Gourt > Games > Video Games > Console Platforms > Vectrex
The Vectrex is an 8-bit video game console developed by General Consumer Electric (GCE) and later bought by Milton Bradley Company. The Vectrex is unique in that it utilized vector graphics drawn on a monitor that was integrated in the console; no other console before or after the Vectrex had a comparable configuration, and no other non-portable game console had a monitor of its own (integrated). It was released in November 1982 at a retail price of $199. As the video game market declined and then crashed, the Vectrex exited the market in early 1984.
Smith Engineering briefly considered designing a handheld version of the device in 1988, though the success of the Nintendo Game Boy made such a project too risky. In the mid-1990s, Smith Engineering condoned the duplication of the Vectrex system image and cartridges for non-commercial uses and has expressed joy to see that it has still-thriving developer and user communities.
Unlike other video game consoles which connected to TVs to display raster graphics, the Vectrex included its own monitor which displayed vector graphics. The monochrome Vectrex used screen overlays to give the illusion of color, and also to reduce the severity of the inherent flickering caused by the vector monitor. At the time many of the most popular arcade games used vector displays, and GCE was looking to set themselves apart from the pack by selling high-quality versions of games like Space Wars and Armor Attack. The system even contained a built in game, the Asteroids-like Minestorm. The two peripherals for the Vectrex were a light pen and 3D imager.
Trivia
- While it is widely believed that the Nintendo 64 was the first home console to include an analog controller, the Vectrex (and Atari 5200) preceded the N64 by over a decade.
@petterm how much? I have a (supposedly still) working Vectrex with plastic cover and one or two controllers.
Longasc (Longasc) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:45:52 -0000
@petterm how much? I have a (supposedly still) working Vectrex with plastic cover and one or two controllers.
@pasmith @petterm No doubt! I lost my Vectrex in a moving accident years ago :( Was an awesome little machine.
Talyn328 (Scott) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:37:13 -0000
@pasmith @petterm No doubt! I lost my Vectrex in a moving accident years ago :( Was an awesome little machine.
@petterm Dude! Is that a Vectrex on your shelf!?
pasmith (Peter Smith) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:32:28 -0000
@petterm Dude! Is that a Vectrex on your shelf!?
My Your Angry Video Game Reviewer Name is... The Extactic Vectrex Retard http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen/10924/
KlayMan2007 (Eric (KlayMan2007)) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:42:43 -0000
My Your Angry Video Game Reviewer Name is... The Extactic Vectrex Retard http://rumandmonkey.com/widgets/toys/namegen/10924/
@Dr_PO Hoppas du sett mina om Atari 2600, Vectrex och Philips G7000.
darksidedesign (Fredde Marklund) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:15:27 -0000
@Dr_PO Hoppas du sett mina om Atari 2600, Vectrex och Philips G7000.
Anyone remember Vectrex? http://bit.ly/4vM4KN - Mine Storm - YouTube
nunya_bisness (Nunya Bisness) Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:11:06 -0000
Anyone remember Vectrex? http://bit.ly/4vM4KN - Mine Storm - YouTube
Classic Gaming Creations - John Dondzila's site for his projects including his many newly programmed Vectrex games and Genesis controllers converted for Vectrex use, as well technical information and games for other classic systems.
Meta Description: [ Vectrex, Colecovision, Odyssey^2 @ Classic Gaming Creations, All new games for the Vectrex, Colecovision and Odyssey 2 classic game systems ]
eGroups : vectrex_dev - This is an eGroups club containing forum and files for developers. It's also an interesting read for those who want to know what projects are possible and why.
Meta Description: [ vectrex_dev: Vectrex Development ]
Jeroen's Vectrex - Manuals, technical documents, emulation, screenshots, passport and personal collection.
Meta Description: [ Vectrex manuals, emulation, screenshots, Vectrex Shirt, my vectrex and more ]
Kristof's Vectrex Page for New Games - New games in development. The demo for Vectrexians is at Spike's Big Vectrex Page.
Manu's Adventures in the World of Vectrex and 6809 - Follows the authors progress from creating still images to creating a finished game. Also contains a game database.
My Vectrex (Ronen Habot) - Ronen's site for his two completed Vectrex games as well as the ones yet to come.
Richard's New Vectrex Hardware - Information on RAM-cart and multicart, VecVoice - speech synthesiser, screensavers, and other technical information.
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Sean Kelly's Multi-Cart-O-Rama - Home of the multicart (a single cartridge with all original and some new games) and new cartridge casings.
Spike's Big Vectrex Page - News, new games, gallery, emulation, history, articles, utilities, chat, and forum.
Meta Description: [ Vectrex page with an emphasis on emulation and new overlays by me. Come in and join a message board discussion or join our chatroom... ]
Vectrex High Scores - High scores on some games.
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