At the beginning of the 1980s, the Vectrex represented, for many, a machine that sparked dreams… Like countless children, David (the initiator of the Vectrex Mini project) fell in love with it, but could only admire it from afar. Years went by, and in the 1990s he began collecting consoles he had not owned as a child. This growing collection nurtured a fascination with retro gaming. And more than forty years after the release of the Vectrex, the dream of giving it a new lease of life turned into a concrete project.
The desire to create a console of his own
Among David’s many projects was also the dream of designing an electronic product for the public. His meeting with Julien, owner of the Vectrex brand, opened up a unique opportunity. Passionate about the wave of mini consoles, of which he owns nearly every version (NES, SNES, PlayStation, Astro City, Neo Geo Mini, Egret II…), David immediately envisioned that a Vectrex Mini would be a great way to revive the brand.
The miniaturization of the Vectrex
The idea of miniaturization continued to stand out, as it allowed for a machine different from the original while still staying true to its spirit. A desk-friendly format was immediately appealing, both for quick gaming sessions and for admiring the design of this iconic console. The clock mode reinforced this vision by giving the Vectrex Mini a constant presence, beyond that of a simple collector’s item.
This approach offered several advantages: making the console more accessible, enriching collections, preserving vintage models, and introducing new players to this unique machine. All these elements provided the momentum to move forward. Above all, David saw the project as a personal passion, while keeping in mind what might appeal to other fans.
The first steps of the project
The meeting with Eric, creator of the YouTube channel Retro Relik’s, and his handcrafted Vectrex Mini, proved that the project was achievable. A collaboration began, and his work served as the foundation for designing our version, developed with other goals in mind.
Work on the prototype began with a detailed 3D model of the original 1982 Vectrex and its analog joystick. Once the shapes were captured, the whole system was scaled down to 1:2, which required numerous adaptations to fit modern components into a more compact shell.
3D printing produced the first parts, but even at half size the console remained bulky and complex to manufacture. Several trials and adjustments were needed before achieving a satisfactory result. The joystick demanded high precision, since every button and contact had to be soldered and assembled by hand.
After weeks of work, a first functional prototype was born. This step validated the concept, but also revealed new challenges… Creating a 3D-printed prototype is one thing, but considering industrial production is another (as the final version would obviously need to be manufactured with injection molding, just like the 1982 original).
Between technical constraints and decisive choices
The project then led to trips to Asia in search of partners capable of handling production. Discussions about costs and technical compromises multiplied. At one point, the idea of a console that only connected to a television was considered, to lower costs. But it quickly became clear that a Vectrex without a screen would lose a large part of its identity.
The screen as the heart of the project
The cathode-ray tube was also an integral part of the soul of the original Vectrex, but it is no longer manufactured for large retailers today. The goal was not to recreate a perfect replica but to offer a faithful and accessible tribute. The choice fell on a 5-inch vertical AMOLED display. Its brightness and contrast deliver an experience close to the sharpness characteristic of vector graphics. This compromise requires several adjustments to reproduce the effects of the time, but already gives the Vectrex Mini essential coherence, combining retro spirit with a modern experience.
An adventure in progress
From distant admiration to the creation of a prototype, the journey has been full of discoveries. The Vectrex Mini project continues to evolve, and each step brings us closer to large-scale production. We keep working with our partners to improve our prototype day by day, until the final result that we are as eager as you are to unveil.
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