I never thought a console gaming system could ever tear me away from my arcade....

kerri369

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I never thought a console gaming system could ever tear me away from my arcade....

But the vectrex system is totally bad ass!!!!!!! I remember it as a kid but never really got into it, but after picking up one recently, I can't believe it was off my radar for so long!!!! Awesome vector arcade translations ( star castle, armor attack, berserk, and scramble) I know this sounds like the old commercial, bUt you can take this thing anywhere!!!!! Just sayin.........
 
Pick up a copy of Protector for it! It's a recentish home brew that is basically vector Defender. Is my favorite game on there. Also, this multicast is great:

http://www.vectrex.biz/

Is worth getting the actual Protector cart to get high score save, etc.
 
The Vectrex is such a cool unit, don't think I'll ever sell mine. I'm still on the quest to get all the original games in box with overlay. The overlays are the only reason I haven't bought a multi, just not the same without them. There are some really cool homebrews and hopefully more to come.
 
The Vectrex is such a cool unit, don't think I'll ever sell mine. I'm still on the quest to get all the original games in box with overlay. The overlays are the only reason I haven't bought a multi, just not the same without them. There are some really cool homebrews and hopefully more to come.

Yeah, that's what I thought about doing too, but just a small few of the GCE Vectrex releases were either average or not so good. Like Polar Rescue? Some guys pay more than $100 for that snooze-fest. Nice bubble effects and radar though! I'd much rather play Sea Wolf or Polaris!

I just picked out what I thought was best and now have _most_ of the GCE lineup along with a solid homebrew collection and even some nice reproduction stuff!

The Vectrex is an extremely underrated system, it really came into its own with all the fantastic homebrews and reproductions. It's properly a portable, counter top, mini vector arcade! It has its quirks, but I love it for what it is :D
 
The I'm still on the quest to get all the original games in box with overlay. The overlays are the only reason I haven't bought a multi, just not the same without them.

so true....I was holding out for an armor attack with the overlay and glad I did. The overlay brings the game to a whole new level!!!! Just picked up protector/ y a s i and moon lander ( which I highly recommend ) and am quickly building my vectrex library. Great fun!
 
I remember seeing a Vectrex display at a McDades (Chicagoland department store). Unfortunately, it was right next to my Colecovision items - so it got snubbed. I was heavy into the Colecovision at that time, so there was no money spent elsewhere unless it was for the C.V. Wasn't the original cost of one like $200 bones back then?

Still on the hunt for one. I'm kinda anal as far as collecting goes and wanna get one boxed or w/ the original box. I always get outbid - so there's other people thinking the same thing... It must be the vogue system to have now. Nobody I knew had one bitd..

To the Vectrex collectors out there, isn't some these carts w/ overlays going for some good change? I ask because I'm not big into the multi-cart either (sans the overlays). And I thought the C.V. stuff was expensive!
 
I remember seeing a Vectrex display at a McDades (Chicagoland department store). Unfortunately, it was right next to my Colecovision items - so it got snubbed. I was heavy into the Colecovision at that time, so there was no money spent elsewhere unless it was for the C.V. Wasn't the original cost of one like $200 bones back then?

Still on the hunt for one. I'm kinda anal as far as collecting goes and wanna get one boxed or w/ the original box. I always get outbid - so there's other people thinking the same thing... It must be the vogue system to have now. Nobody I knew had one bitd..

To the Vectrex collectors out there, isn't some these carts w/ overlays going for some good change? I ask because I'm not big into the multi-cart either (sans the overlays). And I thought the C.V. stuff was expensive!

Here's an older "Rarity Guide" for the Vectrex. Keep in mind that it's impossible to tell now if a game is "NIB", I just disregard that section.

http://www.rarityguide.com/vectrex_view.php

However, some prices in CIB are surprisingly accurate. I've noticed that a complete game's value can fluctuate wildly based on total condition (box, overlay, overlay sleeve, manual, even the plastic tray). Many games are fairly affordable and have replay value, but some are just absurd.

A few are expensive and rare because of desirability and good gameplay, some are hard to find, others can be considered pioneering, many good ports of arcade classics, a couple are plain ridiculous due to gimmicks and novelty.

I personally don't consider it the "vogue" system to have, it isn't just a shallow, superficial, fashionable trend or fad. It's utilitarian, versatile, well designed, and truly brings the arcade home now! Unlike some contradictory "collectors", I actually PLAY my games. Every one of them.

/rant

If you do some good research and find the best homebrew guys, then the potential of the Vectrex starts to make itself known!
 
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I played one in the 80's from a friend , they where pretty expensive I remember !

Loved Scramble and some asteroids clone and remember a game where you had to shoot your way trough some maze or something , plant a bomb inside and get the hell out before it went off .
 
I played one in the 80's from a friend , they where pretty expensive I remember !

Loved Scramble and some asteroids clone and remember a game where you had to shoot your way trough some maze or something , plant a bomb inside and get the hell out before it went off .


the asteroids clone is minestorm. Built in game.

The plant the bomb game is cosmic chasm..

Vextrex is an amazing system. But it has a few problems.
1: some of the games are so expensive. But the multicarts take care of that problem.
2: the screen overlays. I know someone made repros along time ago. I wish someone would make more..
3: audio issues and recapping the game. Both should be fixable to most people here..
4: controllers. they break and getting a 2nd one is not that easy. People made adapters to use sega genesis pads. Don't know if they still do that.
5: 3d imager. Very hard to find. Someone made a homebrew unit. Not sure if they still make those..

If you can find a game unit and a 2nd controller, grab it. The multicarts are the way to go the homebrew fan games are great. Its too bad so many of the homebrews are limited production. I think some of them have been released to PD.
 
Thanks for the names , I just looked up Cosmic Chasm on Youtube and the game is still awesome !

I want one
icon_cry.gif
 
Thanks for the names , I just looked up Cosmic Chasm on Youtube and the game is still awesome !

I want one
icon_cry.gif

cosmic chasm is good on the vectrex, but the arcade game is better..

ebay the game unit.. For $100 you should be able to get the game unit and an extra controller..

Bob roberts sell a rebuild cap kit for $15.00
 
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Vectrex are also quite nice to develop for, the 6809 is a nice processor and the Vectrex has bios routines for drawing and sound. I've had a little go writing stuff with the emulator, but I still don't own a unit, always on the look out for one near me on ebay!
 
I had one when i was in 6th grade (im 40 now) me and my brothers wore it out. last i seen it,it was still in the original box at my folk's house but the monitor wasnt working. Ill have to ask them about it. I forget how many games we had but we had alot.
 
I had one in 86 when I was stationed in Germany, let it go when I left and regretted it.:(
I picked up another one 3 years ago, Haven't picked up any games for it yet, but I plan to pull it out when time allows and get to working on getting some games and playing it more, a "must have" for any vector lover.:)
 
I want to build a mini cabinet around mine. Know of any plans out there?


I don't remember any mini cabs but there were some really cool wraps for them. I really haven't been following the home unit scene for the last couple of years but I do remember someone was trying to do the overlays again but I never heard anything come out of it. The Genesis controller hack is well documented and isn't hard at all and since original controllers by them selves bring $50 in good shape all day and boxed $100 it is worth looking into. There are also instructions for making your own light pen and the 3D imager out there too.

Obviously some of the ebay bins are ridiculous but if you are patient most games can be had complete for well under $40. There are a couple that command much more but since there weren't that many games originally released for the system it isn't too hard to get a complete set. Unless you want to try and get Minestorm II and another released by a liquor store in Boston that was a hack of another game I can't remember right now.
 
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I want to build a mini cabinet around mine. Know of any plans out there?

A guy I know was talking about building a cab and taking it to CAX. I can ask what he is doing..

If I were inclined, I would want to stick it into something like an armor attack or star castle.. Maybe find a way to drive a 19" with the vectex. Problem is, I don't have the skills to do that..
 
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