This file contains the archives of the rec.games.vectrex NetNews group for the month of Feb-1994 (This date range is approximate as article dates are determined based on arrival time and not the date in the article header). The Vextrex archives, which include game code, technical specifications, the rec.games.vectrex archive and a host of additional information, is available at: ftp://ftp.csus.edu/pub/vectrex/ + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!uop!lll-winken.llnl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!lerc.nasa.gov!news.larc.nasa.gov!xanth.cs.odu.edu!concert!corpgate!crchh327.bnr.ca!crchh75b!woodcock From: woodcock@crchh75b.bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.games.video.classic Subject: [Vectrex] FAQ list Date: 1 Feb 1994 21:53:54 GMT Organization: Bell-Northern Research; Richardson, Texas, USA Lines: 665 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2imj1i$ci5@crchh327.bnr.ca> Reply-To: woodcock@bnr.ca (Gregg Woodcock) NNTP-Posting-Host: crchh75b.bnr.ca X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1538 rec.games.video.classic:4520 +-----------+ |Vectrex====| | +-------+ | Vectrex "Frequently Asked Questions" List! Created: 9/1/92 | | # + *| | version 2.0 Copyright worldwide (c) 1994 | | : X | | Created and maintained by Gregg Woodcock (woodcock@bnr.ca) | | : . .| | | | A <=>| | This list will be reposted on the first day of every month. | | . | | | | X + | | @@@ | | * x | | @@ @@@ | +-------+ @@@ +---@----+ | ### # Q@@ / ! oooo / | ### OO | +--------+ +-----------+ This file is copyrighted (c) 1994 by Gregg Woodcock but may be distributed in part or in whole by anyone for any purpose (commercial or otherwise) provided proper credit is given to me and the individual contributors. If you do use the FAQ, I would appreciate it if you send me a copy of whatever you are doing with it. My plan is to have a 'newbie' part and a 'techie' part. I still need some more information about the following questions for it: Can a pause switch be built? (YES) Can the overlays be reproduced (MAYBE) Can a 3D color disk be made? (MAYBE; I am going to try with "shrinky-dinks") How do the control panels work and can one be built? (YES) How does the light pen work and can one be built? (YES) How does the 3D imager work and can a Sega imager be converted? (MAYBE) ================================================================================ Q. What is Vectrex? Here it is in layman's terms: Vectrex is one of the most inspired video game machines ever produced (but similar things were said about the Edsel and Titanic). Its point of distinction is the fact that it uses vector "line" graphics (as opposed to raster "pixel" graphics). This is the same type of screen used in such arcade classics as Space Wars, Asteroids, Battlezone and Tempest. The machine has a 9 x 11 inch black and white screen and comes with a built-in Asteroids clone called Minestorm. The games come with plastic overlays that slide over the screen to cut down on flicker and give some illusion of color. It uses one of the most advanced 8 bit processors, the 68A09 (6809 with 1.5MHz clock speed), and a popular and excellent sound chip, General Instruments AY-3-8192, which can produce a wide range of noises. Also included is a 1.5 inch, self-centering, joystick with 4 buttons on the right. It uses an analog/potentiometer system allowing differing degrees of directional input. The machine's footprint takes up a little less than a square foot of a desk (in fact, it quite resembles a jet black Macintosh SE sans mouse and keyboard), and can be operated easily in that area. The joystick is connected via a springy telephone-like cord and can be folded into the base of the machine for portability. The machine is moderately transportable and very well constructed but, alas, very much extinct. It made its debut late in 1982 and was quite scarce by the end of 1984 due to the Great Video Game Depression of '82 which forced Milton Bradley (who bought the rights to the Vectrex from General Consumer Electronics (GCE)) to discontinue production due to to poor sales. After this, the rights to the Vectrex and all related materials were returned to the original developers, Smith Engineering. Smith Engineering has graciously condoned the not-for-profit circulation of any duplicatable materials including games and manuals and is happy to see it is still 'alive' in certain circles. Here are some more detailed snippets from the service manual: As a general description, the HP3OOO is a self-contained video game system intended for home use. The system includes its own 9" B&W monitor screen and 3" permanent magnet speaker. Plug-in ROM type cartridges are available offering arcade type video and sound game play. No external TV receiver hookup is needed or provided for. A front panel storable controller allows control over the game via joystick and push button action switches. For two player operation a second controller identical to the single player controller is available as an accessory product. Both controllers attach to the main game console through nine wire coiled telephone style cables. There is a consumer power switch/volume control on the front panel as well as a game reset button. A consumer adjustable brightness control is located on the main console rear housing. For the technical description which follows, the reader is encouraged to refer to the block diagram and schematic [not included here]. The HP3OOO is a microprocessor based, vector scan system using a standard 9" black & white CRT as its video display device. The microprocessor (MPU) is the Motorola 68A09 device. The MPU operates at 1.6 MHz from a 6 MHz external Xtal. An internal divide by 4 circuit generates the MPU 1.6 MHz "E" clock signal used in the system. Program memory is stored in the 8K x 8 bit 2363 type ROM. This ROM contains common subroutines, the "executive" or assembler instructions plus one complete game. Two 1K x 4 bit 2114 type static RAMS provide storage locations for data indicative of locations of objects, game status, and various other information needed by the microprocessor during game operation. Peripheral Interface Adaptor (PIA) Chip, has two 8 bit peripheral ports which interfaces the MPU with peripheral devices and external signals. One of the PIA ports interfaces the General Instrument AY-3-8912 sound-I.O. chip with the MPU and also drives the digital to analog converter chip MC1408. The other PIA port is used as control lines for the sound chip, selector control for the multiplex chip and as a means to read the A/D comparator that's used in the joystick successive approximation circuitry. Sound is either MPU generated directly or by use of the AY-3-8912 sound chip. The AY-3-8912 sound chip is a programmable sound generator containing 3 tone generators and wave shaping circuitry. This chip also has a single 8 bit I.O. port used to read the status of each of the hand controller's 4 action switches. The standard TTL device types 74LS00 and 74LS32 are used as control line decoders to allow the MPU to select the appropriate circuit element to be addressed at any particular time. The analog processing section includes digital to analog converter (DAC) chip type MC1408, dual 4 channel multiplexer/demultiplexer chip type CD4052, and dual channel op-amps types LF353 and LF347. DAC chip MC1408 receives an 8 bit word at data terminals D0-D7. DAC output (pin 4) is current source. One section of IC LF353 is used to change this current to a voltage representative of the 8 bit digital word received by the DAC chip. The LF353 voltage is applied to an input of the dual 4 channel multiplexer (MUX) chip CD4052. This same voltage (designated "DAC" on the schematic) is the X-axis drive signal. The CD4052 MUX chip serves two purposes: it selectively couples, under MPU control, the output of the DAC current/voltage converter to one of 4 places and is used to selectively couple the inputs from the joystick pots to the voltage comparator IC LF353. ================================================================================ Q. What games were released or on the drawing board before Vectrex died? Production # Name (Notes) [Size or NR=Not Released] ------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- VT 3000 Minestorm (built-in game; Asteroids clone) [4K] VT 3101 Cosmic Chasm (1st home game ported to arcade) [4K] VT 3102 Rip Off (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3103 Scramble (Konami arcade port) [4K] VT 3104 Solar Quest (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3105 Space Wars (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3106 Starhawk (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3107 Star Trek (AKA Star Ship in Europe) [4K] VT 3108 Web Wars (AKA Web Warp in ?????) (best game?) [8K] VT 3109 Star Castle (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3201 Hyperchase (very bad driving game) [4K] VT 3202 Blitz! Action Football [8K] VT 3203 Heads-Up Action Soccer (AKA Soccer in Europe) [8K] VT 3204 Spinball (AKA Flipper in Europe) (has PAUSE!) [8K] VT 3205 Pitcher's Duel -OR- Batter Up Action Baseball [NR] VT 3206 Pole Position (Atari/Namco arcade port) [8K] VT 3301 Armor Attack (Cinematronics arcade port) [4K] VT 3302 Berzerk (Stern arcade port; high levels crash)[4K] VT 3303 Clean Sweep (PacMan clone) [4K] VT 3304 Fortress of Narzod (great shooter) [8K] VT 3305 Bedlam (Tempest clone) [4K] VT 3306 Spike (It talks! Originally called Buster?) [8K] VT 3307 Dark Tower (does anybody have this?) [??] VT 3308 Polar Rescue (Good subhunt game) (has PAUSE!) [8K] VT 3600 Light Pen (Hardware; required for 360X games) VT 3601 Art Master (light pen) (pack-in game) [4K] VT 3602 Melody Master (light pen) [8K] VT 3603 Mail Plane (light pen) (completed???) [NR] VT 3604 Animaction (light pen) [8K+2K RAM] VT 3630 3-D Imager (Hardware; required for 363X games) VT 3631 3-D Pole Position (3-D) (completed?) [NR] VT 3632 3D Minestorm (3-D) (pack-in game) [8K] VT 3633 Narrow Escape (3-D) (same color disk as CC) [8K] VT 3634 Crazy Coaster (3-D) (same color disk as NE) [8K] VT ???? Test Cartridge (issued to repair centers only)[??] The following games and accessories were planned but never released: Cartridges: Art Master II Art Master III Art Master IV Basic Science Create-A-Game/Maze Exploring the Solar System Flipout Mail Plane Pitcher's Duel Pole Position (for 3D imager) Power Trip Sock It Tour de France Accessories: Touch-Sensitive Screen Computer Adaptor with BASIC (prototypes rumored to exist) Computer Keyboard Printer Disk Driver/Wafer Tape Drive Modem Computer Software: Create Your Own Video Game Music Maestro Art Program in LOGO Basic Science Solar System Word Processing ================================================================================ Q. Where is the Vectrex ftp archive and what is there? The ftp Vectrex information archive is at ftp.csus.edu (130.86.90.1) and is maintained by John F. Sandhoff (sandhoff@csus.edu). There are binary listings (2 flavors; pure binary from the ROMs, and Intel "S-format" dumps) for most of the games along with instructions on how to burn Eproms. There are several commented examples of code demonstrating how to write both music and graphics. There is also a copy of the service manual and much more. Almost all of the stuff is bundled into a compressed file called "vectrex.tar.Z". There are plenty of experiments to keep an eager hacker busy. Recently, some GIF/JPEG files were added showing some of the screen overlays (there are also GIFs of the 2 color wheels). Also, text files of the manuals for most, if not all, of the games are there. David Wright (davewt@NCoast.ORG) will be putting the vectrex stuff up his email server. If you don't have FTP access, this may work for you. If you want to try and get at it, the email server is at "impinfo@Prism1.COM". If your site doesn't like that, try "prism1!impinfo@NCoast.ORG". To receive a list of the files available place "send vect.index" in the message body. You can also add "send help" to get a complete set of instructions. Be aware that some of these files are huge and may push you over your mailbox or disk space quota immediately. ================================================================================ Q. Isn't copying the games by burning EPROMs stealing or violating a copyright? If the system is "dead" then no money is lost by making copies of something which otherwise would never be available. Even so, it is a fuzzy matter and technically the answer should probably be, "YES." Fortunately, Smith Engineering has given Usenetters permission to make copies of all Vectrex related materials (manuals, games, overlays, etc.) as long as it is for distribution to members of the group and as long as it is not for profit. ================================================================================ Q. Do I have to make my own multi-cart; can't I just buy one from somebody? No; I mean, Yes, err... There are at least 5 people making multi-carts for resale on the net but the best ones (by far) are being made by Mark Woodward (woodward@Newbridge.com). If you do not have email, you can reach him by phone at 613/591-3600 during the day time (EDT zone).. He is making multi-carts which don't require an old cart to be cannibalized since he is getting PCBs made up for the job. His carts allow you to select the games via a menu on the Vectrex screen instead of by flipping dip switches as all the others do. The carts support the RAM for Animaction and include a 'pause' button allowing you to pause any of the games (my idea; thank you :). They contain all the released games plus the Test Cart and 2 hacked versions of Minestorm (infinite lives and more shots). The price breakdown is as follows... $30 PCB + S/W selection $20 EPROM (unless you can send me one) $5 RAM (Optional) If he builds it for you then there is $5 charge for miscellaneous parts and you are obligated donate $10 to a local charity to cover his time. This is in the spirit of the Smith Engineering agreement for 'not-for-profit' duplication. The only 'profit' he get is from the s/w selection code which he deserves and is entitled to because he wrote (owns) it. The games have been generously donated Smith Engineering and the parts are sold at cost (with a little to cover shipping). To 1 complete, ready-to-play multicart costs $60. The PCBs are made at a professional manufacturer and include plated through holes, etc. No hack and slash job here :> If you want to build it yourself he can provide you with the PCB, a programmed EPROM (or disk if you can blast your own) and a parts list. ================================================================================ Q. How do I play ? Simple, read the manual. WHAT; you don't have a manual? OK then, read the screen overlay (it lists the functions of all the buttons). You don't have the screen overlay either? In that case most (maybe all by now) of the manuals have been transcribed into text files and made available via ftp. YOU DON'T HAVE FTP EITHER? OK, I'll tell you what; in the spirit of Smith Engineering's generosity, I will volunteer my services as Vectrex copy shop. I have all of the overlays and manuals (as well as some extra stuff like the service manual, "Passport" magazine, the "Triton" and "Passport" catalog pamphlets, and the "High Performance Machine" pamphlet) and am willing to make copies for free to anybody that is willing to play by my "rules". You must send a Self-Addressed, Stamped Envelope (SASE) along with a listing of everything that you want photocopies of (black and white copies only; if you want color overlay copies, send $2.50 for each one since color copies cost $$$). You will receive double sided copies unless you specifically request single sided ones. I will fill the orders only about once a month so don't hold your breath for a quick return. Please note that these will not be replicas in any particular sense. I will be copying them as you would a book (I WILL NOT REMOVE THE STAPLES TO REPLICATE THE SHEETS TO FACILITATE MAKING EXACT DUPLICATES). If you want exact duplicates, you will need to modify the copies I send you (I am trying to keep my effort to a minimum). If I need to fold something to fit it in your SASE, then I will, so keep that in mind if you want unfolded stuff. The amount of postage is left up to you to figure out; I am just going to copy, stuff, and send; I will not verify sufficient postage. Tips are appreciated (particularly if you are asking for a *lot* of copying) but not neccesary nor required; this is a free service. Send SASE to: Gregg Woodcock 2930 Dukeswood Drive Garland, TX 75040-8770 U.S.A P.S. If you take advantage of either of these services, it would be nice if you would "pay the community back" by transcribing at least one document that is not currently at the ftp site and uploading it (or emailing it to me and I will get it there). I am pretty sure none of the "extra" stuff I have has been transcribed yet. P.P.S. If you have an original service manual, please contact me so I can get an copy of it (or buy it from you). The copy I have is Nth generation and is very hard to read... ================================================================================ Q. How can I make a copy of a screen overlay? With the advances made in the past 2 years in color scanners, copiers and priners, it is now possible to make a near exact duplicate with the push of a (few) button(s). 0. First you need an original overlay, prefereably one with little fading. 1. If you want a "rough" copy, simply get a good high end color photocopy onto acetate (those overhead projector plastic sheets). 2. If you want a better copy, you scan the image, preferably in color. I think 150 dpi is okay though some people may want to go for maximum resolution. 3. Then you need a good paint program, I used Adobe Photoshop to do some preliminary clean-up work, but I have a feeling it would take quite a bit of work to make a perfect overlay. 4. Prining--the critical part. You need a color printer that can do acetate (animation cel) printouts. Unfortunately, no color printer can work on thick sheets, which brings us to 5. 5. You need go to to a hobby shop and get a piece of .045 thick clear sheet of [poly]styrene. Its prtty cheap. 6. The only part I haven't worked out, bonding the acetate overlay to the styrene. It is probable that there are some mucho expensive color printers that professional print shops use that can print onto any thickness sheets but I haven't done much looking. Thanks to Noel for this info. ================================================================================ Q. My Vectrex is very noisy; is there anything I can do to make it any quieter? Here is what Daniel A Muntz (dmuntz@quip.eecs.umich.edu) said helped him: The noise isn't digital in nature and it closely follows the video. It also isn't a power supply problem; isolating the audio input of the amplifier from the sound circuit revealed no noise at all. It seems the noise is generated in two ways: 1: By induction; Moving the audio cable around makes the noise less or more prominent. It is at minimum when the cable is placed in its original manufactured groove. Good design since that's farthest from the CRT yoke. 2: By ground impedance; Although all supplies are clean the hum is still present in the modulated dc difference between the two boards. A definite improvement can be achieved by doing the following: 1: Rewiring the ground between the digital and video board. 2: Shielding audio circuit and changing cable to volume pot to a better shielded one. ================================================================================ Q. My joystick wont auto-center anymore; can I fix it? You can't make it "good-as-new", but you can repair it so that is is usable again. You must first mangle the sticker on the back of the joystick to get at the 2 screws that hold it together. Just feel around and you should be able to see where the holes are. You can either try to peel back the sticker (very bad idea) or simply punch 2 holes in it so you can remove the screws (leaving most of the sticker intact). Now that you have the joystick open, remove the broken spring that used to center the joystick. Use the core from the largest available guitar string to replace the spring you just removed. If you snip off one end you can remove the (usually gold) wire wrapped around a core wire by pulling on the gold wire. Credit goes to Dan Muntz once again for this clever solution. ================================================================================ Q. Are there tricks or cheats for any Vectrex games? YES! (Vectrex had cheats back when they were still known as bugs): ARMOR ATTACK: If you crank the brightness all the way up, you are able to see the helicopter's position as soon as you hear it (even thought it is off the screen). Blitz!: If you get a 1st and inches (1 and 0 to go), as long as you stay on the 0 yd line, you keep getting first downs. - adamfox@super.org FORTRESS OF NARZOD: If you can somehow manage to kill the gorilla (AKA the "Mystic Hurler") at the same time he kills you, your lives remaining will turn into the infinity sign (oo) and you will have 255 lives. It is not known for sure if your lives in reserve value has to be zero for this to work (probably so). MINESTORM: The brightness trick allows you to see the "invisible" mines. SPACE WARS: Either ship is invincible after being hit, while pieces are in the air. This may not sound like much, or maybe this was intentional, but I've played against people who make this their entire strategy. They skim the edge of the Star in the middle, just to knock off a tail section or something, and then while they are invincible, they fly right into you. Not nice, but it works very well. The time window is surprisingly long. SCRAMBLE: A quote from Paul Allen Newell, developer of the game: I remember going thru long discussions with management about giving the programmers credit on the games. Western Technologies and/or GCE didn't approve it and most of the programmers hide their names somewhere in the games. My "Easter Egg" can be located in "Scramble" by doing the following. If you have two controllers with joystick and buttons, put them both in; otherwise, use the single one in the usual position. While "Scramble" is displaying its "game # player #" section, move the joystick so it is "down". When "Scramble" starts, keep it in this down position so your plane crashes on the floor BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS START. Do this for all you ships, DO NOT PUSH ANY BUTTONS TO FIRE BOMBS OR BULLETS. When it is over, the display "end" will come up. WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY BUTTONS, unplug the main controller and move it to the "player two" plug (if you have two controllers, this step is not necessary). Then, with the "player two" controller, PUSH ALL FOUR BUTTONS SIMULTANEOUSLY. They must all go down at the same time. Repeat until you get all four down at the same time. You'll know when you see the word "end" change into something else. This is the first time I have documented the method, having only mentioned it to friends or hinted to others. Enjoy! (Thanks a LOT to Stefan Herr for digging up this one-of-a-kind jem!) SPIKE: If you position the door ALMOST all the way to the right of the screen, then jump into it, so as to be jammed between the door, and the little space that is left; the game freaks out, you will be pushed forward about 47,000 points, and the difficulty will be increased proportionally. ================================================================================ Q. What is the history of the Vectrex? A. Thanks a lot to Stefan Herr (steve@lioness.okapi.sub.org) for the following information he dug up while researching an article for a European gaming magazine. If you have any additions or corrections, please contact both of us. VECTREX TIMETABLE ----------------- End 1980/Spring 1981: The development of Vectrex starts with an idea by Jay Smith, head of Western Technologies/Smith Engineering, and his talented staff for a small, vector scan table top game they call "Mini Arcade". Spring 1981: The Vectrex idea is optioned to Kenner (known for their "Star Wars", "Care Bears", "Batman" and "Batman Returns" figures). Vectrex planned to have a 5" black and white tube. 06/1981: Paul A. Newell is hired by Western Technologies to join the "Atari reverse engineering project" group (aim: be able to write games for the VCS 2600) which at that point consisted of Mark Indictor and John Hall. 07/1981: Kenner declines to pursue the Vectrex. 08 or 09/1981: The Vectrex concept is licensed by GCE (General Consumer Electronics). GCE's president Ed Krakauer had the vision to see the great potential of the system. To enhance its appeal, GCE asks that the screen be increased to 9-inches. Autumn 1981: The Atari project is cancelled and the three Atari people (M.I., P.N., J.H.) start work on the Vectrex project. John Ross designs the hardware, Gerry Karr works together with John Hall on the system ROM (called "The Executive"). In the beginning it is planned to use a 6502 processor which turns out to be too slow. For this reason the 6809 is used finally. ??: A strict timetable demands that the first 12 games and the hardware should be ready in June 1982. ??: John Hall later exclusively works on "Mine Storm" while Gerry Karr works on The Executive alone. 04/1982: Paul Newell finishes "Scramble". 06/1982: The Vectrex is introduced to the public on the Summer-CES in Chicago. Summer 1982: Mark Indictor, John Hall and others are directly hired by GCE to write more games. Paul Newell leaves Western Technologies to join Simutrek, a company developing arcade laser disc games ("Cube Quest"). ??: Mark Indictor and his family move about two hours out of Los Angeles and he writes games in the seclusion of a pine forest at 5,000 ft. He even has an NBC news crew come up and interview him for a news show on weird computer hackers and their life styles. Late summer 82: Start of mass production. 11/1982: Vectrex is available in the USA for $199. Very positive reviews in the magazines. Paul Newell's "Scramble" gets the "Arcade Award" of the "Electronic Games" magazine for the best "Mini-Arcade game" (a category which is founded exclusively for the Vectrex). Spring 1983: GCE is acquired by Milton Bradley (MB). 03/1983: Vectrex is announced in the German "Telematch" magazine for the first time in Germany. Summer 1983: Distribution begins in Germany and many other west European countries by Milton BradleyB (German office located in Fuerth). 1983: Several efforts fail in developing a color Vectrex. One obvious project is to use a color TV tube; however, this is always too expensive. Another is to use a projection TV with three vector scan tubes. It works well but is commercially impractical. Yet another effort is to use two layers of color phosphor on a black and white type TV tube. By varying the high voltage level, the electron beam would excite the bottom layer or the top layer. However the high voltage cannot be changed rapidly enough to keep up with the scan. 02/1984: "Artmaster Lightpen", "Star Castle", "Polar Rescue", "Animaction" and "Pole Position" presented on the "Nuernberger Spielwarenmesse" (Germany's most important show for the toy industry). around 02/84: 3D-Imager is presented at the Winter-CES in Las Vegas. 31/03/1984: End of Vectrex in Germany: MB in Fuerth announces stop of sales on this date. Rest of 1984: Vectrex is phased out as Hasbro buys Milton Bradley and video game fever comes crashing down (probable reason: home computer fever). Rummage sales in Germany (mainly in stores of the METRO-chain, which had bought the rest of MB's stock) close out Vectrex equipment at bargain prices. 1988: Western Technologie/Smith Enginerring tries to resurrect Vectrex as a handheld unit. It is to be based on the Sinclair flat TV tube, which has fast static deflection at low power consumption and low cost. However, the impending introduction of GameBoy causes the idea to be scrapped. 10/1993: A feature about the 10th anniversary of the Vectrex is published in the German "Video Games" magazine. Contains technical descriptions, pictures of Jay Smith and Mark Indictor, a Vectrex history and a list of games and accessories. The article is based on information collected by the author (Stefan Herr) from the Usenet Vectrex newsgroup, various FTP archives, many emails from several former Vectrex developers and a historical overiew about the development by Jay Smith. There are not very many evidences of the existance of a computer keyboard with a BASIC cartridge (or something similar) for the Vectrex. The only hint known is an article in an old issue of "Creative Computing" magazine. In the first couple of pages they do a ranking of computers' speed based on some simple benchmark. There is an entry for the vectrex in it using Vectrex basic. It is the issue that reviewed the original Macintosh (1984?). LIST OF PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE VECTREX DEVELOPMENT --------------------------------------------------- Mark Indictor (*) First duties during development: Software for communication with the ICE (In-Circuit-Emulator) Star Trek Games: for Western Technologies: Star Trek for GCE Spinball Polar Rescue Mail Plane (not published, for use with Lightpen) Tour de France (not published) Paul Allen Newell (*) Sole author of Scramble John Hall (*) Worked on The Executive Author of Mine Storm Gerry Karr Took over The Executive project, after John Hall concentrated on Mine Storm John Ross Developer of the hardware Chris King Author of Berzerk Author of Hyperchase Duncan Muirhead Joined WT at the end of 1981 (or beginning of 82) Author of Armor...Attack Ronald J. Logsdon Author of Melody Master for the Lightpen Jay Smith Founder and president of Western Technologies/Smith Engineering Kim Martin Digitized the Scramble landscapes Beta-tester (mainly for Scramble) (*): These persons worked on the "Atari reverse engineering" project. Only one of the three games that were created by that group was released (the one written by Paul Newell). Anyway, the whole project was cancelled later because the competition (e.g. Activision) was too big. Other people involved (this list does not claim to be complete) were David Blair, Alan Cobb, Jeff Corsiglia, Ed Faris, Joel Hassell, Bill Hawkins, Don Herndon, Ed Horton, Bill Hudson, Kevin Hudson, Nolan Johnson, Patrick King, Steve Marking, Richard Moskowski, Walter Nakano, Gary Niles, Lori Pearsall, Mike Purvis, Bob Rutowski, Tom Sloper, Ed Smith, and Colin Vowels. Sources: Electronic mails from Mark Indictor, Paul Newell, Chris King, Ronald J. Logsdon, personal letter from Jay Smith, several articles from "Electronic Games" magazine (provided by Paul Newell), article from "Creative Computing" magazine (provided by Dion Dock). ================================================================================ Send corrections, suggestions, additions, ect. to woodcock@bnr.ca + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!wupost!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ringer!lonestar.utsa.edu!blake From: blake@lonestar.utsa.edu (M Blake Schreckenbach) Subject: vectrex for sale Message-ID: <1994Feb1.151904.16056@ringer.cs.utsa.edu> Sender: news@ringer.cs.utsa.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: lonestar.utsa.edu Organization: University of Texas at San Antonio Distribution: tx Date: Tue, 1 Feb 1994 15:19:04 GMT Lines: 61 I have a Vectrex home arcade system (circa 1982) in good condition for sale.It is a conversation piece in my apartment's living room. Included is the controller and the following eight cartridges: Blitz (football) Solar Quest Star Trek Scramble Berzerk Heads Up (Soccer) Armor Attack 3D Mine Storm (including the special color 3D viewer mask) Also included is the colored overlays for each above game (color disk for 3D Minestorm) and I will provide the games instructions (via computer text files). I will sell my complete system for $150 (neg.)or will consider ham radio stuff or computer stuff (like a 170 meg HD) as pos- sible trade bait. Blake Schreckenbach Ham Call: KC5DRP Internet: blake@lonestar.utsa.edu (quickest,best way) (210)561-4331 (voicemail ext. 2) -- |O| Blake Schreckenbach, | "It's a 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full |O| |O| KC5DRP | tank of gas, half a packet of cigarettes, It's |O| |O| University of Texas | dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it." |O| |O| at San Antonio | -- Jake & Elwood Blues | blake@lonestar.utsa.edu |O| + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.radio.swap Path: csus.edu!uop!lll-winken.llnl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ringer!lonestar.utsa.edu!blake From: blake@lonestar.utsa.edu (M Blake Schreckenbach) Subject: Sorry, I'm gonna keep the Vectrex. Message-ID: <1994Feb2.044706.17180@ringer.cs.utsa.edu> Sender: news@ringer.cs.utsa.edu Nntp-Posting-Host: lonestar.utsa.edu Organization: University of Texas at San Antonio Date: Wed, 2 Feb 1994 04:47:06 GMT Lines: 17 Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1540 rec.radio.swap:10400 To all who have shown interest in the Vectrex I had put up for sale, I am sorry to say that I have changed my mind. The one main reason was that I just learned about all of the hacks out there availiable for it and would like to keep it for that reason; I'd like to keep it as a project to put on my resume. I'm a junior majoring in electrical engineering. The other one reason (that I would be afraid to mention as my main reason) was that my mother kind of bribed me to keep it since I kept in such good shape for close to 12 years and should continue to do so for at least twenty more for her grandkids to have it to play with. I guess mother hasn't been paying attention to all the "better" versions of "kiddie cocaine" out there now. Apologies, -- |O| Blake Schreckenbach, | "It's a 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full |O| |O| KC5DRP | tank of gas, half a packet of cigarettes, It's |O| |O| University of Texas | dark, and we're wearing sunglasses. Hit it." |O| |O| at San Antonio | -- Jake & Elwood Blues | blake@lonestar.utsa.edu |O| + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!decwrl!decwrl!concert!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!news.ans.net!newsgate.watson.ibm.com!yktnews.watson.ibm.com!coredump!rskm From: rskm@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Robert Kemmetmueller) Subject: Re: he's gonna keep the Vectrex, I want a multicart Sender: news@rchland.ibm.com Message-ID: <1994Feb03.013818.39392@rchland.ibm.com> Date: Thu, 03 Feb 1994 01:38:18 GMT Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM References: <1994Feb2.044706.17180@ringer.cs.utsa.edu> Nntp-Posting-Host: coredump.rchland.ibm.com Organization: IBM Rochester Lines: 22 -- > do so for at least twenty more for her grandkids to have it to play > with. By all means, keep 'er running! When your grandkids kick your butt at Street Kombat ]I[ V.R., you can dig out your Vectrex, blow the dust off it, and say menacingly, "Okay twerps, let's see how you hold up playing a MAN'S game!" ---- Is it just me, or has this group been a little on the dead side lately? I WANNA BUY A MULTICART!! I've got a half-complete set of carts, most with the overlays (which don't blow my hair back, personally, I'm not really a collector collector), and I'd be willing to put them towards a trade for a multicart, if you prefer that to cash. I want one of those custom-pcb jobs with the menu front-end that are mentioned in the FAQ. --Rob "grampa whupped me at pinball again! 8(" Kemmetmueller, rskm@vnet.ibm.com + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!netcom.com!netcomsv!decwrl!sdd.hp.com!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!paperboy.amoco.com!hawkings!apctrc!msc.edu!ns!iggy.GW.Vitalink.COM!wetware!kaiwan.com!myoshimi From: myoshimi@kaiwan.com (Mark Yoshimi) Subject: Vecterex service manual Message-ID: Sender: myoshimi@kaiwan.com Organization: KAIWAN Internet Access Service (310 527-4279) Distribution: World Date: Wed, 2 Feb 1994 22:09:38 GMT Lines: 12 I remember seeing a message saying that there was an ftp site that had copies of the Vectrex service manual in postscript form. Can someone either post the ftp site or forward me a copy through e-mail? Thanks! myoshimi@kaiwan.com -- ******************************************************************************* * "Helloooo Nurse!" - Yakko and Wakko Warner * * "Watter go down the hole!" - Plucky Duck * * "Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an Earth shattering kaboom!" * + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!decwrl!decwrl!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!xlink.net!scsing.switch.ch!vega.info.isbiel.ch!alcyone!rutzf From: rutzf@info.isbiel.ch (Fritz Rutz) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: cheats for games Date: 3 Feb 1994 10:36:13 GMT Organization: Biel School of Engineering, CH-2501 Biel, Switzerland Lines: 13 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2iqk2t$rvv@vega.info.isbiel.ch> Reply-To: rutzf@info.isbiel.ch NNTP-Posting-Host: alcyone.info.isbiel.ch Exist there any cheats for the vectrex games ? Especially for Mine Storm. Have anyone the Formula Race for the vectrex and would sell it ? thanks for your answers rutzf@info.isbiel.ch + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!csulb.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!news.service.uci.edu!cafws2.eng.uci.edu!dan From: dan@cafws2.eng.uci.edu (Dan Harkless) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: he's gonna keep the Vectrex, I want a multicart Date: 5 Feb 1994 02:40:29 GMT Organization: University of California, Irvine Lines: 24 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2iv0ut$m8m@news.service.uci.edu> References: <1994Feb2.044706.17180@ringer.cs.utsa.edu> <1994Feb03.013818.39392@rchland.ibm.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: cafws2.eng.uci.edu Robert Kemmetmueller writes: > >Is it just me, or has this group been a little on the dead side lately? Yes. >I WANNA BUY A MULTICART!! > >I've got a half-complete set of carts, most with the overlays (which don't >blow my hair back, personally, I'm not really a collector collector), and I'd >be willing to put them towards a trade for a multicart, if you prefer that to >cash. I want one of those custom-pcb jobs with the menu front-end that are >mentioned in the FAQ. Mark Woodward, the maker of that cart, has experienced some incompatibilities with the US version of the Vectrex and his multi-cart. He recently told me in email that he was going to post an update, but he has not yet done so. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Dan Harkless | "The sore in my soul | | dan@cafws1.eng.uci.edu | The mark in my heart -> Front 242, | | dharkles@bonnie.ics.uci.edu | Her acid reign..." Tragedy >For You< | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!news.delphi.com!usenet From: Richard C. Steiner Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Mark's multicart Date: Sat, 5 Feb 94 03:06:24 -0500 Organization: Delphi (info@delphi.com email, 800-695-4005 voice) Lines: 8 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <19940205.03062406.rsteiner@delphi.com> References: <2hkat0$ogh@slack.sim.es.com> <1994Jan21.010920.10893@csus.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: bos1c.delphi.com X-To: Greg Kemnitz => This implies that at least some folks have received their => multicarts... Greg, you're local to me. I received my multicart from Mark a few weeks ago, and am sending it back to him either tomorrow or Monday for tweaking. But they *are* arriving, at least for some folks. -Rich Steiner (1:282/85 >>>---> rsteiner@delphi.com) + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!unixg.ubc.ca!acs.ucalgary.ca!pmbarry From: pmbarry@acs.ucalgary.ca (Paul Martin Barry) Subject: Multi-Cart For Sale? Message-ID: Date: Wed, 2 Feb 1994 07:40:10 GMT Lines: 14 Reply-To: pmbarry@acs.ucalgary.ca Organization: The University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada X-Newsreader: ZipNews Reader/Mailer v0.92u (Beta) I've been on the market for one of the multi-carts for awhile now, but when I sent mail to a few people that were making them, I got no reply. (I understand they are VERY deluged with mail not to mention working hard on them.) Could someone PLEASE tell me how I can purchase a multi-cart (although with who makes the best ones.) Thanks, Paul... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ pmbarry@acs.ucalgary.ca | This .sig is in beta test version 0.999999999zzzzzzy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!netcom.com!netcomsv!amd!decwrl!rosie.next.com!usenet From: dpeknik@next.com (Dan Peknik) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Multi-Cart For Sale? Date: 5 Feb 1994 21:47:19 GMT Organization: NeXT, Inc. Lines: 26 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2j1457$d32@rosie.next.com> References: Reply-To: dpeknik@next.com NNTP-Posting-Host: glyph.next.com In article pmbarry@acs.ucalgary.ca (Paul Martin Barry) writes: > I've been on the market for one of the multi-carts for awhile now, > but when I sent mail to a few people that were making them, I got > no reply. (I understand they are VERY deluged with mail not to > mention working hard on them.) > > Could someone PLEASE tell me how I can purchase a multi-cart > (although with who makes the best ones.) > > Thanks, Paul... > Also, are there plans for these things floating around? I'd be willing to make some if there were plans - I have the equipment :-) -Dan -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Dan Peknik Software Quality Engineer NeXT Computer, Inc. dan_peknik@next.com + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!decwrl!decwrl!olivea!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!pinyon.libre.com!not-for-mail From: woody@pinyon.libre.com (Woody Harper) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Cartridges for Sale! Date: 5 Feb 1994 12:03:54 -0700 Organization: Evergreen Communications Lines: 14 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2j0qiq$s0q@pinyon.libre.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: pinyon X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] I have two Vectrex game carts for sale. I have already sold my Vectrex and forgot I hads these two games. Berzerk - $10.00 plus shipping Pole Position - $10.00 plus shipping Both $15.00 plus shipping -- ======================================== I Find Things That Make Me Go!!!! Sysop: Memory Alpha BBS +1 602 864 6653 + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!vnet.IBM.COM From: howie@vnet.IBM.COM Message-ID: <19940207.095335.43@almaden.ibm.com> Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 12:53:27 EST Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Wanna buy a vectrex! Lines: 2 I want to buy a vectrex with a bunch of games.... I remember my friends old one and loved it.... Mail me. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!microsoft!hexnut!mattbro From: mattbro@microsoft.com (Matt Brown) Subject: Menu driven "multi-cart" Message-ID: Organization: Microsoft Corporation Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 20:38:16 GMT Distribution: usa Lines: 8 This group has been pretty dead lately, but I would like to finally get my hands on a multi-cart for the Vectrex. I have seen people mention a version that has joystick driven menus and all of the games. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Matt Brown mattbro@microsoft.com + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!sdd.hp.com!nigel.msen.com!ici From: ici@garnet.msen.com (Intellivoice) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Is it worth anything ? Date: 10 Feb 1994 23:41:54 GMT Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, MI (account info: +1 313 998-4562) Lines: 21 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2jego2$kdj@nigel.msen.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] I've got a used Vectrex and 9 cartridges that have been sitting around in a box for about 6 or 7 years. I dug it out recently and it works fine. It's in pretty good shape: no dents, scratches, burn-in etc. I also have most (if not all) of the original packaging for the unit and cartridges. I'm pretty sure I have all of the screen overlays too. Is this thing worth anything ? If you respond via email, please include my name (Rich) in the subject. I share this account with other people. Thanks in advance ! -- Richard T. Unruh | "I ask, sir, what is the militia ? Intellivoice Communications, Inc. | It is the whole people...To disarm 32605 West Twelve Mile Road, Suite 300 | the people is the best and most Farmington Hills, MI 48334 USA | effectual way to enslave them" (810) 488-0180, extension 662 | - George Mason, 1788 (Opinions expressed are mine and may not reflect the opinions of my employer) + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!netcom.com!netcomsv!amd!decwrl!rosie.next.com!usenet From: Dan_Peknik Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Made a hardware selectable multicart! Date: 11 Feb 1994 07:18:50 GMT Organization: NeXT, Inc. Lines: 17 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2jfbgq$lr1@rosie.next.com> Reply-To: Dan_Peknik@next.com NNTP-Posting-Host: arbor-dip.next.com Greetings! I recently acquired a Vectrex machine, and have been successful at creating a Hardware Multi-Cart. It consists of a multi-position slider switch that can choose from all the games I've got burned onto an Intel eeprom. The only problem is that it's a messy unit, and honestly, not very elegant. Judging from the previous message, it would seem a fair price to go for the 60.00 Software selectable unit with RAM. I've heard that delivery has been pretty slow on these, anyone received one and can comment on it? Thanks, Dan + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!ames!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.ans.net!malgudi.oar.net!mercury.wright.edu!discover!stu1084 From: stu1084@discover.wright.edu (Christopher Shamis) Subject: MULTI-CARTS!!! READ-THIS!!! Message-ID: Sender: news@mercury.wright.edu (USENET News System) Organization: Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435 X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL1] Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 04:27:25 GMT Lines: 96 ***************************************************************************** Please note, I have ////NOTHING//// to do with these multi-carts. I do NOT even own one. I am just passing along information that I requested from the author. (How did I request it? I READ THE FAQ!!!) Since the faq is not always available its up to the rest of us to provide usefull info like this. But please dont beligeur me with requests for more information alas, I have none. ***************************************************************************** -- Did that come off as snobbish? :) ***************************************************************************** From woodward@Newbridge.COM Thu Feb 3 14:19:28 1994 I'm going to be doing a second batch soon, after I get the current problem fixed and the remaining boards out the door. I'll add you to the list and email you when I know for sure when I'm doing another batch. The cart has all the games that were ever released on it. Here is my blurb on it.... I'm making a multi-cart which does'nt require a old cart to be hacked up as I'm getting PCBs made up for it. It also supports s/w selection which allows you to select the game via a menu on the vectrex instead of fliping dip switches as the others do. It supports the RAM for animaction and a 'pause' button allowing you to pause any of the games. Of course it has all the released games from the archive (see list below). The price breakdown is as follows... $30 PCB + S/W selection $20 EPROM (unless you can send me one) Options: $5 RAM If I build it for you then there is $5 in misc parts and you donate $10 to a local charity to cover my time. This is to follow the spirit of the Smith Engineering agreement for 'not-for-profit' use. The only 'profit' I get is from the s/w selection code because I wrote it, the games are from Smith Engineering and the rest is at cost (with a little to cover shipping). To get the whole thing built is $60. The PCBs are made at a professional manufacturer and include plated through holes etc. No hack and slash job here :> If you want to build it yourself I can provide you with the PCB, a programmed EPROM (or disk if you can blast your own) and a parts list. Games included : Hacked Mine Storm (infinite lifes) Hacked Mine Storm (more shots) Animaction Armor Attack Art Master Bedlam Berzerk Blitz Clean Sweep Cosmic Chasm Heads Up Hyper Chase Melody Master Mine Storm Tower of Narzod Polar Rescue Pole Position Rip Off Scramble Solar Quest Space War Spike Spinball Star Castle Star Hawk Star Trek Web Wars Test Cart 3D Mine Storm 3D Narrow Escape 3D Crazy Coaster Any questions just ask, Mark + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!uop!pacbell.com!ames!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!sdd.hp.com!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!cis.ksu.edu!mac From: mac@cis.ksu.edu (Myron A. Calhoun) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Re: Is it worth anything ? Date: 11 Feb 94 20:29:05 GMT Organization: Kansas State University Lines: 18 Distribution: inet Message-ID: References: <2jego2$kdj@nigel.msen.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: depot.cis.ksu.edu ici@garnet.msen.com (Intellivoice) writes: >I've got a used Vectrex and 9 cartridges that have been sitting around in a >box for about 6 or 7 years. I dug it out recently and it works fine. It's in >pretty good shape: no dents, scratches, burn-in etc. I also have most (if >not all) of the original packaging for the unit and cartridges. I'm >pretty sure I have all of the screen overlays too. >Is this thing worth anything ? I'll give you $25 for it and even pay shipping :-) :-) :-) (assuming you are in the contiguous USA). --Myron. -- # Five boxes preserve our freedoms: soap, ballot, jury, witness, and cartridge. # Myron A. Calhoun, PhD EE; Assoc. Professor (913) 539-4448 home # INTERNET: mac@cis.ksu.edu 532-6350 work, 532-7353 fax # UUCP: ...rutgers!depot!mac Packet radio: W0PBV@N0ARY.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!wupost!sdd.hp.com!nigel.msen.com!ici From: ici@garnet.msen.com (Intellivoice) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Vectrex for sale Date: 15 Feb 1994 02:53:59 GMT Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, MI (account info: +1 313 998-4562) Lines: 57 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2jpdg8$gfl@nigel.msen.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] To those of you who responded to my original post asking "Is it worth anything", thanks for the responses. I didn't expect more than a couple of responses but instead I got at least a dozen, most asking if it was for sale and making an offer. Well, I've decided it is for sale. One respondent kindly offered the suggestion to auction it. I checked into how auctioning is done (yes, I'm a newbie) and discovered that to run a fair auction that I'd need to check up on things much more frequently than I would be able to. What I decided to do to try to be fair is set the price as $100.00 or best offer received by 2/21/94 at 2100 EST. Buyer pays shipping. Here's what's for sale: Vectrex, model HP-3000 (was there any other ?) Cartridges: Ripoff Star Castle Star Trek Space Wars Bedlam Web Wars Spike Solar Quest Star Hawk The unit, cartridges and overlays are all in excellent condition. I also have all boxes, packaging and manuals (the boxes don't look new though). I even have the warranty card stub and the reciept. Terms: $100.00 (US) or best offer recieved by 2/21/94 @ 2100 EST. Buyer pays shipping. Certified check of money order (US funds). The unit will be shipped via whatever carrier the buyer specifies within 5 business days of when I receive the funds. Unit is sold "As Is" with the following exception: That if my description of the condition of the unit is misleading, I'll refund their money, after receiving the unit back. I'll pay return shipping. Thanks for your time and attention. -- Richard T. Unruh | "I ask, sir, what is the militia ? Intellivoice Communications, Inc. | It is the whole people...To disarm 32605 West Twelve Mile Road, Suite 300 | the people is the best and most Farmington Hills, MI 48334 USA | effectual way to enslave them" (810) 488-0180, extension 662 | - George Mason, 1788 (Opinions expressed are mine and may not reflect the opinions of my employer) + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!wupost!spool.mu.edu!torn!nott!cunews!freenet.carleton.ca!FreeNet.Carleton.CA!aa588 From: aa588@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Greggory Senechal) Subject: Temple Message-ID: Sender: news@freenet.carleton.ca Reply-To: aa588@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Greggory Senechal) Organization: The National Capital FreeNet Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 06:15:21 GMT Lines: 25 My roommate and I were looking through rec.games the other day when we came across "rec.games.vectrex". We flipped. We talked and talked about the great memories we had about vectrex. What a game system. Anyhow, we talked about 2 1/2 hours about Vectrex before he mentioned that his friend the coke-head would part with his Vectrex (complete with carrying case and all the games) for $5! I'm now in the process of building a temple to my new Vectrex system which I expect to get at the beginning of March. I am very very pleased and am so excited about finally getting to play vectrex again. Anyhow... Thought I mention it here. Gregg -- Greggory James Senechal, Treasurer - Fidonian Bacalas Forority Ottawa, Ontario, Canada aa588@FREENET.CARLETON.CA Director, Off-Campus Membership, Ravens R Us Club (Carleton University) + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!decwrl!ames!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!uunet!seas.smu.edu!volk From: volk@seas.smu.edu (Andrew Volk) Subject: Looking for a vectrex... Message-ID: <1994Feb15.045211.23521@seas.smu.edu> Sender: news@seas.smu.edu (USENET News System) Nntp-Posting-Host: turbo_f.seas.smu.edu Organization: School of Engineering and applied science; S.M.U.; Dallas, Tx Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 04:52:11 GMT Lines: 9 If anyone has a vectrex to sell, plase contact me. I was looking for a system somewhat more complete than the one being auctioned, as it's rather hard to find the light pen or 3-d goggles these days! Thanks! -- Andrew Volk | Finger for PGP 2.3 Public Key Southern Methodist University | Apple II Forever! volk@seas.smu.edu | (or: volk@cco.caltech.edu) + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!EU.net!sun4nl!freya.let.rug.nl!let.rug.nl!s0590851 From: s0590851@let.rug.nl (M.R. Murkes) Subject: looking for a vectrex Sender: news@let.rug.nl (News system at let.rug.nl) Message-ID: Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 10:03:50 GMT Lines: 11 Nntp-Posting-Host: p360213.stu.let.rug.nl Organization: Faculteit der Letteren IT, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, NL I want to buy a Vectrex, preferably from someone living in Europe. Please contact! MARK....part-time G.O.D. HOME APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE. m.r.murkes@let.rug.nl _____________________________________________________________________ And yessss......the opinions expressed here ARE my own.... I think... ********************************************************************** ************************************************************************* + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!news.mic.ucla.edu!unixg.ubc.ca!kakwa.ucs.ualberta.ca!mercury.arc.ab.ca!mac.5.53.arc.ab.ca!user From: moorman@skyler.arc.ab.ca (Kevin Moorman) Subject: Re: Is it worth anything ? Message-ID: Followup-To: rec.games.vectrex Sender: news@arc.ab.ca (USENET News System) Nntp-Posting-Host: mac.5.53.arc.ab.ca Organization: Alberta Research Council References: <2jego2$kdj@nigel.msen.com> Distribution: inet Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 00:07:45 GMT Lines: 14 In article <2jego2$kdj@nigel.msen.com>, ici@garnet.msen.com (Intellivoice) wrote: > > I've got a used Vectrex and 9 cartridges that have been sitting around in a 9 cartridges? What titles? What are you asking? I missed out on the last cartridge deal. Plus what is this multicart I've heard about? -- Cordially, Kevin Moorman Calgary, Alberta, Canada + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!warwick!kinguni!usenet@ceres From: cs_a141@dcs.king.ac.uk (Andy Fox) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Vectrex Overlay Scans Date: 16 Feb 1994 19:39:47 GMT Organization: Kingston University, Faculty of Technology Lines: 45 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2jtsq3$a9m@mercury.king.ac.uk> Reply-To: cs_a141@dcs.king.ac.uk NNTP-Posting-Host: buzzard.dcs.king.ac.uk Hi everyone, I don't know if anyone can remember, but I promised to put a whole load of overlay scans on the ftp site at csus.edu sometime last year. Unfortunately I haven't had the time to sort it out until now. I'm about to post scans of the overlays of the following games to /incoming. Hopefully, John will be able to put them on-line as soon as they are all received. The games covered are: Armor Attack Bedlam Berzerk Blitz Clean Sweep Cosmic Chasm Flipper Pinball Fortress of Narzod HyperChase Rip Off Scramble Soccer Football Solar Quest Space Wars Spike Starhawk Starship and Webwarp All of the scans are 1050x1350 GIFS, and have a resolution of 150DPI. I leave it up to you to scale them etc. ready for printing on acetate or whatever. Hope this is of use to some of you out there. Cheers for now, Andy. + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!utcsri!newsflash.concordia.ca!sifon!clouso.crim.ca!comback!vectrex!drzob From: drzob@vectrex.login.qc.ca (Herr Doktor Vandenzob) Subject: Re: Temple Message-ID: <1994Feb16.181250.5474@vectrex.login.qc.ca> Organization: Compjutr Syntax Error at the Vectrex Cafe. Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 18:12:50 GMT References: X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL2] Lines: 15 Greggory Senechal (aa588@FreeNet.Carleton.CA) wrote: : I'm now in the process of building a temple to my new Vectrex : system which I expect to get at the beginning of March. I am very very : pleased and am so excited about finally getting to play vectrex again. Grab the faq for this newsrgoup as well, go to the various FTP sites wich support it, and you'll see you will have as much fun with an eprom burner and a cross assembler... I never seen a vectrex dropping core on me, that's why I love them :> + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex,rec.games.marketplace,triangle.forsale Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!torn!nott!bnrgate!corpgate!concert!inxs.concert.net!taco!pancreas.csc.ncsu.edu!casper From: casper@pancreas.csc.ncsu.edu (Brian Casper) Subject: Vectrex videogame FOR SALE Message-ID: <1994Feb17.211850.2742@ncsu.edu> Followup-To: poster Sender: news@ncsu.edu (USENET News System) Organization: North Carolina State University - CSC Dept Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 21:18:50 GMT Lines: 72 Xref: csus.edu rec.games.vectrex:1563 triangle.forsale:9800 I have a working Vectrex console for sale. I'll bundle in everything else that I have that is Vectrex related. Here's a list: I'll ask for $125 and the buyer pays the shipping. Reply via E-Mail (best) or call (919)851-9456(h) or (919)515-3909(w). Main Unit: Vectrex Console 1 controller Cartridges: Scramble Hacked Spinball with EPROM socket (See Below) Spike Star Castle Star Trek Overlays: Blitz (mint condition) Mine Storm Scramble Spike (poor condition) Spinball Star Castle Star Trek Documentation: (_all_ photocopies - I have no originals) Service Manual Loads of text files from the archive Instruction manuals: Armor Attack Bedlam Berzerk Clean Sweep Cosmic Chasm Fortress of Narzod Hyper Chase Melody Master Mine Storm Polar Rescue Rip Off Scramble Solar Quest Space Wars Spike Star Castle Star Hawk Star Trek Web Wars 1:1 Photocopies of the following Overlays: Bedlam Polar Rescue Space Wars Spike Star Castle Web Wars I have a few 2716's and a few 2732's that I can burn any game you might want into as well as easy access to an EPROM burner and all of the data from the archives. I'll offer to burn any game the buyer (or anyone else for that matter) may want if they are willing to provide the blank EPROMs. -- Brian Casper |`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,` casper@pancreas.csc.ncsu.edu |`,` There is no problem so big or so bad, `,`,` |`,` that it can't be resolved with a liberal ,` B.S. - Computer Science |`,` amount of dynamite. -unknown `,`,`,`,`,` Needs Work - Resume available |`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,`,` + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!syscube.ccs.csus.edu!sandhoff From: sandhoff@csus.edu (John F. Sandhoff) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Gifs of overlays now in archive Date: 18 Feb 1994 22:50:13 GMT Organization: California State University Sacramento Lines: 15 Distribution: world Message-ID: <2k3gn5$dt@news.csus.edu> NNTP-Posting-Host: syscube.ccs.csus.edu Keywords: overlays, gif, archives Originator: sandhoff@syscube.ccs.csus.edu Andy Fox (cs_a141@dcs.kingston.ac.uk) has uploaded scans of several of the color overlays to the FTP archive site. These scans are 1050 x 1350, at a resolution of 150dpi. Currently they are in .gif format; sometime in the future (but certainly not right away) I'll likely convert them to jpg because of their sheer size (they total 10 megabytes). The Vectrex archive is available via Anonymous-FTP to 'ftp.csus.edu'. The main directory is /pub/vectrex; these scans are in the 'overlays' subdir. Thank you Andy! John F. Sandhoff, University Network Support California State University Sacramento - USA sandhoff@csus.edu + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!olivea!decwrl!pa.dec.com!genie.geis.com!bw.miller From: bw.miller@genie.geis.com Message-ID: <9402190351.AA23321@relay2.geis.com> Subject: GEnie Information SuperHighway Date: Sat, 19 Feb 94 03:03:00 BST X-Received: by usenet.pa.dec.com; id AA04170; Fri, 18 Feb 94 19:57:37 -0800 X-Received: from relay2.geis.com by inet-gw-2.pa.dec.com (5.65/13Jan94) id AA28849; Fri, 18 Feb 94 19:51:27 -0800 X-Received: by relay2.geis.com (1.37.109.4/15.6) id AA23321; Sat, 19 Feb 94 03:51:19 GMT X-To: distribution:; (see end of body) X-Cc: bw.miller@geis.genie.com X-Genie-Id: 4799151 X-Genie-From: BW.MILLER Lines: 140 Folks, I'm posting this message in this newsgroup and I hope there are no problems. If there is, would the moderator please leave me a note and I won't post future announcements here. GEnie is an information service provider for all computer users. GEnie has hundreds of special interest RoundTables (RTs) providing various computer and hardware support, along with the best multi-player virtual reality games in the business. Over 200,000 files are yours to download, real time conferences and chat with thousands of other GEnie users regarding just about any topic. On GEnie, there are RT's supporting Internet, IBM PC, Windows, Macintosh, Microsoft, WordPerfect, Borland, OS/2, Unix, Geoworks, Multimedia, Atari ST, Apple II, Desktop Video and Virtual Reality, Starship Amiga, Flagship Commodore, Tandy, Laptops, Telecommunications, Desktop Video and Virtual Reality, MIDI, Gateway 2000, TI, Genealogy, Scuba, Sports, Aviation, Photography, Law, Medical, Education, Military, Air Force, and many many others too numerous to mention. Join GEnie and link yourself with the SuperHighway of Information!!!!! GEnie Services U.S (U.S. $) (5) CANADA (CAN $) Monthly $8.95/month $10.95/month Subscription Feed (up to 4 hours of standard connect time (1) Standard Hourly $3.00/hr $4.00/hr Connect Charge GEnie Premium Prices vary per individual service. These Services include: Charles Schwab Brockerage Services (not available in Canada), Dow Jones News/ Retrieval, GE Mail to Fax, The Official Airline Guides Electronic Edition Travel Service, QuikNews clipping service, Telebase Investment ANALY$T, ARTIST gateway Additional Charrges (where applicable) (4) Prime-Time Surcharge (2) $9.50/hour $12.00/hour 9600 Baud Surcharge $6.00/hour $ 8.00/hour Communications Surcharge "800" Service (3) $6.00/hour - Extended Network $2.00/hour - SprintNet $2.00/hour - Datapac - $ 6.00/hour (1) Your monthly subscription fee includes a credit during your first 4 hours of standard $3 an hour ($4 an hour CAN) connect time that month. Unused credit will not be transferred to the next month. (2) Prime time: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. local time on weekdays only. The prime-time surcharge is in addition to the standard hourly connect charge. Prime- time surcharge is waived for selected holidays. Residents of Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Arizona and Puerto Rico; please verify hours with GEnie Client Services at 1-800-638-9636. (3) "800" service surcharge waived at 9600 baud. (4) State/local taxes and administrative charges may apply. (5) International PDN subscribers are billed at U.S. rates in U.S> $ Prices subject to change without notice. If you are interested in joining GEnie, have your credit card handy or you may use your checking account number ($2.00 monthly fee for all checking accounts) and load up your favorite Terminal Emulator program for your modem at 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop, half duplex. Dial 1-800-638-8369 (1-800-387-8330 for Canada), and immediately enter HHH as soon as you get the connect signal from your modem. At the U#= prompt, enter JOINGENIE and then press After a few seconds, you will be prompted for your screen width followed by the Key Code. You should enter DJA223 as the keycode. Then follow the simple online instructions and within 48 hours, you should be officially connected to GEnie. For more information, you may call GEnie Information Services at: 1-800-638-9636 or write: GEnie, c/o GE Information Services, P.O. Box 6403 Rockville, MD 20850-1785. Hope to see you on GEnie, and if you make it online, write me a short note to BW.MILLER as my GEmail address and tell me what you think. I think you will be very satisfied with GEnie. %%% overflow headers %%% To: comp.ai.edu.usenet, comp.ai.vision.usenet, comp.dcom.lans.hyperchannel.usenet, comp.editors.usenet, comp.edu.composition.usenet, comp.lang.asm370.usenet, comp.lang.clu.usenet, comp.lang.forth.mac.usenet, comp.lang.icon.usenet, comp.lang.idl.usenet, comp.lang.lisp.franz.usenet, comp.lang.lisp.x.usenet, comp.lang.rexx.usenet, comp.lang.scheme.c.usenet, comp.lang.visual.usenet, comp.lsi.cad.usenet, comp.mail.multi-media.usenet, comp.music.usenet, comp.networks.noctools.announce.usenet, comp.networks.noctools.bugs.usenet, comp.networks.noctools.d.usenet, comp.networks.noctools.submissions.usenet, comp.networks.noctools.tools.usenet, comp.networks.noctools.wanted.usenet, comp.org.isoc.interest.usenet, comp.os.aos.usenet, comp.os.cpm.amethyst.usenet, comp.os.msdos.4dos.usenet, comp.os.rsts.usenet, comp.os.v.usenet, comp.periphs.printers.usenet, comp.protocols.iso.dev-environ.usenet, comp.protocols.iso.x400.gateway.usenet, comp.protocols.iso.x400.usenet, comp.protocols.pcnet.usenet, comp.protocols.snmp.usenet, comp.protocols.tcp-ip.domains.usenet, comp.protocols.time.ntp.usenet, comp.security.announce.usenet, comp.soft-sys.andrew.usenet, comp.soft-sys.nextstep.usenet, comp.std.announce.usenet, comp.sys.cdc.usenet, comp.sys.handhelds.usenet, comp.sys.intel.ipsc310.usenet, comp.sys.northstar.usenet, comp.sys.super.usenet, comp.sys.ti.explorer.usenet, comp.sys.zenith.usenet, comp.terminals.bitgraph.usenet, comp.terminals.tty5620.usenet, comp.theory.cell-automata.usenet, comp.theory.dynamic-sys.usenet, comp.theory.self-org-sys.usenet, comp.theory.usenet, comp.unix.cray.usenet, comp.unix.solaris.usenet, comp.windows.x.announce.usenet, comp.windows.x.motif.usenet, gnu.announce.usenet, gnu.bash.bug.usenet, gnu.chess.usenet, gnu.emacs.announce.usenet, gnu.emacs.bug.usenet, gnu.emacs.gnews.usenet, gnu.emacs.gnus.usenet, gnu.emacs.help.usenet, gnu.emacs.sources.usenet, gnu.emacs.vm.bug.usenet, gnu.emacs.vm.info.usenet, gnu.emacs.vms.usenet, gnu.epoch.misc.usenet, gnu.g++.announce.usenet, gnu.g++.bug.usenet, gnu.g++.help.usenet, gnu.g++.lib.bug.use %%% end overflow headers %%% + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!iat.holonet.net!mbates From: mbates@iat.holonet.net (Marlin C. Bates) Subject: Vectrex for sale $30+shipping Message-ID: Organization: HoloNet National Internet Access System: 510-704-1058/modem Date: Sun, 20 Feb 1994 23:52:36 GMT Lines: 12 Hello, I have a Vectrex for sale. $30 plus shipping.... There's a catch (you KNEW there was, now didn't you!)... It works great except for the display has collapsed to a vertical line. Now if this was a Macintosh I would replace R2/R3 and Q2 but since it is not and since I lack adequate service docs it is for sale. UNLESS some kind soul would care to tell me how to fix it! Thanks -Norman mbates@holonet.net + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!news.moneng.mei.com!uwm.edu!msuinfo!netnews.upenn.edu!juliet.sas.upenn.edu!netaxs.com!access.netaxs.com!snutt From: snutt@access.netaxs.com (Snuttgurka) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Wanted: Vectrex Multi-game cartridge Date: 26 Feb 1994 22:53:22 GMT Organization: Net Access - Philadelphia's Internet Connection Lines: 13 Distribution: inet Message-ID: <2kojt2$hj3@netaxs.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: access.netaxs.com X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.2 PL0] I heard about a cartridge that has most vectrex games on it? IF this is true I'd like to buy one. Just to tease you: I found my system (complete) in a barn sale. "I dunno son. That B/W TV doesn't seem to work but you can have it for a dollar" I thought I'd have a heard attack! Best deal in my life! --------------------------------------------------------- Mattias Fornander snutt@ netaxs.com "Honey I shrunk the .sig!" -> . --------------------------------------------------------- + - - - - Next Article - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + Path: csus.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!UB.com!kaiwan.com!not-for-mail From: myoshimi@kaiwan.com (Mark Yoshimi) Newsgroups: rec.games.vectrex Subject: Vectrex for sale... Date: 28 Feb 1994 15:33:42 -0800 Organization: KAIWAN Internet Access Service (310 527-4279) Lines: 57 Sender: myoshimi@kaiwan.com Distribution: World Message-ID: <2ktv0m$6oe@kaiwan.kaiwan.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: kaiwan.kaiwan.com I have decided to part with my old system. Here's what I have: Package #1 - Vectrex console with all original manual, packaging, and even a registration card for the Vectrex Owners Club! But volume cannot be adjusted. I think the potentiometer needs to be fixed. Anyone with a copy of the service manual can do this relitively easiliy. - 2 controllers - Mine Storm overlay and manual (the game was built into the console!) - Games: All games have their original boxes, instructions and overlays! They are all in very good condition! - Berzerk - Blitz! - Armor Attack - Clean Sweep - Scramble - Solar Quest - Star Trek (overlay has a small piece broken off of the top corner) - Two copies of Rip Off I would like to ask $120.00 for this pakage...Buyer pays shipping charges which will be sent by UPS....I figure almost $15.00 for shipping....This thing is heavy! Package #2 And for you Vectrex fans with the multicart, I have: - 1 controller - 1 copy of the Vectrex owner's manual - 1 copy of the Star Trek instructions - 1 copy of the Berzerk instructions - Extra overlays: - Mine Storm w/ instructions - Clean Sweep w/ instructions - Rip Off - Cosmic Chasm - Space Wars I would like to ask $40.00 for these......Buyer pays shipping charges which will be sent through U.S. mail (most likely $4.00) Leave e-mail if you are interested! I am always open to any reasonable counter offers! I would like to sell both as individual packages and not separate them. Or you can take both packages off me for $145.00 and $15.00 shipping charges.... myoshimi@kaiwan.com + - - - - End of Archive File - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +