V.Flash
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| Developer | VTech Koto Laboratory |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | VTech |
| Type | Educational home video game console |
| Generation | Seventh |
| Released | 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 | Template:Flagicon Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Misterio del Collar Template:Flagicon Bratz Fashion Pixiez: Le Collier Magique Template:Flagicon Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Secreto del Magico Template:Flagicon Bratz Fashion Pixiez: De Magische Ketting |
Template:Flagicon 6–8 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 |
| Cars: In the Fast Lane | Template:Flagicon Cars: El Carril Rápido Template:Flagicon Cars: À Fond La Caisse! Template:Flagicon Cars: Auf Der Überholspur Template:Flagicon Cars: El Corredores Rapido Template:Flagicon Cars: in de Snelle Baan |
Template:Flagicon 6–8 Template:Flagicon 5–7 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–8 Template:Flagicon 6–9 |
| Disney Princess: The Crystal Ball Adventure | Template:Flagicon Disney Princess: El Castillo de las Princesas Template:Flagicon Disney Princess: L'aventure enchantée Template:Flagicon Disney Prinzessinnen: Das zauberhafte Märchen-Abenteuer Template:Flagicon Disney Princesas: La aventura encantado |
Template:Flagicon 6–8 Template:Flagicon 5–7 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–10 Template:Flagicon 6–10 |
| N/A[a] | Template:Flagicon Multisports Template:Flagicon Défis Sports |
Template:Flagicon 6–8 Template:Flagicon 6–9 |
| Scooby-Doo: Ancient Adventure | Template:Flagicon Scooby-Doo: Viaje Al Pasado Template:Flagicon Scooby-Doo!: Les Civilisations Perdues Template:Flagicon Scooby-Doo!: Las Viajan de Pasado |
Template:Flagicon 6–8 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 |
| Shrek the Third: The Search for Arthur | Template:Flagicon Shrek Tercero: ¿Donde Está Arturo? Template:Flagicon Shrek Le Troisieme: En quête d'Arthur Template:Flagicon Shrek Der Dritte: Die Suche nach Arthus |
Template:Flagicon 6–8 Template:Flagicon 7–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–8 |
| SpongeBob SquarePants: Idea Sponge | Template:Flagicon Bob Esponja: Misión Esponja Template:Flagicon Bob L'Éponge: Une Idée Spongieuse Template:Flagicon SpongeBob Schwammkopf: Ein Schwamm voller Ideen |
Template:Flagicon 8–10 Template:Flagicon 7–9 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 8–11 Template:Flagicon 8–10 |
| The Amazing Spider-Man: Countdown to Doom | Template:Flagicon El Asombroso Spider-Man: Persecicíon en la Ciudad Template:Flagicon Spider-Man: Course-poursuite à Manhattan Template:Flagicon Spider-Man: Angriff der Super-Schurken |
Template:Flagicon 8–10 Template:Flagicon 7–9 Template:Flagicon 8–11 Template:Flagicon 8–11 Template:Flagicon 8–10 |
| The Incredibles: Mission Incredible | Template:Flagicon Los Increíbles: Misión Increíble Template:Flagicon Les Indestructibes: Les Indestructibes À La Rescousse Template:Flagicon Die Unglaublichen: In unglaublicher Mission |
Template:Flagicon 8–10 Template:Flagicon 7–9 Template:Flagicon 8–11 Template:Flagicon 8–11 Template:Flagicon 8–10 |
| Wacky Race on Jumpin' Bean Island | Template:Flagicon Carrera Loca En La Isla De Las Vainas Fritas Template:Flagicon Dingo'Rallye: Fou! Fou! Fou! Template:Flagicon Das Verrückte Rennen Der Hüpf-Bohnen Insel |
Template:Flagicon 5–7 Template:Flagicon 5–7 Template:Flagicon 6–9 Template:Flagicon 6–10 Template:Flagicon 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
Notes
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- ^ Although the name is in English, Multisports was exclusive to Germany and France and no English version exists.
References
Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.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.
- ^ a b c d Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."New & Future Releases". Children's Technology Review. 15 (3): 15. March 1, 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."VTech Annual Report 2007" (PDF). VTech Corporate.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."VTech Unveils a New CD-Based Home Edutainment System – V.Flash at London Toy Fair". VTech. 26 January 2006. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.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.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Buckleitner, Warren (May 1, 2006). "Getting Smart on Smart Toys". Children's Technology Review. 14 (5): 8. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."VTech Products". VTechkids. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."V.Flash Explorations". Emu Vibes. 26 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."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 Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- V.Flash reverse engineering Script error: No such module "webarchive".
- 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)
