redrumh2o Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 Hello everyone! Long story short, I am new to the Vectrex world and I have a few noob questions I could not figure out. I do not have one yet, but will be getting one this summer. I have not played one for about 25-30 years, but I have fond childhood memories of playing one with my dad who is no longer with us. I actually did not even figure out what it was we played until a few months ago. Anyways....here are my questions.....any help would be greatly appreciated 1) Multicarts - I am not looking to collect games, and would love everything in one package. Is the quality of a multicart the same as buying the regular games? I would still use overlays and would buy reproductions.. Would a Multicart me the way to go? 2) VecFever?? - So I sort of understand the upcoming Vecfever, but not really. Basically it was be a Multicart that lights up and has some homebrew games on it? I am not interested in the developmental stuff so all that stuff confuses me, as did the FAQ. Would I me wise to wait for one? Is it easy to upload the ROMs and would the quality still be as good as carts? 3) Buzz - How much buzz is acceptable when trying out systems? Again I have not even touched one in 25-30 years so I have no memory. Should I still hear it over the game play? 4) Skins - I have seen some systems with graphic skins on the outside and the controller. Are these available anywhere? If I find a system that plays well but has cosmetic issues I would be interested in getting one. 5) Homebrew Games - Any good ones (especially with overlays) currently available at retail prices and not for a ton on eBay? Anything else you think I am missing? Thanks Again! Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectorGamer Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 1) Multicarts - I am not looking to collect games, and would love everything in one package. Is the quality of a multicart the same as buying the regular games? I would still use overlays and would buy reproductions.. Would a Multicart me the way to go? 5) Homebrew Games - Any good ones (especially with overlays) currently available at retail prices and not for a ton on eBay? There's a member here that builds and sells a 72-in-1 multicart - I highly recommend it. His user ID is "Richard H." You NEED to get Kristof Tuts home brews Vectrexians and Vector Pilot. Contact him at this www Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+KylJoy Posted June 12, 2017 Share Posted June 12, 2017 1. I recommend a "flash"cart, not a multicart. A flash cart lets you put your own copies of ROMS on it, original or homebrew. Also, I strongly recommend buying a flashcart that will reset back to the menu (with the reset button), not requiring you to turn the Vectrex off and on between game changes. 2. I believe Vecfever is a flashcart. I have several multicarts and flashcarts and I'll be buying one of these, too. I may never use the extra features. 3. I always left the buzz there until it got so bad on one unit that I installed a separate audio amp to circumvent the built in amp. The quiet is amazing and I recommend nuking the buzz. I'll never go back! 4. I am mostly an originalist (buzz removal excepted) and am not a fan of skinning the Vectrex. But if the unit was scratched up I would. I think the skins peel off later for the most part. 5. I like several homebrew games and flashcarts let me run most of the ones I want. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard H. Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 There's a member here that builds and sells a 72-in-1 multicart - I highly recommend it. His user ID is "Richard H." That's not me, it's Andrew Coleman - http://vectrex.playntradeonline.com/ I make the VecMulti. If you want one, I'm selling the last 10 units at half price ($45 USD shipped) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectorGamer Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 I make the VecMulti. Yeah - well I bought one and I highly recommend it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haightc Posted June 13, 2017 Share Posted June 13, 2017 I also recommend the vec multi, works great and comes ready go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 13, 2017 Author Share Posted June 13, 2017 Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted June 14, 2017 Share Posted June 14, 2017 You're not the same RedRumH2O from the Technodrome, are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 14, 2017 Author Share Posted June 14, 2017 You're not the same RedRumH2O from the Technodrome, are you? LoL.....you wouldn't happen to own a bunch of funny book drawings with rabbits and swords would you?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 15, 2017 Author Share Posted June 15, 2017 Another question....what is a PCB? I see that Big Blue is sold out of carts, but a PCB is being offered?? Is that just the game without a case? Could I just put it in another game's case and buy a reproduction overlay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiLic0ne t0aD Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 (edited) PCB = Printed Circuit Board, just the game without a case being offered but you can buy a cart shell from Vectrexer (I even have a spare if he's sold out). There is a member here who makes overlays and I remember seeing a Big Blue custom overlay he did.. His handle is Funknflow5200, try shooting him a message on here. Edited June 15, 2017 by SiLic0ne t0aD85 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 LoL.....you wouldn't happen to own a bunch of funny book drawings with rabbits and swords would you?? Strangely enough, yes small world mate, small world... anyhow, you've stumbled upon one of my favourite retro consoles of all time, and when I own everything, I own... almost everything heh. If you're just looking to play set games, then buying a multicart is probably the way forward. If you want to try out games that people release as ROMs on the net as well, then a flash cart is the way forward. The VecMulti is brilliant, even better if Richard is selling them reduced price currently. VecFever will have a lot going for it, but is also bound to be more expensive heh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 No kidding right? Too crazy I already had purchased a 72 in 1 (seems good enough to begin with) and Big Blue PCB today. I will probably get the VecFever once released as well. My next step is getting some overlays. I am trying to do a little at a time to spread out the $$ And of course at the same time looking for a good system to use all this stuff with Any recommendations of psychedelic overlay pairings with games? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Well, on the front of psychedelic overlays, there's a guy called Steven Kray on FB who does overlay reproductions, and a bunch of new ones, including some colourful chaos that Jeff Minter would be proud of in a light synth heh. If you're on FB, try joining the group "Vectrex Fans Unite". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectorGamer Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 I am trying to do a little at a time to spread out the $$ That's the problem with collecting for the Vectrex: the games and overlays are so damn expensive. That's why getting a VecMulti is the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Well I got a system!!!!...should be here next Monday.....fingers crossed that it makes the mail trek! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 24, 2017 Author Share Posted June 24, 2017 (edited) Well I finally got my system! It is very clean with 2 awesome (and clean) controllers and the system box. The buzz is minimal and I can hardly notice it while playing most games. I definitely paid up for it but it was shipped very professionally and I am super happy. I just have a few questions as it has been 30 years since I have played one. I notice minor flickering (very minor) during most games, especially right when I use the controller. I assume this is normal? When playing minestorm I can go all the way to the very edge of the screen on the left, but on the right maybe up until 1/2 inch before coming out the other side. During scramble it seems like instead of things popping on and off the screen they sort of stretch on the right maybe half inch of the screen and shrink off the left side of the screen? It messed with my eyes for a little bit. Also...you can't go more than halfway across the screen right? I should expect some overlays to be slightly off? When the brightness is too high there is a dot in the middle....when it is all the way up there are crazy lines.....normal?? lol Thanks everyone! Hope my multicart comes in soon! Edited June 24, 2017 by redrumh2o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 24, 2017 Author Share Posted June 24, 2017 You can see here on my scramble where the right side ends...I guess its a lot more than I noticed on minestorm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 24, 2017 Author Share Posted June 24, 2017 (edited) Well I think I adjusted it pretty good. I got my minestorm and armor attack to the edges, but Scramble just wont go...still looks the same as the pic above. Could it be a bad cartridge?Also things shrink when they get to the left and right edges, but not the top and bottom.....any ideas? My fix for the time being is to just shrink the margins all around to about 1 1/2"...of course that messes up the overlays so I will have to get some psychedelic ones Edited June 24, 2017 by redrumh2o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayhem Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Needless to say I'm in the FB group that you joined, but hopefully most of your questions have already been answered there (still, also means I finally know your real name heh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrumh2o Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share Posted June 25, 2017 Oh crap....there goes my identity!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.