VECTREX
From DVG - The Dictionary of Videogames
History
The Vectrex is an 8-bit video game console that was developed by Western Technologies/Smith Engineering. It was licensed and distributed first by General Consumer Electric (GCE), and then by Milton Bradley Company after their purchase of GCE. It was released in November 1982 at a retail price of $199, as Milton Bradley took over international marketing the price dropped to $150 and then $100 shortly before the video game crash of 1983. The Vectrex exited the market in early 1984.
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| Vectrex (developed by MB) | The Vectrex system main board |
Description
Unlike other video game consoles, which connected to televisions and rendered raster graphics, the Vectrex has an integrated vector monitor which displays vector graphics. The monochrome Vectrex uses screen overlays to give the illusion of color. 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 such as Space Wars and Armor Attack. Vectrex comes with a built in game, the Asteroids-like Minestorm. Two peripherals were also available for the Vectrex, a light pen and a 3D imager. Western Technologies/Smith Engineering briefly considered designing a handheld version of the device in 1988. However, the impending release of the Nintendo Game Boy made such a project too risky.[citation needed] In 1992, Smith Engineering released the duplication of the Vectrex system image and cartridges for non-commercial uses[citation needed] and has been pleased to see that it has still-thriving developer and user communities.
The Vectrex was also released in Japan under the name Bandai Vectrex Kousokusen.
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| 3-D Imager | Optic Pen |
System features and innovations
The Vectrex was the first system to offer a 3D peripheral (the Vectrex 3D Imager), predating the Sega Master System's SegaScope 3D by about six years.[citation needed] Also, early units had a very audible “buzzing” from the built-in speaker that would change as graphics were generated on screen. This was due to a lack of shielding between the built-in CRT and the speaker wiring and was eventually resolved in later production models.[citation needed] This idiosyncrasy had become a familiar characteristic of the machine, especially among owners.
List of game titles
Original (1982-83)
- Clean Sweep (aka Mr. Boston)
- Spinball (aka Flipper Pinball)
- Heads Up (aka Soccer Football)
Required add-on accessory hardware:
- 3D Crazy Coaster
- 3D MineStorm
- 3D Narrow Escape
- AnimAction (requires light pen)
- Art Master (requires light pen)
- Melody Master (requires light pen)
Unreleased prototypes:
- Berzerk II
- Cube Quest
- Dark Tower
- Pitcher's Duel
- Tour De France
- 3D Pole Position
- Engine Analyzer (requires light pen)
- Melody Master II (requires light pen)
- Mail Plane (requires light pen)
Homebrew:
1996
- Vector Vaders (1996)
- Patriots (1996)
- All Good Things (1996)
- Spike Hoppin' (1996)
1998
- Omega Chase Deluxe (new title developed in 1998, based on Omega Race)
- Vecmania (1998)
2000
- Moon Lander (new title developed in 2000, based on Lunar Lander)
2001
- Vectopia
2002
- Gravitrex (new title developed in 2002, based on Gravitar)
- Tsunami/VIX (new title (two games) developed in 2002, based on Tempest and QIX)
- Vec Sports Boxing
2003
- Protector (new title developed in 2003)
- War of the Robots (new title developed in 2003)
- Yasi (new title developed in 2003)
2004
- I, Cyborg (new title developed in 2004)
- Revector (new title developed in 2004)
- Thrust (new title developed in 2004)
2005
- Debris (new title developed in 2005)
- Nebula Commander (new title developed in 2005)
2006
- Logo (New Title Released February 2006)
- Space Frenzy (New Title Released March 2006)
- Colorclash (New Title Released May 2006)
- Star Sling (New Title Released May 2006)
- 3D Scape cart (New Title Released June 2006)
- Vector 21 (New Title Released April 2006)
- Spike's Circus (New Title Released August 2006)
- 3D Lord of the Robots (New Title Released October 2006)
2007
- City bomber (New Title Released October 2007)
- Vectoblox (New Title Released November 2007)
2008
- Vectrexians (New Title Released March 2008)
Video clips
| Vectrex TV Spot |
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| Vectrex original TV spot (English version). |
| Vectrex |
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About a Vectrex  (English version). |
Overlays
The overlays not only improved the games' aesthetics, but also provided simple instructions. The translucent, semi-transparent overlays also reduced the flicker inherent in vector displays. Since the overlays weren't designed until after a game was considered finished, they often frustrated programmers, since further code changes had to accommodate the position of an overlay's design elements. Nevertheless, the colorful overlays generally helped to enhance each game's presentation and remain one of the Vectrex's most iconic elements.
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