Publisher: GCE (1982)
Posted: 2001/9/2

This is one of my all-time favorite classic shooters, so I was curious to see how it would look with vector graphics. I'm happy to report that the game plays almost exactly like its arcade counterpart. Scramble is a side-scrolling space shooter where you fly through caverns, shooting missiles and bombing fuel silos. The explosions are represented by flickering asterisks, which look slightly cheesy.

The premise is to avoid incoming missiles while navigating narrow corridors, which requires a great deal of skill (which I happen to possess, by the way). I noticed that the collision detection in this game tends to be fairly lenient. Your wing can overlap the wall a little bit without causing your ship to explode. This game has three difficulty levels. It's pretty tough, and it's unlikely you'll ever reach the enemy base at the very end. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 2
Our high score: 24580
1 or 2 players 
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Publisher: GCE (1982)
Posted: 2006/2/7

At first glance Solar Quest looks awfully generic with its floating spaceships and cheesy "sun" in the center. Once I began playing however, I was taken in by its strategic gameplay. Despite its shallow appearance, Solar Quest is a subtle mix of Asteroids, Space War, and Time Pilot. Your ship is slightly larger and more detailed than the standard Asteroids "triangle", but the familiar controls include thrust, fire, and hyperspace.

In addition, there's a "nuke" button that can deploy a bomb that can be detonated from a distance. While the nuke is a good idea in theory, it's hard to use effectively. Enemy ships assume a variety of geometric shapes, and while they initially move in predictable lines, they eventually start zigzagging around, ratcheting up the difficulty.

The most interesting aspect of Solar Quest is your ability to pick up "survivors" for bonus points, providing a much-needed strategic element. Whenever you destroy a ship, it leaves a fuzzy little "pilot" that slowly drifts towards the sun. Snatch him up and you receive substantial bonus points, but it's often a risky proposition. Solar Quest doesn't push the envelope in terms of graphics or gameplay, but this is the type of game the Vectrex does well. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: Classic Game Creations (2006)
Posted: 2008/10/8

When you fire up a game of Space Frenzy, you're greeted by a one-eyed alien engaging you in a little intergalactic trash-talk (via some slick voice synthesis). Gamers schooled in the classics will immediately recognize this freak from Space Fury (Colecovision, 1983), and in fact, Space Frenzy is a clone of that game.

At first glance this shooter looks like Asteroids - the type of game the Vectrex handles well. But instead of rocks, you target alien ships that merge together to form larger "cruisers" which in turn try to ram your triangular ass. Between stages you "dock" with larger ships, allowing you to shoot sideways, backwards, or concentrate your firepower forward. I found this docking sequence to be a little too long, disrupting the flow of the game a bit. The collision detection can be a little fishy and the frame-rate struggles at times, but in general Space Frenzy is fun. © Copyright 2008 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: GCE (1982)
Posted: 2017/3/29

The original Space War was the very first video game, programmed at MIT back in 1962! It appeared in various forms on most early consoles and by the time it reached the Vectrex the game was already 20 years old! At its core Space Wars is a one-on-one space shooter with complete freedom of movement. A gravity-exerting sun in the center adds a little spice, and this Vectrex edition tosses a small asteroid into the mix for good measure.

Unlike other versions of the game the two ships sport unique designs. One has a streamlined look while the other resembles the USS Enterprise. This was necessary because the Vectrex isn't capable of color. The game uses three buttons to fire, thrust, and engage hyperspace. Hyperspace relocates you to a random part of the screen, often at your own peril.

The object is to blast your opponent ten times, although you also score if he collides with the sun or asteroid. Despite its simple premise the action is surprisingly frantic as both ships rapidly unload shots while thrusting wildly around the screen. Space Wars also has an additional feature that caught me off-guard. If you don't land a clean shot on your opponent you'll only damage him, perhaps knocking off a wing. A damaged ship can still function, although it tends to limp around and can only fire intermittently. This adds a lot of excitement, especially when you manage to prevail in your crippled state!

Space Wars is clearly designed for head-to-head action and that's where the game shines. It's less exciting playing against the CPU although still pretty nerve-wracking when tied 9-9 going into the final round. My friends always carry a torch for the Vectrex, so of course they loved this. In a veiled threat Brent informed me that I had to give it least a B+. I relented, but on the condition that you can knock it down by a letter grade if you're playing solo. © Copyright 2017 The Video Game Critic.

Recommended variation: 4
Our high score: 10-8
1 or 2 players 
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Spaceship Centauri

Grade: D

Publisher: GCE (2017)
Posted: 2022/2/3

Spaceship Centauri reminds me of one of those bare-bones space shooters you'd spot in a lonely corner of a 1981 arcade. It's one of those long-in-the-tooth games along the lines of Astro Fighter (Atari 7800, 2016).

The gameplay is about as simple as you can get. You move a cannon back and forth on the bottom, firing at ships headed straight down the screen. When one reaches the bottom it's game over. Your shots don't move particularly fast but you can spray them around. That's great because oncoming ships are narrow and easy to miss.

As basic as it is, Spaceship Centauri has one ace up its sleeve. You have this crazy "wave" weapon that rolls right up the screen, obliterating everything in its wake. It's very satisfying but as far as I can tell you only get one to use for the entire game.

Never give up on this game because it has a knack for bailing you out. Each wave abruptly ends after you shoot ten ships, even if there's a few still in transit. As a rule, start firing before they appear and don't stop!

You can select between 99 skill levels and level 99 is downright comical as 100 ships rain down before you can even get off a shot. I'm reviewing Spaceship Centauri off of my Vectrex Multi-cart 3.0, and the title screen says "alpha version", which may explain why it's a little raw. © Copyright 2022 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: GCE (1983)
Posted: 2006/2/7

I'll give Spike all the credit in the world for its innovative visuals, unique gameplay, and amazing voice synthesis. Sadly, those elements don't necessarily make for a fun game. The game begins with an impressive intro sequence depicting a triangular damsel being kidnapped ("Eek! Help! Spike!). The animation is complemented by some surprisingly clear voice synthesis that really got my attention.

Spike's platform-jumping action is pretty standard, but its unconventional viewpoint makes the game stand out. The three moving platforms on the screen are presented at a skewed angle, conveying a nifty illusion of 3D. Controlling the large, pointy-headed Spike character, your first order of business is to grab the key that appears at random locations every few seconds. Scaling the platforms requires using a button to toggle the placement of a ladder between four locations. Besides climbing, you can also jump between gaps on the same platform, or fall in gaps to return to lower levels.

Once you have the key, you must touch the box located near the top of the screen. The problem is, Spike's large size makes it awkward to move him with any degree of quickness or precision. And once baddies like bouncing snakes and flying birds enter the picture, they're practically unavoidable. I really got tired of Spike's frustrating gameplay, and even the voice effects started getting on my nerves after a while. © Copyright 2006 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: John Dondzila (2000)
Posted: 2002/2/10

With Spike Hoppin', John Dondzila (patron saint of Vectrex games) has effectively brought Q*bert to the Vectrex. Besides different character designs, this is basically the same game, and it's a fine adaptation. You won't find Coily or Ugg, but there are other zany characters here to replace them. The first thing that struck me about Spike Hoppin' was its voice synthesis! When I first heard it, I was like, "did this game just talk?!" Yes it did, and these cute samples really add something special.

The graphics are smooth, the objects are easy to make out, and the gameplay is challenging. Moving the Vectrex joystick diagonally takes a while to get used to, but the controls are fairly responsive overall. There are even some cheats and hidden goodies locked away in this game.

My biggest problem with Spike Hoppin' is its leisurely pace. The action is a little on the slow side, and there are long pauses between levels and lives. There's not much originality here, but if you've ever wanted to play Q*bert on your Vectrex, this should do the trick. © Copyright 2002 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: GCE (1982)
Posted: 2022/2/3

Spinball is pinball for the Vectrex. Like many classic pinball titles, it's fun despite its suspect physics and questionable table design. I'm just grateful the balls are round! I'm so used to seeing sharp, angular objects on this system.

I love how the entire table zooms onto the screen before each game. Its layout has three distinct sections and four flippers. The ball will initially get shot into a narrow area at the top where it tends to bounce around like it has a mind of its own. To reach the middle section it has to pass through lanes or a rollover target.

The middle is where most of the action is. Here you'll find four bumpers, several drop targets, and a pair of flippers. Keep the ball in this area as long as possible because once it drops into the lower section it's as good as gone. That's because those bottom flippers have a lot of room between them and an umbrella-shaped barrier makes it hard to propel the ball back up.

The flippers could be a bit more responsive. Especially in pinball, even a slight lag can cost you. You do have the ability to "nudge" the table slightly, at the risk of tilting.

One nifty feature is the star-shaped target which initiates a multiball mode. How often do you see a multiball mode in a classic pinball title? Not many, but you won't believe how hard it is to keep two balls in play for more than a few seconds.

The physics is hard to explain so I'm just going to assume the ball is possessed by an evil spirit. It will speed up and slow down for no particular reason, as if the entire game is being playing in the back of a box truck barreling down the highway. Come to think of it, that actually sounds like a lot of fun.

You get five balls but you'll go through them quickly. This game is challenging when you do get into a zone it's a good feeling. Sadly you don't actually see your score until your bonuses are tabulated after each ball. Spinball is definitely erratic but that won't prevent you from wanting to play it over and over again. © Copyright 2022 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: GCE (1982)
Posted: 2001/9/25

This old arcade game is not found on many video game consoles. You control a small ship like the one from Asteroids (rotate, thrust, fire). The star castle is at the center of the screen, surrounded by a multi-layered, rotating shield. You can shoot away sections of the shield, but don't destroy an entire layer or it will regenerate -- along with an additional layer.

This is an extremely difficult game. Even if enough holes are created to expose the core, it takes pinpoint accuracy to destroy the star castle. You'll also need to keep an eye out for guided missiles. A good strategy of dealing with them is to use the edge of the screen as an escape route. Star Castle is a real cult classic, and it presents a major challenge to shooter fans. Note: This was the acknowledged influence for the Atari 2600 game Yars' Revenge. © Copyright 2001 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: John Dondzila (1999)
Posted: 2003/1/16

I was pretty psyched when I realized that Star Fire is really John Dondzila's remake of the original Star Wars arcade game! In the first stage you battle approaching Tie fighters, and it's a blast! The fighters smoothly scale into range, and their incoming missiles are not easy to hit. I'd advise you to be defensive and be sure to neutralize the missiles before worrying about the Ties themselves.

While it's great fun to play, the level runs a bit long because you have to shoot about 24 ties to advance! Next, you approach a Death Star that looks more like an octagon with a hole in it. In the second stage you shoot towers on the Death Star surface while avoiding ground fire. It's less impressive, and the towers appear to be floating in space.

The final stage sends you down into the Death Star trench for the climactic battle. How is this stage? I'll let you know when I get there! Unfortunately, Star Fire is far too difficult and only has one skill level. Still, I do enjoy the first-person "twitch" shooting that this game has to offer. I think if John polished this one up a bit, it would be 'A' material. Hopefully a sequel is in the works. © Copyright 2003 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: GCE (1982)
Posted: 2005/3/1

Was this a real game that people actually paid money for? Judging from the ugly graphics and mind-numbing gameplay, this looks more like an unfinished prototype. Don't get me wrong - I usually enjoy mindless shooters, but Star Hawk seems especially pointless. The first time I saw it, I had to roll my eyes, recognizing yet another game trying to duplicate the Star Wars "trench" scene.

We've seen it countless other times (Colecovision's Buck Rogers and Intellivision's Star Strike come to mind), but never done this poorly. This game features what has to be the sorriest looking trench I've ever seen. The viewing angle is raised so high that it pretty much defeats the whole illusion of depth, and isn't that the whole point? The planet surface is sharply curved, making it appear about the size of a hot air balloon. Finally, the planet spins more like a slot machine than a rotating heavenly body.

Star Hawk's gameplay is limited to moving a crosshair and shooting enemy ships that swoop in and scale across the screen. At least the game makes proper use of the Vectrex analog joystick, so it's very easy to zero in on your targets. Still, the action is monotonous and the collision detection is erratic. The one iota of strategy involves nailing the occasional "command ship", causing your crosshairs to temporarily double in size, and the scoring doubles as well during this period. Star Hawk is a very weak effort. Its whole purpose seems to be to show off a visual effect that's not very good to begin with. © Copyright 2005 The Video Game Critic.

Publisher: GCE (1983)
Posted: 2025/7/11

While scouring Ebay I stumbled upon a Vectrex title I had never heard of. How could Star Ship have been excluded from my Vectrex multicart? Well, after purchase I discovered I had previously reviewed it under a different moniker: Star Trek: The Motion Picture (GCE, 1982). Apparently it was released in some markets as Star Ship, perhaps to side-step some licensing issues.

There's something to be said for obtaining a complete copy with box, manual, cartridge, and overlay. The high-quality manual contains instructions in six languages. The overlay turns the screen almost entirely blue except for a yellow square in the middle where your aiming reticle is. It seems silly at first, but over time that tint makes the graphics look "softer" and easier on the eyes.

As a first-person space shooter, Star Ship is no slouch. If you enjoy classics like Star Raiders (Atari 2600, 1982) or Space Battle (Intellivision, 1979), this is right up your alley. The game does a fantastic job of showing off the Vectrex scaling capabilities. Bat-shaped enemy fighters zoom in so smoothly and even rotate as they peel off to the sides. When you nail one with your photons it shatters like glass! It's even possible to shoot down spinning enemy projectiles.

Star Ship adds a few new twists to the formula. A shield button provides you with a few seconds of protection. I love how incoming torpedoes harmlessly deflect off of it. Then you have a "power link" button which lets you refuel via the space station. The station rotates and you have to time your link so it hits the door. When successfully docked, it sounds like it's having an orgasm.

You can also use the power-link to a "black hole", inexplicably rendered as a concentric set of squares. That transports you directly to the boss battle. Do this at your own peril, as the oversized boss ship will bombard you with missiles. It's odd how you can initiate a boss encounter during the very first stage, but I guess the option is there for experts and crazy people.

The audio effects are quite immersive with the sound of droning engines and crackling explosions. In general I enjoyed this game much better the second time around, probably since I wasn't distracted by trying to figure out what the heck this had to do with Star Trek! © Copyright 2025 The Video Game Critic.

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Grade: B+

Publisher: GCE (1982)
Posted: 2025/7/11

Not being a particularly big Star Trek fan, I was somewhat relieved to discover this title has little, if anything, to do with Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Apparently GCE bought the movie rights so they could just slap that Star Trek logo on the box and overlay. Granted, it does look pretty slick.

Being a first-person space shooter, the game has you staring at twinkling stars and a crosshair until alien ships come into view. You won't be waiting long. Enemies scale and bank smoothly across the screen, unleashing star-shaped projectiles. Both enemy ships and their missiles shatter nicely when blasted. This is one of those games where if you turn far enough that incoming missiles move out of view, they can't hit you. Gotta love that video game physics.

Button three engages a shield which causes incoming missiles to harmlessly glance off. Button two allows you to "dock" with your space station to recharge your missiles and shield, but this is harder than it sounds. Your timing needs to be just right.

The challenge ramps quickly, and by the third wave the action is downright frantic! If enemy ships are swarming as your station comes into view, it's very easy to accidentally blow it up. Geez, you'd think a huge rotating space station could withstand one lousy photon torpedo!

You'll want to think twice about docking with the black hole, which takes you directly to the Klingon mother ship boss. The first time you encounter it, the thing will blast your sorry Vulcan ass into oblivion. The trick to defeating it is to engage your shields repeatedly while shooting it in the center.

The game has a nice arcade sensibility, and I appreciate how it plays out on a single screen without having to switch to a map. Overall I'd rate Star Trek: The Motion Picture proves as highly enjoyable, providing you're not expecting much in the way of Star Trek. © Copyright 2025 The Video Game Critic.