The Vectrex Arcade System is a unique vector-graphics home video game console that offers a distinctive arcade experience. Unlike traditional consoles that connect to a television, the Vectrex features a built-in monochrome vector monitor, providing sharp, precise line graphics that mimic classic arcade machines. The system was released by General Consumer Electronics (GCE) in 1982.
Function Description
The Vectrex Arcade System is designed to play a variety of video games, primarily focusing on action and arcade-style genres that leverage its vector display capabilities. Each game comes on a cartridge and often includes a unique screen overlay that adds color and static graphics to the monochrome display, enhancing the visual experience. The system includes a built-in control panel with a joystick and four action buttons, making it a self-contained gaming unit.
Important Technical Specifications
- Display: Built-in 9-inch monochrome vector monitor. The vector display draws images using lines rather than pixels, resulting in crisp, high-resolution graphics for its era.
- Processor: Motorola 68A09 microprocessor.
- Sound: Built-in speaker with a General Instrument AY-3-8910 sound chip, capable of producing three-voice sound and noise effects.
- Control: Integrated control panel featuring a self-centering analog joystick and four digital action buttons (labeled 1, 2, 3, 4).
- Power: Operates on 120 volt AC, 60 cycle electrical outlet.
- Cartridge System: Games are loaded via cartridges inserted into a dedicated slot.
- Screen Overlays: Each game typically uses a transparent plastic screen overlay that slides into tabs on the monitor. These overlays provide color and static background details, compensating for the monochrome display and enhancing the game's aesthetic.
Usage Features
Setting Up:
- Power Connection: Ensure the console's power cord is securely plugged into a 120 volt AC, 60 cycle electrical outlet.
- Control Panel Connection: Verify that the plug for the built-in control panel is firmly seated in its outlet on the right side of the console.
- Console Power: Make sure the console is turned OFF before inserting a game cartridge.
- Cartridge Insertion: Insert the game cartridge into the slot with the label side up, ensuring it is firmly seated to the guideline marked on the cartridge.
- Screen Overlay: Insert the screen overlay for the specific game behind the tabs at the top and bottom of the screen.
- Power On: Turn the OFF/ON/VOLUME CONTROL to the ON position (clockwise). The Vectrex title will appear for a few seconds, followed by the game's title.
- Volume Adjustment: Adjust the volume control to the desired listening level.
Game Play (Scramble Example):
- Player Selection: For games like Scramble, you can choose between one or two players. When "PLAYER" appears on the screen, press Button 1 to toggle between player modes. In a two-player game, players take turns using the single built-in control panel. To return to a one-player game, press Button 1 again before starting.
- Difficulty Selection: Many games offer multiple difficulty levels. For Scramble, there are three levels that affect fuel consumption, missile flight, UFO speed, and maze width.
- Game 1 (Easy): Slow fuel consumption, straight missile flight, slow UFO speed, average maze width.
- Game 2 (Medium): Medium fuel consumption, curves missile flight toward you, medium UFO speed, average maze width.
- Game 3 (Hard): Fast fuel consumption, curves missile flight toward you, fast UFO speed, tight maze width.
- Starting Game: After selecting players and difficulty, press Button 4 to begin the game.
- Joystick Control: The joystick controls the ship's height (up/down) and speed (left/right). Diagonal movements are also possible. The ship cannot move further forward than the middle of the screen or further back than the left side.
- Action Buttons:
- Button 3 (Bomb): Drops bombs on objects below the ship.
- Button 4 (Laser): Shoots lasers at approaching objects.
- Fuel Management: A fuel gauge is located at the bottom of the screen. Each ship starts with a full tank. Fuel can be replenished by destroying fuel tanks (each worth 1/8 of a tank). If fuel runs low, the gauge flashes and a warning sound plays. Running out of fuel causes the ship to crash.
- Collisions: Colliding with the landscape or obstacles results in the loss of one ship and a return to the beginning of the current level.
- Scoring: Points are awarded for flying (10 points per second) and for destroying obstacles. Obstacle point values vary:
- Missile (on ground): 50 points (Levels 1,2,3,4)
- Missile (in air): 80 points (Levels 1,4)
- Fuel tank: 150 points (Levels 1,2,3,4,5)
- Mystery Base: 200 points (Levels 1,2,3,4)
- UFO: 100 points (Level 2)
- Enemy Base: 850 points (Level 6)
- Lives: Players start with 5 ships. A bonus ship is awarded for every 10,000 points scored.
- Game Progression (Scramble Levels):
- Level One (The Mountains): Fly over mountainous terrain, destroying obstacles and avoiding constant surface-to-air missiles.
- Level Two (The Caverns): Navigate a treacherous cavern, avoiding the floor, ceiling, and UFOs.
- Level Three (The Flamoids): Avoid speeding flamoids, as bullets and lasers have no effect on them.
- Level Four (The City): Climb over city walls, watching for missiles launched from hidden silos.
- Level Five (The Maze): Navigate a tight maze requiring precision. Fuel tanks at the beginning are crucial before the final base.
- Level Six (The Enemy Base): Bomb the enemy base. This level repeats until the base is destroyed. Successfully destroying the base increases game difficulty, provides a full fuel tank, and advances the player back to Level One.
High Score Memory:
- The high score is retained as long as the machine is on and the Scramble cartridge is in place.
- Turning off the machine or removing the cartridge will erase the high score.
- To view the high score, press the Reset Button on the console.
Restarting Game:
- To restart a completed game with the same settings (players, difficulty), press any of the four action buttons.
- To restart a game before completion, or to change player count or difficulty, press the Reset Button on the console.
Maintenance Features
Warranty:
- 90-Day Limited Warranty: GCE warrants the cartridge to be free of defects in material or workmanship for 90 days from the date of purchase. During this period, the product will be repaired or replaced with a new or reconditioned unit at GCE's option, without charge.
- Warranty Service: The original purchaser must return the product to the dealer with proof of purchase or mail it, properly packaged, prepaid, and insured to: General Consumer Electronics Corp., 233 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
- Out-of-Warranty Service: If the product is returned without proof of purchase or after the 90-day warranty period, it will be repaired or replaced for a $15.00 service charge. This non-warranty service is available within one year from the date of purchase. Include a check or money order, name, address, city, state, and zip code.
- Exclusions: Damage caused by transit, abuse, accident, negligence, or repairs made by others is not covered. Implied warranties are limited to the 90-day period.
Replacement Screen Overlays:
- Additional screen overlays can be ordered for $2.00 each.
- To order, complete the provided form with quantity, cost, name, address, city, state, zip, and phone number.
- Mail the form with a check or money order to: GCE, Vectrex Screen Overlays, P.O. Box 8123, San Francisco, CA 94128.
- Allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Offer subject to availability.
- Note: Separate cartridges are needed for the overlays listed on the order form.
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