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| Developer | VTech Koto Laboratory |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | VTech |
| Type | Educationalhome video game console |
| Generation | Seventh |
| Released | September2006 |
| Introductory price | $100 |
| Discontinued | 2007 |
| Media | Customized encasedCD-ROM "V.Discs" |
| CPU | ARM9 fromLSI Logic |
| Storage | Memory card |
| Graphics | 3D Capable |
| Controller input | Joystick |
| Marketing target | Children aged 5-10 |
| Predecessor | V.Smile |
| Successor | InnoTV |
TheV.Flash Home Edutainment System, also known asV.Smile Pro inEurope, is aseventh-generationeducationalhome video game console and spinoff from theV.Smile series ofvideo game consoles developed byVTech and Koto Laboratory.[1] Unlike the V.Smile, this game console uses3D 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.
It was revealed at the 2006 London Toy Fair,[4] and released in September2006.[5] The system retailed for $100.[2]
Since the console did not sell as well as the V.Smile, not many games were made for it. All games were released in theUnited States, theUnited Kingdom,Spain,France andGermany, 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 inMexico.
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 | ?-? |
Unlike most otherCD-ROM-basedconsoles, this system uses 12 cmCDs enclosed with plastic to protect damage from touching (although it could also protect from piracy), which is somewhat similar to 3.5"floppy disks orUMDs. The discs use theISO 9660[8] file system, without anycopy protection mechanism other than a simple sensor in the case jacket, making it possible to make adisc image out of the media.[9] Because of this, the V.Flash can also playaudio CDs and user-recordedCD-Rs using the supplied disc adapter.
The processor is anARM9 processor fromLSI Logic. Files are stored in 3 main formats:.mjp (Motion JPEG), .ptx, and .snd. The latter have been determined to bePCM 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 thePlayStation.
The system may use a memory card to save games.[2]