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Gallery of Educational Systems
by Marriott_Guy

Though our site focuses on consoles for adults, we would be remiss to not include a section for those systems that were specifically designed to educate our children.

Most of these units focus on creative activities, with all accepting some form of interchangeable media. We have not included dedicated systems. A mix of portable and consoles are listed, along with the year of its release and a few notes about the respective device.

If anything, we hope the following provides to be mildly interesting while showcasing the evolution of the educational gaming system.

Please enjoy!


Texas Instr. Speak & Spell Year : 1978		Texas Instr. Speak & Read \ Math Year : 1980		Texas Instr. Super Speak Series Year : 1989
System Notes	One of the first handheld systems to feature a display (VFD - limited to text) and interchangeable cartridges.	System Notes	Expansion of the series to include these two variations. The original was also redesigned with the membrane keyboard.	System Notes	Upgraded version with a LCD display and standard QWERTY keyboard layout. New cartridges were introduced (not BWC).

VTech VideoSmarts Year : 1986		LJN Video Art Year : 1987		Ohio Art Etch A Sketch Animator Year : 1988
System Notes	System connected through a VCR, with the child interacting with the cartoon during playback.	System Notes	Interactive coloring book with cartridges featuring popular cartoon characters.	System Notes	Only four (4) cartridges were released for this console based on the popular Etch A Sketch toy.

Grandstand Light Games Year : 1988		Mattel Captain Power Year : 1988		VTech Socrates Year : 1988
System Notes	Cool system which projected the games onto any flat surface. A few variations of this console were produced throughout Europe.	System Notes	Neat light-gun style system using VHS tapes to combat the evil empire. Available in a couple of different models.	System Notes	Hybrid system with wireless keyboard and controllers (impressive for that day!). Also released by Yeno in Germany.

View-Master Interactive Vision Year : 1988		VTech PC Pal Year : 1989		Sega Pico Year : 1993
System Notes	VHS based gaming system designed to resemble a Lego block construction with Muppet and Disney charaters.	System Notes	This computer system for little tykes has seen numerous upgrades and releases throughout the years. A.K.A. Computer Pal.	System Notes	Interactive storyboards using button controls and the magic pen to respond to the unfolding events. Rereleased by Majesco in 1999.

Tiger Learning Computer Year : 1996
		The Tiger Learning Computer was more than just a laptop computer designed for teaching children - this was a full fledged box using licensed technology based on the Apple IIe. This device came packed with 128KB of RAM, common computer ports (serial, parallel, mouse, etc.) with AV outputs to display to a standard television or Mac monitor. This rare bird was no slouch at that time. The Tiger Learning Computer never made it out of the test market phase of its development, making it one of the most sought after systems in this genre. Special thanks to Abraham for not only bringing this to my attention, but for kindly allowing us to post pics of his CIB unit. Thanks Abraham!


LeapFrog LeapPad Year : 1999		Fisher Price Pixter Year : 2002		Fisher Price Pixter Plus Year : 2002
System Notes	Cartridges augmented the accompanying children's book. The flagship product from LeapFrog.	System Notes	Animation and drawing games are the norm for the Pixter, with the stylus the only method used for control.	System Notes	Upgraded version that was released shortly after the original model. Not sure what changes were made.

Fisher Price Pixter 2.0 Year : 2003		Haier Ribbit TV Year : 2003		Fisher Price Pixter Color Year : 2003
System Notes	Upgraded model that could store 20 photos instead of 10.	System Notes	TV for little urchins, featuring games and parental controls.	System Notes	Color version this time. Man did they pump these out in a hurry!

LeapFrog Leapster Year : 2003		Fisher Price Pixter Multi-Media Year : 2005		Sega Advanced Pico Beena Year : 2005
System Notes	Advanced handheld featuring Flash 5, touchscreen and D-Pad. Co-developed by Macromedia.	System Notes	Another upgrade, this time with full video content for the tykes to interact with.	System Notes	Upgraded model of the Pico with built-in screen, controls for two players and updated graphics.

VTech V.Smile Year : 2005		Manley GoGo TV Video Vision Year : 2005		VTech V.Smile Pocket Year : 2005
System Notes	Popular system with two controllers and 'Smartridges' containing various game data. Bundled with a microphone in 2007.	System Notes	Cool system which would actually display a video of the child onscreen as they interacted with the games.	System Notes	Portable version with a LCD screen, but lacks two plater support. Microphone support was later incorporated.

LeapFrog Leapster L-Max Year : 2005		Mattel HyperScan Year : 2006		LeapFrog Leapster TV Year : 2006
System Notes	Redesign which incorporated video / audio out to television (the original model did not have this).	System Notes	Little dude console utilizing cards that were scanned to increase the abilities of their onscreen characters.	System Notes	Console version of the Leapster, with integrated screen and video / audio out.

VTech V.Flash Year : 2006		LeapFrog Click Start Year : 2007		VTech V.Smile Pocket Cyber Year : 2008
System Notes	Kid console that uses CDs encompassed within a protective outer shell (kind of like the caddies used in early years).	System Notes	Cool little PC for the rug rats to teach them the basics of using a computer.	System Notes	Upgraded model with a propriety port / cable used to transfer data to a PC for unlocking content and tracking scores.

LeapFrog Didj Year : 2008		VTech V.Smile V.Motion Year : 2008		LeapFrog Leapster2 Year : 2008
System Notes	Handheld system which runs a customized version of Linux. Popular with hackers due to the OpenGL environment and low cost.	System Notes	With integrated motion controls, the system was designed to be a cheap alternative to the Nintendo Wii.	Notes	The successor to the original Leapster. This model could connect to your PC to download additional content and software.

VTech Computer Pal Year : 2008		VTech V.Smile V.Baby Infant Year : 2009		VTech MobiGo Year : 2010
System Notes	Same as the initial model but with included keyboard with integrated controls.	System Notes	This is definitely the system that targeted the youngest audience - infants. I am assuming it is drool-proof.	System Notes	Handheld system with a hidden keyboard that is designed to teach youths how the alphabet amongst other activities.

LeapFrog Leapster Explorer Year : 2010		VTech InnoTab Year : 2011		LeapFrog LeapPad2 Explorer Year : 2011
System Notes	Third generation of the Leapster, but lacks full backwards compatibility with the two previous editions.	System Notes	Tablet for tots, featuring tilt-sensor for motion control and auto-orientation LCD screen. Pretty cool IMHO.	System Notes	Tablet device with all the bells and whistles of associated with like devices. Basically a mini iPad.

VTech InnoTab 2 Year : 2011		LeapFrog Leapster GS Explorer Year : 2012		VTech MobiGo 2 Year : 2012
System Notes	Upgraded model with built-in camera and video recorder, MP3 player and other creativity apps.	System Notes	Advanced handheld with integrated camera, recorder and motion controls.	System Notes	Upgraded version with a 'slide-out' keyboard. Other than that, I believe they are no other differences.

VTech InnoTab 2S Year : 2012		Leapster LeapTV Year : 2014		VTech InnoTV Year : 2015
System Notes	I believe this is just a revision that now includes full Wi-Fi capabilities.	System Notes	Wii knock-off for little tykes. In all honesty, this is pretty cool.	System Notes	Gaming system for urchins aged 3-8. Better controller than the Atari Jag.

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