VSmile TV Learning System (VSmile)

Hoping to appeal to preschoolers as young as 3, VMSILE TV LEARNING SYSTEM touts learning through video game and showcases a controller with outsize buttons and an over-large joystick. Kids play through side-scrolling games that require them to walk, crawl, jump, and dodge as Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Scooby-Doo, and even Spider-Man. The system comes with "Alphabet Park Adventure" software; the adventure part of the software offers some educational aspects, but they are clearly secondary to the gaming aspects. A separate section called Learning Zone offers stronger educational content.

The gameplay is too difficult for the preschool crowd. Kid-testers younger than 5 quickly lost interest because they didn't have the hand-eye coordination and patience required to make characters jump at just the right time to land on moving platforms. The system provides a two-player option, but VTech missed the boat here too, because instead of having them play at the same time, it makes each child wait to take a turn.

With the current software, this system isn't a good fit for preschoolers, but can be fun for 5- to 7-year-olds looking to play video games. You might want to consider it if you have a child who is between 5 and 7 years old and he/she has older siblings who are gaming -- this is a way to help the younger sibling fit in. However, if your objective is to provide quality learning in a gaming format, choose Leapster instead.

Available on: VSmile
Not available online
Genre: Preschool
Developer: VTech Electronics
Released on: December 3, 2004
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: NR