V.Smile

VTech V.Smile

A French first-generation V.Smile (Model 6122)
Manufacturer	VTech
Product family	V.Smile
Type	Educational home video game console
Generation	Sixth generation
Release date	WW: August 4, 2004
Media	ROM cartridge
CPU	Sunplus SPG2xx
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

The V.Smile (stylized as V.SMILE TV LEARNING SYSTEM) is a sixth-generation educational home video game console manufactured and released by VTech. It is designed for children ages 3 to 7, but offers software designed for several age groups between 3-9. 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.

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 (often offered in pink color schemes for girls, as well) 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

An English second revision of the console with a larger storage bay, from the Dora the Explorer bundle.

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
	VTech	V.Smile TV Learning System	Turn Game Time Into Brain Time!	3-7 years
	VTech	V.Smile TV Learning System	Learning is child's play!	3-7 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
	?	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
	?	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 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 a known unreleased title, 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.

There were 69 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	?	VTech
2	Action Mania	Action Mania Action Manía Sporti'Folies Sport Games Sportskanone	3-7 3-5 4-7 3-5 3-6	Exclusive	?	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 & 6-8 5-8 5-7 5-7 5-8 5-7	No	?	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	3-5 3-5 4-7 4-7 3-6 4-7 4-7	No	?	VTech
5	The Backyardigans: Viking Voyage	Les Mélodilous: Les explorateurs vikings	3-5 3-6	No	?	?
6	Barney: The Land of Make Believe	Barney: Erlebnis-Reise	3-5	No	?	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	6-8 6-9 6-8 6-9 6-10	No	?	?
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	4-6 4-7 4-6 4-7	No	?	Sesame Workshop
9	Blue's Clues: Collection Day		3-5	No	?	?
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	3-5 3-5 3-5 3-6 3-5 3-5	No	?	HIT Entertainment PLC
11	Care Bears: A Lesson in Caring	Osos Amorosos: Una Lección de Amor Les Bisounours: Le monde merveilleux des Bisounours	3-5 3-5	No		?
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	4-6 4-6 4-7 4-7 4-6 5-8 4-6	Yes	?	Buena Vista Games
13	Cars 2	?	4-6 4-7 5-8	Exclusive	?	?
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 & 6-8 5-7 5-8 4-7 & 5-7 5-7 5-8	Yes	?	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	4-6 4-6 4-6	No	?	Hasbro
16	Dora the Explorer: Dora's Got a Puppy		3-5	Smartbook	?	?
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	3-5 3-6 4-6	Yes	?	?
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	3-5 3-5 3-5	No	?	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	4-6 4-6 4-7 4-7	No	?	?
20	Go, Diego, Go!: Save the Animal Families	Go Diego!: À la rescousse des animaux! Go Diego, Go!: Red de Dierenfamilies!	3-5	No	?	?
21	Handy Manny	Manny Mãozinhas Manny Manitas Manny Et Ses Outils Meister Manny's Werkzeugkiste	3-5 3-5 4-7 4-6 3-6	Yes	?	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
23	Kung Fu Panda: Path of the Panda	Kung Fu Panda: La mission de Po Kung Fu Panda: Der Weg des Panda	4-6 4-6	Yes	?	DreamWorks
24	Learnin' Wheels	Apprenti' pilote Freds Zahlen Rallye	?	No	?	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	?	?
26	Little Einsteins	Les petits Einstein Kleine Einsteins	3-5 3-5 3-6	Yes	?	?
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	4-6 4-6 4-6	No	?	?
28	Mickey Mouse Clubhouse	A Casa Do Mickey Mouse La Casa De Mickey Mouse La Mansion De Mickey Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Micky Maus Wunderhaus	4-6 4-6	Yes	?	?
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	5-7 5-7 5-7 5-8	No	?	?
30	Monsters vs. Aliens	Monstruos contra Alienigenas Monstres contre Aliens Monsters Vs. Aliens	3-5 4-6 4-6 4-7	Yes	?	?
31	My 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	?	?
32	My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Tigger's Bedtime for Bouncer	?	?	Exclusive	?	?
33	Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Happy Chinese New Year!	Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Joyeux nouvel an chinois!	3-5 3-5	Exclusive	?	?
34	NASCAR Academy: Race Car Superstar		4-6	Exclusive	?	?
35	Noddy: 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	?	?
36	PC Pal Island	?	?	PC Pal	?	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	4-6 4-7	Yes	?	?
38	Ratatouille: Remy's New Recipes	Ratatouille: Las recetas de Remy Ratatouille: Les nouvelles recettes de Rémy Ratatouille: Remys neue Rezepte	4-6 4-6	No	?	?
39	Scooby-Doo!: A Night Of Fright Is No Delight		3-6	Smartbook	?	?
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 & 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-8 4-6 & 5-7 5-7 5-7	Yes	?	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	6-8 6-9 6-9	No	?	?
42	Shrek Forever After	Shrek: Felices Para Siempre Shrek 4 : Il était une fin	4-6 4-7 4-7	Exclusive	?	?
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	4-6 5-8 4-6	No	?	?
44	Smart Keyboard Smart Keys	Teclado Interactivo Tip Tap Tastatur	5+ 4+ 4+ 6+	Smart Keyboard	?	VTech
45	Snow Park Challenge	Wintersport	4-6 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	?	?
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	?
48	Spider-Man & Friends: Secret Missions	Spider-Man & amigos: Missões Secretas Spider-Man y Amigos: Misiones Secretas Spider-Man & ses amis: Missions Secrètes	4-6 4-7 5-7 & 5-8	Yes	?	?
49	Spider-Man & Friends: Where is HULK?		3-5	Smartbook	?	?
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	6-8 6-9 6-9	Yes	?	?
51	Super Why: The Beach Day Mystery		3-5	Exclusive	?	?
52	Superman: 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	No	?	?
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	3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-5 3-6 3-5	No	?	Disney Interactive Studios
54	Thomas & Friends: Engines Working Together	Thomas Et Ses Amis: Les Locomotives S'Entraident Thomas & Seine Freunde: Freunde Halten Zusammen	3-5 3-5	Yes	?	HIT Entertainment PLC
55	Tinker Bell	Sininho Campanilla La Fée Clochette Klokkeblomst	4-6 5-8 4-6	Yes	?	?
56	Toy Story 2		4-6	Smartbook	?	?
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!	4-6 4-6 4-6 4-6 4-7 4-6	No	?	Disney Interactive
58	Toy Story 3	Toy Story 3 Toy Story 3 Toy Story 3'	3-5 3-5 3-6 3-5	Yes	?	?
59	Up	Lá-Haut Oben	4-6 4-6 4-7	Yes	?	?
60	V.Smile Art Studio	V.Smile Estudio De Arte V.Smile Zeichenatelier V.Smile Tegnestudie	?	Drawing Tablet	?	VTech
61	WALL-E	WALL-E	3-5	Yes	?	?
62	Whiz Kid Wheels	Condução Divertida Conducción Divertita Mission pilote Truckie's Rekenrace Flitzers Schlaue Städtetor	6-8 5-8 5-8 5-7	No	?	VTech
63	The Wiggles: It's Wiggle Time!		3-5	No	?	HIT Entertainment PLC
64	Wild Waves	Martin le Dauphin	4-6 4-7	Exclusive	?	?
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	3-5 3-5	Yes	?	?
66	Wonder Pets!: Save The Animals!		3-5	Exclusive	?	?
67	Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!: Attack of the 50 Foot Fleegle	?	3-5	Yes	?	?
68	Zayzoo: An Earth Adventure	?	?	No	?	?
69	Zayzoo: My Alien Classmate	Zayzoo: Mi Amigo Del Espacio Zayzoo: Mijn Buitenaards Vriendje Zayzoo: Lernall	5-8	No	?	?

V.Smile Baby Infant Development System

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
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 was introduced to the market. The games and cartridges of a V.Smile Baby are not compatible with a V.Smile 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 Infant Development System is significantly different from those used in the V.Smile 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 batteries.

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 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 9–36 months.

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	12-36 Months
	V.Smile Baby	Un système évolutif spécialement conçu pour l'éveil des tout-petits!	12-36 Months
	V.Smile Baby Utvecklingssystem För Spädbarn	Lärandet 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 4 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	VTech
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!
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		Nickelodeon
12	Time For Teletubbies Make Friends with the Teletubbies	C'est l'heure des Teletubbies	Ragdoll Productions / BBC Worldwide

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. Currently it is unknown if the extra BIOS resides on the cartridge or on the console itself.

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.

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.

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 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

• V.Flash
• VTech Socrates
• VTech
• Learning Games

External links

• Official website (archived)