V.Smile Pocket: Pink

by VTech

Product Features

• Portable V.Smile Learning System enables on-the-go gameplay
• Connectors allow direct hook up to your television -- no additional equipment required
• Plays all V.Smile smartridges, which teach spelling, counting,logic, problem solving, vocabulary, phonics and much more
• Big buttons designed for child`s hands and full-color LCD screen with 320 x 240 resolution

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.1 x 11.1 x 14.1 inches ; 2.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000F1HJGM
• Manufacturer recommended age: 4 - 7 years
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #142,252 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com

If your kids are constantly whining for more TV time, The V-Smile provides more of a reason to give in. Beneath all the fast-paced adventures and familiar characters, there lies an educational component. Important grade-school concepts, such as reading comprehension, problem solving, math, vocabulary, music, spelling, and other skills, are covered in every game to make each activity a learning experience. Kids will delight in helping a space alien spell out words, count seashells for making Ariel’s necklace, or participate in plenty of other challenges that will seem too fun to be good for their brains.

This versatile game console hooks up to a TV to provide plenty of stationary video game fun and then detaches again for battery-powered games on the go. Measuring 7-1/2 by 5 inches, this handheld unit slips into a backpack or beach bag and is an ideal size for play while traveling. The 3-by-2-1/4-inch screen is large enough for kids to comfortably view and gauge their progress during games. Thumb-operated buttons on either side of the V.Smile Pocket are conveniently placed. Players can even convert the rightie-configured, multi-directional joystick button for comfortable left-handed play by pushing the existing buttons in and flipping them inside-out. Kids will need to get used to the loose handling of the joystick button, however, as its aim can easily be misdirected.

The rest of the layout is just as easy to master. The Learning Zone button, just below the screen, lets kids skip all the lengthy game introductions and get right into this mode of play, which focuses on one narrow skill within the curriculum and is helpful for kids who need some remedial review in a particular area. Also below the screen are an Exit button to quit the game and a Help button for kids who are stuck. The Help button is a bit disappointing: Kids with some experience playing educational learning or computer games might expect a helpful tutorial delivered by an encouraging and likeable character. Instead, pressing the button deposits the player back to the beginning of the game, where the original game instructions are repeated.

The portable console is simple to connect to a TV screen via the color-coded jack inputs. Graphics are not super, either on the touchscreen or a larger TV screen, presenting a more one-dimensional look. Younger kids might not mind but older kids who have been exposed to more video games probably will notice. On top of that, graphics tend to be a little fuzzy and hard to make out, which is definitely a detriment when kids are asked to spell out an item’s name or locate an item that they can’t clearly identify. Colors are not always true either so it’s possible to make incorrect choices when there are color-oriented modules.

Game cartridges for the V.Smile--cleverly referred to as Smartridges—provide a wide range of appealing characters for kids to learn with. The V.Smile Pocket comes with one cartridge featuring games with The Little Mermaid’s Ariel. Other Smartridges, which can be purchased separately, include appropriate favorites, such as Little Red Riding Hood, Spider-Man, Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, Nemo, and Scooby-Doo for junior V.Smile Pocket players. Older players can choose from Cinderella, Aladdin, Mickey Mouse, and many more.

Each game cartridge offers two modes of play: More on the side of edutainment is the Learning Adventure, which provides a few brain-building activities but focuses more on the game aspect. This mode quietly draws children in by making the learning topics secondary. The Learning Zone, on the other hand, gets right into play-oriented drills on specific learning concepts needed for school and is useful for targeting weaknesses. Two levels of play, either easy or difficult, let children advance at their own pace when they are ready for a challenge.

Compared to similar products, the V.Smile Pocket does not provide in-depth tutorials on the rules of play for each game. Children are expected to intuit or ascertain through trial and error how to move and select items within the game so new games are confusing at first. In addition, younger children may have a hard time with games that present mazes or obstacles as these screens leave a very tight path for kids to maneuver through. Persistent personalities will persevere, picking up super spatial skills and perfecting their hand-eye coordination along the way. Other children may become easily frustrated with their lack of control and may give up early.

The V.Smile Pocket may have a few shortcomings, but it is a great replacement activity for kids who are drawn to video games or the TV set and are resistant to giving up any additional screen time. This electronic system is designed in pink for girls (a blue version for boys is also available) and comes with four AA batteries so kids can start playing immediately. Other accessories, such as a battery recharger and a backpack for transport, are sold separately. --Cristina Vaamonde

Product Description

No excuses anymore! Not only can you take the V.Smile Pocket Learning System and Smartriges any place now, it can also connect to a TV. Build a child's brain on-the-go. This portable learning system will stretch your child's mind and possibilities. Requires 4 "AA" batteries (included). Measures 7.5" x 2" x 5.1". Smartridges sold separately.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great, January 11, 2007

By 

R. Coleman (Healdsburg, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: V.Smile Pocket: Pink (Toy)

We already had the Vsmile video game with games and got this travel version because the game cartridges we already had were compadible with it. my girls - 4 & 6 years- love it. we got the power plug in for the car but not the regular ac adapter (not included). The batteries drain pretty fast so remember to get the power plug.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great toy!, July 9, 2007

By 

A. Guhl "Guhlia" (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: V.Smile Pocket: Pink (Toy)

I got this for my daughter about two months ago. After about a month it stopped working. Luckily, we called Vtech right away and they agreed to replace the unit with a new one. My daughter loves this so much that it's worth the hassle of returning it for a new one. She would play all day every day if I let her. The games are fun and educational. Even though it broke, I would still have to recommend this to others.

On a side note, we ended up buying a used one off of eBay for a backup unit just in case her new one breaks again. My daughter uses this for my long prenatal appointments and it just wasn't worth being without it.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It was fun while it lasted, November 9, 2006

By 

Kristine Desrosiers (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: V.Smile Pocket: Pink (Toy)

We bought V.Smile Pocket for my (5yrs)daughter 11 months ago. It is used occasionally, I would say very lightly- three times per month on average and kept in the appropriate case when not in use. The product no longer works at all, battery or plug, it just will not work. Very dissapointed, not counting all of the games and accessories, it was a pretty decent investment for less than one year.

It was a really fun, easy to use and did have age appropriate, educational games.