The Vectrex was a revolutionary home video game console that stood apart from every other system of its era. Released in 1982 during the golden age of arcade gaming, it featured something no other home console could claim: an integrated vector graphics display that produced sharp, crisp lines similar to arcade classics like Asteroids and Tempest.
Unlike the Atari 2600, ColecoVision, or Intellivision which connected to television sets and displayed chunky raster graphics, the Vectrex was a self-contained unit with its own built-in monochrome CRT monitor. This unique approach gave it arcade-quality visuals but also made it more expensive and ultimately contributed to its brief lifespan during the video game crash of 1983.
History
Conceived by John Ross of Smith Engineering as a handheld device called the "Mini Arcade." As development progressed, the design evolved into a tabletop system with an integrated display.
General Consumer Electronics (GCE) released the Vectrex in North America at a retail price of $199. The console came with the built-in game Mine Storm, an Asteroids-style shooter, and featured a unique vector display that set it apart from all competitors.
Strong initial sales attracted the attention of toy giant Milton Bradley, who acquired General Consumer Electronics. The Vectrex was distributed in Europe and Canada by Milton Bradley, and in Japan by Bandai.
The North American video game crash devastated the industry. Despite its technical superiority and innovative design, the Vectrex couldn't escape the market collapse. Sales stalled as consumer confidence in video games evaporated.
Milton Bradley discontinued the Vectrex after losing $31.6 million on the venture. The console's production ended after less than two years on the market, making it one of the shortest-lived game systems in history.
Vector Display Technology
The Vectrex's defining feature was its vector display system, which worked fundamentally differently from the raster-based televisions used by other consoles of the era.
How It Worked
Rather than scanning an electron beam line-by-line across the screen (raster graphics), the Vectrex used computer-controlled integrators feeding linear amplifiers to direct the beam from point to point, drawing graphics like a pen plotter. The system employed an all-analog design with separate X and Y integrators, controlled by a digital-to-analog converter that set the integration rates.
The Display Hardware
The Vectrex used a Samsung 240RB40 monochrome cathode ray tube measuring 9×11 inches with a 240mm diagonal display area. This was an off-the-shelf CRT originally manufactured for small black and white television sets. The vector CRT didn't require special tube technology—the innovation was entirely in the control circuits that directed the electron beam.
Visual Results
This point-to-point drawing method produced incredibly sharp, crisp lines that remained clear at any size. Unlike the blocky pixels of raster graphics, vector lines were smooth and perfectly defined. The system could only display in monochrome (typically green or blue-white), so Vectrex games came with transparent plastic overlays that added color and decorative elements to the screen.
Performance Characteristics
The beam positioning was controlled by timing circuits—while the integrators were active, the beam moved along its path. The system created smooth, fluid graphics that scaled perfectly, though complex scenes with many vectors could cause visible flicker as the electron beam had to redraw the entire image many times per second.
Technical Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | Motorola MC68A09 @ 1.5 MHz |
| RAM | 1 KB |
| Display Type | Integrated vector CRT monitor |
| Screen | Samsung 240RB40 monochrome CRT 9×11 inches (240mm diagonal) |
| Graphics | Vector graphics (point-to-point drawing) |
| Color System | Monochrome display with plastic screen overlays |
| Sound | Built-in speaker |
| Built-in Game | Mine Storm (Asteroids clone) |
| Controllers | Analog joystick with 4 buttons |
| Launch Price | $199 USD (1982) |
| Notable First | First home console with 3D peripheral |
The Vectrex used the more advanced Motorola MC68A09 processor instead of the cheaper MOS Technology 6502 found in early Apple, Atari, and Commodore computers, giving it superior processing power for its vector calculations.
Game Library
Library Overview
The Vectrex had a relatively small but memorable game library. During its commercial lifespan, 28 games were officially released in the United States (including the built-in Mine Storm). Games were published by GCE in the US, Milton Bradley in Europe and Canada, and Bandai in Japan.
Thanks to an active homebrew development scene that began in 1996 and continues today, the total Vectrex library has grown to over 39 titles, including both official unreleased games from GCE and modern fan-created games.
Notable Games
Built-in Asteroids-style game included with every console
The biggest arcade port in the Vectrex library
Classic arcade conversion perfectly suited to vector graphics
Tank combat game with distinctive vector visuals
Popular arcade port featuring robot combat
Original game designed specifically for the Vectrex
Space combat game noted for innovative gameplay
Side-scrolling shooter arcade conversion
Spider-themed action game
First commercial 3D game using the 3D Imager accessory
The 3D Imager
The Vectrex was the first home console to offer a 3D peripheral. The 3D Imager was a set of spinning color wheels mounted in a visor that created stereoscopic 3D effects. While technologically impressive, only a handful of games supported it.
Legacy
Despite its commercial failure and brief lifespan, the Vectrex has earned a unique and respected place in video game history. It remains the only home video game console ever released with an integrated vector graphics display, making it a technological curiosity and a favorite among collectors.
Collector's Item
Today, working Vectrex consoles are highly sought after by retro gaming enthusiasts and collectors. The system's distinctive appearance, unique display technology, and limited production run have made it a prized piece of gaming history. Original games with their screen overlays intact command premium prices.
Homebrew Community
The Vectrex enjoys one of the most active homebrew scenes of any classic console. Since the mid-1990s, enthusiasts have been creating new games, utilities, and demos for the system. This continued development has more than doubled the Vectrex's original library and introduced the console to new generations of gamers.
Technical Innovation
The Vectrex demonstrated that innovation doesn't always guarantee market success. Its vector display technology was genuinely superior for certain types of games, producing visuals that were clearer and smoother than any raster-based competitor could achieve. However, the higher cost, monochrome display, and unfortunate timing of the 1983 crash doomed it to obscurity.
Cultural Impact
The Vectrex stands as a reminder of the experimental and innovative spirit of early video game hardware. In an era when most manufacturers were racing to add more colors and sprites, GCE took a completely different approach with vector graphics. While it didn't succeed commercially, the Vectrex proved that there was more than one path to creating compelling video game experiences.