Vectrex

[Taucias]

For the longest time I have wanted to purchase a Vectrex. I have a basic idea on what games consist of (manual, box, overlay), but hardware wise I'd like to know more about what to look for. What are the common failures of the system, and aside from it turning on and the joypad functioning, what should I be cautious of? Someone told me they 'hum' when running, but someone else told me this is a malfunction. Any ideas or recommendation on games would be most welcome.

I know about the multi-game carts BTW. :thumbsup:

[Jamtex]

The systems are fairly bullet proof, I've never seen a dead vectrex and the one in the Game On show has been running for long periods of time for the last 6 years happily.

The most common failure are the analogue joysticks which have a spring which will break after long use, you may see the joysticks flopped to one side as they no longer self centre. It can be repaired with a paper clip but this brings me to the second point when people push screwdrivers through the plastic cover of the joypad as they can't remove them easily. Very few games use the analogue sticks as analogue sticks so you can easily make a Megadrive / Genesis pad adaptor and use that instead.

They do hum slightly but it's not noticable unless you have the volume really low.

The screens can go off a little, however the multicart normally has the diagnostic cart so you can use this to adjust the beam so it is perfect. The screens will also wobble a little as you look at the vectors but this is perfectly normal.

The Vectrex is a great little system and worth picking up, Mine Storm is a great game and is the only thing I play on the system. Although there are some great games on the system.

[Importaku]

Actually they aren't that strong you just got lucky, if they aren't packed very well during shipping even a moderate knock can fuck the tube right up.

I have witnessed first hand the sadness of DOA vectrex :(

Apart from that it's a lovely & pretty unique system.

[Jamtex]

I've only seen a single dead vectrex which a quick internal fuse fix later and it worked perfectly.

[Taucias]

I have a real love for vector graphics. The VB is my favourite console, but I'm sure that will change when I finally get my Vectrex. Thanks for the replies.

[Importaku]

Nothing will prepare you for just how lovely & sharp the graphics look in person.

[Jamtex]

Indeed, playing it in a darkened room is fantastic and the haunting strains of Mine Storm start of level music is a audio delight. You'll be playing Mine Storm until the wee hours of the morning. :D

[Hawanja]

Mine humms also when played, not sure if it's a malfunction or just limitations of 1982 technology.

As for games, there's a guy named Sean Kelly who makes a multicart with all of the games in them. Sadly it looks like his site is no longer around, but do a few googles and I'm sure you could track one down.

[kendrick]

I purchased a mult-cart from Sean Kelly about 18 months ago. Unfortunately, he only sells the cart via auction sites and does not take orders directly any more.

[devzone]

Hi Taucias

I sold my vectrex a while back but I still have the service manual and have uploaded it for you here in case you need it

http://devzone.wsnw.net/downloads/pd...ice-manual.pdf

[Storm]

Hi Taucias

I sold my vectrex a while back but I still have the service manual and have uploaded it for you here in case you need it

http://devzone.wsnw.net/downloads/pd...ice-manual.pdf

Thanks! I have been meaning to fix the controller on mine, and while I dont think I will need it, it is nice to have a manual around.

[Taucias]

Thanks Devzone. You're quickly become a great member of the forum. :thumbsup:

[devzone]

Thanks

[retro]

I've seen them develop a problem where you get a bright spot in the centre of the screen. It is usually fixable. The pad problem is the most common, though.

Ahh, please say that isn't the old copy of a copy of a 7th generation copy of the service manual!! That thing was shocking, virtually unreadable! Hmm, looking at it, it doesn't seem so bad, although the component values are a little hard to read on the diagrams.

[devzone]

This manual is clean and readable (for me anyhow), only the front cover looks like crap

[Jamtex]

The bright spot is normally someone not adjusting the brightness correctly.

[ianoid]

Many things can go wrong with Vectrexes with time or improper shipping. Buzzing is typical, and I wouldn't consider it a failure, more a charm of the system. If the screen works and the sound works, the system works. Don't buy a system that has anything wrong with it, fixing them requires patience, resources and skillz. The dot in the center of the screen is often an brightness adjustment. The controllers as mentioned before have the most common failure of self centering (sounds like my wife). That can be repaired somewhat easily (a common source of the spring is an old Atari 2600 cartridge (Atari brand with the spring loaded cover)), but not without destroying the control panel sticker. Replacement control panel stickers are available on eBay and of high quality. The buttons can be fixed but that may be more tenuous depending on the etiology. Sometimes cleaning does it, sometimes corrosion is an issue and you're screwed.

To get a nice condition working loose controller, you can pay a bit, like $30-$40 even though you can get a bare system for $50-$70. Best to buy a system with a controller.


Vectrex games aren't that hard to come by on eBay even though I barely ever find any and I'm a hunter. I've probably found more systems than I have had cartridge scores.

RE: Multicarts - Sean Kelly's store is Videogames Etc on Harlem Ave in Norridge just West of Chicago. You can call the store to see if they have any multicarts to sell you before you stop by. I'm not sure if he'll take a phone order because of payment issues. Sean makes the carts occasionally when he has time and then just sells them on eBay rather than bothering with not updating a website. Also he'll usually sell them at shows like Midwest Classic (usually only there Saturday) or CGE. Sean is uber mellow and can't be bothered to custom build you a cart, take back orders, kiss your ass, whatever, so getting one can be an order of patience or resale. I would guess that he's made several hundred over time. The multicarts are menu driven and excellent.

All Vectrex systems have Minestorm built in, which is all you really need to appreciate the system, easily one of the best titles available for it. But it's nice to be able to play others.

The 3D goggles are a novelty, for collectors and gameplay doesn't justify their expense or trouble. I have bought some of the reproduction 3D goggles which are cool but I couldn't get to work outside of 3D Minestorm. There are two color discs for the 3D games that you'll need to play them. Minestorm 3D works with one disc, and the other two work with the other disc. Don't buy the games or glasses without the discs (even if you buy them loose), the discs (Color Wheels) are a pain in the ass to find loose. Likewise the lightpen games are sux0r side from collecting. Of course I have all this crap as a collector.

Game screen overlays are great but not necessary.

This is one of my top 5 systems I collect and you really won't lose owning one, on the novelty and gameplay side.

There are a bunch of foreign variants but nothing special- just packaging variations and different voltages. The most complete collection is the N. American version. A few homebrews and released prototypes are worth having, but overall they are a mixed bag.

There is no good version of Tempest for the system. Web Wars is a poor knock off.

[ASSEMbler]

Man vectrex's have been upwards of $150 on ebay these days.. crazy.

[REXMONDAY]

Yeah, if you start collecting for vectrex some of the holy grail stuff like Mr. Boston's Clean Sweep cartridge can exchange hands for $1000+