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GCE's Mad Hack of a Console

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  • Опубликовано: 15 авг 2024
  • In 1982, the Vectrex was leaps and bounds ahead of its home video game console contemporaries in terms of graphics. All it took was some unique video hardware, and a few clever programming tricks.
    Music Used:
    Cream of the Earth - Romeo Knight (0:00, 7:24)
    No Good Right - Freedom Trail Studio (2:56)
    Clips in Order of Appearance:
    Atari Tempest Arcade Video Gameplay - • 1981 Atari Tempest Arc... (1:14, 2:14)
    (Arcade) Battlezone - • (Arcade) Battlezone (1:56)
    Lineart Vectrex Demo - • Lineart by Nuance & ME... (4:44)
    Vectrex light pen and programs - • Video (7:55)
    Vectrex 3D Imager Review - • Video (8:55)
    Demos tested (in order of appearance):
    Where Have all the Pixels Gone? - cmucc (3:41, 10:18)
    EigenVectrex - cmucc (4:35, 5:34)
    Lineart - MetalVotze (4:44)
    Raiding Party - Rift (6:29, 10:10)

Комментарии • 163

  • @aTaryum
    @aTaryum 5 лет назад +177

    I always loved this console, it's such a great concept, unfortunately 1983 wasn't the best time for videogames

    • @slipknotboy555
      @slipknotboy555 5 лет назад +14

      Agreed. But an important note on the latter part: the "video game" crash was a North American thing, and largely only affected consoles. Computers and computer games were mostly unaffected.
      Just figured I'd mention that, as it's often omitted

    • @jasonblalock4429
      @jasonblalock4429 5 лет назад +10

      @@slipknotboy555 Yeah. If anything, the "video game crash" may have been what made PC gaming viable in the US. Up until then, consoles had been so dominant that home computer gaming really hadn't gotten much of a foothold.
      It's actually kind of interesting, just how *different* the history of 80s gaming is, whether you're looking at the US or Europe.

    • @ExtremeGamer9951
      @ExtremeGamer9951 5 лет назад +6

      @@jasonblalock4429 Yeah, britain especially was dominated by cassette tape gaming moreso than the consoles of the day, especially as those could be duplicated by pretty much anyone.

    • @relo999
      @relo999 3 года назад +1

      @@jasonblalock4429 yea, and even Japan.
      Japan was heavily invested into home consoles with very few on the market with the only computer getting some mainstream foothold being the MSX. (not to mention quite a few dedicated machines)
      Europe had a shit load of computers with giant libraries and even more, often really weird, local and licensed consoles with a tiny library and american consoles.
      The US on the otherhand was more like Japan, few consoles and even fewer (notable) computers and after the crash getting dominated by Japan and the local market moving to the, at the time, business machines with poor audio and visuals.

    • @AmaroqStarwind
      @AmaroqStarwind 2 года назад

      Especially not vector based video games, as they never made it over to Japanese arcades.

  • @ShinyElGhosteo
    @ShinyElGhosteo 5 лет назад +90

    I got one of these for $4 at a swap meet. My parent thought I just bought an old junk tv until I showed them what it actually was

    • @nithpro1385
      @nithpro1385 5 лет назад +22

      SO LUCKY 4 BUCKS ON EBAY ITS 2000 BUCKS

    • @agentred8732
      @agentred8732 4 года назад +3

      I’ll pay you 8 bucks for it!

    • @Z64sports
      @Z64sports 2 года назад +5

      Even $4 for a tv would have been a good deal tbh

  • @CanaldoZenny
    @CanaldoZenny 5 лет назад +23

    I played one Vectrex in a videogame museum once in 2017. I still vividly remember how clean and bright the graphics and screen in the console were. Also, the analog controller and movement of the spaceship on the built-in game was oddly very satisfying. It was one of the coolest pieces of tecnology i ever used. One year later i returned to the museum to discover the same Vectrex stoped working, i could just look at it.

  • @marisaeggs
    @marisaeggs 5 лет назад +82

    I love how I just randomly found this channel a year ago and i still love it

    • @levako05d
      @levako05d 5 лет назад +6

      Same here. I think what makes this channel unique is the creator's genuine interest and dedication to technology. He can talk about 15 year old tablets in a fashion that keeps me engaged so much, I find myself rewatching it every now and then. Great vids.

    • @ananttiwari1337
      @ananttiwari1337 Год назад

      @@levako05d Yes!! Do you still re-watch his vids?

  • @jasonblalock4429
    @jasonblalock4429 5 лет назад +178

    And you didn't even mention how that DAC allowed the Vectrex to be probably the first home console with digitized speech.
    (Eeek! Help! Spike! ... Oh no! Molly!)

  • @d_9294
    @d_9294 5 лет назад +21

    I was only born in 92 but my grandmother had one of these and I had soo much fun with this console as a kid xD

  • @spaceghostmiid
    @spaceghostmiid 5 лет назад +129

    my 7th grade computer teacher had one of these in perfect condition. i don't think he knew how much it was worth.

    • @NoNoseProduction
      @NoNoseProduction 5 лет назад +21

      Yeah that's why it was in good condition

    • @CoasterMan13Official
      @CoasterMan13Official 2 года назад +1

      I have a computer from 2007, and it isn't worth much.

    • @spaceghostmiid
      @spaceghostmiid 2 года назад +4

      @@CoasterMan13Official this is a vectrex not a computer

    • @CoasterMan13Official
      @CoasterMan13Official 2 года назад

      @@spaceghostmiid Vectrexes aren't really consoles to me. More like high strength gaming PCs

    • @SensibleChuckle
      @SensibleChuckle 2 года назад +2

      This is my most treasured console. And the modern game programmers releasing games for it kick major butt! Amazing how they can draw so much faster (i. e. make more lines run smoothly).

  • @quirble
    @quirble 5 лет назад +11

    The weird speaker hum that changes as the graphics change is also something I love of the vectrex, iirc something about grounding (or the lack thereof). Will always be my favorite 80s console, suck it nintendo!

  • @Quietruck
    @Quietruck 5 лет назад +11

    Got one at a thrift store a while ago for $10.00. I did'nt really know how popular it was. But learner quickly just how great of a deal I had found, Who knew?

  • @ExperimentLife
    @ExperimentLife 5 лет назад +42

    Time to rewatch all thoes old Classic Game Room videos.

    • @ff_crafter
      @ff_crafter 5 лет назад +7

      I miss Derek.
      Mark is not interested to gaming anymore 😒

    • @christianmoore7109
      @christianmoore7109 5 лет назад +5

      I miss CGR so much.

    • @Trekeyus
      @Trekeyus 5 лет назад

      @@christianmoore7109 ah yes the intergalactic space game room. Needs more truxton

  • @xPLAYnOfficial
    @xPLAYnOfficial 5 лет назад +6

    I freaking LOVE this console. It's such an underrated gem. I really want to get my hands on one, and maybe even reverse-engineer one to make an upgraded version.

  • @4.0.4
    @4.0.4 5 лет назад +24

    It's a CNC machine for your eyeballs.

  • @zachsteiner
    @zachsteiner 5 лет назад +29

    Damn! Science Elf actually uploaded a video?!

  • @duccie
    @duccie 5 лет назад +10

    Holy!
    I forgot RUclips had actually good content... Almost lost hope there...
    Keep up the *great* work man!

  • @sgs_
    @sgs_ 5 лет назад +9

    Wow! I have never heard of this console and just watching this RUclips video makes probably everyone (including me) become impressed by the fact that this can run 3d and run smoothly!

  • @Wyrdwad
    @Wyrdwad 2 года назад +1

    Man, Vectrex is so cool. My brother had one when I was a kid, so I grew up with the thing, and even back then, it was clear just how special a console this thing was. I collect retro games, and while I absolutely love pretty much anything retro, I have a lot of friends who don't see the appeal. The one exception is Vectrex. I don't think ANYONE can see the Vectrex and not be impressed by it, especially when they hear how old it is! Even by today's standards, it's just... neat! It turns heads, and is just impossible not to be fascinated by. Among retro systems, it is such a huge standout, and anyone who's got one nowadays should hang onto it and take very good care of it, as it's genuinely one of the coolest retro items you can own, and will never NOT be valuable and collectible.

  • @AiOinc1
    @AiOinc1 5 лет назад +27

    Now explain the genius of the Atari 2600's video chip, the TIA!
    Give everybody a reason to respect the programmers who worked on that machine

  • @dan3a
    @dan3a 5 лет назад +8

    Nice I love this design it reminds me the Xerox Alto

  • @noomeron
    @noomeron 5 лет назад +4

    Holy shit, I've owned a vectrex all my life and I never knew you could fold the controller up like that.

  • @SquirrelMonkeyCom
    @SquirrelMonkeyCom 5 лет назад +19

    Really awesome! I Still prefer pixel-graphics though.
    For my Oculus Rift in the 80s video I used a Vectrex game.

    • @KyureiProductions
      @KyureiProductions 5 лет назад

      Hello! Love your channel! Would like an VR in the 90’s rather than the 80’s this time.

    • @nathanpixelkid
      @nathanpixelkid 2 года назад

      @@KyureiProductions the nintendo virtual boy

  • @vectrexer
    @vectrexer 5 лет назад +3

    Excellent Vectrex video! Except of the "Public Domain" comment. Still not public domain. Jay Smith holds and retains the rights to the Vectrex intellectual property.. But Jay Smith does allow for royalty-free and fee-free software and hardware development. He also allows for the original era games and materials reproduction for sale at a low cost.

  • @mikiex
    @mikiex 5 лет назад +1

    A concise but accurate overview of the Vectrex

  • @RobertBlow
    @RobertBlow 5 лет назад

    Great video about the technical aspects of the Vectrex, 100 % the right way to go with this giving the content a unique and interesting slant on usual Vectrex coverage. Thanks

  • @Tangobaldy
    @Tangobaldy 5 лет назад +1

    Very well explained and a joy to watch

  • @AristAristA
    @AristAristA 5 лет назад +1

    Loved the technical explanations ! This is super inspiring

  • @skyway73
    @skyway73 5 лет назад +1

    I've heard people requesting a Vectrex mini but I would love a Vectrex 2.0. Same size but more powerful and reliable, imagine what could be produced on that monitor! Vector graphics are so cool. Who would buy one?

  • @martylovesmusic
    @martylovesmusic 2 года назад

    Came for the curiosity, stayed for using 'Cream of the Earth" as the background tune

  • @mrcrisplinuxuser4180
    @mrcrisplinuxuser4180 5 лет назад +4

    Finally a new video!

  • @vlweb3d
    @vlweb3d 5 лет назад +3

    *CLASSIC GAME ROOM.*

  • @JRCSalter
    @JRCSalter 5 лет назад +2

    Really wish we still owned ours. I loved that little thing.

  • @alexandermirdzveli3200
    @alexandermirdzveli3200 5 лет назад +2

    Just WOW! That was super-interesting!

  • @dzvxo
    @dzvxo 4 года назад

    I remember seeing one at an antique shop for a crazy chunk of change... it was awesome to see it in person though!

  • @kantdiego
    @kantdiego 5 лет назад +15

    Its all fun and games until you realize this thing retails for around 900$ :(

    • @grass1092
      @grass1092 5 лет назад +4

      @@einariepakesko9862 2019 is where. This thing is a collector's item.

    • @noahblount3309
      @noahblount3309 5 лет назад +2

      GregDoesThings there is a shop near where I live selling them for $300 each

  • @cekingdevinity5253
    @cekingdevinity5253 4 года назад

    Had one when I was a kid. My brothers and I loved it, had limited games though. Still was fun!

  • @soyuzistrepublic9771
    @soyuzistrepublic9771 5 лет назад

    Man i love your videos, i just wish i didnt have to rewatch all your videos when im done with the new ones.

  • @rocketlollie499
    @rocketlollie499 5 лет назад +5

    Vetrex cool

  • @gandalfgaming4575
    @gandalfgaming4575 4 года назад

    the vectrex reminded me from elementary school in 2018, when a friend brung the thing to school because it was a special day

  • @Motocicleiros
    @Motocicleiros 2 года назад

    I met one of those consoles just once in my life in the electronics repair shop of a friend. Regardless it was monochrome at the time I got amazed with the high quality of the graphics on how smooth it looked. I remember my friend explaining to me that it was that smooth because basically they used oscilloscope display technology. It made all sense to me. EDIT: The one I played with was "Asteroids".

  • @InterstellarStarSailor
    @InterstellarStarSailor 5 лет назад +3

    My parents had a Vectrex. Two actually. Only one of them still works though. I keep them both in my closet for safe keeping

    • @dan3a
      @dan3a 5 лет назад

      You are fu!@#&* lucky

  • @chrisray9653
    @chrisray9653 4 года назад +1

    It's a shame vector displays didn't catch on for some applications, they would be fun to program today. Maybe an obscure go-fund-me vector smart watch?

  • @charliekahn4205
    @charliekahn4205 2 года назад

    I really wish that the Vec had been marketed less as a console and more as a microcomputer. The BASIC that would have come with such a machine would probably have been the most fully-featured graphics environment ever released up to that point.

  • @bosch5303
    @bosch5303 5 лет назад +4

    Omg one of my favorite consoles 😂

  • @AlvaroR04
    @AlvaroR04 5 лет назад +6

    The TV console in one device

  • @DankMozart
    @DankMozart 5 лет назад +3

    Good job!

  • @56independent42
    @56independent42 11 месяцев назад

    There are no pixels on a CRT either; it's just 200 lines with smooth curves for brightness changes. That's the beauty of analouge.

  • @TylerFurrison
    @TylerFurrison 5 лет назад +1

    Why did I just now notice the new intro?

  • @AdvancePlays
    @AdvancePlays 5 лет назад +1

    I always wonder how the world would look had technology pursued vector graphics as the primary display technology. Could you get a full colour image on a vector monitor? Dual-beam oscilloscopes exist, so what could you do with 10 or 100 beams? Fun to imagine.

  • @goldfish8196
    @goldfish8196 4 года назад

    Great episode.

  • @procommentr
    @procommentr 5 лет назад +3

    With ParaJVE, there's even an *emulator* for this thing.

    • @JamesR624
      @JamesR624 5 лет назад +1

      Wait, but HOW? How do you emulate vector graphics on an LCD/IPS or OLED?

    • @procommentr
      @procommentr 5 лет назад +1

      @@JamesR624 Magic

    • @noomeron
      @noomeron 5 лет назад +2

      There's a few emulators for it, mednafen and mess both have a vectrex core.
      And it works by rasterizing the vector graphics, which is simple, just look at the line tool in MSpaint.

    • @noomeron
      @noomeron 5 лет назад +1

      en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bresenham%27s_line_algorithm

  • @brandontechnerd
    @brandontechnerd 5 лет назад +5

    How did you make the tech demos in your video?

  • @joshuascholar3220
    @joshuascholar3220 5 лет назад

    I saw the color 3D display at CES, it was cool!

  • @AlexwithaB
    @AlexwithaB 5 лет назад +1

    Great RUclipsr

  • @zachsteiner
    @zachsteiner 5 лет назад +3

    This is a badass vid though

  • @Haggart
    @Haggart 11 месяцев назад +1

    😮What if the vectrex was used in combination with a see-through oled display? It would allow for a lot more interesting ideas to be implemented.

  • @lpcamargo
    @lpcamargo 4 года назад +1

    You keep saying that the other home consoles of the era had framebuffers. That's just wrong. They worked with raster patterns, and had pixels and resolutions. But they didn't have framebuffers, which would be regions of memory an entire frame was drawn on. They instead had pretty precise control of what would happen in any scanline, and could manipulate their video generators even during the period a scanline is being drawn on the screen

  • @Jaysjunk
    @Jaysjunk 5 лет назад +3

    wow

    • @Psythik
      @Psythik 5 лет назад

      Post Malone, is that you? Or maybe it's Owen Wilson?

  • @JamesR624
    @JamesR624 5 лет назад +1

    I am curious, in these days where everything from game graphics to GUIs are going for "minimalism", if vector graphics could make a comeback at all? I guess a vector monitor wouldbe both too expensive and bulky since we'd have no choice but to go backwards from our flat LCD/OLED panels to CRTs again. I wonder, if the tech to stuff a vector beam into the thinness of a modern monitor? (Still a little chunky. Not the paper-thin stuff in phones and roll up TVs of today, more like an $100 LCD monitor.)

  • @javaaugustus4469
    @javaaugustus4469 5 лет назад +2

    Science elf is back!
    *Aw man!*

  • @johneygd
    @johneygd 5 лет назад

    I wish you mentioned the demo rom climax because it really pushes the vectrex to it’s limit by drawing scanlines to simulate raster graphics rather then vector graphics,now while theres a wheel knob to turn the brightness up or down,however as far as i do know, changing the brightness cannot be done trough software, it’s either on or off.
    Besides, while color crt tv sets can control the brightness individually per color beam, the more more brightness levels it can control, the more colors it can view on screen, i suppose the first color tv’s can only handle a limited amount of levels thus showing not more then 4096 colors onscreen while last gen color crt tv’s could handle waay more brightness levels,thus viewing 16,6 millions of colors atonce,digital tv sets work with colorpallets instead rather then using different voltages.

  • @AmaroqStarwind
    @AmaroqStarwind 2 года назад

    I unironically want to make a rasterizer for the Vectrex so that you can output a video capture directly to a CRT.

    • @charliekahn4205
      @charliekahn4205 2 года назад

      You could do what the original maker did and work on the CRT itself

  • @awayforthewin1325
    @awayforthewin1325 5 лет назад

    Easily the coolest name for a game console

  • @lutello3012
    @lutello3012 5 лет назад +6

    Handheld Vectrex? With a CRT?

    • @4.0.4
      @4.0.4 5 лет назад +1

      That also caught me off-guard. Sure, the CRT can be made small, but it will still be about as thick as it is wide...

    • @gyroesehni
      @gyroesehni 5 лет назад +1

      Sony Watchmans were a thing, the earlier ones had reallu unique CRTs that were very thin. The actual CRT was below the screen instead of behind it, making it much more compact

    • @gyroesehni
      @gyroesehni 5 лет назад +1

      Sony Watchmans were a thing, the earlier ones had reallu unique CRTs that were very thin. The actual CRT was below the screen instead of behind it, making it much more compact

    • @lutello3012
      @lutello3012 5 лет назад

      @@gyroesehni I actually have a couple of those and it didn't really cross my mind when I wrote that. I guess they could have crammed the extra circuitry in there back then if they really tried.

  • @michaelelsy2209
    @michaelelsy2209 5 лет назад

    My brother had this I loved playing it. When we moved it was left in the loft. A pity, wonder what it would be worth now.

  • @clochard4074
    @clochard4074 5 лет назад

    An analog console, how curious!

  • @Sir_Uncle_Ned
    @Sir_Uncle_Ned 5 лет назад

    We need to bring back limitations line this to force such creative solutions.

  • @TheConfusingOpinion
    @TheConfusingOpinion 5 лет назад

    Man, I miss Classic Game Room Suddenly.

  • @treborironwolfe978
    @treborironwolfe978 4 года назад

    "Request vector. Over."
    "Flight 2 0 9'er , clear for a vector at 3 2 4."
    "You have clearance, Clarence."
    "Roger, Roger. What's our vector, Victor?" [link to clip]: ruclips.net/video/fVq4_HhBK8Y/видео.html

  • @VoxelPrismatic
    @VoxelPrismatic 5 лет назад +7

    the colors you see on a crt display are *not* pixels

  • @queenbiscuit311
    @queenbiscuit311 5 лет назад

    I wonder what a digital vector display made today would look like with our more powerful graphics and the ability to track the beam as well as more cycles per frame and higher frame rates.

    • @noomeron
      @noomeron 5 лет назад +1

      There's some cool tech demos that display on oscilloscopes. Try searching for "oscilloscope music."

  • @wisteela
    @wisteela 5 лет назад

    I can see how a handheld version could have been made: Flat right angled CRT like in a Sinclair pocket TV

  • @MrDoom234
    @MrDoom234 5 лет назад +1

    I own one of these. Unfortunately the controller no longer works. I've got myself a few games too.
    I'd get a new controller but I don't really see me playing it and they are quite pricey.

  • @SevenDeMagnus
    @SevenDeMagnus 4 года назад

    Cool

  • @eternal7015
    @eternal7015 5 лет назад +3

    👀👀👀👀🤠

  • @msinfo32
    @msinfo32 5 лет назад

    LGR and you uploaded at the same time and next to each other in my reccomendations

  • @matthewdavies2057
    @matthewdavies2057 Год назад

    Always wanted one, could never afford a good one. Alas.

  • @joeyhillers9460
    @joeyhillers9460 5 лет назад +3

    Hello my friend

  • @3maticod
    @3maticod 5 лет назад

    OH FUCK YEA ITS NOT BEDTIME JUST YET

  • @cathacker13
    @cathacker13 5 лет назад +4

    You know you're early when there are no views

  • @datoaster4991
    @datoaster4991 3 года назад

    4:40 REAL-TIME RAYTRACING

  • @tomservo5007
    @tomservo5007 5 лет назад

    I wonder if vector displays are still being made.

    • @watercat1248
      @watercat1248 Год назад

      Yes but only for metric electricsity as fur I'm aware
      There is a device that I know how the call oscilloscope that measure the Wave off the electricsity and the have a vector display but this display is usually integrated in the device also this display have boxes on the panel if not mestaiken

  • @lolbytheundying8136
    @lolbytheundying8136 5 лет назад +2

    Hoi noice vid but....
    I was here. Still this vid is great

  • @alexisburkhalter8061
    @alexisburkhalter8061 4 года назад

    John Ross?
    BOB ROSS’S BROTHER!!!

  • @abdallahali2
    @abdallahali2 5 лет назад +2

    Wahwepop

  • @athens2513
    @athens2513 5 лет назад +1

    1:15 what is the game you’re playing here

  • @SuperM789
    @SuperM789 11 месяцев назад

    lil bro just said the vectrex looks better than the nes lmao. 8/10 bait

  • @Mr_Fancypants
    @Mr_Fancypants 5 лет назад

    I still got mine in the travel case.
    But the number of games for it is dissapointing

    • @anonymousidea9119
      @anonymousidea9119 5 лет назад

      Still better library than the virtual boy imo especially when you add homebrew

  • @anasqai
    @anasqai 2 года назад

    It cn work lyk emulator or connect android? Just putting mem. Card or external hdd? Then lyk arcade w interne or lan?

    • @anasqai
      @anasqai 2 года назад

      internet*

    • @anasqai
      @anasqai 2 года назад

      it cn bcome heartrate n bloodpressure checker too maybe?

  • @km_ox446
    @km_ox446 5 лет назад

    How do I contact you as I have this complicated science theory that I think might be wrong.
    It was based of one of your videos

  • @NonsensicalSpudz
    @NonsensicalSpudz 4 года назад

    real time ray tracing
    RTX ON

  • @Nyges
    @Nyges 5 лет назад +3

    Be the og man
    The og commenter after 1 second

  • @NOELQUEZON
    @NOELQUEZON 4 года назад +1

    Nvidia have Ray-Tracing. See 4:35

  • @Thrakus
    @Thrakus 5 лет назад

    I found one sitting in the trash outside a crack house and it works perfect , guessing the crack heads had no idea what they had as this was 1 year before the pawnshops did start buying retro game systems.

    • @jessragan6714
      @jessragan6714 Год назад

      They were just trying to get rid of the evidence, after the wife crushed her husband with it for calling her a skank.

  • @fart_m0nster_420
    @fart_m0nster_420 5 лет назад +1

    Sounds like its very hard to code for I mean coding for nes wouldnt be easy but geez

    • @charliekahn4205
      @charliekahn4205 2 года назад

      With an FPU on the cartridge it shouldn't be that difficult

  • @zennb
    @zennb 5 лет назад +2

    am i early, idk cause other people are early

  • @cst1229
    @cst1229 5 лет назад +3

    Technically it would be Infinity x Infinity pixels.

  • @gesho7598
    @gesho7598 5 лет назад +3

    No views 6 likes

  • @superkooper6594
    @superkooper6594 5 лет назад +2

    But can it run Windows 10?

  • @srmedia91
    @srmedia91 4 года назад

    Where are you???

  • @tomtanaka841
    @tomtanaka841 5 лет назад

    I own a Vectrex! #brag

  • @donnell760
    @donnell760 5 лет назад

    Lol you should probably put an epilepsy warning on this video