Classic Game Room HD - VECTREX console review!

Classic Game Room HD reviews the VECTREX video game console from GCE (General Consumer Electric) from 1982. The Vectrex is unique in that is plays video games on its own screen with vector based graphics giving a very crisp image that fans of old school games from the late 70's and early 80's should enjoy. The Vectrex has some excellent games like Berzerk and Scramble, but not as many as the venerable Atari 2600 or ColecoVision. New games are being released for the Vectrex from homebrew developers and the game system is surprisingly easy to find and collect today thanks to eBay. Vectrex games come with an overlay that fits over the screen and gives a splash of color and lists the controls. Classic Game Room HD reviews new and classic games, we're now adding Vectrex video game reviews to the video game review show. For retro gaming fans and old school gamers the Vectrex is a unique and fun collectible that takes up a bit of space but it's worth it!

[@jessragan6714]

Vectrex, cheaper to own and less in demand than other retro consoles? Wow, 2009 really was a long time ago, wasn't it?

[@CanOfMinus]

My dad was a sales-rep and Vectrex was one of his lines, so when I was 4 (1982) I was fortunate to have a Vectrex system in the house. My brothers and I would still play it even after we got a NES and then the SNES. One day when I was thirteen I went to closet because we wanted to play Blitz! only to find out my mom "donated to charity" claiming we never played with it. I still bring it up twenty years later.

[@IndigoRambleyFan]

This video marked the day when Mark would begin always referencing the Vectrex in a lot of reviews after this one.

[@MrWolfTickets]

The graphics are so smooth, it's awesome

[@wobwob1582]

It's because it is using vector graphics, zero pixels. It is using insanely fast moving electron beams to illuminate a chemical coated in the screen.

[@DubleDubs]

Just got mine today and I got jazzed when I heard that buzzing sound and it booted up. So awesome.

[@Mitsuraga]

I've never played a Vectrex, but I knew a guy who owned one, and it was incredible, just being in his presence.

[@AndrewAmbrose]

In 2009, Mark Bussler discovered Vectrex, and he was never the same ever again.

[@shouldershot]

The world was never the same

[@Manintoga]

Most electronics of that era were actually built to mil-spec, which meant they went through extensive testing before they were approved for sale and guiding design principle was durability. As the demand for affordable computers and consumer electronics grew the manufacturing standards and quality control went down several orders of magnitude, instead of testing each component and circuit board, manufacturers started testing only one in 10, 100..etc.

[@barebarekun161]

Fast forwarded to 2017 where we have Nintendo calling their Switch and bait system having dead pixels and called it completely normal. Electronics used to be built to last now they built to ditch.

[@adamford4167]

Just love me some good old Mark Enthusiasm! I especially enjoy his love for the Vectrex!! Congrats mark on making my favorite Vectrex videos on KZbin......Ever!!

[@thewhammy83]

This video game was and is the system I played before getting my Genesis in 1991. I must have played it so much my original controller stopped working in the 1990s and I literally destroyed it trying to repair it. I improvised by using my original Genesis controller and it worked to an extent. My Vectrex stopped working a few years back and had it fixed a couple of years ago. I got a new controller (Gen. 6-button-based) and more games to add to the games I already had. My Vectrex play lives on.

[@liamaabled]

The day our Pops got us a "Veptrex" from Child World is one of our fondest memories, it was just out of the blue for no reason or holiday. We loved it, though the screen overlays became frisbees and weapons.Yea it took alot of abuse but it performed hardily, never broke or wore out. It was a really Dope machine.

[@ProjectDelta1]

4 years later and this review is still my favorite.

[@ProjectDelta1]

Make it 5 years :)

[@zakarylakota]

John S is it 6 years now?

[@whoisjjcarr]

zakary lakota Almost 8.

[@viniqf]

Blunt Capcom Representative #4 9 now

[@nathansmith6474]

Now it's been 4 years since your comment lol

[@garyhall9729]

when i was a kid i got such a high score on mine storm that it reset to 0 lol. oh the memories

[@MNWILD43]

Me too!! That was the built in the system game. That was my favorite!

[@CrossoverGameReviews]

I love the part where he gives it a hug, and the Vectrex makes a sound, like it approves. But then you realize it's the sound the game makes when you die. :(

[@wrofiir9697]

I had a reason to look up the Vectrex recently and your video came up. Instant nostalgia explosion as I watched your channel when I first discovered youtube. Man, time to go back on memory lane with these vids

[@gertrudemcfuzz74]

The next time I go out to dinner, I'll bring my Vectrex.

[@PowertipBrushhead]

Picked the vectrex up at a comic book shop today! Its in great condition, especially the controller. It just doesn't have the overlay for the built in game but hey what can you do. Wouldn't have even paid any attention to that weird tv that is the vectrex if it wasn't for your show Mark!

[@DashMaster5000]

I actually take one of these with me to Starbuck's in the mornings and play Mine Storm!

[@AholicKnight]

do People make fun of you?

[@DashMaster5000]

Actually, I usually get 1 or 2 people who mistake mine storm for asteroids and start telling me stories about their selves/ their kids who used to play it back in the day

[@Kywool2K]

On today's episode of "Shit that didn't happen".

[@FlyinBlaney]

r/thathappened

[@kevinwallerius6024]

I bet you have a handle bar moustache and wear tight flannel shirts .

[@sreyes5243]

My family had one of these growing up. We got it for Christmas 1983. Having 12 kids in the family, we had a schedule for our playtime. Wish we still had it.

[@mebossyounothing]

I'm impressed, the vector graphics where so fluid on that console, unlike flash player xD

[@richkawaiipikachu]

Vectrex, first ever console with a start screen.

[@xxL3gitvidzxx]

Just picked one of these of for 25 bucks with 2 gamepads and 4 games.

[@sirhempanite89]

Man, you freaking scored... I saw one for the first time a few weeks ago at a store in Phoenix... they wanted over $400 for it!

[@kylecoulombe2755]

xxL3gitvidzxx omg I spent $209 for mine with no games and the thumb stick broke so it's just a sharp piece of metal that sticks out instead

[@negativefloof5033]

How

[@stephenmartin7227]

You got super lucky! It’s pretty rare to find one under $200 or more these days lol

[@patsfan4life]

Yeah right

[@jaide1312]

How about: Truxton on the vectrex. awww yiss.

[@jaide1312]

somebody, just make truxton on the vectrex and send it to lord karnage, he deserves it.

[@amberb9701]

kain homan lucky

[@tael64]

kain homan That's a steal. I saw one today for $250 and the games separate for $25 a piece. ;-;

[@herpingalabama6629]

Troll4ever31 ._. why are you everywhere

[@choppergirl]

This is both a cool score, and sad at the same time. All these old machines, some designers poured a lot of their dreams into, only to have them be flash in the pans, or never catch darling status and disappear into oblivion. The whim of the public is a cruel fickle thing. I got a Milton Bradley Microvision handheld console with overlays like that one Xmas... with two games... breakout and some mine game... for the first time in my life, I felt accidentally filthy rich.

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

I have bought several of these over the past 35 years from goodwill and yard sales for very little money just so they would be saved. I have a bunch of games still also. They are awesome

[@adamford4167]

That was a good and fortunate plan! You will be able to pay off your house one day with those.

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

@@adamford4167 yea right now I have 14 consoles and numerous games and screen overlays in 6 boxes. All the consoles work perfectly. They are built so good it's crazy

[@adamford4167]

@@coinslotsandjoysticks2572 I agree! I’ve owned 4 over the years and one I had shipped from the Netherlands to Utah. It arrived in great condition and fired right up! I like the controller we got here in the states much more. The European buttons felt big and to mushy in comparison. I just purchased my 5th Vectrex Yesterday with 12 games 3 controllers and a light pen for $960.00. I thought it was a good deal. I haven’t played any Vectrex in about a year and I’m going through major Vector Withdrawl! If you ever want to sell a Vectrex I would be interested! They are my favorite game system of all times!

[@coinslotsandjoysticks2572]

@@adamford4167 that's why I have different types of controllers I didn't know they used different ones in different country's. Crazy huh. I'll sell you one if you want it. I'll hook you up with one and give you ten games for 500. I have seven that are in the original boxes they have been played but the people put em up afterwards. That includes the owners manual and paperwork it came with

[@shaggy791]

If you still have any Vectrex systems available, I am definitely interested. Please let me know.

[@760creations]

This is probably one of the best systems I have ever played. My friend has one of these, and it's amazing. People who think this system sucks don't even know....

[@walidb123]

i LOVE the way the console loads on screen.

[@omtakes]

we’re going to need a compilation of your vectrex play throughs

[@tornadotaz9678]

still got my vextrex and its still up and running! awesome console! my fave games were spike and scramble! when you spaceship crashed in that game it sounded like a fart!

[@kennethgriffin509]

I used to sneak into my older brothers room when we where kids and play this when he went out...yeh around 83 ,screw his penthouse collection.......Vectrex trumped everything.

[@gertrudemcfuzz74]

Good choice. Women didn't shave their crotches in those days so the Penthouse mags weren't worth it.

[@kennethgriffin509]

Thanos of Titan yeeh lol big bushes back then.

[@MrCrossa]

After nearly a decade of wanting one, I finally got my hands on one over the weekend. Thanks CGR for introducing me to this awesome console!

[@akpokemon]

Awesome review, I love the passion!!! Very endearing

[@Cocytus]

as of 2020 going into 2021, these Vectrex Systems are NOT at all affordable.

[@PSPownsmeself]

"They can usually be found for a fairly affordable price" Eight years later, not anymore!

[@michaelaiken6482]

I have loved the video game stuff you did I have always liked what you do. I am glad you have your video game videos up. One of your early fans.

[@unwashedcritic9287]

This was the first video game system I ever had. Loved it more than any I had after. Thank you.

[@sologals361]

How many modern consoles will be working in 32 years time i wonder.

[@tael64]

I think the Nintendo stuff will still work, because the build quality is insane. I just hope the Gamepad on my Wii U holds up.

[@thatguy6769]

Tael the Mask Salesman lcd will orobably wear out eventually like with the game gear

[@LouisTheSEGANerd]

How many modern consoles will work after 1 year? My ps3 broke after 6 months.

[@sanicyouth6540]

+Louis The SEGA Nerd Is that so? I've had my PS3 for almost 8 years and it still works just fine.

[@LouisTheSEGANerd]

I probably got a dud one. Ive had my xbox 360 for 4 years. My point is though, older consoles were built to last longer than newer consoles. Also, cartridge consoles are more reliable because they have no moving parts.

[@nuc]

at 6:24 it looks like spongebob and patrick chasing a jelly fish

[@retrogamer2169]

6:24

[@kevindrew8347]

you probably dont care but if you're stoned like me atm you can stream pretty much all of the new movies on instaflixxer. Been binge watching with my brother these days =)

[@rayibrahim4267]

@Kevin Drew yea, have been using instaflixxer for months myself =)

[@deadkold]

the fact this this had a built in screen all in one console is revolutionary in itself

[@adamford4167]

Mark! Still the best reviewer on the interweb. Once again, I have been convinced to buy an old piece of gaming history by you. Thanks for the dedication and hard work! Really enjoyed the review.

[@wesleythomas7125]

"Haha, videogaem go bzzzzzzzz"

[@keithcarlson7267]

I love to get a Vectrex. They are sweet systems!! The only negative is they are not easy to come by for a low price and the games as well. They are in such high demand. They usually run from $200-$500 on ebay.

[@vickeytanenui]

Im 49 years old and i lived in this era i was 12 when vetrex came out it was the coolest console they made in the eighties just hearing this console brings back the eighties memorys the greatest gaming decade !!

[@ronsilk6212]

Are you kidding me. I just built something like this and programed it all myself but it looks almost the same. Mind blowen.

[@FYCY]

I own a vectrex!

[@AzureMckay]

I don't know why, but for some reason the vertex scares me, it literally frightens me to even see one. It's not that they suck I just for some reason am terrified of these things.

[@AzureMckay]

Vectrex, sorry it was spell check

[@pbloo574]

Have you ever played one before? If not I'd recommend finding one and giving it a try. There's nothing like it, it's so fun.

[@AzureMckay]

nah id just throw it away or sell it

[@EpicGamerWinXD69]

Wait it was made by general consumer electronics!!!!! Wow !!!! Isn't that the name of the place where video game consoles are shown off!!!!!

[@AzureMckay]

Victoria vigeick I have no idea what your talking about.

[@SledgeNE]

When i was a child, i played with this fantastic console. It must be in the mid of the 80s. Thanks for this great video. :-)

[@jungle-wav1322]

That intro music is so nostalgic for me

[@FroztiProductions]

The overlay served no,purpose lol

[@sanicyouth6540]

+FroztiProductions It was just something to make the screen look a little nicer.

[@LouisTheSEGANerd]

It makes it look that little bit more like a mini arcade system.

[@sanicyouth6540]

Louis The SEGA Nerd Pretty much.

[@StampStories]

It also showed you what each button did in the game, down in the corner if you look closely

[@FroztiProductions]

Well that's nice but I would rather have it in a manual or something idk

[@kaboomerty1638]

How to be an ultimate hipster watch above

[@R3TR0R4V3]

I'd take one in ANY condition.. as long as it works! Great video and review.. I Really want a Vectrex. I've been on the fence about them for years but with new homebrews and multicarts coming out, its a lot more appealing to me nowadays. Game On!

[@robinbackrud89]

The boxes look like they're in excellent shape! Impressive collection.

[@septemberblueuk]

Brings back so many memories from the 80`s my brother had one and we rented out games from the local video store.

[@EricFalkDesign]

Ha, one of my friends had one of these. I remember back then I was about 12 or 13, ...I thought the machine was super cool, even back then. I was and am still impressed by how different the graphics were from the Atari's. It was a totally different approach to gaming.

[@spudboy56]

Of all the game systems I have owned since 1982, the Vectrex is still with me. I have 21 cartridges. The system is just so damn cool.

[@yasheshrathod]

My god!! What an infernal music wass there during the scene when the Berzerk cartridge was being showed.

[@WhereNoLifeDwells]

Awesome review! I actually just picked up a Vectrex today, and I didn't know that it had Mine Storm built, so thanks for pointing that out.

[@17R3W]

I love that the screen overlay comes in a sleeve. Reminds me of a record.

[@marcretro]

hey Mark bought your Vectrex book off Amazon cool stuff nice job

[@Blummineck]

I finally got a Vectrex today, it's easily my favourite games console now.

[@nickjansn]

Thank you Mark for convincing me to get a Vectrex. One of the best things I ever bought.

[@DukeJan]

I think I just fell in love. This console looks wonderful!

[@krookedsb23]

4:39 lol "OOOoooh." Great review, thanks for teaching us more about this yo!

[@jorgesanders7521]

i have 36 and i didnt know this console existed until i saw it in pawn stars amazing review man!!!

[@hipnotyq]

Just went to a game store and played a Vectrex for the first time today! It was awesome!

[@TheRetroShed]

Awesome old machine! Always wanted one...

[@fahadqureshi1599]

this is why i love CGR. the game diversity is just great. cant wait to see more vectrex reviews.

[@fogueman]

Very excited. Just managed to buy a Vectrex after some time tracking one. A truly unique video, and most of my knowledge of the system came from CGR

[@brondaa]

Hey Bussler, I just bought a Vectrex because of you. I hope you're happy now!!!!!

[@brondaa]

Ok...I got it today. It's amazing. Thank you, Mark!

[@kagenooni]

"...that you had to plug into a TV... preferably with wood grain" Oh man, that shit cracked me up.

[@stevenormandin2448]

This is so unique,A piece of collection for any console collector!

[@tobor58]

My wife bought on of these back in the day. 2 generations of our family has played with this thing. It's a like a family heirloom .

[@mrterry11235]

Man I miss my Vectrex that I sold to buy an Amiga 500. All the sounds in the video brings back so many memories.

[@jasper_north]

Thx man!!! Made me cry... not kidding... memory lane!!

[@NoOdL3z18]

My dad and I have 2 of these sitting in the man cave down stairs BOTH WITH LIGHT PENS TOO! This is such a classic system I hold on to both like they are made of solid gold.

[@LemonlyGamer]

Classic Game Room lovingly hugged a Vectrex... I've seen everything now.

[@kyesdude77]

I have two systems, was going through all my boxes and found my games a few days ago, i still have fun playing it

[@phoenixx100]

Nice review. I actually bought one of these at a Toys 'R' Us around 1981, on sale for only $50. Had about 4 or 5 carts for it, and loved it a lot. I later loaned it to a friend who kept it. It's a great system and a lot of fun; there was always a rumor of there being a BASIC programming cartridge floating around, but I haven't ever seen or heard anything definite.

[@JohnBasedowYoda]

I'm blow away by how pristine the boxes are.

[@Ato0theJ]

The glow from all of the games is awesome, for some reason it has a different look from pretty much all of the systems that I own.

[@bimmerzonly]

Soo many great childhood memories! ! Thanks

[@TrinidadJamesWoods]

A buddy of mine had one of these in 1992 when we were in middle school. It was fucking awesome. We spent our time playing the Vectrex and Street Fighter 2. Good times.

[@KetwunsGamingPad]

Congrats on being the first video option for a KZbin search for VECTREX!

[@Sinn0100]

This is by far the best on KZbin. I have been a life long gamer and I am building a home arcade right now. I know you guys are always looking for the rare to review....I have a very good friend (my old school dealer...sorry, I could not help it) that runs a gane store. This store is the size of a Target Super Store. Is there anything you guys are pining after to review? If so let me know, I might be able to get my hands on it. I just want to point out...the Vectrex has some obvious dark demons it needs to get out. He literally tried to kill you when you gave him a hug. Thank God you had more lives!

[@finalcheckpoint1039]

I miss the classic game room vectrex days mark!!!!! 💗

[@treysan257]

ive never heard of this system..but for its time it had excellent grapics and sounds...even now...excellent review : )

[@sinistermoon]

Very very awesome man! Looking forward to your reviews. I wish I still had my Vectrex. But in all fairness the screen went out and I never got a controller with it so yeah. But way awesome man!

[@poozerman]

gonna have to get me one of these, pretty rad looking

[@lyledavenport]

lol i had no idea there was an overlay, i never had it brand new, just the console and a few games. loved it!!

[@dahaka00]

I have a Vectrex, the graphics looks awsome. Great review

[@SnakeHiggins]

I just got mine today, waiting for the controller and the multi-cart to come in. Haven't been so excited to play a system since the day i pre-ordered a Dreamcast.

[@ThatGamerGuy99]

Got my vectrex today so happy i love it

[@pp37903]

Nice video! A friend of mine had one of these - his dad got it cheap when they were discontinued, and he had pretty much every game released for it. It was pretty mind-blowing in the early 80s! I've played some of the games on an emulator. Here in the UK, they're really uncommon and go for hundreds of pounds on eBay.

[@Oyabungaijin]

Love My Vectrex...great addition to any collection

[@relaxation5000]

Out of all the consoles I have ever owned this is still my favorite. My mother bought it for me brand new for $40 from Meijers. (Back in the day of course)

[@EsperRanger]

This is still on my buy list if I ever find one.

[@Drang2008]

I miss my Vectrex! I had Star Trek, Spike, Rip Off, Scramble, Cosmic Chasm, and Berzerk. Spike had the most advanced graphics with characters instead of just shapes, although they were pointy characters. And Rip Off was one of my favs, you have a little tank like ship and lots of LOOT in the middle of the screen, then bots come in and try to steal the loot... i.e. rip you off. Thanks for the memories dude. Great work.

[@54GodzillaFan]

I gotta get me one of these!

[@SplatterFrog]

Gotta love a good Vectrex collection.

[@badreality2]

For the noneagle-eyed viewer watch the video at 6:05 . He puts the screen overlay over the screen upside-down and then in the next shot it's right-side up. That's truly the magic of editing.