VECTREX Console and Games! - Erin Plays 

You were able to capture the Vectrex footage really well. Fun video!

I bought a Vectrex in 1982 with all of my combined Christmas money. Pole Position was the first game that I bought - and I got it at a Toys R Us. It completely blew me away. And I did carry my Vectrex to my (divorced) dad's house on the weekends, which was a huge feature for me back then.

The smiling bouncy ball in Berzerk is Evil Otto.

Being an older gamer myself (mid 40's) I love these kind of videos, kids these days can't fathom an age when you would walk into a department store and 9 competing video game systems would be on sale instead of the current number of 3. Keep up the great work.

Thanks for giving the the Vectrex it's due appreciation! This was my favorite system as a kid. I loved the Vectrex more than the Atari and more than the SNES. Our friends had all the fancy consoles, the Intellivision, the Genesis, and some even had full arcade games in the basement. Nope. The Vectrex was mind blowing to me. Thanks!

Even now I love the look of the vector graphics. Simple and clean looking.

My local retro store had a Vectrex on display recently and it was amazing to behold in person - it actually brought the place to a standstill when it was switched on for a few minutes. The cool, albeit slightly eerie phosphorescence of its screen coupled with those pin-sharp vector graphics lend it a kind of anomalous, retro-futuristic feel that many vintage machines fail to capture. An interesting, tangential path for home video games that might have been. Anyway, I think the Neo Geo Pocket is the most notable overlooked system for many gamers. Some really solid fighters like SNK Vs. Capcom and curios like Card Fighters Clash make it an excellent handheld to collect. Also, clamshells!

A friend of my mothers had an older son that had a vectrex when I was a kid, around '92-93 ish. He let me borrow it for a few months. I still remember the built in game and wasting hours and hours on it... Good times for an 8 year old without any other home game system. Pretty sure the savings on quarters at the arcade was what convinced my mom to buy me my first system, a SNES, for christmas that year. Still my absolute favorite system.

I love vector graphics. They look like neon lights.

When I was a kid, my best friend had one of these. His dad got it really cheap with ALL the games when it was discontinued. We loved playing it! I'd kill for one now, they're fantastic things.

An interesting irony is that these line-based graphics in some ways look sharper than pixel graphics of the time. Like, wayyy sharper. Despite the total lack of color detail and such. It's interesting what tradeoffs you get when you switch the way graphics are created - like Minecraft's massive worlds made out of blocks and yet limited animation due to its use of voxels, or how 3D games of the 90s looked way worse than 2D games of that same decade since 2D graphics could be easily drawn and 3D needed to be rendered with shapes. The Vectrex chose a tradeoff that I think just didn't work for most people, but it was an admirable attempt at something new, and I'll give them credit for that.

I absolutely love Erin.

So it's great to see new videos regarding the vectrex! I still have the vectrex I received for Christmas in 1982! Each year on Christmas Eve I bring the Vectrex out of hibernation, gather my Wife and Children and have a quick vectrex competition I enjoy the Mighty Vectrex as if it's a brand new Christmas toy all over again!

Being a child of the 80's I still remember the first time I saw this on display at a Meijer store. I was blown away, if for no other reason than it having true arcade quality graphics as many of the early 80's arcade games were vector graphics. Something no other system at the time could duplicate. Great channel Erin.

Playing a vectrex is one of my earliest memories.

I had the pleasure of playing my older brother's Vectrex when I was young and yes, that white noise was there even on that one. So glad you made this video! Thanks Erin.

Recently at a work function, I discovered that my wife's boss is the sister of a Vectrex homebrew developer. She was so excited that I know what a Vectrex was! I've always had a soft spot for vector graphics.

Super awesome video, Erin! Been waiting to see this one for a while and you didn’t disappoint. Your Vectrex gameplay footage looks absolutely beautiful!

I've wanted a Vectrex since I was about 10. It's beautiful. Frame rates are so much better with vector graphics. I believe that fighter jet radar and display systems from the 60's were the origin for vector graphics.

That's amazing what these game designers could do back then. That would have blown my mind as a kid if I'd known about it (Cosmic Canyon in this case).

The bouncing happy face in Bezerk is "Evil Otto."

What an interesting little console. Its graphics are so sharp. They are just lines but they are the sharpest lines I ever seen in a videogame. Proof HD existed in the 80s.

All Vectrex systems make that buzzing noise. I find it oddly soothing.

That white noise from improper isolation between the vacuum tubes and speaker wire is so novel. Also, they need to re-release this console in all it's glory. It's still has great looking games despite them being super primitive.

Just found your channel and this video was my baptism. Excellent job , i love the Vectrex and its great to see someone speak with passion.

I had a Vectrex growing up. I was the only one at my elementary school to have it. Don't have it any more, but I still enjoy the games through the magic of emulation. My fav games for it are Berzerk, Armor Attack, and Solar Quest. Just a great system all around. It was like having your own mini arcade in your room. And the white noise is from ALL Vectrex machines. The bad guy bouncing smiley face in Berzerk is "Evil Otto". And yes they are all robots that you are fighting. LOL

We never had this in Italy, at the time we were focused on Commodore 64 and Spectrum. Looks like something out of a movie, some retro futuristic technology out of Blade Runner. The graphics are so simple but fluid and slick at the same time. Minimalistic but complex. Very nice.

Dodging briefcases, the ultimate work commute. Awesome job recording this! Definitely a couple extra hoops to jump through and it came out great! :D I honestly had no idea there was a Vectrex homebrew scene!

i loved a vector graphics arcade game called MAJOR HAVOC as a kid. haven’t played/seen it in decades but boy do i remember it being awesome!

Loved the vectrex . I played Star Trek for 2 hours straight without dying a few times. Game got insanely hard And if I remember they even had voice on a few games . Spike had voice , sounded so robotic but it was so awesome hearing it back in the day talking

I love this video. Brings back a ton of memories. A buddy of mine had a Vectrex back in the day and we usually found ourselves playing it as much as Intellivision. I remember playing Pole Position in the arcade around 1983. Wow, I’m old 😳

My friend and I both had a Vectrex and they both made that buzzing/humming sound. Awesome game system.

Man you a lucky girl! I live in NJ and found one at Level Up in the mall for $759.00 but it had three games with boxes and screen cards a working controller and was in the box! What i would give to play that thing again and relive the retro childhood memories! Great video Erin!

I really hope I have a chance to play a Vectrex one of these days. I have really fond memories of Pole Position from my experience with the Vic 20. I'd love to play that version again someday.

Great vid! Love the production quality, very nicely presented and informative.

I remember buying a Vectrex when they first came out. I bought mine in a store in Brooklyn called Crazy Eddie.

I remember lusting after one of these back when they came out when I was about 13. I've still never had a go on one! I get tempted to buy one from eBay once in a while, but I know if I did I'd use it for a day or two then it would just collect dust, lol.

It's awesome to see the Vectrex getting some well deserved attention! It's such an underrated console. Nice vid!

I was born in 1970 so was target #1 for this system. My parents bought it for my sister and I as my dad was NOT giving up his TV for an Atari. I LOVED this system and had many games which I still would break out and play for decades. Sadly when I went to my mom's and into the basement where I knew it to be stored in a box with all the games about 6 years ago I couldn't find it. The springs on a controller had gone and I had seen a video on how to repair it with a guitar E string so I was there with the mission of repairing it. She told me she thought it no longer worked and put it to the curb 😞 Armor Attach, Cosmic Chasm, Scramble, Star Trek, Scramble, Fortress of Narzod, Rip Off, Solaris... so many great memories.

I own one of these. Great retro system that still has a lot of gameplay. It's like having an 80s arcade machine on your coffee table!

Cosmic Canyon looks like a lot of fun. Growing up my first system was my older brother's Colecovision. That thing was awesome! Well done Erin!

Great video Erin! It’s very informative and enjoyed learning more about the Vectrex and it’s games. In addition, the game capture is very well done. Loved the Erin Plays Vectrex styled intro.

I think, although I'm hazy, we had one of these in the house when I was a kid.. and when I see footage of the games, it triggers some nostalgia.. I'd love to fiddle with one again.. congrats on finally getting one :)

Today I learned about a video game console that I have never heard of before. Thanks, Erin.

I bought mine in 82 and it works great, you nailed it.

Finally, my favourite gaming console. ❤ An old video, but the Vectrex is older. 😊 Thank you!

I've never run across your channel before but this video was enough for me to subscribe. Love my Vectrex.

A few years later, but nice video! I would love to see a follow up video provided your Vectrex still works and you have added some homebrew to your arsenal ;) I am sure it still works however because the Vectrex is a freakin' tank.

Great video! I hope to find one of these some day. It looks really cool.

I still have mine after all these years and it still works great! I also have the 3-D glasses and the light pen.

If you were going to play a vector game at home, the Vectrex is the way to play it. I have a Vectrex myself, and while I only have one game for it, it’s the one game I really had to get, since it’s the one I have the earliest memories playing as a kid - Star Castle!

I love your Vectrex and I love your mind, your ideas. You are one of the few coherent bloggers in this superficial times. Thanks so much for the content.😁👍

Cosmic Chasm is indeed frustrating yet I keep playing it! Great video!

Great video and thanks for spotlighting the Vectrex. The home-brew community is great and has family feel compared to some of the other groups. I think someone has already told you but there is a buzz-off kit to fix the white noise if it starts to grate and one guy recently posted how he fixed it for a dollar, with probably more skills than I have. Thanks for your video! Hope to see you in the collector groups.

I played this amazing Atari 800 game the other day and it had the scariest 8 bit sound I have ever heard.

That was great video game culture this console was so dope !

I still have one. I've seen maybe 5 of them and 2 were being sold in retro games store. Solar Quest is still my fave.

Great video, as always! Love your videos and your voice!!

Great video! I remember your first video's and you've upped the quality with b-shots. Good job!

EXcellent vid, you have convinced me to get one!

Great video! I still have my used Vectrex I got as a gift in the 90s at my desk at work ... my workmates thought it was the legendary "Black Mac". Your channel looks great ... subscribed! P.S. The smiley bouncy ball in Berzerk is named Evil Otto.

New video. Thank you, Erin! If only they had Yoshi's Island for the Vetrix...

"The past idea of the future" That is deep!

This video plays out almost more like a documentary than a let's play and that's a wonderful thing. Well done!

Nice job! You did a great job capturing the footage. Very creative! This is a system that is on my list for purchase.

I didn't see a Vectrex back then until 1983 or 1984 and it was at the Puyallup fair in Washington State. They had it in the skeevy buildings that also featured mattress and kitchen gadget sales. It looked neat to my teenaged eyes, but I knew my parents wouldn't go for buying me a $150 video game system sold in the back of a skeevy building at the Puyallup fair... Haven't seen one in person since then but in my mind I always associated it with mattress sales and ginzu knives. :( Glad to see there's more to the system!

Thanks for showing!!! :)

The bouncing "happy face" guy in Berzerk is called Evil Otto. Yes, I am a massive nerd. I have wanted a Vectrex since I was a kid in 1982, and just bought one on Ebay after a lot of deliberation. I am eagerly awaiting it. (It ships tomorrow.) Great video. Nice capture. Yay buzzing sound!

awesome I had a vectrex at one point but sadly sold it, there are some fantastic homebrew carts out there, and yes my replacement controller i bought even in 2011 had to come from Italy of all places you are doing a fantastic job love the content and yes they all sound like that lol

My neighbor had this game back in the day and we spent hours playing it! Thx for the flashback Erin

Amazing video, your are so cool just like the Vectrex !

A childhood friend had a Vectrex when I were a young lad in the 80's, I always felt superior with my +2 ZX spectrum which was a rare felling in those days as most friends had a better computer than me!

Erin plays old school games. Love your channel.

The sound is hypnotic.

I've never heard of this system before; I would have loved it when I was a kid. Hell, I'd play it right now.

You have a very soothing voice keep up the good work I enjoy your videos.

nice video to watch again after some years Erin

The Vectrex is the greatest console ever created. I can play Mine Storm all day.

Briefcases full of explosives from the looks of it !!

Oh man, I had a big smile on my face for pretty much the entire time watching this one, and I don't smile much, I'm melancholic as fuck! (Well, that's not true, I mean I am but I still smile..) Excellent production values and great job capturing such clean footage! 2:32 Love Scramble. In case you weren't aware it's the predecessor to Gradius, which started out in development as Scramble 2 and is one of the most iconic and influential shooting games of all time. 3:07 Microsoft Return of Arcade?! That takes me back, I had both this and the original and have such fond memories of late nights spent fighting with my brother over high scores and whose turn it was to play next instead of using the computer to do our homework like we said we were, all the while our Dad yelling at us to get off the damn computer so he could do some work. Yeah, right Dad, we all knew you were just gonna play solitaire.. OMG, I just realised we were guilty of doing the same thing he always did to us! 8:04 Damn, that was one sassy segue!

thanks just picked one up so stoked

On Pole Position, I love the happy joyful tune that plays after you crash in a fiery death. ~ 4:21

Do love me some vector graphics. Not played a Vectrex for years. Last vector based game I played was a version of Space War they had at a history of gaming exhibition in London called Game On years ago. Played on the Vectrex there too. It wasn't really a thing when i was a kid because Vectrex never really had any impact in the UK. We were very much into the micro computer stuff here. Lots of ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC stuff.

yay! erin is back!

Always a great day to go back in time with Erin! I feel like you could plug a Genesis controller into a space shuttle and it would work.

I had one in early 80s, yes im old lol Nice personal styling hun x

2:24 the noise is from the early revisions of the vectrex, the later ones that were made probably at the end of 1983 don't have that noise and are very rare, just so you guys know that :D

Amazing graphics. It holds up strongly against gameplay on today's consoles.

I love the Vectrex! So glad I picked up one a couple years ago. Too bad the joystick on the controller needs to be repaired as it cannot recenter and the screen is veering to the side a little. Overall, I love the system.

Holy crap. Erin I didn't know anything about this console before you thank!!!

Erin looks like the absolutely best person in the world to play video games with

Erin let me know if you need any overlays! I make brand new designs and repros of the originals.

of the best review I've seen of the vectrex console, excellent video

Vectrex is so fascinating.

used to have a Vectrex - classic stuff!

That was really cool! Subbed.

I'm glad I bought my vectrex about 8 years ago. I'm up to 16 complete in box box. Can't see me getting any more for a while. Missing Blitz, Fortress of Narzod, Polar Rescue, Star Castle and Pole Position. I'm not going for the 3d games or light pen games. Great video :D

2:25 Since it wasn't brought up yet (checked the comment history), the buzz was apparently caused by FCC mandated added grounding in late stage of production. It was supposedly fixed in later models but it's been there in all of the machines (2) I've ever played with.

I owned one of these in the mid 80s. I traded my Colecovision and 25 games for it. Sold it to get a NES and a copy of Ankroid.

Love that Video!