A local indie store has a Vectrex...

[pacmanhat]

What is this thing? Is it worth owning? What's a fair price for one?

[Jibbajaba]

Dude buy it!!!!! Those tings are awsome. I would give my left nut to find one of those in the wild.

Make sure it works.

Chris

[PDorr3]

depends on its condition. I have yet to see a vectrex in the wild, and I would be willing to pay $40-50 for a fairly conditioned ones if I ever saw it. On ebay they catch a hefty price, usualy in the $80-120 range if its bundled with some games.

[chadtower]

depends on its condition. I have yet to see a vectrex in the wild, and I would be willing to pay $40-50 for a fairly conditioned ones if I ever saw it. On ebay they catch a hefty price, usualy in the $80-120 range if its bundled with some games.

$40-50 is too low. Average value of a nicely working Vectrex is about $80 itself.

[Sniderman]

What is this thing?

Ok, I'm gonna have to yell at ya a little. This is like posting "What's a Colecovision?" or "What's a Turbo Grafx?" The Vectrex is common enough where punching it into Google should've given you all the answers you'd ever want on "what it is." Do your homework next time, please.


Is it worth owning? Now that's a judgement call of a different nature. The Vectrex still has homebrewed games being created for it, so it's a pretty active collectible. They're pretty hearty, so they last pretty well. And, since they're vector-based in nature, they're a great conversation piece videogaming -wise. Plus, the games are great and the system itself is spiffy-looking. In my opinion, yes, it's worth owning.


What's a fair price for one? See above answers. Though you can also use the online DP Rarity Guide above to look up console prices ($90 for the more common GCE version.) Again, do your homework.

[PDorr3]

im saying if i saw one in thw wild, id I couldent test it I wouldent pay more than 50. If I knew it were working and it came with a game or two I would dish out more.

[pacmanhat]

I'll keep that in mind, Sniderman. Homework = good.

The store has fully tested it, is bundling a couple of games with it and is asking for $179. The place generally overcharges for a lot of things (systems especially), probably because they're the only place in the area where I live that sells anything like this. I don't know if I'll actually pick it up, but it's definitely inspired me to do a little research on it at least.

[Sniderman]

The store has fully tested it, is bundling a couple of games with it and is asking for $179. Hmm... Steep price. But if the games are boxed and complete - and rare - then it'd be worth it. Can't justify it any other way though.

[Kamino]

I'll keep that in mind, Sniderman. Homework = good.

The store has fully tested it, is bundling a couple of games with it and is asking for $179. The place generally overcharges for a lot of things (systems especially), probably because they're the only place in the area where I live that sells anything like this. I don't know if I'll actually pick it up, but it's definitely inspired me to do a little research on it at least.
Do the games have boxes? manuals? overlays?(The vectrex used SCREEN OVERLAYS.)
Use the rarity guide of this site. <hint> buy a damn dp guide so you don't have to ask us these things..I hate books and i bought one</hint>
If the games + system add near the dp value, get it.
Sniderman is wise, listen to him.

[rbudrick]

If you could find out what they are asking, that would be helpful. Also, test to make sure the controllers work (and the system as a whole). Is it boxed? What's it come with?

I've only actually seen one Vectrex in person in my life that a friend owned back in the late 90s. They are certainly rare in the wild, so if the price is right, you should definitely grab it.

-Rob

[Emily]

Make sure the joystick works! It MUST center!

what games are bundles with it?
If it includes:
Forterss of Narzod
Star Castle
Web Wars
Pole Position*
Poler Rescue*
Melody Master*
Or any complete 3-D game
*these games are worth the most alone, and are actually rare

Get it!!!
The Vectrex is my favorite console! Beware though, this isnt a kiddie system, the games are hard as hell( mostly) and the Joystick is very hard to replace cheaply!

[christianscott27]

vectrexes arent all that rare, they had their virtual boy like moment of low-low clearence prices too. i've found 6 in the wild and believe it or not they all have worked and had their controllers. its all about learning to scan piles of junk at flea markets, i swear its an actual mental trait being able to find objects in clutter. complete vetrex software is a good deal harder to find.

[Emily]

I also have a knack for finding gameing stuff hidden among piles of unrelated stuff. I guess I just need to hit up some flea markets around here.

[dj898]

there was on eBay AU last year.
and the seller was in the same city where I live so I could pick it up if I won the auction... the thing was missus said no for any more of h/w stuff and there's no way I can hide the thing from her... :(

oh well...

[Sylentwulf]

Check ebay first, vectrex prices had BOTTOMED OUT that last time I checked. I had a working perfectly, cleaned vectrex with working controller and 5-6 games (in rough label shape, but working fine) that I finally ended up selling for like $50-$60. And this was a NICE vectrex system, had it listed for almost 2 months before I dropped all the way down to that price and it sold.

[vulcanjedi]

Yo

About 4 years ago I was in a flea mkt and saw a vectrex sitting next to a 2600 and asked the guy how much for the old games. He says $150 so I ask how much for each. He says the color one was $100 but the old black and white thing was only $50

My original vectrex cost me $50 on closeout in 1986. I remember it well because I was in downtown Philadelphia and my car was parked 4 blocks away and I had to carry the thing. Over the years that unit got a bit banged up and the joystick was a little messed up and I was looking to replace it.

So I snagged the one at the flea and it came up perfect. I even traded the older one for a multicart.

VJ

[bigdaddychester]

I acquired mine at a flea market. It was in the middle of the afternoon and by 1:30 the place starts to thin out. I asked the guy to turn it on. I was only starting to get into collecting at that time, so the slight buzzing sound and black and white graphics were "bargaining fodder" (i had no idea that was normal) I almost walked away from it but the guy said "I'll take $5 for it" so I paid the man and left pnly to find out days later what I had scooped.

$180 is steep but if it comes with a good base of games and you're willing to spend that much than go for it. You never know when another one will show up...in the wild.