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BREAKING: The Vectrex Mini is Real – And It’s Glorious!

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Gamescom 2025 just got a whole lot more vector-tastic!

Hold onto your overlays, retro fans – the legendary Vectrex is back, and it’s been shrunk down to a pint-sized powerhouse! Making its dazzling debut at Gamescom 2025, the Vectrex Mini is a modern reimagining of the iconic 1982 vector-based console, and it’s already stealing the show in Hall 10’s Retro Area.

For the uninitiated, the original Vectrex was a trailblazer – the only home console with its own built-in vector display, complete with translucent screen overlays, lightpen support, and even 3D goggles. It was basically a mini arcade cabinet for your lounge room. Now, over 40 years later, the Vectrex Mini is here to rekindle that magic – in a much smaller (and cuter) form.

🧠 What’s New in the Mini?

  • 📺 1/3rd the size of the original, but still an all-in-one unit
  • 🌈 AMOLED display for crisp, vibrant vector graphics
  • 🎮 12 built-in games, with the ability to add more
  • 💾 Modern internals, but faithful to the original experience
  • 💸 Expected price: €150 (~ AU$270)
  • 📏 Height: approx. 6–8 inches / 15.2-20.3cm – perfect for your desk or shelf!

The Vectrex Mini is being developed by a passionate French team, and while it’s still in prototype form, the buzz is real. Fans at Gamescom are already lining up to get hands-on with the unit, which sits adorably next to its full-sized ancestor like a retro gaming Matryoshka doll.

🗓️ Kickstarter Incoming!
The team behind the Mini has confirmed a Kickstarter campaign launching in September, so if you’ve ever dreamed of owning a Vectrex (without shelling out hundreds on eBay), now’s your chance to jump in.

Whether you’re a die-hard Vectrex veteran or a curious newcomer, this is one retro revival you won’t want to miss. And who knows – if this goes well, maybe we’ll finally see that long-lost Vectrex handheld from the ’80s make a comeback too!

image source: Vectrex Official via Twitter/X

 

Video Game Time Capsule: The Complete History of Gaming

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Ever wondered how video games evolved from simple pixelated screens to the immersive experiences we enjoy today? Vlogger MRIXRT, pronounced “Moriarty,” has embarked on an ambitious project to unravel the complete history of video games in an astonishing 12-hour video (or 14 hours if you’re a subscriber).

This marathon of nostalgia and insight is more than just a timeline of gaming milestones. MRIXRT takes you on a captivating journey from the early days of arcade classics to the revolutionary franchises that dominate the market now. Featuring interviews with gamers, developers, and industry experts, the video delves into the pivotal moments, innovations, and controversies that have shaped the gaming world.

What makes this video truly exceptional are the in-depth analyses and fascinating narratives woven throughout. MRIXRT uncovers the stories behind iconic games and consoles, bringing to light hidden gems that have left an indelible mark on the industry. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or someone curious about the cultural impact of video games, this immersive visual journey offers something for everyone.

Join MRIXRT as he honours the dedication, creativity, and community spirit that have elevated gaming to its celebrated status today. Dive in (and binge it at will), and let the adventure begin!



10 Years Of Classic Gaming at PAX Aus

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Cheers to 10 years of inducing intoxicating gaming nostalgia at PAX Aus!

Another PAX Aus is done and dusted, but this was no ordinary year, it was the 10th year the event had been held here in Melbourne (Australia, not Florida).

For this celebratory year, the Classic Gaming (CG) area was moved from its usual Freeplay section to the main Expo Hall, rubbing shoulders with modern AAA gaming heavyweights and indie devs.

Starting the Classic Consoles (as it was known back then) area in 2013 with Retrospekt, Retro Domination and our (Ausretrogamer) team, we knew it would be a hit with attendees of all ages – which not even Melbourne’s inclement July weather could stop anyone getting their nostalgia hit at the inaugural PAX Aus event.

Over the years, the Classic Gaming area has grown from strength to strength, with its popularity ensuring that it returns at every PAX Aus – with an even bigger floor space! The inaugural teams may no longer be involved, but the baton change with the Weird and Retro and the Press Play On Tape Podcast crew has ensured the growth and sustained popularity of the Classic Gaming area.

For the tenth anniversary, the Classic Gaming area didn’t disappoint, with a plethora of amazing machines from yesteryear to tickle every nostalgic nerve in the body. From all of our old favourites from the 8-bit and 16-bit era (hello Atari, Commodore, Sega and Nintendo) all the way through to some darn awesome old-school PC power – and whomever thought of using the Dance Dance Revolution mat to control your (Doom Slayer) character in Doom (cheekily christened Doom Doom Revolution) should be given a knighthood! We hear that we have to now call Aaron (aka: Blahjedi), Sir Aaron of Press Play On Tape podcast, from now on 😉

Doom Doom Revolution!


image & video source: Aaron ‘Blahjedi’ Clement – PPOT

Back in 2015, Skott Kellett proposed to include pinball in the Classic Gaming area, which was an instant hit! The pinball section has now become a permanent fixture of the Classic Gaming area, ensuring gamers can get their mechanical hit via the silverball game. Skott is still the main wrangler of the pinball section, with games provided by Reality Games Australia, Mr Pinball Australia and the Australian Pinball Museum. We were lucky enough to experience some quite rare and hard to find pinball games, from Dutch Pinball’s The Big Lebowski, CGC’s Cactus Canyon Remake, Pinball Brothers‘ Queen, to American Pinball’s amazing Galactic Tank Force, complete with tank tracks and backbox turret!

But wait, there was more! PLAION Australia had the yet-to-be released Atari 2600+ console on display, which was impressive. We have been quite critical of Atari over the years, but even we are quite excited to get our hands on the new 2600+ console!

Last but not least, it is the people that bring the Classic Gaming area to life that we love the most, from the CG showrunning team members to the PAX Aus Enforcers, and the public that come in and reminisce with us about systems and games from a long long time ago.

See you at PAX Aus 2024!

We are going home – to the Classic Gaming Area!

Here are a few of the nostalgia inducing systems and displays!

Pinball in the Classic Gaming area is as popular as ever!

Classic Gaming is nothing without the awesome people that make it happen and for those that come and visit!



Power Up At The UK’s Science Museum

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160 consoles. Five decades. Game on!

The UK’s Science Museum has a new interactive gallery, POWER UP, which is on right now in London’s South Kensington district.

Immerse yourself in a hands-on gaming experience, featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past 50 years!

Back in the early 1970s, Pong, a simple tennis-themed game, took the world by storm as one of the first commercially successful arcade games. From there, the gaming industry continued to grow, introducing us to iconic titles such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong.


source: Science Museum

From its humble beginnings with Pong to the immersive VR worlds of today, gaming has been an integral part of our lives. It has evolved, adapted, and thrived, capturing the hearts of both the young and the young at heart. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer, a nostalgic enthusiast, or a casual player looking for some fun, the gaming world has something extraordinary to offer you.

Day and annual passes for POWER UP are available now. Book your tickets here.

source: © Jody Kingzett, Science Museum Group

source: © Science Museum Group



Custom Retro Gaming Action Figures

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Whoa, these unique action figures based on yesteryear’s gaming consoles are either awesomely cool or absolute nightmare fuel – you be the judge!

U.S. based eBay user shdurr0 has created some very quirky custom action figures based on vintage gaming systems from the 70s and 80s, just take a look them below! These may not be to the caliber of Dano Brown’s custom-made video game toys, but they are still worth a mention.

If you are inclined to take a peek and possibly grab one (or all) of these one-off creations, go and check them out.

PS: Love the ‘AGES 45 & UP‘ on some these – a nice touch indeed 😉

The Sega Master System Droid

Milton Bradley (MB) Vectrex Man (Glow In the Dark)

GCE Vectrex Man

K.C. Munckin / Magnavox Odyssey 2

Captain Atari (Glow in the dark)

image source: eBay



RACV asks, is this Australia’s Best Nintendo Collection?

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Who would have thought RACV were into retro gaming?!

To our astonishment, we stumbled upon a great article in their bi-monthly magazine, RoyalAuto, where they ask the most pertinent question, does Sam Crowther have Australia’s best Nintendo collection? To find out, go and read all about Sam’s impressive and vast collection here.

story and image source: RACV RoyalAuto



Ausretrogamer Is 10 Years Old!

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Who would have thought that when we first started ausretrogamer.com in January 2012 that 10 years later we would still be here! Time certainly flies when you are having fun.

Today marks a major milestone for us at ausretrogamer as we have reached the magical decade mark! When starting our site and social media channels in 2012, we honestly didn’t have any expectations that we would still be around in 2022 – but we are glad that we are!

We have been pleasantly surprised over the years to find so many like-minded people who enjoy playing and talking about all the stuff we love, from obscure video games from the 1970s to those schoolyard-type discussions on which 8-bit computer was best (we all know it was the Commodore 64!).

Ausretrogamer has also allowed us to meet a lot of you in real life, either at events like PAX Aus or local pinball competitions or computing club events – which have been a priceless experience. We are humbled to call all of you our good friends. Nostalgia is a powerful force that binds us all – long may it continue!

To all the awesome folks that have contributed and to those that are still contributing content and everyone that engages with us, thank you very much – you all rock our world!

Looking forward to another decade full of retro gaming (and pinball) goodness! 😉



Vectrex Tournament: Vector War XI 2021

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Vectrex Tournament: Vector War XI (30th Oct – 6th Nov 2021)

Eleven years ago, a well known peep in the retro scene, Rob Maerz, started the Vector War. The Vector War is an annual Vectrex game tournament where Vectrex players all over the world compete. For this year, Vector War XI (VW11) runs for one week, from October 30 till November 6 2021.

The Vector War is for all player skills levels, from beginners to super expert players. In the Vector War you participate and compete with others. This is also a great opportunity to play the Vectrex games more extensively and get to know new games (and other peeps!).

For more information on the Vector War XI games list, competition rules and prizes, head over here and get ready! Good luck Vectrexians!

Thanks to RetroTuesday and Angela for making us aware of this Vectrex tournament!



The Retro Gaming Vault – May 2021

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Our first retro gaming vault feature proved successful, so we thought we’d keep things going!

For this month’s images, we delved further into our vault and dug up some cool and peculiar photos of items we have in our collection and from gaming parties we have attended and ComLynxed with our friends!

We hope you keep enjoying these blasts from the past!

Will always love the PC-Engine HuCards – they are so cute and packed with awesome gaming!

Keeping our N64 in tip top shape!

Got to get our monthly C64 fix (especially some World Class Leaderboard)!

Llamatron 2112 on the Jag or…..

……Revenge of the Mutant Camels?

Love getting some action on the little Neo Geo Pocket Color

ComLynx parties are always the fun!

The Neo-Vec controller is pretty darn awesome to use on the Vectrex

The rare and obscure Noun. Tempest 3000 is just sublime!

Our favourite Commodore 64 in our collection. The Suncom Thumbstick is a brilliant little controller, especially on Wizard of Wor!

Original image copyright: ausretrogamer



The Mini Vectrex VideoSystem

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We know this is OLD news, but who doesn’t like seeing this again?

Back in late 2018, the National Videogame Museum (NVM) in Texas (USA) tracked down the much rumoured Mini Vectrex VideoSystem. Once it was found that this was a working system, the NVM secured it as part of their Vectrex archive, ensuring all could see this lost treasure on display!

GCE designed and developed the Mini Vectrex just after being purchased by Milton Bradley in 1983. The mini system was to offer a slim alternative, much like contemporary mini console revisions of video games systems from the past. Now imagine if this actually made it to retail stores……….

We definitely could never get sick of watching the Mini Vectrex in action!


source: National Videogame Museum