Retro Video Gamer

I know we have at least one massive Vectrex fan here in Trek MD (check out his awesome reviews!) but I noticed we didn't actually have an official Vectrex discussion thread.

Here is something to get started with, two videos by Ashens who I usually love but in this case I think he was a bit harsh on the system:

Vectrex is one of my favorites. The retail library was great, and some of the homebrews are even better than the retail games. Waiting patiently for my Warrior homebrew to arrive from Fury Unlimited... should be another great Vectrex game.


Also, Retrocade magazine just started their Vector War II high score competition today. Prizes for the top 3 and a mention in their magazine.

http://www.retrocademagazine.net/forums ... =23&t=1217 (http://www.retrocademagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1217)

Quote from: "tomwaits"Vectrex is one of my favorites. The retail library was great, and some of the homebrews are even better than the retail games. Waiting patiently for my Warrior homebrew to arrive from Fury Unlimited... should be another great Vectrex game.


Also, Retrocade magazine just started their Vector War II high score competition today. Prizes for the top 3 and a mention in their magazine.

http://www.retrocademagazine.net/forums ... =23&t=1217 (http://www.retrocademagazine.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1217)

I'm also eagerly waiting for Warrior!  I did see Vector Wars II, so may give it a try.    I do have to say, though, my most favorite Vectrex game so far is Vector Pilot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E85K0tfF ... r_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E85K0tfFgIs&feature=player_embedded)

Just came across this, a really cool demo for the Vectrex!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC1Zp4i12I4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC1Zp4i12I4)

That is one awesome demo!   

Another Vectrex fan.

I tend to keep an open mind about gameplay. My problem is with all systems not just the Vectrex. There are good games on the Vectrex that should be played and then there are games that are far better and should be played on other consoles.

I do recommend trying one if you ever get the chance to play.

The Vectrex is, to this day, a unique home gaming experience and the only vector games home system.  No one has ever brought vectors him in this manner, which is interesting because vector games appeal to a lot of players.

Its a real shame we never got to see the colour Vectrex 

Quote from: "The Laird"Its a real shame we never got to see the colour Vectrex 

I know!  Only two prototypes were made, from what I've found out.  And they used a rather interesting technique to get colors.  It would have been awesome!  To think that no one else has even tried bringing another vector system home! 

... still waiting patiently for my Warrior cart ...

Quote from: "tomwaits"... still waiting patiently for my Warrior cart ...

So am I.  Along with the special joystick I ordered as well.

Classic Game Room review . . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLson0x4_J4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLson0x4_J4)

These multicarts are great.  That's how I have a ton of games for the Vectrex. 

The multicart in that video is the Sean Kelly multi. It's more expensive than some of the newer multicarts, but it includes the full retail library and most of the early Vectrex homebrews. You can press one of the Vectrex buttons on the game select menu and it'll swap to a second memory bank and a second list of games... mostly homebrews. Sean Kelly still sells new batches on ebay occasionally but it hasn't been updated in a long time.

I made a game list/case insert for my cart. Here's what's on it:

Menu 1 - 3D Crazy Coaster, 3D Minestorm, 3D Narrow Escape, Armor Attack, Art Master, Bedlam, Berzerk, Blitz!, Clean Sweep, Cosmic Chasm, Dark Tower, Fortress of Narzod, Heads Up, Hyperchase, Melody Maker, Polar Rescue, Pole Position, Ripoff, Scramble, Solar Quest, Space Wars, Spike, Spinball, Star Castle, Star Hawk, Star Trek, Web Wars, Mine Storm Cheat, Test Rev.4, Frogger, All Good Things (Rockaroids, More Invaders, Vectris, Spike's Water Balloons), Mr. Boston, Tour DeFrance, Moon Lander

Menu 2 - 3D Pole Position, Berzerk 2 (bugfix), Melody Master 2, Mine Storm 2 (bugfix), Polar Rescue Beta (easier, but some graphics glitches), Star Trek 2 (bugfix, pause, new Klingons), Birds of Prey, Disc Duel demo, Patriots, Repulse, Rockaroids Remix : 3rd Rock, Star Fire, Tempest demo, Vector Vaders, Vector Vaders 2 : director's cut, Spike Hoppin, Vectrace, Vectrexians (beta?), Bachs Prelude, Bonnie, Daisy, Engine Analyzer, 4D Rotocube, Mike's Molecules, Hypercube, Figgy, Jukebox

Since I have this cart and a 3D Imager, I've tried the 3D Pole Position but it really isn't the 3D version despite the name.  It's the same 2D version that got labeled that way.  Or, at least, that's what my cart has.  I would have loved to try out the 3D version!

I don't have a 3D Imager, but '3D Pole Position' definitely seems to be the standard version on my multicart also. The 3D retail games in bank 1 just boot to a black screen without the Imager. '3D Pole Position' boots and plays fine.

The only difference that I noticed against the retail version is that it's labeled as '3D Pole Position' on both the multicart menu and the game's title screen. Strange.

I was very disappointed when I tried it out.  Here's I was hoping to hear the disc spinning and then see the game in color and in 3D.  Well, none of that happened!  Oh well.

Yay - picked up a boxed Vectrex on Fleabay tonight. Just a couple of games with it but delighted to have won it.

Here's the eBay piccies :

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/21/utu3emup.jpg)

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/21/he5e2ugy.jpg)

Nice one!

Very jealous!!! 

Quote from: "The Laird"Nice one!

Very jealous!!! 

Cheers !

There's always this one still for sale on EBay :-O

http://bit.ly/ZGc1XU (http://bit.ly/ZGc1XU)

Lovely condition but oh that price !!

Quote from: "thedamnedunited"

Quote from: "The Laird"Nice one!

Very jealous!!!  :13:

Thanks but I will pass!

Found this Multi Cart on E bay which looks similar to the one reviewed above.

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/21/etuhuqyr.jpg)

Managed to get it for £34 inc P&P

Nice finds!  A boxed Vectrex is something to be jealous of! 

Quote from: "TrekMD"Nice finds!  A boxed Vectrex is something to be jealous of!  :D

Quote from: "thedamnedunited"

Quote from: "TrekMD"Nice finds!  A boxed Vectrex is something to be jealous of!  :D

Cool.  See if you can post some pics of it here. 

Quote from: "TrekMD"

Quote from: "thedamnedunited"

Quote from: "TrekMD"Nice finds!  A boxed Vectrex is something to be jealous of!  :D

Cool.  See if you can post some pics of it here. 

Will do !

Enjoy

Gorgeous console the Vectrex. My only experience of it is playing Mine Storm in Woolworths until the shop assistant switched it off to get rid of me - great Asteroids clone with a few tweaks thrown in. Went back several times!

I had a 2600 at the time, and lucky to have it, so there was no way I could have got one - and the relatively limited library was a bit of a put off at the time (though we all know that quality is better than quantity),

Wasn't there supposed to be a keyboard produced for it for use as a micro ? Or did I dream that?

I saw one in the window of a retro/vintage shop a while back but it disappeared very quickly - would pick one up if the timing was right re cash etc.

Yay - it has arrived today at work. Just plugged it in and had a quick game and it works perfectly

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/26/azu4u6u7.jpg)

It has 3 games with it so that will keep me busy for a couple of hours over the weekend. Just waiting for the 32 games in 1 cartridge to arrive.

So pleased with this - as you guys have mentioned in this thread, it's a lovely system and I am delighted to have got one in good condition.

Delighted for you, tdu. 

If you're anything like me you'll find which Vectrex games you enjoy playing the most off said multi-cart and then buy the originals anyway... just to own the funky screen overlays!

That looks great!  Welcome to the world of Vectrex!  You are in for quite the treat!  The multi-cart is a great way to play the games.  As DC notes, you may end up getting the originals for the overlays or you may try to get reproductions of the overlays to play them.  Here is a site that sells them:  Vectrex Reproduction Overlays. (//http)  I ended up with a mixture of it all!

As posted in the "Your Fave 8 bit console" thread, had a great afternoon on the Vectrex going through some of the games on the 32 game cartridge.

Fave so far is Scramble

(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/04/28/yheby2u5.jpg)

Scramble is excellent on the Vectrex! It's no wonder you've picked it. 

I have been curious about the 32-1 cart. Glad you are enjoying the games. Maybe you can post your thoughts on the cartridge construction?

Quote from: "onthinice"I have been curious about the 32-1 cart. Glad you are enjoying the games. Maybe you can post your thoughts on the cartridge construction?

No probs, I'll give it another weeks testing and then I'll put something in this thread

Thanks Thedamneunited!

Looks like development for more Vectrex homebrew titles continues. This image from Kristof's web page shows new overlays that have been made for current games and for future titles. You'll notice two games in there that are new: Vector Patrol and Vector Hopper. Hopefully, the fact that the overlays are ready means that the games are coming soon.   :D

OK, ready to dance with the Vectrex?  Take a look...

Wow!  :16:

Here is another Vectrex video done with music.  This one is called Human Vectors and it was created by Dov Jacobson.  There's an interview with Dov posted at Rhizome:  Dov Jacobson: Human Vectors (1982) (http://rhizome.org/editorial/2013/aug/1/dov-jacobson-human-vectors-1982/).

Here is his video...

I just learned that a prototype of a Vectrex game called Mail Plane is currently on sale on Ebay.  It appears the version being sold is more complete than other versions that have been found.  Check out the auction:  Vectrex Mail Plane Prototype (//http).

I had never heard of this game until today.  Here is a video:
Vectrex Mail Plane with Pen (//http)
What appears very interesting is that the game requires the light pen and the joystick for play. 

This game has been won by someone in the community and there are plans for a full release in the works. 

Looks like this year will be "The Year of the Vectrex" when it comes to homebrew game releases.  There are some 12 titles that will be seeing release in 2014:

• NOX
• Nogoya Attack
• Bloxorz
• Death Race
• Demon Attack
• Beam Rider
• Ave Maria
• Hellhole
• Pong
• Big Blue
• Vector Patrol
• Vector Hopper
• Pong
• Mail Plane

Wow, Beam Rider on the Vectrex? That is going to be sweet, I love that game! 

Yes it will!  Many of these games are in early development so I haven't posted about them but they are indeed coming! 

Lords of Code by Metalvotze and Nuance is a Vectrex Demo released at tUM 2013, which was held end of December 2013. It ranked 2nd in the Low End Demo Competition.

Download here: http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=62450 (http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=62450)

If you have a Vectrex, you know there are some extras for the system that are rather unique.  Among them is the LightPen device.  The LightPen has a limited game library but there are some homebrew releases that require it.  Here is a review for the LightPen...

There are a couple versions of DIY light pen instructions online. Parts are under $10 at Radio Shack and it takes about an hour to build one. A couple community members have built/sold cheap light pens too. 1983 stylus.

Quote from: "tomwaits"There are a couple versions of DIY light pen instructions online. Parts are under $10 at Radio Shack and it takes about an hour to build one. A couple community members have built/sold cheap light pens too. 1983 stylus.

Oh yes, there are plenty of clones of the LightPen.  Madtronix has a version as well.

I love owning extra gadgets but usually they just sit on a shelve. Maybe someone needs to invent a touch tablet hookup for the Vectrex.

The Vectrex community has some pretty intense homebrew game production that rivals the like of the Atari 2600. Not only do homebrew makers release these games CIB on many occasions, but they sometimes also release special editions of their games. Check out some of these in this article:

Some of those are really cool! 

Yes they are and they go for a premium!

Very cool indeed! I don't remember seeing that Tempest clone before!

I am hoping to get it at some point but the only way is through ebay if you want a cart.  I think the binary has been released to the public domain, though.

There isn't a lot of information about this homebrew title yet so I'm just posting about it here.  Still a work in progress, but looks like Beamrider may be coming to the Vectrex...

I found a nice image of the Vetrex, this one is running Melody Master.

(http://s1.postimg.org/b228xi6mn/100_4380.jpg)

VGF member 50tbrd has just created an amazing driving controller for the Vectrex.  Here is a video he posted of the controller in action along with a picture...

[align=center:2rlbmb2e]Vectrex Steering Wheel (//http)

(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j5/50TBRD/image-17.jpg)[/align:2rlbmb2e]

[align=center:24ixugvw]The Gaming Historian takes a look at the Vectrex, one of the most unique consoles to ever be released. Featuring vector line graphics and a built-in monitor, the Vectrex was like a mini-arcade.

Good video! Wish the Vectrex would have survived and it would have been cool to see the Vectrex scaled down like Coleco's Tabletops.

For anyone collecting for the Vectrex, this site is excellent:  Vectrex Collecting Guide (http://tbone1892001.wixsite.com/vectrex-guide).

Just thought I'd share that Packrat Video Games will be selling Vectrex games.  They have permission to sell the games that Classic Games Creations and Vectrexcarts.com used to sell.  Check out their site:  http://www.packratvg.com/vechbrews.html (http://www.packratvg.com/vechbrews.html)

That is good news. Glad they are selling other systems games as well.

Yes, they've been selling for other systems for a while but the Vectrex is brand new to them.  Those games were sold by vendors who no longer make those games and PackRat has been given permission to sell these. 

I really want to get my hands on a Vectrex. However I can never find one at a sensible price.

One day.. one day...

Sorry to go off topic here @llayboy , what's the update on your documentary? (1up) has this been postponed?

Yes them Vectrex seem to be as rare as chicken's teeth. and i fear the older they get, the more expensive the prices will rise, as everybody that has one I'm sure can kept a watchful eye on the increased value of them. so you might have to bit the bullet in order to acquire a diamond like this.

As I doubt it will be a case were you'll see one cheaper after you snag one.

You just have to be in luck to get a cheap one these days.  The Vectrex is a unique system and it seems to be getting more attention, which raises the prices.  On occasion, though, they do sell cheap.

Quote from: "Greyfox"Sorry to go off topic here @llayboy , what's the update on your documentary? (1up) has this been postponed?

Yes them Vectrex seem to be as rare as chicken's teeth. and i fear the older they get, the more expensive the prices will rise, as everybody that has one I'm sure can kept a watchful eye on the increased value of them. so you might have to bit the bullet in order to acquire a diamond like this.

As I doubt it will be a case were you'll see one cheaper after you snag one.

@Greyfox the documentary is still going ahead but it maybe taking an online form rather than trying to get it out into the big bad world. If the film gains a bit of popularity then I will look to getting it around. It's one of those situations where real life steps in front of this as I do video work in my spare time.

I apologise for the time it's taking to get it finished

thanks for the update, no need to apologize fella, as the saying goes " all good things come to those who wait "

Brilliant video. Seem very likeable guys which is great to see in the scene.

The four player games sound well smart.

Something really cool to share from binarystar software...

This blog post was made on Play Your Vectrex Day and I thought the timing was perfect:  CONSOLE OF THE MONTH (NOV 2016) â€" VECTREX (https://stlgamer75.wordpress.com/2016/11/01/console-of-the-month-nov-2016-vectrex/).

Saw this and thought I'd share it.  These look rather nice:  Pimp Your Vectrex Controller (http://www.ausretrogamer.com/pimp-your-vectrex-controller/)

Those do look really nice. If I had a Vectrex I'd probably buy a couple.

What's really cool is that you can have any design you want made. They'll adapt any artwork you submit.

Even better :)

More nice Vectrex stuff:  Coolate Vectrex 3D Printed LED-Lit Controller (http://www.ausretrogamer.com/coolate-vectrex-3d-printed-led-lit-controller/).

Here is a video looking at various Vectrex homebrew games...

The 3D Imager the Vectrex is a very cool add-on to the console that works impressively well.  Here is a video review of the 3D Imager...

The Vectrex has made an appearance in The Ben Heck Show!

Ben’s got his hands on a Vectrex console from 1982 and a rare 3D peripheral, one of the rarest video game items in existence, a Vectrex 3D imager.  The Vectrex was a vector display-based home video game console from 1982.  In 1984 it became the first home console to have a 3D peripheral which not only colorized but made the graphics 3D.

The Vectrex continues to get more and more homebrew games, so I'd say its market is still not dry.

I just watched this video that takes a rather amusing look at the Vectrex.  Enjoy!

Another cool video looking at the Vectrex and its games...