VTech V-Motion Game System - Here’s What They’re Saying So Far

Growing up in the advent of at-home video game systems, most of us who are now parents have at least one system around the house. And it’s a safe bet that those who don’t own a system have played games on the computer - even if it’s just Solitaire. So our kids have been around video games right from the start, even if we won’t let them play with our toys: “There’s no way we’ll let her near our Wii - too many stories of preschoolers throwing Wiimotes through TVs.”

But VTech is “right in step in creating innovative games to meet the entertainment, educational and active needs of the pre-Wii kids.” As one longtime VTech fan enthused, “V-Tech games on the V-Smile system were the very first video games my sons were ever exposed to…V-Motion has taken the fun and mind building to a whole new level…[They've] added physical movement to the mental strength building their products have provided for years.”

The VTech V-Motion Active Learning System “comes with a game box, the Action Mania Smartridge, and a joystick that can be used by one or two players.” It’s “geared for ages 3-7 and has some similarities to the Wii in the sense there is a motion controller and interaction with the screen.” The system is clearly designed for younger kids - “My son, he’s 5, instantly loved the large-sized controls which are easy for him to grasp, and he can easily figure out how to make the game work.” - and the controllers accommodate both left- and right-handed players.

The VTech V-Motion definitely offers educational play: “Each of the games includes a learning element, whether it’s number sequences or spelling letters, both of which my child is tackling now so the game was a fun way to engage her…I like how companies are getting smarter and incorporating multiple learning options in games that are also fun to play.”

The games in the Action Mania Smartridge were a big hit with most of the kids. Bobsledding seemed to be the most difficult: “That game shows a sequence of numbers and requires the player to choose the missing number while bobsledding. While my son was able to say the missing number out loud, he was not coordinated enough to actually get the missing number.” But the driving game was a top favorite, as was the game that involved balancing on a ball:

That little girl’s father commented: “Now, I can’t prove it with the scientific method or anything but the game seemed to possess my daughter with some kind of spooky demons that tormented her soul and made her howl and groan…She sounds like Monica Seles.”

On the other hand, “the motion required to play the game is pretty subtle. To bounce a ball, for example, you simply tilt the controller to the left or right a few inches. You won’t exactly work up a sweat doing that.” But don’t tell the kids that such exertion isn’t necessary, right?

And another mother noted: “Not all children learn by simply sitting and reading things…In any classroom with young children you are apt to find a child who learns better while moving around or tapping a foot. Motion can truly reinforce learning for some children.”

The parents definitely appreciated how easy it was to set up the system (with the exception of connecting it to a TiVo) - “I always hyperventilate at the idea of dealing with TV accessories…Not so the V-Motion. Feed the console and the controller their batteries, then plug the console into the TV using three color-coded plugs. Very easy.” - although one pointed out that “the AC power cord is not included, and has to be purchased separately for an additional $10 if you don’t want to run through your entire supply of batteries to keep it powered up.”

But the system’s relative low cost was a key point for a blogger who was “most struck by [how] the games seem to be a lot less expensive than other games I end up shelling my money out for. I mean, it makes your hind parts pucker up a little bit when you slap down sixty bucks for a Wii game. Ouch.” And the cross-compatibility of the Smartridges means “the investment in their previous games is not wasted and can now be enjoyed wirelessly.”

This interactive gaming system was well-received by the first half of the bloggers in this campaign; let’s see how it fares with the second half!

Tues 9/23 - Builder Mama
Wed 9/24 - Chicky Chicky Baby
Thurs 9/25 - Dana Reviews
Fri 9/26 - Slouching Mom
Mon 9/29 - My Readable Feast
Tues 9/30 - Marketing Mommy
Thurs 10/2 - Round-Up Review at PBN

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 23rd, 2008 at 5:00 am and is filed under Electronics, Elementary School, Games, Kids, Pre-school, Toys. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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VTech V-Motion Game System - Here’s What They’re Saying So Far

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