V.Flash
Educational console
title: "V.Flash" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["vtech", "discontinued-video-game-consoles", "seventh-generation-video-game-consoles", "arm-based-video-game-consoles", "cd-rom-based-consoles", "educational-video-game-consoles"] description: "Educational console" topic_path: "general/vtech" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V.Flash" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Educational console ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox Video game system"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| logo | File:V.Flash Logo.jpg |
| image | File:V.Flash Console.jpg |
| generation | Seventh |
| release_date | September 2006 |
| discontinued | 2007 |
| manufacturer | VTech |
| type | Educational home video game console |
| media | Customized encased CD-ROM "V.Discs" |
| cpu | ARM9 from LSI Logic |
| graphics | 3D Capable |
| storage | Memory card |
| controllers | Joystick |
| predecessor | V.Smile |
| successor | InnoTV |
| name | V.Flash |
| marketing_target | Children aged 5-10 |
| price | $100 |
| developer | VTech |
| Koto Laboratory | |
| :: |
| logo = File:V.Flash Logo.jpg | image = File:V.Flash Console.jpg | caption = | generation = Seventh | release_date = 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 | graphics = 3D Capable | storage = Memory card | controllers = Joystick | predecessor = V.Smile | successor = InnoTV | name = V.Flash | marketing_target = Children aged 5-10 | price = $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. 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. 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, and released in September 2006. 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/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.
::data[format=table]
| US/UK title | Overseas title(s) | Age range |
|---|---|---|
| Bratz Fashion Pixiez: The Secret Necklace | ESP Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Misterio del Collar | |
| FRA Bratz Fashion Pixiez: Le Collier Magique | ||
| MEX Bratz Fashion Pixiez: El Secreto del Magico | ||
| NED Bratz Fashion Pixiez: De Magische Ketting | USA 6–8 | |
| ESP 6–9 | ||
| FRA 6–9 | ||
| MEX 6–9 | ||
| Cars: In the Fast Lane | ESP Cars: El Carril Rápido | |
| FRA Cars: À Fond La Caisse! | ||
| GER Cars: Auf Der Überholspur | ||
| MEX Cars: El Corredores Rapido | ||
| NED Cars: in de Snelle Baan | USA 6–8 | |
| UK 5–7 | ||
| ESP 6–9 | ||
| FRA 6–9 | ||
| GER 6–8 | ||
| MEX 6–9 | ||
| Disney Princess: The Crystal Ball Adventure | ESP Disney Princess: El Castillo de las Princesas | |
| FRA Disney Princess: L'aventure enchantée | ||
| GER Disney Prinzessinnen: Das zauberhafte Märchen-Abenteuer | ||
| MEX Disney Princesas: La aventura encantado | USA 6–8 | |
| UK 5–7 | ||
| ESP 6–9 | ||
| FRA 6–9 | ||
| GER 6–10 | ||
| MEX 6–10 | ||
| N/A | GER Multisports | |
| FRA Défis Sports | GER 6–8 | |
| FRA 6–9 | ||
| Scooby-Doo: Ancient Adventure | ESP Scooby-Doo: Viaje Al Pasado | |
| FRA Scooby-Doo!: Les Civilisations Perdues | ||
| MEX Scooby-Doo!: Las Viajan de Pasado | USA 6–8 | |
| ESP 6–9 | ||
| FRA 6–9 | ||
| Shrek the Third: The Search for Arthur | ESP Shrek Tercero: ¿Donde Está Arturo? | |
| FRA Shrek Le Troisieme: En quête d'Arthur | ||
| GER Shrek Der Dritte: Die Suche nach Arthus | USA 6–8 | |
| UK 7–9 | ||
| ESP 6–9 | ||
| FRA 6–9 | ||
| GER 6–8 | ||
| SpongeBob SquarePants: Idea Sponge | ESP Bob Esponja: Misión Esponja | |
| FRA Bob L'Éponge: Une Idée Spongieuse | ||
| GER SpongeBob Schwammkopf: Ein Schwamm voller Ideen | USA 8–10 | |
| UK 7–9 | ||
| ESP 6–9 | ||
| FRA 8–11 | ||
| GER 8–10 | ||
| The Amazing Spider-Man: Countdown to Doom | ESP El Asombroso Spider-Man: Persecicíon en la Ciudad | |
| FRA Spider-Man: Course-poursuite à Manhattan | ||
| GER Spider-Man: Angriff der Super-Schurken | USA 8–10 | |
| UK 7–9 | ||
| ESP 8–11 | ||
| FRA 8–11 | ||
| GER 8–10 | ||
| The Incredibles: Mission Incredible | ESP Los Increíbles: Misión Increíble | |
| FRA Les Indestructibes: Les Indestructibes À La Rescousse | ||
| GER Die Unglaublichen: In unglaublicher Mission | USA 8–10 | |
| UK 7–9 | ||
| ESP 8–11 | ||
| FRA 8–11 | ||
| GER 8–10 | ||
| Wacky Race on Jumpin' Bean Island | ESP Carrera Loca En La Isla De Las Vainas Fritas | |
| FRA Dingo'Rallye: Fou! Fou! Fou! | ||
| GER Das Verrückte Rennen Der Hüpf-Bohnen Insel | USA 5–7 | |
| UK 5–7 | ||
| ESP 6–9 | ||
| FRA 6–10 | ||
| GER 6–8 | ||
| National Geographic Kids | 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 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. 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.
Notes
References
References
- Amos, Evan. (2021). "The Game Console 2.0: A Photographic History from Atari to Xbox". No Starch Press.
- "VTech Annual Report 2007".
- (26 January 2006). "VTech Unveils a New CD-Based Home Edutainment System – V.Flash at London Toy Fair".
- Orland, Kyle. (October 26, 2006). "Nine year old wins scholarship for edu-game idea".
- (May 1, 2006). "Getting Smart on Smart Toys". Children's Technology Review.
- "VTech Products".
- (26 May 2007). "V.Flash Explorations".
- "V.Flash Hacking".
- (March 1, 2007). "New & Future Releases". Children's Technology Review.
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