For a long time it had become rather quiet with the publications of Vectrex games. Today is surprising the game “Hexed!” appeared. The game itself is not me prior to date, therefore I give essentially the website again:
In Hexed! is it to Vector 21 and Royal 21 Now to the third card game from George Pelonis for the Vectrex. Music and design of the cards are removed from the area Voodoo and dark magic. The recently published game is used as Fury Unlimited, with instructions, delivered module inside a plastic. Hexed! costs 40 USD (that. 30 EUR) including shipping. Orders are directly on the Website of Hexed! given up, Payments are made via PayPal.

As is ever the current state in the Vectrex homebrew development?

The very active George Pelonis (Fury Unlimited, U.S.A.) would have 2012 recently published Warrior, its shipping but increased slightly. So currently wait many collectors and players on their copy of Warrior. The procurement of the necessary for the preparation of the Games PCBs caused problems and delayed delivery. Neben Warrior bot George Pelonis in 2012 new controller (Overdrive, Starblast, YETI, Vectrosis), offered on its website, are partially but already sold out. Next game Tailgunner is actually expected, the intertitles Hexed! comes as quite surprising.

Vectrex homebrew developer Kristof Tuts (Tutstronix, Belgium) had end 2011 with the excellent Vector Pilot geklotzt. Until the appearance of Vector Hopper, a clone of the Arcadehit Q * bert or Vector Patrol (Moon Patrol), should there be some time, although long been promising screenshots can be admired from two games on the website. Kristof's games are well known for their quality, However, unfortunately for their long development period of several years.

Martijn Wenting (Revival Studios, Netherlands) currently being developed for other retro platforms such as the ZX81 or the Commodore Pet. The games on these platforms are well received, However, by increased development for the Vectrex, where the last game Shifted in 2011 published. In Martijns pipeline for the Vectrex include MVR Racing, a car racing game with extensive track as seen from above and Vector Arcade: Volume 1, a collection of 5 Vectrexspielen on a module.

Michael Borrmann would have 2011 with Vec Fu, a karate match, landed a graphically as playful successful debut. Michael had a follow-up project “Blocks” announced, the on his website can be downloaded as a very early trial and played. The current development status is unknown.

This year 2013 likely next Hexed! still Hellhole and announced some time Tailgunner published by George Pelonis. we remain excited…

Supplement of the occasion on 22. December 2014:
THE FOLLOWING CONTRIBUTION WAS AN APRIL FOOL!

Last week I had sold a Vectrex game, when I took it out of the basement and inspected before packaging, came the big shock: The color film was heavily damaged in several places. looked equal in the other games, Three other color films had similar damage and were also scrap. The remaining games were to my relief in order.

After research and discussion in Vectorgaming-Forum has emerged following: The Vectrex games were produced at two locations, in Hong Kong and Ireland. The films from Ireland was not the usual PET (polyethylene terephthalate), but the PET-A, a variant with a higher proportion of antimony(III)-oxide, used. The PET-A has over PET better break- and impact resistance, However, it is prone to infestation Spirillaceae bacteria upon exposure to moisture. Typical of the infestation is the notch-like pitting from the edge. This issue was well known already in the 80's, thus the color films from Ireland were provided with a papery Cases, which includes a so-called PET-A blockers against bacteria. On storage of the films in the protective sheath, diffuses the PET-A-blockers and there are even over decades no problems with the color films.

The problem affects all color films “Made in Ireland” and thus all retro collectors with Vectrex color films. Thus, the to-find only in the color films from Ireland cases represent an important antibacterial protection and are essential for safe keeping necessary. The cases are therefore in the meantime in individually ebay at high prices sold.

A simple and cheap alternative to the original cases with PET-A blocker is applying moisturizer with Vaseline (z.B. Melkfett) and is recommended by experienced Vectrex collectors: “The fat keeps the moisture from the plastic, thereby eliminating the bacterial attack. The fat may however be only very thinly with a wooden spatula, otherwise you no longer sees playing.”, so Vectrex-Guru VectrexMad!.

The origin of the film, which does not necessarily coincide with the place of manufacture of the games module and board, is based on the printed small on the right side and in white release date to determine. In those susceptible to bacterial contamination, European films from Milton Bradley “01.04.1982” imprinted (see image).

So quickly check most equal, whether you have one or the other color film from Ireland and store definitely this in the original protective bag, grease or the ink sheet. Only one is immune to the bacteria attack and also after many years joy in the iconic color films.

addendum: The Speedweeks are over, clear winner is NorthCoastGamersShop with a fantastic lap time of 100,1 s. congratulation! The rankings in detail:

1. NorthCoastGamer (100,1 s)
2. darin9999 (106,1 s)
3. axl8000 (117,6 s)
4. hcmffm (119,8 s)
5. knaagi (120,1 s)

Vectrex- and Retro players currently come fully at their expense: After this “Galaxy Legacy” have on 26. January four-week “Speedweeks” started. They will play various racing games such as Indy 500, Pole Position or Outrun – Of course on retro consoles such as the Atari consoles (2600, 5200, 7800), the NES, the ColecoVision and some more.

The Vectrex is at the Speed ​​Weeks with the racing game “Hyperchase” there. A fastest possible lap time for the game 1 (Game 1) must be earned. Very good to play 1 is, that after ca. 2 to 3 is minutes a lap, a game by. So you can portioning playing time good and sometimes just turn 'a fast lap.

Three Tips for Hyper Chase:

• Hyper Chase is easy to understand from the controller ago (Left Right, Gas, brakes, switch), A glance at the manual but can not hurt. The Instructions for Hyper Chase and all other original Vectrexspielen you can free download and view at Digit Press.
• The game should due to the fibrillation necessarily with color film (Overlay) play, the reduced flicker. If the Hyper Chase film is not at hand, then does it matter, any other color film. possibly. also regulate the brightness down a bit, then the flicker is also more bearable.
• For most Vectrexspielen can show the high score again, by carrying out a reset, but so not with Hyper Chase: In documenting Hyper Chase the highscore necessarily directly after the game my photo, otherwise he's gone: After a reset of Hyper Chase the high score of game 2 appropriate, but not from game 1.

Learn more about the Speed ​​Weeks can be found in Forum Retrocade Magazines. Registering in the English forum, participation in the competition are as always free. And now: Buckle up and go!

SUPPLEMENTARY: The contest is over. With a score of 26.150 Points has Darrin earned the highest score in Vectrexians. Congratulations!

From 1. January to 1. February at the Games competition “Galaxian Legacy” instead of. The competition is organized by Rob Maerz, Author and operator of the online magazine “Retrocade Magazine” organized. Played the game “Galaxian” on various retro consoles, including the Atari 2600, NES and the Vectrex.

is on the Vectrex Vectrexians, of the in 2007 published for the Vectrex Galaxian clone, play. As in all Galaxian reactions of the players in Vectrexians fighting groups of strangers, which are somewhat reminiscent of insects. The aliens attack the player's spaceship to individually or in combination and bombard it. Im Video-Review von Classic Game Room get a good impression of the game.

Who should not be in possession of Vectrexians, can the game directly from the Developers Kristof Tuts For 40 EUR (plus. 6,50 EUR Shipping to Germany) to order. The price of 40 EUR seems high, therefore a few words: The many hours carefully converted and very well playable Vectrexians comes as play module in a box, Recently manual and with film (Overlay). The film was printed by screen printing on two sides and has the highest print quality. Finally you with buying Vectrexians supports the development of retro titles. Bottom line, a good investment.

Learn more about the Galaxian Competition can be found at Forum Retrocade Magazines. Registering in the English forum, participation in the competition are as always free.