaje Al Pasado Scooby-Doo!: Les Civilisations Perdues Scooby-Doo!: Las Viajan de Pasado	6–8 6–9 6–9
Shrek the Third: The Search for Arthur	Shrek Tercero: ¿Donde Está Arturo? Shrek Le Troisieme: En quête d'Arthur Shrek Der Dritte: Die Suche nach Arthus	6–8 7–9 6–9 6–9 6–8
SpongeBob SquarePants: Idea Sponge	Bob Esponja: Misión Esponja Bob L'Éponge: Une Idée Spongieuse SpongeBob Schwammkopf: Ein Schwamm voller Ideen	8–10 7–9 6–9 8–11 8–10
The Amazing Spider-Man: Countdown to Doom	El Asombroso Spider-Man: Persecicíon en la Ciudad Spider-Man: Course-poursuite à Manhattan Spider-Man: Angriff der Super-Schurken	8–10 7–9 8–11 8–11 8–10
The Incredibles: Mission Incredible	Los Increíbles: Misión Increíble Les Indestructibes: Les Indestructibes À La Rescousse Die Unglaublichen: In unglaublicher Mission	8–10 7–9 8–11 8–11 8–10
Wacky Race on Jumpin' Bean Island	Carrera Loca En La Isla De Las Vainas Fritas Dingo'Rallye: Fou! Fou! Fou! Das Verrückte Rennen Der Hüpf-Bohnen Insel	5–7 5–7 6–9 6–10 6–8
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, 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

• VTech
• V.Smile
• VTech Socrates

Notes

1. Although the name is in English, Multisports was exclusive to Germany and France 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. "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.
9. "V.Flash Hacking". vtech-v-flash-hacking.webnode.com. Retrieved 2021-05-11.

External links

• Official Site
• ARM Processor
• Vtech V.Flash Educational Line
• http://dso.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177100739 Archived 2006-10-25 at the Wayback Machine
• V.Flash reverse engineering Archived 2010-03-05 at the Wayback Machine
• VFlash technical details and reverse-engineering
• V.Smile Shop archived in the Wayback Machine on December 27, 2013
• 20th Century Retro Games entry (Gallery page for various VTech V.Smile models, including V.Flash)