V.Flash

The V.Flash (also known as V.Smile Pro in Europe; stylized as V.FLASH HOME EDUTAINMENT SYSTEM) is a seventh-generation educational home video game console and spinoff from the V.Smile series of video game consoles manufactured and released by VTech. Unlike the V.Smile, this game console uses 3D graphics and is designed for kids aged 5+.

V.Flash
ManufacturerVTech
TypeEducational home video game console
GenerationSeventh generation
Release dateSeptember 2006
Discontinued2007
MediaCD-ROM
CPUARM9 from LSI Logic
StorageMemory card
Controller inputJoystick
PredecessorV.Smile
SuccessorNone

It was revealed at the 2006 London Toy Fair,[1] and released in September 2006.[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, which was exclusive to Germany, 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.

# US/UK title Overseas title(s) Age range
1Bratz 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		6-8
6-9
6-9
6-9
2Cars: In the Fast Lane Cars: El Carril Rápido
Cars: À Fond La Caisse!
Cars: Auf Der Überholspur
Cars: El Corredores Rapido 		6-8
5-7
6-9
6-9
6-8
6-9
3Disney 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
4N/AMultisports[lower-alpha 1]6-8
5Scooby-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
6Shrek 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
7SpongeBob 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
8The 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
9The 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
10Wacky 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
11 National Geographic Kids[3] 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, which is somewhat similar to 3.5" floppy disks or UMDs. The discs use the ISO 9660[4] 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, although there hasn't been any known cases of piracy involving the V.Flash. 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 (Pro Tools session file), and .snd. The latter have been determined to be PCM WAV files.

Rated at 1.5 million polygons per second and with a 32 bit CPU, this system is directly comparable to the fifth generation game consoles, such as the PlayStation.

See also

Notes
  1. Although the name is in English, Multisports was exclusive to Europe and no English version exists.

References
  1. "VTech Unveils a New CD-Based Home Edutainment System – V.Flash at London Toy Fair". VTech. 26 January 2006. Retrieved 2020-02-09.
  2. 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.
  3. "VTech Products". VTechkids. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  4. "V.Flash Explorations". Emu Vibes. 26 May 2007. Archived from the original on 5 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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