Do any Vectrex games require the overlay?

[ROBOTNIK666]

I'm looking to buy a Vectrex, and I wonder if there any games that are unplayable without the overlays. By that I mean are there any games that, for example, do not draw a map on screen and require the overlay as the only graphics?

[RCM]

I wouldn't say any original vec titles are unplayable without overlays, but I prefer playing with them for sure.

[tomwaits]

I don't think overlays are required for any of the retail games. A couple games make good use of the overlay, like Star Castle, but the game graphics are still drawn under the colored areas. For most of the retail games the overlay is just solid colored and only adds 'Score' or 'Time' text next to the numbers on the screen.


The only games I know of that require the overlay for gameplay are the Color Clash and Warrior homebrews.

[jb143]

Does Armor Attack draw the buildings and walls with vectors, or are they only on the overlay? I know the arcade only has them on the overlay which would make it really hard to play without it.

[gliptitude]

If you think you want a Vectrex you should definitely get one. It's an awesome one of a kind console.

I agree with all that has been said so far. The overlays are a huge part of the fun for me, so I almost always play with them, even on homebrew games that never had one. Not everyone agrees that they are necessary in general, but here are the games that I consider the overlays to be mandatory for:

WEB WARS (my favorite game. Overlay creates a 3D effect.)
Pole Position (the colors line up with the graphics to create the landscape.)
Bedlam (very colorful overlay that provides necessary embellishment)
Starhawk (like Pole Position, the colors line up)

?Star Castle? (I've never owned a Star Castle overlay so I can't comment. I hear mixed reviews, but some say the overlay helps to imitate the arcade version)

... Armor Attack DOES draw the vectors for the walls, so it is playable without the overlay. All of the games I listed as mandatory overlay can still be played without it, it's just not nearly as good.

[Trebuken]

I do believe someone out there is making/has made reproductions of the overlays and was selling them in sets...I want to say I saw them on ebay but not sure.

[Greg2600]

Yeah I've seen them on ebay too. You don't really need them though. Honestly I prefer the games without them.