This Vectrex does things I never thought possible | Tech Nibble

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ส.ค. 2022
  • Check out MonsterJoysticks at monsterjoysticks.com/RMC
    VecFever! This little Vectrex cartridge is a game changer and today I'm going to show you why you need one (and then tell you you can't actually buy them anymore, sorry).
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  • @RMCRetro
    @RMCRetro  ปีที่แล้ว +95

    Thank you for watching! If you like this kind of content then why not subscribe and help the channel to grow. Thank you so much!
    Neil - RMC

    • @brianm6337
      @brianm6337 ปีที่แล้ว

      I used to own a Star Wars Cabinet. It died in the 90s. *sigh* I wish i still had it.

    • @Thrakus
      @Thrakus ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I found one, it is the worst building in the whole city always bad stuff going on there., It was sitting on the sidewalk next to trash bags, works perfectly does not even have the sound bug. Best find ever. I always wanted one

    • @90lancaster
      @90lancaster ปีที่แล้ว

      I'm puzzled that you say the Vectrex is light - the two I own are both several kilos and are not easy to lift with one hand due to the shape of the carry handle, they don't vibrate either - they might make noises as a natural consequence of the display but vibrate - nope - they feel weighted like a sowing machine to me. The only QC issue I can say they have is that sometimes they joystick un screws itself.

    • @colin888robinson
      @colin888robinson ปีที่แล้ว

      I dont comment often but this is an excellent video. For once I thank the algorithm. Quality stuff. Thanks for taking the time.

    • @FightCollective
      @FightCollective ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@brianm6337 Spent about 10 hours one day clocking that game. It got to a point the game didn't get harder... though it was hard at that point and you literally had to play with the reflexes of a Jedi

  • @axelprino
    @axelprino ปีที่แล้ว +159

    The Vectrex sometimes feels like a game console from another timeline where technology went on a different direction.

    • @andrewnorris5415
      @andrewnorris5415 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If you told me this was Russian....

    • @R3TR0R4V3
      @R3TR0R4V3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      It definitely went a different direction.. It's the only vector-based console. 🙂

    • @RetroJack
      @RetroJack ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well said!

    • @foogod4237
      @foogod4237 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      It definitely makes you wonder, "what if the world had been different and vector displays became the default instead of raster?"
      Sorta like the whole steampunk idea, but, well, I guess maybe "vectorpunk"?

    • @onlyhonestpersononyoutube
      @onlyhonestpersononyoutube ปีที่แล้ว

      Yep, if gaming went to another direction like you say, on vector graphics, it may of been a different thing.

  • @aeiouxs
    @aeiouxs ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I nearly fell off my Zero-G seat when I saw that version of Elite running on a Vector display. DEAR GOD YES!

  • @corgibuttz2550
    @corgibuttz2550 ปีที่แล้ว +431

    This is going to be a painful one for me to watch. My grandparents had a vectrex when I was growing up, and I played it every time I visited. When they both passed away my mom asked me if I wanted anything from the estate. I said "that old TV video game thing in the basement." She told me she sold it at a garage sale the previous day for 5 bucks. In the box. I was crushed then because I wanted it for the memories. I'm crushed now because I still want it for the same reasons. =/

    • @LEGOpachinko
      @LEGOpachinko ปีที่แล้ว +21

      That sucks. On top of that, it is actually still quite fun to play.

    • @tolkienfan1972
      @tolkienfan1972 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Man that makes me sad. Sorry for you!

    • @alext3811
      @alext3811 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      If it's any consolation, on US ebay (because that's where I live) Vectrexes aren't insanely expensive (cheaper then modern AAA games for whatever it's worth). I know it's not the same as your childhood console, but it's something at least?

    • @LEGOpachinko
      @LEGOpachinko ปีที่แล้ว +15

      @@alext3811 cheapest one i see is 350 USD for a broken one. Cheaper than modern AAA games is prolly a bit too enthusiastic :) For 99 USD you get the box only :)

    • @corgibuttz2550
      @corgibuttz2550 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      @@alext3811 It's a really nice thought, at the prices they go for I'll just get my nostalgia bumps from the MiSTer. It has a fine vectrex core for it. I'm also into mountain biking at the moment and that is pretty much stolen all the video game funds lol.

  • @FatNorthernBigot
    @FatNorthernBigot ปีที่แล้ว +148

    In Lunar Lander, I remember you could crash the module, or damage it beyond repair, leaving the occupant stranded. The latter option gave ten-year-old me what we would now describe as "anxiety".

    • @weedmanwestvancouverbc9266
      @weedmanwestvancouverbc9266 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      It also had a message that you wrecked a 6 megabuck lander sometimes when you crash it.

    • @FatNorthernBigot
      @FatNorthernBigot ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@weedmanwestvancouverbc9266 I remember, now.

    • @robertellis6853
      @robertellis6853 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Sounds like the feeling I get when I crash on the Mün in Kerbal Space Program

    • @J.DeLaPoer
      @J.DeLaPoer ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Yes, I remember the existential comedy/horror of that particular game as a kid. The simple graphics only made that scenario all the more bleak too.

  • @Halfbrew
    @Halfbrew ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. I am the son of the inventor of Vectrex and was the master toy tester for all games.

    • @josha254
      @josha254 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Neat!!

  • @RedBricksTraffic
    @RedBricksTraffic 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    A cottage we visited when I was maybe 10 years old (1995 or so) had one of these just laying around for guests to use. I played it so much while we stayed there!

  • @AZOffRoadster
    @AZOffRoadster ปีที่แล้ว +42

    I used to repair IBM vector systems back in the mid '90s. They were used by mil contractors for designing bombs and such. Peripherals included an 8 rotary encoder pod, a digitizing tablet, and one of those ball things where the ball doesn't move, it registers force in 3 axis.

  • @blahorgaslisk7763
    @blahorgaslisk7763 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    When I did my military service one of the guys brought his Vectrex with, I think, 15 game cartridges. He bought it at a clearance sale and got a great price. That machine went through nine months of durability testing and came out swinging. Good times!

  • @MattPilz
    @MattPilz ปีที่แล้ว +85

    "To get the true impression of smoothness, brightness and the loveliness of the Vectrex you have to see it in person." That is the most accurate statement. It was similar to my first experience playing Asteroids in the arcade after years of emulation and raster remakes. The intensity and crispness of the beam on original vector CRTs for bullets, teleporting etc. is just unreal and very memorable. For anyone interested I did just put together the definitive calibration guide for the Vectrex system on my channel to get it running like new.

    • @Topesio66
      @Topesio66 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      What channel?

    • @MattPilz
      @MattPilz ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Topesio66 th-cam.com/video/TmEOfN4uTGA/w-d-xo.html

    • @GarryGri
      @GarryGri ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Unfortunately mine is broke just now ☹
      I think it may just be the power switch, sometime I'll probably open it up and try wiring the power on to see 🤓

    • @paul_k_7351
      @paul_k_7351 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      This comment is so true. I remember playing Tempest for the first time and it blew my mind. There’s nothing that modern graphics can do to emulate just how crisp, smooth and high contrast a vector display is.

    • @MattPilz
      @MattPilz ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@paul_k_7351 There are so many other clever hardware tricks in arcade cabinets too. It gives me entirely new appreciation for the engineering of them. Also just played Asteroids Deluxe for first time this year and they use a mirror and holographic layer to effectively make it look like you're floating in the middle of an asteroid belt, something I never realized playing on a computer. And with Q-Bert they have a mechanical "thump" at the base timed with when Q-Bert falls of the edge, it is perfect.

  • @EndymionMkII
    @EndymionMkII ปีที่แล้ว +73

    Never thought I'd see Bad Apple playing in a Vectrex but here we are.
    The Vectrex has always been one of the most unique Retro consoles ever and its great to see it covered and loved over the Cave.

    • @darkwinter6028
      @darkwinter6028 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Well… if they can squeeze it into a Compaq luggable… why not? 😉

    • @CommodoreFan64
      @CommodoreFan64 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Agreed, I just wish when they designed the Vectrex they had gone with a better sound chip than the AY, and found someway to get rid of the buzz, thankfully these days there are things like the Buzzoff kits for it.

    • @prgnify
      @prgnify ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Internet tip: if you ever think "I'll never see Bad Apple playing in a [word]" you are wrong.

    • @stamfordly6463
      @stamfordly6463 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@CommodoreFan64 Have a look at Techmoan's Vectrex video, from memory (which mean I could be wrong) I think he found a way to reduce the buzz a bit.

    • @CommodoreFan64
      @CommodoreFan64 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@stamfordly6463 As I said in my comment there is the Buzzoff kit that gets rid of it that was produced in recent years, I was talking about when the system originally released, they should have noticed that design flaw, and fixed it before full production.

  • @fattomandeibu
    @fattomandeibu ปีที่แล้ว +91

    That demo was something else. Those guys have some pure skill.

  • @greatkingrat
    @greatkingrat ปีที่แล้ว +37

    The Star Wars that we had at the local arcade was a full “sit down inside” cockpit game and boy was it loud! (Not as loud as Sinistar mind you). There was always a queue for Star Wars.

    • @marcopederzoli4939
      @marcopederzoli4939 ปีที่แล้ว

      Ah the memories! I still recall passing the 3 mln points 35 years later

    • @DamienPaulLabonte
      @DamienPaulLabonte 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      " I LIVE!!!" cranked to 11

  • @adriansinclair5062
    @adriansinclair5062 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Still get shivers down my spine seeing the original starwars arcade. Such a fantastic game. Almost got a vetrex for Christmas in 1983 but ended up with a dragon 32 instead (which I loved).

  • @dickbison
    @dickbison ปีที่แล้ว +11

    There's something magical about these vector graphics. This technology is now ancient, yet somehow still feels almost futuristic.

    • @TE5LA-GAMING
      @TE5LA-GAMING ปีที่แล้ว +3

      One advantage being there was absolutely no stair stepping in the graphics, something regular monitors can't do.

  • @j.r.millstone
    @j.r.millstone ปีที่แล้ว +3

    That "eek help spike oh no molly" sound bite gave me such a nostalgia trip. I've had that burned into my brain for ages.

  • @efromhb
    @efromhb ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I haven't thought about the Vectrex for years. Stumbled across this and it brings back a lot of memories. What a time to be a kid during the late 70s and 80s. Great times.

  • @captain_zed
    @captain_zed ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Dark Tower is a crazy cool game, even today. It's almost a video game on its own.

  • @JamesHanniganComposer
    @JamesHanniganComposer ปีที่แล้ว +7

    What a fantastic and interesting machine this is (and it runs Tempest beautifully!)

    • @JamesHanniganComposer
      @JamesHanniganComposer ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@dentonkent3563 Thank you. No, I'm not working on Hogwarts Legacy. I think I've done quite enough music on the franchise (for now, at least!)

  • @WhatHoSnorkers
    @WhatHoSnorkers ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I remember the advert for Dark Tower as a kid, but only vaguely... and then whenever I saw bottles of Black Tower in the shop I remembered it. I think there were some legal issues so Dark Tower wasn't around for long.
    Good Lord! What an AMAZING bit of kit! For just homebrew dev that's fantastic... and then running arcade ROMs too! Wow!

  • @JasonKingKong
    @JasonKingKong ปีที่แล้ว +2

    A friend had Dark Tower. It was fun initially but because it used a stack of reels inside the tower to control the display, it didn't take long before we knew what it was going to display just by the sounds of various reels spinning up.

  • @BeholderThe1st
    @BeholderThe1st ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The Vectrex was the first console my brother and I got as our shared Xmas gift in the early 80's. My parents got it because we were driving them nuts, and, because it had its own TV so they wouldn't have to share the single home TV with us.
    We would bring the vectrex with us when visiting relatives, play with it in our car port with all the neighbourhood kids. Loved that machine. I still kick myself for selling it (and my Commodore 64 a few years later.)
    This was an amazing machine.

  • @synaesthesia2010
    @synaesthesia2010 ปีที่แล้ว +36

    i've seen Bad Apple running on so many consoles, and the fact that it can run on the Vectrex shows that all consoles were capable of running FMV, the only thing stopping them was the amount of available storage space on the cartridges at the time

    • @charliekahn4205
      @charliekahn4205 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      And the memory limitations. And the line limitations on vector screens.

    • @Stoney3K
      @Stoney3K ปีที่แล้ว +4

      The advantage of vector graphics is that the CPU has to push a lot less numbers around than when you are running a raster display, where the CPU has to keep every pixel in memory and on some machines even scan that memory to output the video.
      On the Vectrex, each point is basically just a couple of 8-bit numbers which are fed into a DAC and directly into the CRT deflection circuit, and there's only a few hundred points in each scene, as opposed to having to push hundreds or even thousands of pixels around just to move a sprite across the screen.

    • @robertwilson3866
      @robertwilson3866 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm no expert but I think that Vec demo cart has a powerful CPU in it, so it may just be using the Vetcrex screen.

  • @mrspaceman2764
    @mrspaceman2764 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    When my grandfather retired from the USAF in 1986, he returned from the UK with a BBC Micro and Elite!!! I was only 5yo and it blew my mind! Been gaming on "PC" ever since. I took that thing to the library computer lab when I was 7 to impress (who my son today would call) "The Neck Beards" and impressed they were. I was the king of the second floor library computer lab in 1987 Torrance CA.

  • @Wyrdwad
    @Wyrdwad 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    The title of this video was not clickbait. My mind is kind of blown by this. I would've never known such a thing existed -- that such a thing COULD exist! Absolutely remarkable.
    Also, I simply never get tired of watching content about the Vectrex in general, and wish I still owned one. My brother had one when I was a kid, and I played the crap out of it, even well into the 16-bit era. I have no idea what became of it -- it probably got sold at a yard sale or something after I went off to college and my parents moved house. I really miss it, though, as there is literally no other home console even remotely like it. The Vectrex is quite possibly the only retro gaming system that I feel holds nearly universal appeal nowadays -- no matter who you are, no matter how dismissive you may be of old and "outdated" technology, if you see a Vectrex in person, you WILL stop and stare, and you WILL be impressed. It's impossible not to be -- especially when you learn the thing originally debuted in 1982! "Ahead of its time" is seriously an understatement.

  • @darrenwells2277
    @darrenwells2277 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Thank you for posting that clip playing the old Star Wars arcade game... It sparks pure nostalgia for me. The amount of 10ps I put in that machine back in the 80s!

  • @3vi1J
    @3vi1J ปีที่แล้ว +11

    I've got a Vectrex, with the original blue/grey carrying bag, sitting in my "to do" projects pile. A co-worker gave it to me 30 years back and I just never got around to turning it on. One day...
    That cart is brilliant! Amazing idea and execution. Thanks for sharing this!

  • @zakuguriin4521
    @zakuguriin4521 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    That anime one at the end blew my mind. That looks bonkers! And that console is from 1982 🤯

  • @conflictmagazine
    @conflictmagazine 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I love how the demo scene can always show you what a machine is capable of...that demo was f***ing awesome!
    Thanks for the video.

  • @titsbitchmcgee7502
    @titsbitchmcgee7502 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Classic Game Reviews got me into the Vectrex.
    Still cant afford it to this day, but always seemed like one of the only retro consoles that you really had to get your hands on, as opposed to something like emulation.

  • @craigreaper7295
    @craigreaper7295 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You know, I remember playing the cockpit Star Wars in the arcades BITD, and just hearing the music / samples etc lifts the hairs on the back of my neck still!

  • @seebarry4068
    @seebarry4068 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I always wanted a vectrex. I used to hang around the toy shop for ages. My parents used to dump me there and go shopping. Loved it.

  • @JohnSmith-xq1pz
    @JohnSmith-xq1pz ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Watching The Cave while in my little retro alcove setup in a cornor of our unfinshed basement can't get more retro than that lol

  • @presterjohn71
    @presterjohn71 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    I bought mine when they were being heavily discounted at Woolies. Sold it in working order with a few games for £360 on eBay last year.

  • @electronicecstasy8453
    @electronicecstasy8453 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Golly, I think that's the smoothest I've ever seen Elite run! All of this is honestly mind-blowing. And you're right, the sheer brightness of vector elements on a CRT simply can't be matched by emulation.

  • @haydengittins2836
    @haydengittins2836 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Those vector graphics still look great, and seem to have a nice 3d quality to them. Dark Tower has recently been remade (I think there's a kickstarter on for an expansion currently) and it's great fun having the tower rotating and sending skulls your way while laughing maniacally.

  • @richardwall5678
    @richardwall5678 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I loved playing Dark Tower!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. 🙂

  • @stephencoombes6496
    @stephencoombes6496 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thanks for this - I obtained my first Vectrex the day after you uploaded this video, and have now discovered a whole world of new stuff I didn't know I needed... 🙂

  • @Del-Canada
    @Del-Canada ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was hooked on Star Wars and that stereo sound. My dentist had a Vectrex in his office for the patients the year it came out.

  • @londongaz2
    @londongaz2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This was my favourite in The Cave! That display is like nothing I've seen before. So crisp!

  • @thedysk1
    @thedysk1 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Excellent video. I've always loved the Vectrex ever since seeing one in the local toy shop windows back in 1982. I was one of those kids with their nose pressed up against the glass marveling at the Vectrex technology. I've never owned one but maybe one day, however looking at the prices I would have to sell a kidney. And absolutely wonderful to see Star Wars and Elite being played. Wonderful stuff.

    • @GarryGri
      @GarryGri ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I got mine for around £40 years ago when they were much cheaper. When we were much younger my brother swapped , I think a spectrum+, for one. Then he sold it on again for a few pounds!
      Changed days! Vectrex prices are just silly money nowadays. If I can't fix mine I won't be replacing it... Which is a pity as I was just about to release a game on cartridge.

    • @absalomdraconis
      @absalomdraconis ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@GarryGri : I haven't tried yet (if ever...), but it should be possible to reproduce the display using piezo elements for the x-y scan, some lenses + led for on/off, and a piece of "frosted" glass + a cardboard shade for the screen. Might be worth playing around with if the display goes out on you.

    • @kevintjeuh8888
      @kevintjeuh8888 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Got mine at a dump few years ago, mint condition

    • @GarryGri
      @GarryGri ปีที่แล้ว

      @@absalomdraconis Not sure what you mean here? I think it's just my power switch that's on the fritz. It's a common issue

  • @MikePerigo
    @MikePerigo ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Apart from being an amazing Vectrex review, this brought back many great memories of vector graphic arcade machines. Lunar Lander, Asteroids, Battlezone, etc; were all cutting-edge games when released and blew their competition out of the water. Not just because they were vector based but for the whole gameplay experience.

    • @scottbreon9448
      @scottbreon9448 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Really surprised that BattleZone never got an official port to the Vectrex to be honest. Would have been the ideal machine to port the game to

  • @Evercade_Effect
    @Evercade_Effect ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My mind is totally blown. This thing is awesome and I love old Retro doing things no one could ever dream of.

  • @ScavengerFX
    @ScavengerFX ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is the first video of yours I have seen and I have always loved the Vectrex. Thank you for demonstrating just some of the amazing things this old machine can do!

    • @RMCRetro
      @RMCRetro  ปีที่แล้ว

      My please and welcome Mark, thanks for watching

  • @vectrexer
    @vectrexer ปีที่แล้ว +14

    Very nice video presentation!
    A suggestion, review Thomas Sontowski's very own titles on the VecFever cart. An impressive title of his is Robot Arena, a Robotron: 2084 like game. Robot Arena shows off both the number of vectors, and the number of active game object that can be achieved. And it's a fun game as well. The appearance of Thomas' game titles on VecFever, as well as the MAME arcade ROM capabilities of the VecFever also contribute significantly to current price of the VecFever cartridge. There are so many more features not covered in this video that may also be of interest in a future video about VecFever.

    • @videogameobsession
      @videogameobsession 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      What is the "current price of the VecFever"and where can you buy one?

  • @lunchrevisited
    @lunchrevisited ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I played Dark Tower as a kid, (1981?) and I remember it being a lot of fun the first time, but not many re-plays. The tower "computer" was effectively the dungeon master, serving as a memory for each player's game progress. It handled "battles" that happened against monsters and such, and provided sound effects. I'm sure some of the fun came from the novelty of having an electronic component to the game, back in a time before home computers and Atari were common.

    • @salty6pence672
      @salty6pence672 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      My brother got one for Christmas, We played it often but we couldn't afford the batteries back then so it was a when we have batteries thing.

  • @jimsmart2522
    @jimsmart2522 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Dark Tower! - I'd totally forgotten about that until you showed it... I used to have it!

  • @ThaVoodoo1
    @ThaVoodoo1 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Great video. The 80's MB Vectrex was every boy's dream.
    I can remember playing vector graphics games on my Amstrad CPC 464 back in the day.
    Star Wars 2, Starglider & Elite are good examples.

  • @marcfruchtman9473
    @marcfruchtman9473 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    The Vectrex was one of my favorite games for about 2 or 3 years. But the lack of multiple colors eventually led me to other computer gaming systems.

  • @johnchase7667
    @johnchase7667 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    We had Dark Tower when I was a kid. It was a lot of fun. Also had the Dungeon and Dragon electronic game they made - it was very fun too.

  • @ancipital
    @ancipital ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Who knew! A demoscene for the vectrex - I remember playing with one when they came out, never owned one as couldn't afford it. Fantastic video and I was eyeing up all the little retro goodies you have in the background including the Oric that flashed past!

  • @perihelion7445
    @perihelion7445 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Had an Hanimex Pong System, CBS Colecovision, Atari 2600, C64 and Amiga's.
    The Vectrex though was and is still in a league of it's own, I would put it up there as being one of the greatest systems of all time, and yes, it was MADE for Elite, that would be the best version of it.
    That glow as if Magnesium was being burnt is phenomenal.

  • @licensetodrive9930
    @licensetodrive9930 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    I would walk all the way to The Cave to play that Star Wars game!
    The whole 3 miles! :D

  • @crabcrabhathat
    @crabcrabhathat ปีที่แล้ว +4

    even though this was well before my time, every time i have seen it in motion i have wanted to own my own. it moves at such a great frame rate and theres quite a lot of charm in the vector line graphics, also those custom controllers are awesome.

    • @GarryGri
      @GarryGri ปีที่แล้ว +3

      You know it doesn't really have a 'frame rate' or 'refresh rate' as such, that's more something that comes with raster-scan TV. There is a screen redraw timing but it's not exactly the same thing as you are probably thinking about. A true vector display works very differently from a 'normal' CRT.

  • @legofan-ep9du
    @legofan-ep9du ปีที่แล้ว

    Vectrex was my favourite in the Cave when I visited last month, brilliant!!!

  • @uploadJ
    @uploadJ ปีที่แล้ว +1

    One of our engineers on the MRCA project at TI had one of these back in the day ... VERY cool ...

  • @fluxrez
    @fluxrez ปีที่แล้ว +8

    WOW. Yeah, I had Dark Tower as a kid. That board game was amazing. They recently did a kickstarter for a new version... but I gotta say nothing beats the original. Really expensive though.

    • @wrongtown
      @wrongtown ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah I picked up the Kickstarter version and was REALLY impressed with the overall quality. They clearly put a lot of thought & care into it.

    • @BeefJerkey
      @BeefJerkey ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Dark Tower was being developed as a game for the Vectrex (though I'm pretty sure it's quite different from the board game). It was mostly complete, it was all playable, it just needed to be optimized and all. It wasn't properly released because GCE (the company that designed the Vectrex) went out of business and the game was cancelled. The ROM file is floating around out there, though.

  • @GeorgesChannel
    @GeorgesChannel ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What a wonderful episode! I really love Vector Graphics on the 8 bits. But the Vectrex is the King! The brightness as you mentioned is needed because tHe games are designed to be played with the overlays. I also own a vectrex with amost all original games. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us :)

  • @theadamtron
    @theadamtron ปีที่แล้ว

    Truly Astounding! . I would have never thought that so much was possible with a vectrex. I'd love to play this some day. Thankyou for making this video!

  • @fridofridolin
    @fridofridolin ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "I've seen things you wouldn't believe..." - You're just missing "humans" but else than that, nice reference ;) Loved your video, make more of those please. Also bring back amiga games too........

  • @carriersignal
    @carriersignal ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Would be nice to see a modern day version of this complete with the vector scan display.

  • @ExplosiveAction
    @ExplosiveAction ปีที่แล้ว +27

    I just wanted to say that I get so much enjoyment out of the quartet of RMC, LGR, 8-Bit Guy and Techmoan (and other YT'ers of course - like Nostalgia Nerd, Retro Recipes and Mr Lurch, Aussie represent!) that I get all the retro gaming and tech goodness that I need. I don't have the space or time to dedicate to upkeep of retro hardware or even play many games anymore, so watching these bursts from youtube creators really scratches the itch for me. In the same way that Retro Gamer magazine did when I collected. So thanks collectively chaps for doing what you do.

    • @jasonblalock4429
      @jasonblalock4429 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Just to plug a couple smaller channels I follow: you'd probably enjoy The Random DOS Game Show, which is exactly what it sounds like. Also Ancient DOS Games / Pixelmusement. Or if you're into 8-bit video games too, Jeremy Parish / Video Works.

    • @human.earthling
      @human.earthling ปีที่แล้ว

      And the cathode ray dude and technology connections

  • @jamescameron1861
    @jamescameron1861 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. That Star Wars coin-op takes me back. I remember playing the sit-down cab in an arcade in Skeggy. My grandmother kept giving me 10p's. I was very happy that day indeed

  • @anthonysmith8178
    @anthonysmith8178 ปีที่แล้ว

    Omg, I had a vectrex and dark tower.
    Flood of childhood memories. Thank you!

  • @vectrex28
    @vectrex28 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Elite is the one game I've always wanted to see on the Vectrex! So happy to finally see it.
    Another homebrew I'd absolutely recommend it Vectrexagon. I'd even go as far as to say it's one of the best gaming experiences I've had, especially when played in the dark on that humble vector display. Absolutely psychedelic and a big recommend from me

    • @sarabihyena
      @sarabihyena ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If they'd managed to squeeze elite onto the origional hardware it might have been the killer app to bring the system out of obscurity.

  • @bjy128
    @bjy128 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great video, thanks for making it. It's interesting seeing the closeup of the Atari Star Wars Color XY CRT, the addition of color is cool but the vectors do become jagged due to the shadow mask (I think). Most of the VecFevers also allow for a serial connection to a computer. The computer can run VecMAME and use the vectrex as a display. This can allow for a larger library of games to play and better sound and speech.

    • @johnrehwinkel7241
      @johnrehwinkel7241 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Vectrex 3D imager offers color without the jaggies as well as 3D with rotating shutters in the goggles. It worked, but just barely.

  • @rhpiggy123
    @rhpiggy123 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. Elite on Vectrex. Amazing.
    That Bad Apple demo was stunning.

  • @paulb4uk
    @paulb4uk ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Superb bit of kit i have never used a vectrex or had an experience of one in person a cool device .

  • @timmers5095
    @timmers5095 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    We had Dark Tower when I was little. It seemed amazing at the time, and now I want to go digging into that little bit of gaming history. The Vectrex sadly was too expensive for us, but I think it went on the Christmas list more in hope than expectation.

    • @CantankerousDave
      @CantankerousDave ปีที่แล้ว

      I remember getting it for Christmas one year.

    • @lbjon8469
      @lbjon8469 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Dark Tower has been reimagined with a full modern update. If you played it as a kid, check out the new version.

  • @sarahorton9223
    @sarahorton9223 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    When I was little the arcade near me had the sit in version. I imagine I spent like $40 of my dads money on that game over the few times we went.

  • @tesseracht
    @tesseracht ปีที่แล้ว

    A neighbor of mine had a Vectrex when we were kids and it was pretty fun. The acetate overlays did a surprisingly good job of making the games more colorful.

  • @nojuanatall3281
    @nojuanatall3281 ปีที่แล้ว

    My love for all things retro gaming knows no bounds. Thank you for sharing. That thing is so cool!

  • @jayc2469
    @jayc2469 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Simply breath-taking! I wish I'd kept One of the several I had back in the day.
    The same applies to the TRS80, TB303, TR808 etc (diverse!)..
    Vector looking clones _should_ be *Extremely* manageable on modern Pentium i7 based systems, even if it meant drawing pixels very quickly instead of driving the electron beam directly using Vectors.
    What always staggered me was the sheer waste of cpu/memory/storage that flooded the market, while only a handful of programmers that were able to truly exploit the electronics.
    The same trend followed through to this generation, when we have Hulkingly Cumbersome OS's such as Windoms 11, overdriving the hardware so unnecessarily!

    • @jayc2469
      @jayc2469 ปีที่แล้ว

      That was the Vectrex I owned several of in it's day, not the Rocking horse shiz, the VecFever! Demoscene programmers ought to be paid hansomely to exploit modern hardware for Gaming!

  • @ianbuxton525
    @ianbuxton525 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    You can also hook up the VecFever to a version of Mame with a serial port adaptor and use the PC to emulate vector games and send the video output to the Vectrex Monitor. Then you can play StarWars with the samples and full music.

    • @DissociatedWomenIncorporated
      @DissociatedWomenIncorporated ปีที่แล้ว

      I thought that _was_ how this was working. What, does the Vecfever contain a computer powerful enough to do its own emulation?

  • @cbdougla
    @cbdougla ปีที่แล้ว

    I have a Vectrex somewhere in my garage. I purchased it on ebay years ago but it never worked right. It's really pretty heartbreaking!
    Thanks for showing this system off. Really love these things!

  • @martin.pokorny
    @martin.pokorny ปีที่แล้ว

    I agree: it is necessary to see Vectex in person. It's absolutelly beautiful machine.

  • @daniellmarcussen2599
    @daniellmarcussen2599 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I stole money from my parents to play Star Wars back in the 80's ...and I would do it again.

  • @ThisSteveGuy
    @ThisSteveGuy ปีที่แล้ว +3

    1:38 - My Vectrex doesn't have the Milton Bradley branding, instead it's from GCE (General Consumer Electronics) and has it own distinctive logo. I believe that the MB Vectrexes (Vectri?) were a later version.

    • @RMCRetro
      @RMCRetro  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      That's right (there's a caption in the video about this) - very early models were GCE and it was quickly bought out by MB

    • @FluffyTheGryphon
      @FluffyTheGryphon ปีที่แล้ว +2

      They were a licensed distributor in different countries. Nintendo used Mattel for the same sort of thing in places like Canada. I have a Mattel distro NES and some games.

    • @CptJistuce
      @CptJistuce ปีที่แล้ว

      @@FluffyTheGryphon My understanding is that they weren't a licensed distributor in this case, they literally bought GCE.
      There was a sublicensed distributor in Japan, however. The Bandai Vectrex is highly coveted by Vectrex collectors.

  • @Paul-vj1tv
    @Paul-vj1tv ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I had the Dark Tower board game, it was a great RPG and the computer battles were well done, I can still hear the sound effects all these years later. I believe someone did a software conversion a few years ago. 👍 Always wanted a Vectrex, and still love the original Asteroids 👍😎

    • @barrycrombie1690
      @barrycrombie1690 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I can still remember those sounds, a death march followed by a a few joyous beeps...😀. It was well done I agree

    • @Paul-vj1tv
      @Paul-vj1tv ปีที่แล้ว

      @@barrycrombie1690 the Bazaar sound is the one I recall the best along with the battle winning and losing sounds, great memories 👍

  • @jessragan6714
    @jessragan6714 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    My understanding is that the Pitrex does indeed override the Vectrex's internal processor and uses it as a display for the Raspberry Pi inside. Not only can it run arcade vector games, it emulates Vectrex games... on a Vectrex. Excuse me, I think I need to sit down for a second.
    My Vectrex is stranded on the other side of the country, regrettably. Videos like this make me want it back even more, because I sure as heck can't afford to buy another one at current market value.

    • @scottbreon9448
      @scottbreon9448 ปีที่แล้ว

      The Vectrex core on the mister is pretty decent as well TBH

  • @MarkFixesStuff
    @MarkFixesStuff ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Oi!!!! That's MY VECTREX!!!!!!

    • @MarkFixesStuff
      @MarkFixesStuff ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Oi!!!! That's MY SCRAMBLE CART!!!!!!

    • @MarkFixesStuff
      @MarkFixesStuff ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Oi!!!! That's MY REGULAR MULTICART!!!!!!

    • @MarkFixesStuff
      @MarkFixesStuff ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Unfortunately that's NOT my VecFever hahah!

    • @MarkFixesStuff
      @MarkFixesStuff ปีที่แล้ว +2

      This video was excellent!

    • @andycraig7734
      @andycraig7734 ปีที่แล้ว

      Careful. When he puts on the black gloves, anything could happen!

  • @timjforsyth
    @timjforsyth ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow, I was always jealous of a friend who has a Vectrex while I had a zx81 but looking back, those fine lines and phosphor burnt warm vectors look fabulous. Imagine If there was a colour version. It’s a little sad that this tech is now in the past. Great video Neil!

  • @PeteJohnson1471
    @PeteJohnson1471 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Wow, the Vectrex Demo scene clip was awesome. It fascinates me what clever geeky people manage to squeeze out of so little 🙂

  • @GrantMeStrength
    @GrantMeStrength ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I've had a Vectrex for a while, and it was amazing to see the original game ROMs of Star Wars and Battlezone running.. "There's no way the 6809 could do that!", I thought. And I was right: The VecFever has its own CPU. I think you might imply in the video that the VecFever uses the 6809 but the PiTrex uses the Pi's CPU. That's not the case - both the VecFever and PiTrex sidestep the 6809 and use their own CPUs, but interface with the display, sound and joysticks.

    • @ironhead2008
      @ironhead2008 ปีที่แล้ว

      That makes more sense. The VecFever is a ARM based system as well, I take it (likely in a FPGA form)?

  • @TheAlStewartArchives
    @TheAlStewartArchives ปีที่แล้ว +1

    My friend owns one of these and you really have to see them working in person to see how unique the vector display is. Nothing else like it really.

  • @michaelmitchell8218
    @michaelmitchell8218 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Remember all these back in the day of my childhood. Loved it all. Miss them days because they was just better days of gaming fun with friends.

  • @PikaStu666
    @PikaStu666 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome bit of kit. I played a Vectrex at Play Expo Glasgow 2019. My daughter ended up having to drag me off it, it was a beautiful machine to play!

  • @ThinkerOnTheBus
    @ThinkerOnTheBus ปีที่แล้ว

    I hadn't thought about it for quite some time, but I definitely recall playing that Star Wars game in the arcade, and of course Tempest, which was mentioned. As a child, I had wanted one of those Vectrex gaming systems, I had several other consoles growing up, first one being a Fairchild Channel F system, Vectrex was about the only one I wanted, but never received. Even though this video's main topic is that special cartridge, at least I will get a chance to see a little of what I had missed out on never owning a Vectrex system. So, thanks for creating, uploading, and sharing your work with a bunch of no-faced strangers!

  • @BrianRRenfro
    @BrianRRenfro ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I just want someone to love me the way the demoscene loved rotoscoped animation.

  • @etansivad
    @etansivad ปีที่แล้ว

    This video is great. The vector Star wars was the first video game I ever played.
    Your recording of the screen really captures what the old CRTs looked like with glowing colors.

  • @johnrickard8512
    @johnrickard8512 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    What is probably the most criminally under-appreciated console of all time

  • @gregrezos790
    @gregrezos790 ปีที่แล้ว

    This brought back so many fond memories! Thanks!😀

  • @kevinshales1380
    @kevinshales1380 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Absolutely love the vectrex, had one as a kid and loved it

  • @AFourEyedGeek
    @AFourEyedGeek ปีที่แล้ว

    I own two non-working Vectrex units. Got one to produce a vaded image with no sound. I put it away to fix other units, this video has put them back to the top of my repair pile.

  • @ForViewingOnly
    @ForViewingOnly ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I... had... no idea!! The VecFever is incredible. I guess that it's only using the video side of the Vectrex if it's running ROMs from arcade machines, but, still, to see these games running on the Vectrex is a very beautiful thing indeed. Thanks RMC.

  • @ridiculous_gaming
    @ridiculous_gaming ปีที่แล้ว

    Vector based Major Havok, Star Wars, Star Trek, etc were among my favorites. The Time pilot clone released about 10 years ago was and is simply amazing. As a kid, I would have loved having one of these in my room.

  • @Crybarcz228
    @Crybarcz228 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    We had two of vectrex units. I so miss them. Gosh knows where they went. Thanks mom.

  • @bobcarn
    @bobcarn ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I've got a Dark Tower game. It's great! Computerized and mechanical, it uses an early computer chip in lieu of dice-rolling and keeps track of resources. Great fun and very innovative at the time!

    • @AtheistOrphan
      @AtheistOrphan ปีที่แล้ว

      I used to love Dark Tower! Does yours often award you a ‘Beast’ as mine used to do?

    • @bobcarn
      @bobcarn ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@AtheistOrphan It's been so long since I played I can't remember. :( My current friends aren't ones who like to play games like that. I know you can play it single, but it's not the same.

    • @AtheistOrphan
      @AtheistOrphan ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@bobcarn - Thanks for the reply. True, there are lots of activities in life that are more fun when more than one person is involved! 😉

  • @lolocaust4967
    @lolocaust4967 ปีที่แล้ว

    The big sit down cabinet was amazing!

  • @TheArcadeArchive
    @TheArcadeArchive ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent video my good friend and so happy to see it getting used in the cave.😎👍