Website Temporary Closed

Hello everyone. We are moving to a new, bigger premises so website ordering will be closed for the next month while we move everything to our new building, reorganise and do a full stock take. We will not be taking any orders or able to reply to any messages during this time. We will be open again at the start of December. Many thanks. Console Passion

Vectrex

The Vectrex is an 8-bit video game console developed by General Consumer Electric (GCE) and later bought by Milton Bradley Company. The Vectrex is unique in that it utilized vector graphics drawn on a monitor that was integrated in the console. It was released in November 1982 at a retail price of $199 in the USA. As the video game market declined and then crashed, the Vectrex exited the market in early 1984.

Smith Engineering briefly considered designing a handheld version of the device in 1988, though the success of the Nintendo Game Boy made such a project too risky. In the mid-1990s, Smith Engineering condoned the duplication of the Vectrex system image and cartridges for non-commercial uses and has expressed joy to see that it has still-thriving developer and user communities.

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Unlike other video game consoles which connected to TVs to display raster graphics, the Vectrex included its own monitor which displayed vector graphics. The monochrome Vectrex used screen overlays to give the illusion of color, and also to reduce the severity of the inherent flickering caused by the vector monitor. At the time many of the most popular arcade games used vector displays, and GCE was looking to set themselves apart from the pack by selling high-quality versions of games like Space Wars and Armor Attack. The system even contained a built in game, the Asteroids-like Minestorm.

The cathode ray tube was a Samsung model 240RB40 monochrome unit measuring 9 x 11 inches, displaying a picture of 240mm diagonal. A vector display such as the Vectrex does not require a special tube, and differs only in the control circuits. Rather than use sawtooth waves to divert the internal electron beam in a raster pattern, digital-to-analog converters drove the horizontal and vertical deflection magnets. The high-voltage transformers and tube remained the same as a television. Such technology was already established by arcade games such as Asteroids.

The Vectrex did not have any luminance control, but rather brightness was adjusted by drawing some lines more frequently than others. Screen upgrades were hindered by the cost of redesigning the analog circuits. Likewise it was impossible to connect the Vectrex to a home television.

The two peripherals for the Vectrex were a light pen and 3D imager. Even today there are new games in development by homebrew video game programmers. Also new hardware (for example VecVox, a speech synthesizer) is available.

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Web Warp

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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£35.00
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£35.00

Enter a galaxy of the future filled with adventure and danger - a galaxy unlike and you have imagined before. You are the Hawk King - a creature capable of incredible speed and power - as you attempt to capture the amazing creatures that inhabit the speeding Web of Fantasy. All twenty creatures are protected by guardians and the dreaded Cosmic Dragon and each will become progressively more difficult to capture.

Star Ship

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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£35.00
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Welcome, Captain, to your command on the Starship. Your mission is to seek out and destroy the enemy Mothership. Travel through nine sectors of Space, each more dangerous than the last, or take the shortcut through the Black Hole. Be careful. the aliens are hiding in space, waiting to destroy you at every turn!

Spike

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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yes
£35.00
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£35.00

The dastardly villain, Spud, has kidnapped our heroine, the lovely Molly, and taken her away to his secret hideout. "Eek! Help, Spike!" Spike our courageous hero and Molly's true love, races to her rescue. He'll be relying on your skills and split-second timing to help him in his quest to save her. Avoid the dangerous creatures as you manoeuvre Spike along the treacherous path to Spud's hideout.

Space Wars

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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You'll need all the concentration you've got as you're plunged into a hostile universe. Beware of the sun's deadly gravity as you embark on a fight to the finish against your enemy.

Scramble

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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£35.00
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Watch out for the next mountain! Manoeuvre your ship over rough terrain in an effort to destroy the enemy base, careful piloting alone won't get you to your destination. you must brave rockets, UFO's, flamoids and some very tight tunnels. Few people have ever seen he enemy base, let alone destroy it. Will you be one of the selected few?

Solar Quest (US)

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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£0.00
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How many types of alien vessels will you be able to destroy? Seven different types are after you. You must first destroy them and attempt to rescue the survivors before they float into the sun. Don't get your ship too close to the sun. it's high temperatures can destroy.

Rip Off (US)

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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Facebook
Feature on Facebook?: 
no
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Complete with overlay. Box has some tape on it.
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yes
£35.00
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Beware of the scavenging pirates trying to steal your precious fuel cells! The more pirates you destroy, the faster their successors become. Guard your tanks carefully. you are always outnumbered!

Hyper Chase (US)

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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£30.00
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£30.00

Watch out for the guardrail! You're behind the wheel of your formula one racer, about to start the world's toughest grand prix. Shift through all four gears as you try to stay alive through the city streets and country roads. Fire up your engines - the start lights are counting down!

Hyper Chase

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
in
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Complete with overlay
Box: 
yes
£35.00
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yes
£35.00

Watch out for the guardrail! You're behind the wheel of your formula one racer, about to start the world's toughest grand prix. Shift through all four gears as you try to stay alive through the city streets and country roads. Fire up your engines - the start lights are counting down!

Fortress Of Narzod (US)

Submitted by console.passion on Wed, 20/07/2011 - 16:23
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Facebook
Feature on Facebook?: 
no
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Complete with overlay
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yes
£45.00
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£45.00

Long ago, in times of magic and adventure, the evil wizard Narzod gained the power to enslave all mankind and won supremacy of the earth from the good wizards. You are the only honourable wizard left with knowledge to harness the forces of good to destroy Narzod's sinister fortress. But he has guarded his realm against your attack with deadly creatures of darkness. Beware the Mystic Hurler as you approach the Fortress of Narzod!

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