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| Also known as | Prof. Weiss-Alles (Germany) Professeur Saitout (France) Socrates Saitout (Canada) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | VTech |
| Type | Educationalhome video game console |
| Generation | Third generation |
| Released | 1988 |
| Discontinued | 1994 |
| CPU | Z80A @ 3.57 MHz |
| Graphics | Custom |
| Predecessor | VTech Creativision |
| Successor | V.Smile |
TheVTech Socrates is an8-biteducationalhome video game console manufactured and released in 1988 byVTech. The console features thetitular robot character Socrates, named afterthe Greek philosopher. The character is similar in appearance to Johnny 5 from theShort Circuit movies. It was discontinued in 1994.
The system uses wireless controllers that communicate viainfrared reception.
Yeno distributed the system in Europe. In Germany, under the nameProf. Weiss-Alles, which translates to "Professor Knows-Everything".[1] And in France, as theProfesseur Saitout; Jeu Educatif Video, where "Saitout" comes from the French phrase "Sais Tout", meaning "Knows All".
VTech also distributed the system in Canada, being sold as theSocrates Saitout; Jeu Educatif Video.
The main unit of the Socrates system is bundled with games in five categories: Math Problems, Word Problems, Word Games, Music Games, and Super Painter. Math Problems and Word Problems test basic skills regarding mathematics, spelling, definition, and sentence construction. Word Games resemblehangman,anagrams, and a racing game where players spell words in order to complete laps around a track. Music Games gives students the opportunity to compose simple melodies, listen to classic folk songs played by the machine, or playSimon Says with different notes. Super Painter allows students to create on-screen art through the use of different brushes, colors, backgrounds, and clip art. The Super Painter program would be spun off by VTech for their Video Painter line of toys.
Additional unbundled games for the system are packaged as cartridges which resemble 3.5"floppy disks. Brain Teasers are labeled in blue text and test students' memory and problem-solving skills. Awareness Games are labeled in red text, and teach students trivia, mathematics, and geography. Additional peripherals for the system use their own cartridges. The CAD Professor uses the Mouse tablet, and focuses on architectural,textile, and fashion design. The Touch Pad allows younger students to practice writing letters and numbers and drawing shapes; however, students can also use the Touch Pad with the Super Painter application.
The system also features voice capabilities through the use of an add-on voice cartridge compatible with all games.
Despite the processing speed of theZilog Z80A CPU – 3.57 MHz, compared to theNintendo Entertainment System's 1.79 MHz inNTSC regions – the Socrates often seems slow, with the system often taking several seconds to display a static image. The system will "draw" images by filling in areas of the screen with color one line at a time; it is not known whether this is an effect employed for the student's enjoyment or if it is due to the slow processing time of the system. There is also a latency between user input and system responses. Response times do not seem to be affected by the presence or absence of the voice cartridge.[citation needed]
There are9 titles known to have been released.
| # | English Title | Overseas Titles | Description | Age range | Series/Accessory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |   Amazing Mazes | ? | Find Your Way Through Some Of The Zaniest Mazes | 5+ | Brain Teasers |
| 2 | Around the World | ? | An Adventure In World Geography | 7+ | Awareness |
| 3 | CAD Professor |  Konstruieren Mit Computerhilfe | ? | Mouse | |
| 4 | Facts 'N Fractions |   Fractions | An Introduction To Fractions, Mixed Numbers & DecimalsIntroduction Aux Fractions, Aux Nombres Mixtes Et Aux Nombres Decimaux | 8++8 | Awareness |
| 5 | Game Wizard | Magische Spiele | Games Of Strategy And LogicStrategie-und Logikspiele | 8+8+ | Brain Teasers |
| 6 | Hodge-Podge | ? | Word Games That Boggle The Mind! | 8+ | Brain Teasers |
| 7 | Memory Mania | Gedächtnis-Training | Memory Games That Challenge | 6+ | Brain Teasers |
| 8 | Numbers, Shapes & Letters | ? | ? | Touch Pad | |
| 9 | State to State | ? | A Journey Across The United States | 8+ | Awareness |
The standard system includes a wireless full keyboard with two wired-on controllers. The keyboard sends infrared signals to a receiver on the main console. Consoles vary in their effectiveness in receiving the signals; some can receive signals from up to twelve feet away, while others require the user to maintain a close and direct line with the receiver.[citation needed] The Mouse and Touch Pad peripherals – for the CAD Professor and Touch Pad cartridges respectively – also use infrared signals to communicate with the main system, but similar signal receiving issues may hamper the usefulness of these add-ons.[citation needed]