The Gaming Historian – Vectrex

Wednesday, 21 September 2011 01:19 Last Updated on Thursday, 15 March 2012 08:17 Written by Norm 18 Comments

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. But within 2 years, the system was discontinued. What happened and why? Find out!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/virginsofcool Chad Wright

    Man, so cruel using Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger music after finding out we are not getting them on PSN. lol

    This was really interesting (I always love watching The Gaming Historian).  All of the  games showcased looked really good.  I was born one year before the video game crash so I grew up on NES.  I always try playing Atari and such, but it never can captures my interest.  This, on the other hand, looks amazing.  There is something about the lighting and the solid color that mesmerized me while I watched this.  I am going to find one. Thanks for the video. :-)

    • http://twitter.com/normcaruso Norman Caruso

      I see you picked up my jab at the PSN debacle :)

      Thanks! The Vectrex looks even better up close and with overlays (I never had those, and they are super hard to find). I highly recommend finding one. It’s just so cool.

  • http://twitter.com/davidhass3lh0ff michael smith

    awesome episode, the vectrex rulls :D

  • Indy

    I remember watching a video from a Youtuber named DinkyDana; he found a Vectrex at a flea market for around $5.00 (I think. Somewhere around there.)

  • kidcoyote_anarchy

    “You bet your Asteroids!”

  • Anonymous

    Sorry, but the statement that all the games are developed by GCE isn’t correct. Ported, maybe, but not developed. Scramble, at least, was developed by a little known company named “Konami”…

    • http://twitter.com/normcaruso Norman Caruso

      Well obviously, it’s not like I’m saying GCE invented every single game on Vectrex. But no third party company coded games for the system.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Joshua-Monje/100002622019415 Joshua Monje

        Didn’t Sega do pretty much the same thing for most of the Master System games?

        • http://www.retrowaretv.com Kevin Willingham

          Almost. The mass majority of games for the SMS were first party and coded by Sega and even some of the third party ports but there were third party developers for the SMS. 

          • Anonymous

            Yeah… I think Domark and Virgin were some of the companies that ported games themselfes on the SMS. Maybe Epyx too, but there I’m less confident.
             BTW: Love your love for that little system ;P 

      • Anonymous

         Then the term “ported” instead of “developed” may be appropriate. Sorry, that’s a pet peeve of mine when pplz don’t distinguish enough between developing, publishing and porting. Case in point to illustrate: LJN. Afaik they never written a line of code, but are always labeled as “the developer/the maker of shitty games”. 1st it’s just wrong and 2nd seem such statements getting credibility when they are repeated often enough.

  • John Delia

    God I want a Vectrex – I must get one.  Lance has a horrible story about no longer having the Vectrex.  It’s about as bad as me throwing away my fully boxed Odyssey with all inserts and materials

  • Daddy Mack

    when does this come out for gameboy???

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Austin-Kelly-Mackert/100000790359124 Austin Kelly Mackert

    Excellent overview. Lately I have been wanting to REALLY get one of these, but the cost (and my penchant to have a CIB system) is prohibitive at the moment.. Eventually, though!

  • Lmyfilms

    Earthbound music!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!

  • VGAlright

    i bought a vectrex for 90 dollars in box.. on ebay.

  • macloud

    I’ve got one of these [and quite a few games for it as well]  – its a tad dusty now, but i think it still works.

  • bloodandmetal

    i remember the vectrex when i was a kid a friend of the family had one and he let me play it ..it blew my little mind i loved it and it always stuck in my mind ..thanks for the memories..