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. Titles are available on ROM cartridges called "Smartridges", to play off the system's educational nature. The graphics are primarily sprite-based. The console is often sold bundled with a particular game, with most of them having a game called "Alphabet Park Adventure." Several variants of the V.Smile console are sold including handheld versions, or models with added functionality such as touch tablet integrated controllers or microphones. The V-Motion is a major variant with its own software lineup that includes motion sensitive controllers and has Smartriges designed to take advantage of motion-related "active learning". The V-Motion and Smartridges however are fully backwards compatible with other V.Smile variants and V.Smile Smartridges, and a V-Motion Smartridge can also be played on V.Smile console or handheld, albeit with limited functionality. However, in 2010, V.Smile NEW and OLD were canceled. VTech still made games for V.Smile Pocket and V.Motion.

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 (2010)[2]
MediaROM cartridge
CPUSunplus SPG2xx[3]
StorageFlash memory on ROM cartridge
Controller inputUp to 2 V.Smile controllers, optional keyboard/mouse, graphics tablet, and dance pad available
PredecessorVTech Socrates
SuccessorV.Flash

Several versions of V.Smile and V-Motion consoles and handhelds have continued to be sold after newer models are introduced, allowing consumers a wide variety of consoles to choose from (frequently offered in an alternative pink color scheme) without worrying about a lack of backwards compatibility between games or consoles. 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 an on and an off button on the console itself and 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
VTechV.Smile TV Learning SystemTurn Game Time Into Brain Time!3-8 years
VTechV.Smile TV Learning SystemLearning is child's play!3-8 years
ConcentraV.Smile Sistema Educativo De TVAprender é divertido!3-7 years
VTechV.Smile Aprendizaje Interactivo Por TV¡Aprender es un juego de niños!3-8 years
VTechV.Smile Aprender Interactivo Por TV¡Aprender es un juego de niños!3-8 years
?V.Smile Console TV ÉducativeLa première console de jeu éducative pour les petits!3-7 years
?V.Smile TV Learning SystemLeren is kinderspel!3-7 years
VTechV.Smile Das Lernspiel-SystemLernen wird zum Kinderspiel!3-8 years
Giochi PreziosiV.Smile Sistema di apprendimento TVImparare è un gioco da bambini! 3-7 years
?V.Smile? ?
?V.Smile TV Learning SystemDet 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 controller consists of an analog stick, four colored buttons, a large enter button, a button (dubbed the "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 hint 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 come bundled in 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 still the same as the first generation console 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

The V.Smile Pocket is a handheld version of the V.Smile console. 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. Also, 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 general looks 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 may seem oversized when compared such devices as the Nintendo Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS, but a consideration must be made for the fact that the V.Smile Pocket uses full size Smartriges from the console, and is generally offered at lower prices in most markets.

A third generation called V.Smile Pocket was introduced in 2008. Called the V.Smile Cyber Pocket, 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. Also, 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 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 Smartrige 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 plays all of the 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 easily convert into duty as a normal V.Smile system when needed.

V-Motion
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), introduced as a sort of low-cost, educational alternative from VTech to the popular Wii with its built-in controller accelerometers that detect movement. The V-Motion system is not as advanced, but includes a Wireless, motion activated joystick that is righty/lefty adaptable. The controller can be tilted in a direction to achieve a result on the screen, rather than using the traditional joystick directional control. Dodging things or moving left and right with the controller can inspire the player to physically engage in games. 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 Smartriges 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 on-line 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, where as 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 tip-toes 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
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 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.[4] and Also, The German VTech Plans To Make an Untitled Bumba game, It Was Cancelled In Netherlands And In Germany.

There were 72 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
1The Adventures of Little Red Riding Hood Les aventures du Petit Chaperon Rouge
Entdecke die Welt von Rotkäppchen		4-6No2004 VTech
2Action Mania Action Mania
Action Manía
Sporti'Folies
Sport Games
Sportskanone		3-7
3-5
4-7
3-5
3-6		Exclusive? VTech
3Aladdin'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 & 6-8
5-8
5-7
5-7
5-8
5-7		No2005 Disney Interactive Studios
4Alphabet 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		3-5
3-5
4-7
4-7
3-6
4-7
4-7		No2004 (Original)

2007 (Re-release)

 VTech
5The Backyardigans: Viking Voyage Les Mélodilous: Les explorateurs vikings3-5
3-6		No2006 Nick Jr.
6Barney: The Land of Make Believe Barney: Erlebnis-Reise3-5No2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
7Batman: Gotham City Rescue Batman: Rescate en Gotham City
Batman: Panique a Gotham City
Batman: De Redding van Gotham City
Batman: Rettung von Gotham City		6-8
6-9
6-8
6-9
6-10		No2005 Warner Bros. Interactive
8Sesame 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		4-6
4-7
4-6
4-7		No2006 Sesame Workshop
9Blue's Clues: Collection Day3-5No2005 Nick Jr.
10Bob 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		3-5
3-5
3-5
3-6
3-5
3-5
4-6		No2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
11Care Bears: A Lesson in Caring Osos Amorosos: Una Lección de Amor
Les Bisounours: Le monde merveilleux des Bisounours
Pflegebären: eine Lektion in Pflege		3-5
3-5		No2004 ?
12Cars: 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		4-6
4-6
4-7
4-7
4-6
5-8
4-6		Yes2006 Buena Vista Games
13Cars 2? 4-6
4-7
5-8		Exclusive2011 Disney Interactive Studios
14Cinderella'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 & 6-8
5-7
5-8
4-7 & 5-7
5-7
5-8		Yes2005 Disney Interactive Studios
15Cranium Partyland Park: A carnival of play-and-learn fun Cranium: Le Parc d'attractions
Cranium Freizeit Park: Ein Jahrmarkt Voller Spiel-Und Lernspaß		4-6
4-6
4-6		No2007 Hasbro
16Dora the Explorer: Dora's Got a Puppy Dora: Dora hat einen Welpen'
Dora: Dora heeft een puppy'		3-5Smartbook2007 Nick Jr.
17Dora 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		3-5
3-6
4-6		Yes2005 (Original)

2007 (Re-release)

 Nick Jr.
18Elmo's World: Elmo's Big Discoveries El Mundo De Elmo: Grandes Descubrimientos De Elmo
Le Monde d'Elmo: Les Grandes Découvertes D'Elmo 		3-5
3-5
3-5		Maybe2005 Sesame Workshop
19Finding 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		4-6
4-6
4-7
4-7		No2005 Disney Interactive Studios
20Go, Diego, Go!: Save the Animal Families Go Diego!: À la rescousse des animaux!
Go Diego, Go!: Red de Dierenfamilies!		3-5No2007 Nick Jr.
21Handy Manny Manny Mãozinhas
Manny Manitas
Manny Et Ses Outils
Meister Manny's Werkzeugkiste		3-5
3-5
4-7
4-6
3-6		Yes2009 Disney Interactive
22 Jammin' Gym Class
Dance 'N Learn		 Gimnasio Interactivo
Défi Gym (Tapis Multisport)
Muziek En Leer Mat
Lern-Und Tanzmatte		4+
4+
4-8
4-8
4-8
4-7		Dance Pad? VTech
23Kung Fu Panda: Path of the Panda Kung Fu Panda: La mission de Po
Kung Fu Panda: Der Weg des Panda		4-6
4-6		Yes2008 DreamWorks
24Learnin' Wheels Apprenti' pilote
Freds Zahlen Rallye		? No2004 VTech
25Lil' Bratz: Friends, Fashion and Fun Lil' Bratz: Amigos, Moda y Diversión
Lil' Bratz Au top de la mode: Complices, Cools et Class'		4-6No? MGA Entertainment
26Little Einsteins Les petits Einstein
Kleine Einsteins		3-5
3-5
3-6		Yes2009 Disney Interactive
27The 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		4-6
4-6
4-6		No2004 Disney Interactive Studios
28Mickey Mouse Clubhouse A Casa Do Mickey Mouse
La Casa De Mickey Mouse
La Mansion De Mickey
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Micky Maus Wunderhaus		4-6
4-6		Yes2008 Disney Interactive
29Mickey 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		5-7
5-7
5-7
5-8		No2004 Disney Interactive Studios
30Monsters vs. Aliens Monstruos contra Alienigenas
Monstres contre Aliens
Monsters Vs. Aliens		3-5
4-6
4-6
4-7		Yes2009 DreamWorks
31My Pet Puppy Dakota y su mascota
Mon Toutou tout fou!
Mijn Puppy!
Mein Erster Hund
Min Hundvalp
Koiranpentuni		3-5
3-5
3-6
3-5
3-6
3-5		Yes? ?
32My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Tigger's Bedtime for Bouncer? ? Exclusive? Disney Interactive
33Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Happy Chinese New Year! Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Joyeux nouvel an chinois!3-5
3-5		Exclusive2009 Nickelodeon
34NASCAR Academy: Race Car Superstar4-6Exclusive? ?
35Noddy: Detective for a Day Noddy: Detective por Um Dia
Oui-Oui: Détective d'un jour
Noddy: Detektiv für einen Tag		3-5
3-5
3-4		No? ?
36PC Pal Island??PC Pal?VTech
37The 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		4-6
4-7		Yes2010 ?
38Ratatouille: Remy's New Recipes Ratatouille: Las recetas de Remy
Ratatouille: Les nouvelles recettes de Rémy
Ratatouille: Remys neue Rezepte		4-6
4-6		No2007 ?
39Scooby-Doo!: A Night Of Fright Is No Delight 3-6Smartbook2007 Warner Bros. Interactive
40Scooby-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 & 5-7
5-7
5-7
5-7
5-8
4-6 & 5-7
5-7
5-7		Yes2004 Warner Bros. Interactive
41Shrek: Dragon's Tale Shrek: El Cuento De La Dragona
Shrek: Le rhume de Dragonne
Shrek: Het Verhaal Van Draakje
Shrek: Die Geschichte Des Drachen		6-8
6-9
6-9		No2005 DreamWorks
42Shrek Forever After Shrek: Felices Para Siempre
Shrek 4 : Il était une fin		4-6
4-7
4-7		Exclusive2010 DreamWorks
43Shrek 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		4-6
5-8
4-6		No2007 DreamWorks
44 Smart Keyboard
Smart Keys		 Teclado Interactivo
Tip Tap
Tastatur		5+
4+
4+
6+		Smart Keyboard2008 VTech
45Snow Park Challenge Wintersport4-6
4-7		Exclusive? ?
46 Soccer Challenge
Football Challenge		 Football Challenge
Football Challenge
Voetbal
Fußball Schule		4-6
4-6
4-6
4-7
5-8		Yes? ?
47Spider-Man & Friends: Doc Ock's Challenge Spider-Man y Amigos: La Aventura Del Doctor Octopus
Spider-Man & ses amis: Le Défi du Docteur Ock		? No2005 Marvel Comics
48Spider-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		4-6
4-7
5-7 & 5-8		Yes2004 Marvel Comics
49Spider-Man & Friends: Where is HULK?3-5Smartbook2007 Marvel Comics
50SpongeBob 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		6-8
6-9
6-9		Yes2005 Nickelodeon
51Super Why: The Beach Day Mystery3-5Exclusive2008 ?
52Superman: The Greatest Hero Superman: El Hombre De Acero
Superman: A La Rescousse!
Superman: De Grootste Held
Superman: Der Superheld		6-8
6-9
6-9		No2006 Warner Bros. Interactive
53The 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		3-5
3-5
3-5
3-5
3-5
3-6
3-5		No2004 Disney Interactive Studios
54Thomas & Friends: Engines Working Together Thomas Et Ses Amis: Les Locomotives S'Entraident
Thomas & Seine Freunde: Freunde Halten Zusammen		3-5
3-5		Yes2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
55Tinker Bell Sininho
Campanilla
La Fée Clochette
Klokkeblomst		4-6
5-8
4-6		Yes2009 Disney Interactive Studios
56Toy Story 24-6Smartbook2007?
57Toy 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!		4-6
4-6
4-6
4-6
4-7
4-6		No2005 Disney Interactive
58Toy Story 3 Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3
Toy Story 3' 		3-5
3-5
3-6
3-5		Yes2010 Disney Interactive Studios
72? ?
Untitled Bumba Game		3-5ExclusiveTBA 2008 Studio 100
59Up Lá-Haut
Oben		4-6
4-6
4-7		Yes2009 Disney Interactive Studios
60V.Smile Art Studio V.Smile Estudio De Arte
V.Smile Zeichenatelier
V.Smile Tegnestudie		? Drawing Tablet2006VTech
61WALL-E WALL-E3-5Yes2008 Disney Interactive Studios
62Whiz Kid Wheels Condução Divertida
Conducción Divertita
Mission pilote
Truckie's Rekenrace
Flitzers Schlaue Städtetour		6-8
5-8
5-8
5-7		No? VTech
63The Wiggles: It's Wiggle Time! 3-5No2005 HIT Entertainment PLC
64Wild WavesMartin le Dauphin4-6
4-7		Exclusive? ?
65Winnie 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		3-5
3-5		Yes2004 Disney Interactive Studios
66Wonder Pets!: Save The Animals!3-5Exclusive2008 Nickelodeon
67Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Attack of the 50 Foot Fleegle? 3-5Yes2009 Nickelodeon, Starz Media
68Zayzoo: An Earth Adventure? 5-8 No? VTech
69Zayzoo: My Alien Classmate Zayzoo: Mi Amigo Del Espacio
Zayzoo: Mijn Buitenaards Vriendje
Zayzoos Lernall		5-8No? VTech
70Brave Merida4-6
4-7		Exclusive? Disney Interactive Studios
71Paw Patrol: Pups Save the Carnival! Patrulla Canina: ¡Los cachorros salvan el carnaval!
Paw Patrol: les chiots sauvent le carnaval!		4-6 Exclusive2014 Nickelodeon, Spin Master

V.Smile Baby Infant Development System
V.Smile Baby Infant Development System
A Spanish V.Smile Baby system (Model 690)
ManufacturerVTech
Product familyV.Smile
TypeVideo game console
GenerationSixth generation era
Release date2006[5]
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 Pink Variant For Girls, V.Smile Baby Only Ships With 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. Designed for kids ages 9 months-3 Years.

It was released in several countries with different names;

Country Name Tagline Age Range
V.Smile Baby Infant Development SystemLearning Grows As Baby Grows!9-36 Months
V.Smile Baby Sistema De Aprendizaje Infantil Por TVN/A1-3 Years
V.Smile BabyUn système évolutif spécialement conçu pour l'éveil des tout-petits!1-3 Years
V.Smile Baby Utvecklingssystem För SpädbarnLärandet växer med barnet!9-36 Months

List of V.Smile Baby games
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) Developer
1A 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
2Baby Einstein: World of Discoveries Baby Einstein. ¡Baby Descubrimientos!
Baby Einstein. Un monde de découvertes		Disney Interactive Studios
3Bailey Goes to TownVTech
4Barney: Let's Go To A Party!HIT Entertainment
5 Care Bears
Care Bears Care-A-Lot Park
6Discovery With Baby Mickey & Friends Les découvertes de Mickey et ses amisDisney Interactive Studios
7Learn & 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
9Noah's Ark Animal Adventure L'Arche De Noé L'aventure des animaux
De Ark van Noach: Dieren Avonturen		VTech
10Pooh'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
11The Backyardigans: Big Backyard Adventure
Het Backyardigans: Grote Achtertuin Avontuur
Nickelodeon
12 Time For Teletubbies
Make Friends with the Teletubbies		 C'est l'heure des TeletubbiesRagdoll Productions / BBC Worldwide
13My 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
The pins in both V.Smile and V.Smile Baby cartridges are the same, although both systems aren't 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), 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.[6] Currently it is unknown if the extra BIOS resides on the cartridge or on the console itself.[7]

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.[8]

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.[9]

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 6–36), 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[10] 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
  1. "V.Smile Games". Giant Bomb. Giant Bomb. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  2. https://crappygames.miraheze.org/wiki/V.Smile
  3. "SunPlus: The biggest chip company you've never heard of". 18 April 2010. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  4. https://www.amazon.co.uk/VTech-V-Smile-Learning-Game-Adventures/dp/B000296M6A
  5. https://www.vtech.com/en/press_release/2006/vtech-unveils-v-smile-baby-and-v-smile-enhancements-at-london-toy-fair/
  6. "V.Smile (Platform) - Giant Bomb". 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  7. 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.
  8. Keim, Brandon. "It's Official: To Protect Baby's Brain, Turn Off TV". Wired. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  9. "Policy Statement: Media Use by Children Younger Than 2 Years". Council on Communications and Media. The American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  10. 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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