By Emma Reynolds 
The world of gaming is constantly evolving, with new consoles and technology being introduced at an exponential rate. But what about the forgotten consoles of the past? The Vectrex, a home gaming console from the 1980s, may have been long forgotten by many, but thanks to a chance encounter, it has been given a new lease on life. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at how the once-dead Vectrex console was resurrected, and why it’s gaining a new wave of popularity amongst retro gaming enthusiasts.
For those who may not be familiar with the Vectrex, it was a vector graphics-based home gaming console that was released in 1982. It was a unique console that stood out from its competitors due to its built-in monochrome screen and controller with a built-in overlay feature. While it gained a small but dedicated cult following, the Vectrex was ultimately discontinued in 1984, leaving its fans with a nostalgic longing for the console.
Fast forward to 2016, and a chance encounter at a garage sale would change the fate of the Vectrex console. A man named Alex Herbert stumbled upon a rare prototype version of the console, that included features such as a built-in expansion called the “Voice Recorder” and a prototype game called “Bedlam”. Herbert, a collector of vintage console and games, quickly purchased the Vectrex and brought it back to his home in Sydney, Australia.
Herbert’s discovery quickly caught the attention of the retro gaming community, and soon the Vectrex was making headlines once again. With the help of a dedicated team of enthusiasts, Herbert was able to unlock the full potential of the prototype console and bring to life the unreleased “Bedlam” game. This sparked a renewed interest in the Vectrex, with many praising its unique design and gameplay.
But why are people so fascinated with this old, forgotten console? For many, it’s the nostalgia factor that draws them in. The Vectrex represents a simpler time in gaming, where graphics and processing power took a backseat to creativity and innovation. It’s a reminder of a time before online gaming and microtransactions, where gamers would gather around a console and spend hours immersed in a game.
The resurgence of the Vectrex has also led to the development of new games for the console. Thanks to the work of dedicated programmers and developers, new games have been released for the console, giving it a new catalog of titles to add to its collection. This has brought the Vectrex back into the spotlight and introduced it to a new generation of gamers.
In conclusion, the chance encounter and discovery of a prototype Vectrex console has given new life to a forgotten piece of gaming history. With its unique design and nostalgic appeal, the Vectrex has once again captured the hearts of retro gaming enthusiasts and has found a new place in the gaming industry. Who knows what other hidden treasures may be waiting to be discovered at a garage sale or flea market?