Vectrex, cheaper to own and less in demand than other retro consoles? Wow, 2009 really was a long time ago, wasn't it?

My dad was a sales-rep and Vectrex was one of his lines, so when I was 4 (1982) I was fortunate to have a Vectrex system in the house. My brothers and I would still play it even after we got a NES and then the SNES. One day when I was thirteen I went to closet because we wanted to play Blitz! only to find out my mom "donated to charity" claiming we never played with it. I still bring it up twenty years later.

In 2009, Mark Bussler discovered Vectrex, and he was never the same ever again.

@shouldershot

5 жыл бұрын

The world was never the same

This video marked the day when Mark would begin always referencing the Vectrex in a lot of reviews after this one.

I've never played a Vectrex, but I knew a guy who owned one, and it was incredible, just being in his presence.

Just got mine today and I got jazzed when I heard that buzzing sound and it booted up. So awesome.

The graphics are so smooth, it's awesome

@wobwob1582

5 жыл бұрын

It's because it is using vector graphics, zero pixels. It is using insanely fast moving electron beams to illuminate a chemical coated in the screen.

This video game was and is the system I played before getting my Genesis in 1991. I must have played it so much my original controller stopped working in the 1990s and I literally destroyed it trying to repair it. I improvised by using my original Genesis controller and it worked to an extent. My Vectrex stopped working a few years back and had it fixed a couple of years ago. I got a new controller (Gen. 6-button-based) and more games to add to the games I already had. My Vectrex play lives on.

Just love me some good old Mark Enthusiasm! I especially enjoy his love for the Vectrex!! Congrats mark on making my favorite Vectrex videos on KZread......Ever!!

The day our Pops got us a "Veptrex" from Child World is one of our fondest memories, it was just out of the blue for no reason or holiday. We loved it, though the screen overlays became frisbees and weapons.Yea it took alot of abuse but it performed hardily, never broke or wore out. It was a really Dope machine.

I love the part where he gives it a hug, and the Vectrex makes a sound, like it approves. But then you realize it's the sound the game makes when you die. :(

Most electronics of that era were actually built to mil-spec, which meant they went through extensive testing before they were approved for sale and guiding design principle was durability. As the demand for affordable computers and consumer electronics grew the manufacturing standards and quality control went down several orders of magnitude, instead of testing each component and circuit board, manufacturers started testing only one in 10, 100..etc.

@barebarekun161

7 жыл бұрын

Fast forwarded to 2017 where we have Nintendo calling their Switch and bait system having dead pixels and called it completely normal. Electronics used to be built to last now they built to ditch.

when i was a kid i got such a high score on mine storm that it reset to 0 lol. oh the memories

@MNWILD43

6 жыл бұрын

Me too!! That was the built in the system game. That was my favorite!

This is both a cool score, and sad at the same time. All these old machines, some designers poured a lot of their dreams into, only to have them be flash in the pans, or never catch darling status and disappear into oblivion. The whim of the public is a cruel fickle thing. I got a Milton Bradley Microvision handheld console with overlays like that one Xmas... with two games... breakout and some mine game... for the first time in my life, I felt accidentally filthy rich.

I had a reason to look up the Vectrex recently and your video came up. Instant nostalgia explosion as I watched your channel when I first discovered youtube. Man, time to go back on memory lane with these vids

My family had one of these growing up. We got it for Christmas 1983. Having 12 kids in the family, we had a schedule for our playtime. Wish we still had it.

4 years later and this review is still my favorite.

@ProjectDelta1

8 жыл бұрын

Make it 5 years :)

@zakarylakota

7 жыл бұрын

John S is it 6 years now?

@whoisjjcarr

7 жыл бұрын

zakary lakota Almost 8.

@viniqf

6 жыл бұрын

Blunt Capcom Representative #4 9 now

@nathansmith6474

6 жыл бұрын

Now it's been 4 years since your comment lol

This is probably one of the best systems I have ever played. My friend has one of these, and it's amazing. People who think this system sucks don't even know....

as of 2020 going into 2021, these Vectrex Systems are NOT at all affordable.

The next time I go out to dinner, I'll bring my Vectrex.

I used to sneak into my older brothers room when we where kids and play this when he went out...yeh around 83 ,screw his penthouse collection.......Vectrex trumped everything.

@gertrudemcfuzz74

8 жыл бұрын

Good choice. Women didn't shave their crotches in those days so the Penthouse mags weren't worth it.

@kennethgriffin509

8 жыл бұрын

Thanos of Titan yeeh lol big bushes back then.

Picked the vectrex up at a comic book shop today! Its in great condition, especially the controller. It just doesn't have the overlay for the built in game but hey what can you do. Wouldn't have even paid any attention to that weird tv that is the vectrex if it wasn't for your show Mark!

I actually take one of these with me to Starbuck's in the mornings and play Mine Storm!

@AholicKnight

10 жыл бұрын

do People make fun of you?

@DashMaster5000

10 жыл бұрын

Actually, I usually get 1 or 2 people who mistake mine storm for asteroids and start telling me stories about their selves/ their kids who used to play it back in the day

@Kywool2K

7 жыл бұрын

On today's episode of "Shit that didn't happen".

@FlyinBlaney

5 жыл бұрын

r/thathappened

@kevinwallerius6024

5 жыл бұрын

I bet you have a handle bar moustache and wear tight flannel shirts .

After nearly a decade of wanting one, I finally got my hands on one over the weekend. Thanks CGR for introducing me to this awesome console!

I'm impressed, the vector graphics where so fluid on that console, unlike flash player xD

I have bought several of these over the past 35 years from goodwill and yard sales for very little money just so they would be saved. I have a bunch of games still also. They are awesome

@Adamchevy

2 жыл бұрын

That was a good and fortunate plan! You will be able to pay off your house one day with those.

@coinslotsandjoysticks2572

2 жыл бұрын

@@Adamchevy yea right now I have 14 consoles and numerous games and screen overlays in 6 boxes. All the consoles work perfectly. They are built so good it's crazy

@Adamchevy

2 жыл бұрын

@@coinslotsandjoysticks2572 I agree! I’ve owned 4 over the years and one I had shipped from the Netherlands to Utah. It arrived in great condition and fired right up! I like the controller we got here in the states much more. The European buttons felt big and to mushy in comparison. I just purchased my 5th Vectrex Yesterday with 12 games 3 controllers and a light pen for $960.00. I thought it was a good deal. I haven’t played any Vectrex in about a year and I’m going through major Vector Withdrawl! If you ever want to sell a Vectrex I would be interested! They are my favorite game system of all times!

@coinslotsandjoysticks2572

2 жыл бұрын

@@Adamchevy that's why I have different types of controllers I didn't know they used different ones in different country's. Crazy huh. I'll sell you one if you want it. I'll hook you up with one and give you ten games for 500. I have seven that are in the original boxes they have been played but the people put em up afterwards. That includes the owners manual and paperwork it came with

@shaggy791

7 ай бұрын

If you still have any Vectrex systems available, I am definitely interested. Please let me know.

Vectrex, first ever console with a start screen.

I have loved the video game stuff you did I have always liked what you do. I am glad you have your video game videos up. One of your early fans.

Just picked one of these of for 25 bucks with 2 gamepads and 4 games.

@sirhempanite89

7 жыл бұрын

Man, you freaking scored... I saw one for the first time a few weeks ago at a store in Phoenix... they wanted over $400 for it!

@kylecoulombe2755

7 жыл бұрын

xxL3gitvidzxx omg I spent $209 for mine with no games and the thumb stick broke so it's just a sharp piece of metal that sticks out instead

@negativefloof5033

6 жыл бұрын

How

@stephenmartin7227

6 жыл бұрын

You got super lucky! It’s pretty rare to find one under $200 or more these days lol

@patsfan4life

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah right

How about: Truxton on the vectrex. awww yiss.

@jaide1312

9 жыл бұрын

somebody, just make truxton on the vectrex and send it to lord karnage, he deserves it.

@amberb9701

9 жыл бұрын

kain homan lucky

@tael64

9 жыл бұрын

kain homan That's a steal. I saw one today for $250 and the games separate for $25 a piece. ;-;

@herpingalabama6629

9 жыл бұрын

Troll4ever31 ._. why are you everywhere

This was the first video game system I ever had. Loved it more than any I had after. Thank you.

i LOVE the way the console loads on screen.

still got my vextrex and its still up and running! awesome console! my fave games were spike and scramble! when you spaceship crashed in that game it sounded like a fart!

"They can usually be found for a fairly affordable price" Eight years later, not anymore!

Mark! Still the best reviewer on the interweb. Once again, I have been convinced to buy an old piece of gaming history by you. Thanks for the dedication and hard work! Really enjoyed the review.

Awesome review, I love the passion!!! Very endearing

at 6:24 it looks like spongebob and patrick chasing a jelly fish

@retrogamer2169

3 жыл бұрын

6:24

@kevindrew8347

3 жыл бұрын

you probably dont care but if you're stoned like me atm you can stream pretty much all of the new movies on instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother these days =)

@rayibrahim4267

3 жыл бұрын

@Kevin Drew yea, have been using instaflixxer for months myself =)

How many modern consoles will be working in 32 years time i wonder.

@tael64

9 жыл бұрын

I think the Nintendo stuff will still work, because the build quality is insane. I just hope the Gamepad on my Wii U holds up.

@thatguy6769

9 жыл бұрын

Tael the Mask Salesman lcd will orobably wear out eventually like with the game gear

@LouisTheSEGANerd

8 жыл бұрын

How many modern consoles will work after 1 year? My ps3 broke after 6 months.

@sanicyouth6540

8 жыл бұрын

+Louis The SEGA Nerd Is that so? I've had my PS3 for almost 8 years and it still works just fine.

@LouisTheSEGANerd

8 жыл бұрын

I probably got a dud one. Ive had my xbox 360 for 4 years. My point is though, older consoles were built to last longer than newer consoles. Also, cartridge consoles are more reliable because they have no moving parts.

Im 49 years old and i lived in this era i was 12 when vetrex came out it was the coolest console they made in the eighties just hearing this console brings back the eighties memorys the greatest gaming decade !!

When i was a child, i played with this fantastic console. It must be in the mid of the 80s. Thanks for this great video. :-)

I love to get a Vectrex. They are sweet systems!! The only negative is they are not easy to come by for a low price and the games as well. They are in such high demand. They usually run from $200-$500 on ebay.

"Haha, videogaem go bzzzzzzzz"

Are you kidding me. I just built something like this and programed it all myself but it looks almost the same. Mind blowen.

the fact this this had a built in screen all in one console is revolutionary in itself

I own a vectrex!

I don't know why, but for some reason the vertex scares me, it literally frightens me to even see one. It's not that they suck I just for some reason am terrified of these things.

@AzureMckay

9 жыл бұрын

Vectrex, sorry it was spell check

@pbloo574

9 жыл бұрын

Have you ever played one before? If not I'd recommend finding one and giving it a try. There's nothing like it, it's so fun.

@AzureMckay

9 жыл бұрын

nah id just throw it away or sell it

@EpicGamerWinXD69

9 жыл бұрын

Wait it was made by general consumer electronics!!!!! Wow !!!! Isn't that the name of the place where video game consoles are shown off!!!!!

@AzureMckay

9 жыл бұрын

Victoria vigeick I have no idea what your talking about.

The boxes look like they're in excellent shape! Impressive collection.

"...that you had to plug into a TV... preferably with wood grain" Oh man, that shit cracked me up.

The overlay served no,purpose lol

@sanicyouth6540

8 жыл бұрын

+FroztiProductions It was just something to make the screen look a little nicer.

@LouisTheSEGANerd

8 жыл бұрын

It makes it look that little bit more like a mini arcade system.

@sanicyouth6540

8 жыл бұрын

Louis The SEGA Nerd Pretty much.

@StampStories

8 жыл бұрын

It also showed you what each button did in the game, down in the corner if you look closely

@FroztiProductions

8 жыл бұрын

Well that's nice but I would rather have it in a manual or something idk

How to be an ultimate hipster watch above

we’re going to need a compilation of your vectrex play throughs

I'd take one in ANY condition.. as long as it works! Great video and review.. I Really want a Vectrex. I've been on the fence about them for years but with new homebrews and multicarts coming out, its a lot more appealing to me nowadays. Game On!

Of all the game systems I have owned since 1982, the Vectrex is still with me. I have 21 cartridges. The system is just so damn cool.

Ha, one of my friends had one of these. I remember back then I was about 12 or 13, ...I thought the machine was super cool, even back then. I was and am still impressed by how different the graphics were from the Atari's. It was a totally different approach to gaming.

i have 36 and i didnt know this console existed until i saw it in pawn stars amazing review man!!!

Brings back so many memories from the 80`s my brother had one and we rented out games from the local video store.

I finally got a Vectrex today, it's easily my favourite games console now.

4:39 lol "OOOoooh." Great review, thanks for teaching us more about this yo!

Very excited. Just managed to buy a Vectrex after some time tracking one. A truly unique video, and most of my knowledge of the system came from CGR

My god!! What an infernal music wass there during the scene when the Berzerk cartridge was being showed.

This is so unique,A piece of collection for any console collector!

Thank you Mark for convincing me to get a Vectrex. One of the best things I ever bought.

Awesome review! I actually just picked up a Vectrex today, and I didn't know that it had Mine Storm built, so thanks for pointing that out.

I think I just fell in love. This console looks wonderful!

hey Mark bought your Vectrex book off Amazon cool stuff nice job

A buddy of mine had one of these in 1992 when we were in middle school. It was fucking awesome. We spent our time playing the Vectrex and Street Fighter 2. Good times.

I just got mine today, waiting for the controller and the multi-cart to come in. Haven't been so excited to play a system since the day i pre-ordered a Dreamcast.

Just went to a game store and played a Vectrex for the first time today! It was awesome!

this is why i love CGR. the game diversity is just great. cant wait to see more vectrex reviews.

Thx man!!! Made me cry... not kidding... memory lane!!

That intro music is so nostalgic for me

I love that the screen overlay comes in a sleeve. Reminds me of a record.

Hey Bussler, I just bought a Vectrex because of you. I hope you're happy now!!!!!

@brondaa

9 жыл бұрын

Ok...I got it today. It's amazing. Thank you, Mark!

Nice review. I actually bought one of these at a Toys 'R' Us around 1981, on sale for only $50. Had about 4 or 5 carts for it, and loved it a lot. I later loaned it to a friend who kept it. It's a great system and a lot of fun; there was always a rumor of there being a BASIC programming cartridge floating around, but I haven't ever seen or heard anything definite.

Awesome old machine! Always wanted one...

Soo many great childhood memories! ! Thanks

I have two systems, was going through all my boxes and found my games a few days ago, i still have fun playing it

I remember my cousins had one of these in the early 80s, I thought it was awesome. I had an Atari 2600 heavy six. Still have it.

ive never heard of this system..but for its time it had excellent grapics and sounds...even now...excellent review : )

Congrats on being the first video option for a KZread search for VECTREX!

This is by far the best on KZread. I have been a life long gamer and I am building a home arcade right now. I know you guys are always looking for the rare to review....I have a very good friend (my old school dealer...sorry, I could not help it) that runs a gane store. This store is the size of a Target Super Store. Is there anything you guys are pining after to review? If so let me know, I might be able to get my hands on it. I just want to point out...the Vectrex has some obvious dark demons it needs to get out. He literally tried to kill you when you gave him a hug. Thank God you had more lives!

Man I miss my Vectrex that I sold to buy an Amiga 500. All the sounds in the video brings back so many memories.

Thank you so much for this video. Nostalgia...... ! I was 5 years old....

My wife bought on of these back in the day. 2 generations of our family has played with this thing. It's a like a family heirloom .

My dad and I have 2 of these sitting in the man cave down stairs BOTH WITH LIGHT PENS TOO! This is such a classic system I hold on to both like they are made of solid gold.

Mine Storm was the first video game I ever played. About 1982, Berlin. I was 4, my parents were buying a VCR and one of the sales guys brought me over to this thing for me play. I thought it was really cool. We didn't get a video game system for another 2 or 3 years (2600 Jr), after we had moved to Canada. I remembered that day and thinking I recognized it, for a long time I thought the first game I played was Asteroids. About 3-4 years ago I was in retro games store, they had a Vectrex in good condition and on a whim, I decided to buy it. I'd known about the Vectrex since I read about it in a magazine in the late 80s or early 90s, having no idea I'd already played it. I'm not a huge collector, I just thought it'd be a neat, uncommon item. But when I got home and turned it on and that ship flew over dropping the mines and I heard that music, I was instantly brought back to that electronics store in Berlin 30 years prior and I realized; holy shit! _This_ was the first video game I ever played. Not Asteroids, *Mine Storm!* On a *Vectrex!* I'm glad I didn't think too much about it and just got the thing. I paid about $50 more than they were going for on eBay at the time and I doubt I would've bought one if I'd thought it through. Hell, I doubt I would have even realized yet that it was my first gaming experience.

Very very awesome man! Looking forward to your reviews. I wish I still had my Vectrex. But in all fairness the screen went out and I never got a controller with it so yeah. But way awesome man!

lol i had no idea there was an overlay, i never had it brand new, just the console and a few games. loved it!!

This is in great condition, I love such pieces of history! I bet it's hard to find one in good condition these days.

I have a Vectrex, the graphics looks awsome. Great review

Nice video! A friend of mine had one of these - his dad got it cheap when they were discontinued, and he had pretty much every game released for it. It was pretty mind-blowing in the early 80s! I've played some of the games on an emulator. Here in the UK, they're really uncommon and go for hundreds of pounds on eBay.

Coool review. First time i see a VECTREX in 20 yers.

Oh good! I'm glad there is something on the overlay telling you which button does what because I would always forget that all four of the buttons do the same exact fucking thing...

oh man! 4:22..... That song haunted my dreams. I played my Vectrex almost every day for the first 5 years I Owned it. Nearly as much as my N.E.S. I use to bring the old beast to classic game parties in the mid '90s...... one day my cousin knocked it off the shelf and broke the screen. I sold my cart's and wept in the corner.

Love My Vectrex...great addition to any collection

i heard there are trains and planes with electric plugs (for charging phones) so imagine somebody coming on the train and playing vectrex on a train LOL :)

I miss the classic game room vectrex days mark!!!!! 💗

If i only was born in 1970 maybe i could of tried one of those Awesome consoles.

i remember my cousin having one when i was 3 or 4 years old... that shape really stays in your mind, it is so exotic. I wonder if he kept it, might earn a pretty penny if he sold it now.

congrats! ive owned one for over a year now, and i can guarantee you will enjoy it :)