GCE Vectrex System Review

[jimmyclerk]

Fantastic images. Thanks John - always a pleasure to watch your vids.

[RetroGamerVX]

You do realise, if you look in the manual, the whole idea of the Vectrex controller is not to be handheld, but to rest on a table so it's used like an arcade machine :o) hey, Pole Position, played that loads, now hold the number 2 position in the UK for that on the Vectrex :o) Love the overlay for that too :o)

[kjmmjmmder]

the only time i ever won at pokemon against my friend was when he dised the vectrex? ok now im scared

[retrogamerforlife]

Yea great system but very expensive.

[KillingJoke696]

that guy from CGR is annoying with his hands

[thedarkone2134]

I want a Vectrex. The guy at the local game store won't sell his :(

[kmoss1122]

This is by far one of the best gaming videos I have ever stumbled upon, I didn't even know that they released any kind of vector style systems in the 80s, let alone know that something like this existed. I gotta get one of these now.

[COBOL]

I love the Vectrex. I played it and its screen was unbiliveble, impossible to emulate on a normal raster screen. A must see :)

[andyseaview]

Im not gamester81, but i love the question What was the most technologically advanced system for the time it was released, i would say it was The 3DO or The DREAMCAST, i would like to know what gamester81 thinks, The 3DO at the time it was released was a very powerful console, And the dreamcast was also the most powerful console out at the time and it had online play, it had virtual memory cards, and even the controllers were really cool for the time, so i would say THE DREAMCAST

[FailVideosThatFail]

Because the controllers use a nine pin adapter, couldn't you theoretically use that SNES controller on the Genesis?

[robthatguyx]

hey gamester,i was just wondering what system do you think was the most technologicly advanceed for the time it was released

[andyseaview]

@robthatguyx Im not gamester81, but i love the question What was the most technologically advanced system for the time it was released, i would say it was The 3DO or The DREAMCAST, i would like to know what gamester81 thinks, The 3DO at the time it was released was a very powerful console, And the dreamcast was also the most powerful console out at the time and it had online play, it had virtual memory cards, and even the controllers were really cool for the time, so i would say THE

[wyatt32551]

It's a tv

[wolfcrapshit]

hoo looks like and got the texture of a PS3

[illustriouschin]

I've always been a fan of vector arcade games, they can accomplish some very unique animations and gameplay concepts that are just not possible with raster graphics. but also they usually have very precise movement and collision detection which definitely adds to the fun.

[KevDaGamer]

Jeez, those Vectrex cartridges look like small bricks. But I really like those graphics and the odd-shaped TV screen.

[advancedtotal]

Can you un-attach the console from the Vectrex monitor? Can you play it on a regular TV?

[nastybeard]

AWESOME VID!!

KEEP STRONG JOHN!!



[ThyChrysanthemum]

Wow, you know this John Hancock guy must be the real deal if our own collecting-messiah John says this guy's got the goods.

Nevertheless it's cool to have guys like John (81-John, not John Hancock) on YouTube.

[jimmyclerk]

Dear John - I'm SO glad you're doing so well on Youtube. Congrats man, you deserve it. Please keep doing your thing and think about a DVD release of game systems. My friends and I would SO buy it! Cheers my man, take care .. Jimmy (Maxwell) Clerk

[christo930]

It's a shame you didn't get a chance to show Jonh Dondzilla's games for the vectrex, especially vecmania and all good things... SOme of the best games for the vectrex.

[superlegoman64]

My friend has one of these and i even got to play it, i played minestorm if thats what its called the one that turns on by default when you turned on the vextrex

[sjaatime]

i don't mean to be a dick but did you forget that you already did a gce vectrex review?

[rh7889]

I have a series of requests: Can you do reviews on the Amiga CD32, NEC PC-FX, Tiger R-Zone, Game.com, Game.com Pocket Pro, WonderSwan, and WonderSwan Color please? I feel more confident hearing about these systems from you.

[rrob78]

@Gamester81

Big fan of all your videos, and was wondering if you own a Panasonic MSX or MSX2? And if you do would you do a review of the system's?

[maldoman23]

hey john..are you still doing that podcast?

[spi87]

Wishlist (2012):

-Tron

-The Last Star Fighter

+AtariVox II (Voice Synthesizer for added effect)

+Maybe some cool screensaver program that could run when your not using it

The Result? ...Vectrexmania!

[De5con]

Cool game demos

[dave4shmups]

Where's the best place to get one of these?? Because I've wanted one for a long time!!

[jose5080007]

this is one of the only systems i dont have.

[StickPeopleAndPuff]

i want one

[RetroGamer73]

Dont Dis Minestorm

[gojordon1]

i want on of these but there pretty pricey with shipping and local there near impossible to find

[legobaxter]

OMG U EVEN HAV AN ARCADE MACHINE O_O

[russell56443]

Awwww thats pretty Awesome!!!!

Something else to search for lol!

[Gambenoful]

Nice Video

[TheMmorpgmaniac]

I haven't watched this yet but because Mark (from CGR) is always making references to it, I figured I have to know what it is.

[bigjake52]

the family computer in japan had a 3d thing aswell

[kentatm]

is there any way to do some sort of homebrew fix on the defective shielding to get rid of that buzz or is this system too delicate to risk opening up?

[videogameobsession]

I think I have to go on record saying that Clean Sweep may just be the best vacuuming based video game EVER!

I love the Vectrex. My brother and I bought ours at a ToysRUs in 1984 when the price dropped to $49. The games were also $5 ea. Wish I bought them all!

John, I'm sure you know the Vec controller uses an analog stick. The SNES controller would be fine for some games, but I don't think I'd want to use it on games such as Armor Attack or Pole Position. Also, you should get a few overlays.

[RPGmastar]

Ah, I remember playing this system as kid. It was one of my favorites and had a so much good games for it. I still got it in my room and play it every now and then. I had the light pen but it broke a few years back.

[amurphy245]

That lightpen was pretty cool,you got some cool gadgets their.I didnt know the vectrex had 3d goggles! i really want to get this system one day.

[lotsofgames]

Hey John great review. I forgot that the sega master system had 3d games. I was really impressed with the visuals for some of those games.

[daddyjankie]

Reminds Me Of The Nintendo Virtual Boy,Could Have Been A Success If It Had Color.

[coldfustion]

I was only born in 1990 and am amazed by this :/

[Darkphoenix588]

what do you do that you can afford all this many great items

[MrDebauch]

wow the pen games looks cool... also I had no idea about the 3d classes... have you ever tried those out and how good are they?

[marcioandre83]

Another great review it's sad that here in Portugal the retrogaming community is not as big as in the rest of Europe and the USA. When we want to talk to someone about an old system the majority knows only the snes or the mega drive as the oldest. Keep the good work John you are a great reviewer and the gaming community needs more people devoted like you.

[GamingExtreme187]

thumbs up so people can see me lmfao

[Capnbritish]

Hooray, Jon isn't actually possessed.

[rejectofsoul24]

My teacher had a Vectrex with Mr. Boston's Clean Sweep. He said that if he hadnt sold it, hed give me both. Damn.

[crazyfooInc]

VECTREX! :-D. Great video once again Gamester81!

[Zito773]

mn12bird commenting on gamester81s channel, lol all my subscriptions are mixing.

[Stinger2578]

ClassicGameRoom (InecomCompany) - Mark - is a HUGE fan of the Vectrex and has done some great reviews.

[OldSchoolNYCGamer]

Thanks for the shoutout on here John, also great review and really enjoyed how you showed some of the more rarer titles for the Vectrex too = )

[tvandlust]

Great video, John. Don't worry about the comparisons to CGR or AVGN. Completely unnecessary. :)

I love the Vectrex. Great arcade style games, and the graphics are just so beautiful.

You wouldn't happen to know how to repair the joystick on the controllers, would you? Mine doesn't recenter when moving up/down, but it does when moving left/right. Makes playing something like Scramble kind of hard, haha.

[nintendoneil]

@tvandlust

this is a common problem with the original vectrex controller...the one i got with my vectrex had the same problem....If you are a good technician, there is online instructions on how to fix which involve taking the top sticker off, unscrewing the 4 screws, and replacing the broken spring inside with a spring from an atari 2600 cartridge...I did not attempt this (I would cause more bad than good) I instead lucked out by winning a new boxed controller off of ebay for only $60.

[tvandlust]

@nintendoneil I'm no technician, so I'll just watch eBay. Thanks! :)

[unleadedlogic]

This will most likely be the next system I pick up...if I can find it for a decent price.

[MrLastkill3r]

5 douchebags disliked this

[nastybeard]

I love your reviews John!! nice one!

[Gamers772]

love the vectrex just bought one few months ago and its all i have been playing since then

[bsg7]

Excellent video, and very imformative for the unlucky people who don't own one of these. I picked mine up for £20 gbp (roughly $38 I think) with 2 cartridges, Scramble and Flipper Pinball.

The Multicart _HAS_ to be my next purchase.

Yay! at Sid helping out - dude is awesome :)

[macintoshgermany]

Did you say 499 $ in 1982 is 430 $ today?

Its actually more like 1100 $ ;)

[deaddumbdude]

I really liked my vectrex when I got it when I was extremely little lol. That was a long ass time ago.

[MultiTail]

very interesting graphics, i dint noticed pixels or something, objects move so smooch O.o

[POOLSCLOSED4AIDS]

graphics look great i love learning about classic systems

[Ryoga2K]

Man, to get a better experience from hyperchase you have to use the original Vectrex Controller, because it's analog, and even if most games don't use it I think Hyperchase does, and the modified controllers are Digital, so it's all the way center or all the way to wathever direction you're pressing, try it with the original controller (if it works, because unfortunately those are the worst thing about the vectrex)

[Icompgoeswild]

When I saw vectrex in the name, I thought of Mark. CGR! CGR!

[Flodder450]

AAARRGGGHHH

saw one on a flea market once with like 10 boxed game for €7,50 ;_;

[thwomp88]

damn im high

[thwomp88]

you like look shrek, holy fock

[emojo1990]

i think the graphics are great because thery arent restricted to pixles on the screen.

[RetroGamer3]

Funny u came out with this vid right after me and Tim were looking them up on E-bay.

I only had the built in game with my Vectrex because like you said the VG crash made it imposable to get games for it.

[edwingamino]

this is one of the best systems in my collection. Did you see the prices for some of the recent homebrew games its getting crazy. The Adventurevision has a built in screen kind of, i would consider it a console since i have one : )

[TheMetroidMurderer]

I love the Vectrex, I got mine on the last day of school and one of my best friends was coming over so we just played it and loved it. What a great day.

[michaeltiao8]

tight reveiw

[BenjtheMan]

OMG! I USED to have that!!!

[retrogamerSam]

At some point early on in my gaming history, I met a guy that had 4 of these and offered to sell me one. I think I still have his number... :)

[Quirkification]

I used to play that "asteroids" game on the vectrex when i was young. Ill have to see if my grandma knows where the system is. I want it.

[Unwantedn00b]

I don't know why, but I love the way the games look on this system.

[MN12BIRD]

I'm always amazed at the smoothness of these vector graphics. I think the games with depth are great on there like Turbo looks wild. I remember a platform game with lots of depth too and I think it had voices. 2D games like that Pac-Man clone and tank game just don't shine on the vextor graphics like the games with some depth to them.

[Gamester81]

@MN12BIRD He Jake I think the game you are thinking of is called Spike.

[syber151]

the 2 people who dislike want one or broke theres

[TheGeekplayer]

if your married i wonder, does your wife gets pissed at you for leaving games every where?

[Gamester81]

@enrique224 You're right. Mark is WAY more interesting and funny than I am. I'm not doing this to compete or be compared to anyone else on YT. I'm just reviewing games and systems that I enjoy. There are only an X amount of systems out there and an X amount of games to review. CGR, AVGN, and a select few are on a different tier than myself; I'll be the first to admit that. =) Thanks for watching and for your support nevertheless.

[MaikisOnline]

@Gamester81 maybe you are not as funny as mark but you are very informativ..when i watch your videos i understand everyhing because you talk slower than others (i´m german ^^)..you review stuff you like and i can see that you enjoy it and you know what you are talking about because you have been playing/collecting these kind of stuff for years...of course mark plays through the games he reviews but there´s diffrent if you review something you experienced for weeks or for years..YOU ARE GREAT :D

[Ryoga2K]

@Gamester81 I love both and I'm subscribed to both, Classic Game Room and your reviews, I mean mark is crazy and funny as hell because he is funny without being overly dramatic about things, amazing style he has, but you have a collection that any game collector would be jealous of, plus your reviews are very informative and very pleasant to hear, you review systems that I never knew even existed, both are great and deserve respect for what you do.

[underpathunderpath]

@Gamester81 Don't listen to that miserable troll, Gamester. I think you are just as enjoyable and witty as anyone else here on YT. I love your videos and thank you.

[Gindelbi]

@Gamester81

Hmm. I find that each reviewer has their own flair to their videos.

AVGN for example, brings comedy into his videos while people such as yourself and Petedoor show actual interest, more information and a gamer's passion.

inb4 faggot.

[MrLastkill3r]

@Gindelbi You're right.

AVGN- Furied comedian

IRate Gamer- Funny rip0off faggot

CGR- Man who can't say something bad even 'bout E.T.

PeteDorr- Nerdic Vampire (sun kills him)

Gamester81- Man with passion (gaming)

IGN Reviews- Douchebag!

[Gindelbi]

@MrLastkill3r

Nerdic Vampire made me laugh. Hahaha

[MrLastkill3r]

@Gindelbi =)

[MrLastkill3r]

@Gamester81 I like to watch your reviews. In my personal ranking on 1st place is AVGN, but 2nd place are both you and Mark. But there is one thing...

You say Vectrex like Ve-techs, and everybody now it's like VeK-treX and it's made only for Berzerk gameplay when eating Gamer Grub ;D

[urantivirus]

@Gamester81 I think you do a great job with your reviews. And you do it in a way that isn't blatantly ripping off other people, like what irategamer and gamerdude do. We don't need anymore AVGN clones. lol

Keep up the good work!

[Zontar82]

@Gamester81 i actually prefer Gamester reviews,Mark voice get tedious very fast

[JunmaiShu]

I admire your modesty, but I'll have to respectfully disagree with you. You take a backseat to no-one. I guess everyone has different taste. I enjoy the laid back, straightforward feel of your videos. I don't feel that intros, animations and attempts at witty dialog are a requirement. Your videos are informative and nostalgic. I wouldn't want you to conform and be like the rest of them.

[THEsquirrel3d]

@JunmaiShu I couldn't have said it any better. And I wish more people would just get right to the damn point like he does.

[DeathbyDusk]

@Gamester81 This is the reason I enjoy watching your videos. You can tell throughout you enjoy and have a blast doing them. Unlike some other reviewers where they can sound forced or contrived trying to make written materials work with what thier doing.

[MrTURBOJOHN]

@Gamester81 I watch you and CGR and I like you both equal, You are awesome like Mark is

Keep working on Nice stuff

[waddledee1000]

@Gamester81 I think you and Mark are both awesome! You and CGR are the only channels I watch now!

[BoothyRules]

@enrique224 Fuck you dude!

[deanyaa34]

@enrique224 Fuck you, fanboy.

[ToastyDaMosty]

and of course the Classic game Room review of this system comes up in the related slot WHAT ARE THE ODDS

[doogrisa]

my brothers friend had a Vectrex way back in the 80s. i played it here and there and i thought it was awesome! it was one of the first systems i ever played.

[Jinclops]

Didn't you already do a Vectrex review John?

[Gamester81]

@Jinclops Indeed but I had more I wanted to mention and some gameplay and accessories that I didn't review before.

[Jinclops]

@Gamester81 Yeah, true. This was a great review!

[edison700]

the dvd link is broken

[lostchildren]

What an amazing review. That system was soo cool! I loved that tank game, the helicopter looked so animated for 1982 lol!

[MrGamerGuru13]

Great review of the Vectrex system. I am still looking for the system itself but I will hit up chuck for the pen and controller. Thanks for puting up some gameplay as well. very well done video. Take care and keep in touch

Josh

[ps3girlgamer1990]

2 people don't like retro gaming

[controllerthrowers]

LOL @ 0:10 get your workout on. I'll be sure to check out those DVD's by John. Star Wars is my personal favorite vector game. Unfortunately I had to turn of the game after playing it for two and a half hors. Sweet video mayn

[NostalgiaBoy95]

these games look pretty good for a system of that era!

[iLuvPlaystation]

you should send this video to classic game room. he loves the vectrex!!

[DannyBoizgameroom]

the divers 2000 dreamcast has a built in screen

[delfmeek]

Great System! I just obtained a Vectrex about a couple of weeks ago, and I really love it.

[alexv0009]

Gamester81 & ClassicGameRoomHD #FTW!!!!!!

[assmunchtv]

@alexv0009 lol

[desfek44]

The Vectrex is one of my favorite systems ever! I have two, actually, along with one of Recycled Gamer's lightpens and the Sean Kelly Multicart as well! I have been looking into getting some repro overlays made, would you be interested?

[MrTechnoSqueek]

heck yeah the vectrex is awesome I totally want one

[DlNKYDANA]

I didn't realize there were only 28 games for the vectrex. I lucked out and got 1/4 of the collection with my purchase. Nice!

[KevinLieber]

So much great info. That guy's collection is the real deal. Wow. Peace man!

[sweetnssssssssssss]

2 the people that disliked this video Suck my dick

[TehMeme1337]

@sweetnssssssssssss U MAD?

[m2dff]

congrats john, really rare and interesting.

[blaizevincent]

Did any1 else get the Star Trek Ad at the beginning? what the fuck is up with them using a computer voice !?!

[bluetonic78]

Had one of those bad boys when I was a kid and seeing a lot of these games many years later leaves me pleasantly surprised at how good some of them still look!

[xTheGamerKidx]

My teahcer brought that in once to my class for a party it was pretty fun :) even if it was old. ;)

[beastglitcher24]

best game system ever made

[TheInsanemonkeyboy]

Vectrex sounds like some kind of medication.

[mattharvey78]

Cool!

[spiritro06]

After watching Classic Game Room HD's review on this, the Vectrex is a fucking legend.

[SlasherMiniFilms]

Nice Upload John! Always great to see your videos!

[chinezyxx]

Awesome system !!

[recycledgamer]

Great stuff, John! I always like to see people remembering the Vec!

[FritoFredrik]

i want my vectrex to work :(



[SamuraiClinton]

Handheld systems have built-in monitors, as well as some all-in-one computers.

[alexmeanberg]

Dude. come on. you shouldn't wait till 3/4 of the video until you turn it on.

[chronocream]

Looks like a great system. I would've definitely enjoyed this as a child; but I also would not been able to get one due to its high price. I blame Atari for its failure. I hated Atari even back then. Didn't start liking games until we got an NES. Great times.

[spike17spiegel]

Wow, i didnt even know about this. Great video man.

[BOOCIESgameROOM]

Awesome vid john! the vectrex is prob one of the most unique systems ever!

[sethious1]

is it me or has anyone had problems with youtube videos playing? ......for me they buffer every five seconds and then plays a little more arrrgh lol

[bigM10231]

@sethious1 you needs faster internetz or a different provider with better reliability

[james42519]

@bigM10231 it is not the internet i am sure. it is youtube. i had trouble with youtube playing sometimes. it just happens for no reason. it is there servers. 

[bigM10231]

@james42519 it doesnt happen to me or most of the viewers i assure you

[james42519]

@bigM10231 don't happen to me usually too but youtube does mess up sometimes and run slow. after all "People are watching 2 billion videos a day on YouTube and uploading hundreds of thousands of videos daily." there has to be some problems now.

[snksega]

sweet video and what a cool console

[DarthSchwartz]

i wanna play one of those so bad lol.

[racooney888]

Virtual boy not a portable?!!?! BLASPHAMEY!

[segaatari25]

Isn't atari the main reason for the video game crash, I know there were other systems at the time but Atari was the leader and there was just too many horrible third party published games

[thelunchbox23]

u said it may be the only system with a built in screen, what about the potable cd-is and the gameboys? lol

[Gamester81]

@thelunchbox23 Those are portable systems. I was referring to consoles. =)

[Evansmustard]

@Gamester81 err... there are arcade machines to!  nah i get what you are sayin :)

[KingKehra]

@Gamester81 Well the Vectex COULD be portable, but need to strap a huge battery to it and tape the controller to the side of the system where your hands are when you hold it. It would be probably just as portable as the virtual boy.

[TheLoadingScreenz]

@KingKehra lol have you ever held one of these things? They're a freaking beast. It would be pretty hilarious to see somebody using it in public or something. xD

[doogrisa]

@Gamester81 you should look up "Vomitsaw" here on youtube. he makes some really cool gaming stuff. hes the guy that made the Nintoaster for the AVGN.

[iamtheoneneo]

@thelunchbox23 non-handheld you wally!

[thelunchbox23]

@iamtheoneneo the portable cd-i isnt really handheld and the virtual boy was"portable" so i guess it dosnt really matter :)

[wolfenstien9000]

@thelunchbox23 there are add-ons for the ps1 and gamecube that give them a screen but thats technically not a built-in screen

[boomadatigger]

@thelunchbox23 Yo homie you got pwn'd

[TommyKirbyFTW]

lol dinkydana got one for 5 bucks

[aquachek3]

cool shirt man

[BeantownBoy89]

glad to see the reviews again great vid thumbs up