V.Flash

{{Infobox Video game system

| logo = File:V.Flash Logo.jpg

| image = File:V.Flash Console.jpg

| caption =

| generation = Seventh

| releasedate = September 2006

| discontinued = 2007

| manufacturer = VTech

| family =

| type = Educational home video game console

| media = Customized encased CD-ROM "V.Discs"

| CPU = ARM9 from LSI Logic

| GPU = 3D Capable

| storage = Memory card

| controllers = Joystick

| predecessor = V.Smile

| successor = InnoTV

| name = V.Flash

| marketing_target = Children aged 5-10

| baseprice = $100

| developer = VTech
Koto Laboratory

}}

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.{{Cite book |last=Amos |first=Evan |title=The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox |year=2021 |isbn=9781718500617 |publication-date=Sep 8, 2021 |pages=237|publisher=No Starch Press }} Unlike the V.Smile, this game console uses 3D graphics. This system is designed for kids aged 6 to 10.

Although critics praised the V.Flash for improving on the V.Smile's base, the console's sales lagged behind the former.{{Cite web |title=VTech Annual Report 2007 |url=https://www.vtech.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/AR2007_eng.pdf |website=VTech Corporate}} 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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.vtech.com/en/press_release/2006/vtech-unveils-a-new-cd-based-home-edutainment-system-v-flash-at-london-toy-fair/|title=VTech Unveils a New CD-Based Home Edutainment System – V.Flash at London Toy Fair|date=26 January 2006|website=VTech|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-09}} and released in September 2006.{{Cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/nine-year-old-wins-scholarship-for-edu-game-idea/|title=Nine year old wins scholarship for edu-game idea|last=Orland|first=Kyle|date=October 26, 2006|website=Joystiq|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128030932/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/10/26/nine-year-old-wins-scholarship-for-edu-game-idea/|archive-date=28 January 2015|access-date=28 January 2015}} The system retailed for $100.

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. The Princeton Review was involved in the development of educational content for some games.{{cite journal |last1=Buckleitner |first1=Warren |title=Getting Smart on Smart Toys |journal=Children's Technology Review |date=May 1, 2006 |volume=14 |issue=5 |page=8 |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=32957515&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=22 May 2022}}

scope="col" \| US/UK title ! scope="col" \| Overseas title(s) ! scope="col" \| Age range
class="wikitable sortable" border="1" id="vflash"
Bratz Fashion Pixiez: The Secret Necklace	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Misterio del Collar {{flagicon\|FRA}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: Le Collier Magique {{flagicon\|MEX}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Secreto del Magico {{flagicon\|NED}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: De Magische Ketting	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|MEX}} 6-9
Cars: In the Fast Lane	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Cars: El Carril Rápido {{flagicon\|FRA}} Cars: À Fond La Caisse! {{flagicon\|GER}} Cars: Auf Der Überholspur {{flagicon\|MEX}} Cars: El Corredores Rapido {{flagicon\|NED}} Cars: in de Snelle Baan	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|UK}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|MEX}} 6-9
Disney Princess: The Crystal Ball Adventure	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Disney Princess: El Castillo de las Princesas {{flagicon\|FRA}} Disney Princess: L'aventure enchantée {{flagicon\|GER}} Disney Prinzessinnen: Das zauberhafte Märchen-Abenteuer {{flagicon\|MEX}} Disney Princesas: La aventura encantado	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|UK}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-10 {{flagicon\|MEX}} 6-10
N/A{{efn\|Although the name is in English, Multisports was exclusive to Europe and no English version exists.}}	{{flagicon\|GER}} Multisports {{flagicon\|FRA}} Défis Sports	{{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9
Scooby-Doo: Ancient Adventure	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Scooby-Doo: Viaje Al Pasado {{flagicon\|FRA}} Scooby-Doo!: Les Civilisations Perdues {{flagicon\|MEX}} Scooby-Doo!: Las Viajan de Pasado	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9
Shrek the Third: The Search for Arthur	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Shrek Tercero: ¿Donde Está Arturo? {{flagicon\|FRA}} Shrek Le Troisieme: En quête d'Arthur {{flagicon\|GER}} Shrek Der Dritte: Die Suche nach Arthus	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8
SpongeBob SquarePants: Idea Sponge	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Bob Esponja: Misión Esponja {{flagicon\|FRA}} Bob L'Éponge: Une Idée Spongieuse {{flagicon\|GER}} Spongebob Schwammkopf: Ein Schwamm voller Ideen	{{flagicon\|USA}} 8-10 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|GER}} 8-10
The Amazing Spider-Man: Countdown to Doom	{{flagicon\|ESP}} El Asombroso Spider-Man: Persecicíon en la Ciudad {{flagicon\|FRA}} Spider-Man: Course-poursuite à Manhattan {{flagicon\|GER}} Spider-Man: Angriff der Super-Schurken	{{flagicon\|USA}} 8-10 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|GER}} 8-10
The Incredibles: Mission Incredible	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Los Increíbles: Misión Increíble {{flagicon\|FRA}} Les Indestructibes: Les Indestructibes À La Rescousse {{flagicon\|GER}} Die Unglaublichen: In unglaublicher Mission	{{flagicon\|USA}} 8-10 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|GER}} 8-10
Wacky Race on Jumpin' Bean Island	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Carrera Loca En La Isla De Las Vainas Fritas {{flagicon\|FRA}} Dingo'Rallye: Fou! Fou! Fou! {{flagicon\|GER}} Das Verrückte Rennen Der Hüpf-Bohnen Insel	{{flagicon\|USA}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|UK}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-10 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8
style="background:#FFE8E8; \|National Geographic Kids{{Cite web\|url=https://www.vtechkids.com/assets/data/meta/product_meta.xml\|title=VTech Products\|website=VTechkids\|access-date=27 October 2020}} \| style="background:#FFE8E8; \|Unreleased, showcased in a 2007 V.Tech catalog \| style="background:#FFE8E8; \|?-?

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{{Cite web|url=http://vflash.emuvibes.com/|title=V.Flash Explorations|date=26 May 2007|website=Emu Vibes|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305233544/http://vflash.emuvibes.com/|archive-date=5 March 2010|access-date=5 March 2010}} 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.{{Cite web|title=V.Flash Hacking|url=https://vtech-v-flash-hacking.webnode.com/|access-date=2021-05-11|website=vtech-v-flash-hacking.webnode.com|language=en-us}} 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.

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.{{cite journal |title=New & Future Releases |journal=Children's Technology Review |date=March 1, 2007 |volume=15 |issue=3 |page=15 |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edo&AN=32958208&site=eds-live&scope=site |access-date=22 May 2022}}

Notes

References

External links

[http://www.vtechkids.com/product.cfm/V.Flash_Home_Edutainment_Learning_System/392/? Official Site]
[http://www.arm.com/markets/emerging_applications/armpp/15800.html ARM Processor]
[http://www.vsmileshop.com/v-flash.html# Vtech V.Flash Educational Line]
http://dso.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177100739 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061025150026/http://dso.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=177100739 |date=2006-10-25 }}
[http://vflash.emuvibes.com V.Flash reverse engineering] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305233544/http://vflash.emuvibes.com/ |date=2010-03-05 }}
[http://multimedia.cx/eggs/category/vtech-vflash/ VFlash technical details and reverse-engineering]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20131227210843/http://www.vsmileshop.com/v-flash.html V.Smile Shop] archived in the Wayback Machine on December 27, 2013
[http://20thcenturyvideogames.com/index.php?action=vermodelos&pass=&submenu=&tipo=4&sistema=VTech-VSmile&verletra=A#VTech-VSmile 20th Century Retro Games entry] (Gallery page for various VTech V.Smile models, including V.Flash)

Category:VTech

Category:Discontinued video game consoles

Category:Seventh-generation video game consoles

Category:ARM-based video game consoles

Category:CD-ROM-based consoles

Category:Educational video game consoles

scope="col" \| US/UK title ! scope="col" \| Overseas title(s) ! scope="col" \| Age range
class="wikitable sortable" border="1" id="vflash"
Bratz Fashion Pixiez: The Secret Necklace	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Misterio del Collar {{flagicon\|FRA}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: Le Collier Magique {{flagicon\|MEX}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Secreto del Magico {{flagicon\|NED}} Bratz Fashion Pixiez: De Magische Ketting	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|MEX}} 6-9
Cars: In the Fast Lane	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Cars: El Carril Rápido {{flagicon\|FRA}} Cars: À Fond La Caisse! {{flagicon\|GER}} Cars: Auf Der Überholspur {{flagicon\|MEX}} Cars: El Corredores Rapido {{flagicon\|NED}} Cars: in de Snelle Baan	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|UK}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|MEX}} 6-9
Disney Princess: The Crystal Ball Adventure	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Disney Princess: El Castillo de las Princesas {{flagicon\|FRA}} Disney Princess: L'aventure enchantée {{flagicon\|GER}} Disney Prinzessinnen: Das zauberhafte Märchen-Abenteuer {{flagicon\|MEX}} Disney Princesas: La aventura encantado	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|UK}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-10 {{flagicon\|MEX}} 6-10
N/A{{efn\|Although the name is in English, Multisports was exclusive to Europe and no English version exists.}}	{{flagicon\|GER}} Multisports {{flagicon\|FRA}} Défis Sports	{{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9
Scooby-Doo: Ancient Adventure	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Scooby-Doo: Viaje Al Pasado {{flagicon\|FRA}} Scooby-Doo!: Les Civilisations Perdues {{flagicon\|MEX}} Scooby-Doo!: Las Viajan de Pasado	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9
Shrek the Third: The Search for Arthur	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Shrek Tercero: ¿Donde Está Arturo? {{flagicon\|FRA}} Shrek Le Troisieme: En quête d'Arthur {{flagicon\|GER}} Shrek Der Dritte: Die Suche nach Arthus	{{flagicon\|USA}} 6-8 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8
SpongeBob SquarePants: Idea Sponge	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Bob Esponja: Misión Esponja {{flagicon\|FRA}} Bob L'Éponge: Une Idée Spongieuse {{flagicon\|GER}} Spongebob Schwammkopf: Ein Schwamm voller Ideen	{{flagicon\|USA}} 8-10 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|GER}} 8-10
The Amazing Spider-Man: Countdown to Doom	{{flagicon\|ESP}} El Asombroso Spider-Man: Persecicíon en la Ciudad {{flagicon\|FRA}} Spider-Man: Course-poursuite à Manhattan {{flagicon\|GER}} Spider-Man: Angriff der Super-Schurken	{{flagicon\|USA}} 8-10 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|GER}} 8-10
The Incredibles: Mission Incredible	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Los Increíbles: Misión Increíble {{flagicon\|FRA}} Les Indestructibes: Les Indestructibes À La Rescousse {{flagicon\|GER}} Die Unglaublichen: In unglaublicher Mission	{{flagicon\|USA}} 8-10 {{flagicon\|UK}} 7-9 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 8-11 {{flagicon\|GER}} 8-10
Wacky Race on Jumpin' Bean Island	{{flagicon\|ESP}} Carrera Loca En La Isla De Las Vainas Fritas {{flagicon\|FRA}} Dingo'Rallye: Fou! Fou! Fou! {{flagicon\|GER}} Das Verrückte Rennen Der Hüpf-Bohnen Insel	{{flagicon\|USA}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|UK}} 5-7 {{flagicon\|ESP}} 6-9 {{flagicon\|FRA}} 6-10 {{flagicon\|GER}} 6-8
style="background:#FFE8E8; \|National Geographic Kids{{Cite web\|url=https://www.vtechkids.com/assets/data/meta/product_meta.xml\|title=VTech Products\|website=VTechkids\|access-date=27 October 2020}} \| style="background:#FFE8E8; \|Unreleased, showcased in a 2007 V.Tech catalog \| style="background:#FFE8E8; \|?-?