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VTech V.Smile TV Learning System
V.Smile
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$59.99
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$45.25 |
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$14.74
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TV learning system combines video games and educational content appropriate for young children. Develops minds in language, science and math. Kid-sized joystick controller adjusts to accommodate both right and left-handed users. Inlcudes a microphone for a fun sing-a-long feature and a writing pad stylus to teach proper letter stroke order. Includes 1 Smartridge, joystick, microphone holder, A/V adaptor, and manual.
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Customer Reviews
for VTech V.Smile TV Learning System --- V.Smile
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V.Smile fun
My three year old is really into the "Go Diego, Go" series so it was a real treat when he received his V.Smile learning system for his brithday. The customer support that I recieved from the Phoenix Treasure Box company was exceptional, they took the time to fix whatever concerns I had and even offered me an upgraded system for the trouble. All in all this purchase is a great value.
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It's not working anymore!
My parents gave this VTech V.smile TV Learning System to my son for Christmas, and he's played with it a handful of times. Now, it won't even turn on. We took careful care of this system.
I followed all of the troubleshooting tips, and it's still not working. The hold time to get in contact with Vtech representative is forever long. I did wait until someone came on the line, and they are sending me information on how I can replace the system with a new one.
Think twice before buying this toy. There are better, more reliable game systems out there. Vtech didn't set the bar high in terms of reliability.
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Great learning game!!
My son received this as a gift a year ago & he has been playing with it ever since.
He enjoys learning how to spell & count numbers as he plays the fun games!!
It's great to take a long wherever you go. It's easy to connect to the tv which is
a plus for us! I'm really happy it's so entertaining for him!
I really recommend it to all parents!!
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Vtech V.Smile TV Learning System
Awesome game system & VERY educational. The only thing I would change on this is the microphone - it would be nicer if it were cordless or had a longer cord. The storage area on top of it is a great idea & hold several games easily.
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If it's keep working, we'd LOVE it!
I love Vsmile and my kids do too but, the unit will just STOP working! The first time, we had it almost a year and we took great care of it but it'd stop working where the power button would be on but nothing on the screen, then you couldn't turn it off. Sent it back to Vtech and they sent us a new one. About a year later, SAME THING! What is going on? Now they tell me we are out of luck. I'm torn becuase when it works, we love it! I'm thinking of buying the newer version with the microphone and hope that's better as we have 7 games and 2 from the holiday not open yet (in case). I say NO on the older vsmile...just wish I knew with the newer one, we'd have more warranty on it!!!
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V Smile TV
This has been a good alternative to the other more expensive video games out there. The games are kid friendly and with 2 controllers two kids can play together. For the price I think this is a good entertainment system. I gave it 4 stars because we did have a problem with the first console and had to buy another, but the first one did last more than a year. So the quality is not great but we already had so many games it was worth buying another console.
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Guess they weren't thinking when they made this...
People don't always wanna hear the great things so I'm just going to tell you out there in Amazonland what I feel is wrong with this system:
1)Didn't come with batteries or the Adapter
Why they felt the need to not to have a power cord or included the Adapter to begin with is beyond me, especially for something used by children who will forget to turn things off, play with it non-stop, etc. At the very least they could have included some cheap batteries with it, so those opening it on Christmas Day could play with it.
2)Games are mislabeled agewise
Ages 4-6? We like to think that the child who uses this is of at least average intelligence. He knows his colors, letters, numbers, etc. but some of these games were just over his head. Daddy had to show him how to do half the games and many of the activities required "coaching". More like Age 6. And I think some of the things should be explained. In one of the games it had something about odd and even numbers. It should explain what these are and THEN let them play to see if they get it.
3)Games are hard to take out and change
For the 4 year old who wants to switch games constantly it's always, "I want a new game now!!" yelled through the house. They're hard for me and Daddy to take out, more or less a 4 or 5 year old. I used to have a Super NES back in the day - all you had to do was lightly hit a button and it would pop out. Maybe they should try that instead of the yank it out method they have.
4)Sounds ARE garbled, as someone else mentioned
Our 4-year-old kept repeating this phrase and when asked where he heard it and what it meant he said, "I don't know, it's in my game." He repeated it several times and I finally figured it out and told him what it probably was. I thought maybe this was 4-year-old misunderstanding until I sat to watch him play and heard how cruddy the sound is when they are saying stuff.
All that said, he enjoys it and does find it fun. So I guess that's what counts, but some common sense in designing it would be nice too.
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VTech V.Smile vs Leapfrog Clickstart
Electronics are evolving into pretty much every area of life, and that includes Early Learning. Apart from PC software, and stand-alone toys, a new approach follows the `games console' line: a console that you can hook up to your television so your little one can play games that will teach him or her counting, the alphabet, and the basic reading/writing/'rithmetic. Whether this approach actually `works', in terms of teaching children the basics, remains to be seen - it's too early for any useful research evidence.
Two of the front-runners in this evolution are the V.Smile from VTech, and the Clickstart `First Computer' from Leapfrog. Both are fairly cheap plastic battery-powered consoles pitched at 3- to 6/8-year-olds; both come with initial free software, and have a range of additional software available as cartridges, mostly themed on popular cartoon/comic characters (Disney, Thomas the Tank Engine, Superman etc). Unable to decide which (if either) of these might be helpful for our three-year-old boy, we decided to buy both and try them out. This is what we found.
The V.Smile is slightly more expensive (AU$119 for the console, plus AU$40 per software cartridge). It seems like the better machine in a lot of respects. There is a much wider range of software (about 30 cartridges available), catering from 3-to-5-year-olds up to 6-to-8-year-olds. It looks better engineered: sound output can be in stereo; there is a built-in compartment for storing your cartridges; there is a microphone (which we haven't used yet); and, although battery-powered (4 x AA), you can also run it off the mains - though, somewhat annoyingly, you have to buy a separate AC adapter. The user manual leaflet is somewhat better than that of its competitor, though both are adequate and both systems were quite easy to set-up without the manual.
However, its appearance gives the game away for the V.Smile: it looks like a cartoon version of a Playstation, and the interface is joystick-based (one supplied, with the option to add a second). It is first and foremost a games console, and the software confirms this: the activities are essentially `platform games' (think Donkey Kong or Super Mario), with a fairly thin serving of word/number/pattern/colour recognition thrown in. It was readily apparent that the main entertainment lay in manoeuvring, jumping, and evading hazards, and the basics of this were beyond our three-year-old at his first sitting; in contrast, the puzzles shown (`which one is the apple?' `pick the red circle' etc) posed little or no challenge to him at all. Although he had great fun (with Daddy's help), I'm not sure he learnt anything at all in an hour's test run.
The Clickstart got off to a poorer start, despite being a bit cheaper (AU$98 for the console, and AU$31.50 per cartridge). For openers, it's packaged in that annoying wire-and-sticky-tape fashion that takes at least half-an-hour to get out of the box and generally requires destroying a substantial amount of the packaging. There seem to be only six software cartridges available, aiming up to 6-year-olds. It does have the big advantage of being cordless, relying on an infra-red transmitter rather like your remote. We thought this might be a problem for our projector (being behind the child, as opposed to a TV screen in front of them), but it proved to be no problem at all unless someone stood in front of the IR receiver - presumably the IR signal is reflected from the wall. However, this does also mean that there are two components each requiring batteries (4 x AA and 4 x C), with no option for an AC adapter.
But - and it's a big but - the Clickstart is quite clearly based on a computer, not a games console. The interface is a QWERTY keyboard, with a simple one-button mouse; it can register different `users', if you have more than one child; and the home screen is a simplistic `point-and-click' GUI. A cute puppy called Scout is your guide to the system (and our boy LOVES puppies). The built-in games are more varied in format, and richer in content, than those of the V.Smile; they focus on developing both conceptual skills (numbers, letters, shapes, colours etc) and interface skills (how to use a keyboard and mouse). Even with no keyboard skills at all, our three-year-old could still have a grand time pressing random keys to collect alphabetical fruit or bring up phonetic-linked pictures. But by the end of an hour or so, he was starting to recognise individual digits (`press the 8 key'), and was getting the hang of the mouse. The cartridge games we tried were somewhat more `platform'-like, but with less emphasis on tricky manoeuvring and more emphasis on picking the right shape/number/colour, and some counting. The cartridge graphics seem to have come from the 1980s, but our three-year-old could recognise Buzz and Woody and Emperor Zurg and that was good enough for him! And whereas the V.Smile cartridges are each pitched at a specific age range, the Clickstart games and cartridges each contain different levels for different age groups - making up to some degree for the fact that there are fewer of them.
So my vote goes to the Clickstart, simply because it aims to be an educational toy computer rather than an educational games console; and (on the basis of a short test run), it actually seems to achieve some education. On the other hand, for an older child who's already hooked on video games, the V.Smile probably stands a better chance of getting their attention, and perhaps keeping it with the older-age-group cartridges and two-player options. I'm still not convinced that either of these systems is really the best way to teach children their numbers and letters; and I realise that nothing will take the place of hours of input from an enthusiastic adult. But I'd much rather see my toddler having fun with a keyboard than a joystick, particularly if that's going to set any sort of pattern for the future.
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Save your money
I have gone through two vsmile consoles and one vsmile pocket. They have all broken down and stopped working within two months despite new batteries and and an adapter (which only worked once). In fact the vsmile pocket had only been played a few times and it stopped working within four weeks. The temptation is to buy another one because you bought the games. Well I am here to tell you, DON'T DO IT. It is money down the drain. Cut your ties and move on. It is a BIG waste of money.
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Spend your money on something (else) that lasts!
Granted, it only cost $50 at Toys-R-Us, but that money would have been better spent on a toy or game that actually worked.
We got this because of the dearth of educational games for another game console that we own. Seeing the strictly educational offerings for this was very intriguing.
This thing had been out of the box for something like two weeks before it stopped working entirely. With only fairly regular use from my 6-year-old, who loved it, I thought it an untimely demise.
When it was working, it was a satisfactory game system. The "educational" value of the games seems a little suspect, but at least they're not "run-and-gun" first person shooters.
We're testing out the Toys-R-Us Replacement Program. Pay extra for the "insurance" because you'll need it. There's nothing less fun than an orange box with cords everywhere that doesn't work!
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Daughter LOVES it!
My four year old daughter got this system for Christmas and has not stopped playing with it for a single day since. The games are challenging but not frustrating for her, and I love that she's practicing important preschool skills while playing. We did buy the second joystick and the electrical adaptor, both of which definitely add to the positive experience with the system. I often sit and play with my daughter in the evenings. I have to admit that I have fun with some of the games, too. Overall, I think this is a great value and very well designed. We look forward to eventually buying some of the add-ons (like the keyboard, mat, art studio) for further enhancement of the fun.
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A Worthless Piece of Junk
My son's VTech Learning Systems completely stop working after only
2 days of him playing with it.
After we returned it to Sam's club and purchased a different one from Target, this also stop working after 2 weeks.
Overall I think the game is a great learning tool, but it rates very poor in reliability.
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My Boys Love This!!
My mom bought a V-tech for my oldest 3 yrs ago and it quit working right before Christmas 2007. So my 5 & 3 yr olds asked the man in the big red suit for another one. We purchased another one and they love it even more with the new controllers that they can trace the letters on. We also have the Thomas & Friends game which they love.
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vtech tv learning system
I bought this for my 4 year old grand-daughter for x-mas. She loves it. It is educational while she is having fun. Her mother bought the book that attaches to the TV part, so the TV is even more useful. The price was good, the ordering and delivery was quick and hassile free.
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Great for children, even with special needs.
Vsmile is a great system for any child, including special needs. The game is very simple; and not "alot" going on at once that can confuse a special child. The controls are bulky and big buttons so they are easily controlled. There are no time limits, and lots of praise throughout the games, ideal for a special needs child; as well as any child ages 3-6. Also, there are no flashes, or flickers of lights that can affect a child with seizures. Certain games on the wii, or playstation have warnings, giving less options to a child who has epilespy. My son is 8; but the 5 year old games he truly enjoys. Although he may know letters and colors already, etc; the game is just fun going through each level and knowing he can complete it and be proud of it. I wish it came with an A/C adaptor however the battery life is great considering how much he plays with it. The controls are reversabile, left or right handed. It has enough space to store all his games in the unit. His favorite game is winnie the pooh.
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no complaints
i gave this as a christmas gift to my nephews, and well... so far no complaints! As soon as the gift was opened, AWW struck the faces everyone standing near, it was fabulous! Although i was a bit disappointed that it ran on batteries and needed an adapter.
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V-Smile console
I hope this newer version lasts longer than the other two my son went through. He is very careful with taking care of his toys, yet two broke and I went through numerous adapters for it (which you have to buy seperately and never lasted more than a month. However I will say that the V-Smile is very educational for children and is fun at the same time.
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A Great Introduction to Video Games
This system is a well-built and well thought out introduction to video gaming. I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old that play this together.
One of the best features is the joystick which is built for little hands. My 5 year old is barely able to use the control pad on my Xbox, but she takes to the V-Smile joystick with aplomb. The joystick has a great feature where you can flip a little switch that unlocks the oversized buttons and they can flip around to the other side of the stick so that it works for righthanders or lefthanders. We have both joysticks, one of the original versions, and one of the newer joysticks with the handwriting pad built in.
The games are fairly compelling for young children. Sometimes gameplay can be a little frustrating, depending on the game, but it teaches them perseverance. My kids have a good deal of fun playing the different games.
Probably my biggest complaint is the interface between the console and the cartridge. It's too hard for little kids to change the game by themselves, although I suppose a lot of parents will view this as a positive.
One last note...
The console runs on batteries, which was awesome for our trip from Dallas to New York in our van. We hooked it to a seatback monitor and the kids played it most of the time during our 30 our journey. Unfortunately, because of this feature, VTech didn't feel compelled to include the AC adapter with the base console so we had to purchase it as a $15 extra. The caveat here is that our console was an earlier one before they started including the handwriting joysticks, so the adapter may or may not be included with the current iteration.
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Awesome Christmas Present For My Son
My son got this item for christmas. He couldnt wait to play with it. He has opened it and has not put it down since. I bought an extra joystick so I could play with him and an ac adapter that comes in handy and saves me money on batteries since he plays with it alot.I love to play with him and watch him get excited and say I did it and i would say yep GREAT JOB!! I love the big joystick perfect for my sons hands but also frustrates him because he has a hard time manuvering it where he wants it to go. I figure the more he practices he will get the hang of it. My son enjoys playing the games that I bought to go with this system. Very easy for my son to play with and he has learned a lot. However the ages on the games need to be changed to at least 5 or 6 years old. The games are a bit challenging for younger kids, but overall my son loves it, great family time for me and my son to do something together, and he has dramatically learned alot!!! Best buy i've ever made for him.
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Just got this working
So far I like this game system. We have only had it open for a few days. The joystick is a little difficult for our 3 year old, so we have to help him play it. I was thinking this was something he could do by himself and feel big like us when we are playing the PS or Xbox. Hopefully he will get the hang of it soon. Overall, it seems to be a good learning tool and fun too.
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