Vectrex
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| |
| Manufacturer | Smith Engineering |
|---|---|
| Generation | Second generation |
| Release date | November 1982 (NA) May 1983 (EU) |
| Media type | ROM cartridge (32KB) |
The Vectrex (known as Bandai Vectrex Kousokusen in Japan) is a vector display-based video game console that was developed by Western Technologies/Smith Engineering. It was licensed and distributed first by General Consumer Electric (GCE), and then by Milton Bradley Company after their purchase of GCE. It was released in November 1982 at a retail price of $199.
Technical specifications
Unlike other non-portable video game consoles, which connected to televisions and rendered raster graphics, the Vectrex has an integrated vector monitor which displays vector graphics. The monochrome Vectrex uses plastic screen overlays to simulate color and various static graphics and decorations.
The Vectrex was the first and only home-based system to ever use a vector-based screen. It was also the first system to offer a 3D peripheral (the Vectrex 3D Imager), predating the Sega Master System's SegaScope 3D by about four years.
Vectrex comes with a built-in game, the Asteroids-like MineStorm. Two peripherals were also available for the Vectrex, a light pen and a 3D imager.
- CPU: Motorola 68A09 @ 1.5 MHz
- RAM: 1 KB (two 4-bit 2114 chips)
- ROM: 8 KB (one 8-bit 2363 chip)
- Cartridge ROM: 32KB
- Sound: General Instrument AY-3-8912 & 3" electrodynamic paper cone speaker
