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Post by TrekMD on Jun 27, 2012 16:37:00 GMT -5
I really got lucky scoring my copy. Id got into the vectrex and didn't know anything about homebrews or that anyone was even releasing new games for an old games machine from the past. I went into a little retro games shop near me one day and they had just got in a collection of Vectrex bits someone had traded in. The guy in the shop also didn't know much about homebrews so just priced them at what he thought they were worth. I ended up buying VeCaves, Protector, Thrust, Gravitrex, Vectopia and Protector/Yasi for £20 each. Wow, that is awesome! Good for you! |
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Post by sj on Jun 27, 2012 16:52:35 GMT -5
$530 with 4 days to go and the bidder is not a hard-core collector!!  |
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Post by Mayhem on Jun 27, 2012 18:42:53 GMT -5
Just to note a couple of points made in the thread... the VecSports Boxing is the "second" edition of the game that was made, the first version that GDG put out in 2002. Originally Manu had produced 14 hand made copies in cardboard boxes, then GDG licensed it to make 100 copies, that were originally sold at CGE 2002. The second auction, price wise, is all to do with VeCaves.
As for VeCaves, while it was made in roughly the same amounts as other games of the time, it's the sheer fact that hardly any copies of it have been resold say compared to the LE Protector. That's what has driven the price up. Even mega Vectrex collector David Elfstrom did not have a copy of it before he left the scene.
It's hard to know how many complete copies of VeCaves there are. I did speak to Mark about this, and he couldn't recall. Probably around 80. There were 100 cartridges made, but not all of them came with overlay, box and manual as he ran out. The copy I own was bought at CGE 2002, where it launched alongside VecSports Boxing.
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Post by TrekMD on Jun 27, 2012 18:47:56 GMT -5
Cool, thanks for the info. It is remarkable that even a big collector did not have a copy of VecCaves. No wonder the price goes up so much.
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Post by fury on Jun 27, 2012 20:37:42 GMT -5
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Post by TrekMD on Jun 27, 2012 20:46:25 GMT -5
Is it really that difficult and expensive to get these original games? I guess I'm used to common carts with the Atari systems being fairly cheap. I take it things are not the same with the Vectrex. I had not seen such high prices on ebay with Vectrex games unless it was something like the 3D imager.
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Post by VectorX on Jun 27, 2012 21:06:16 GMT -5
There were 100 cartridges made, but not all of them came with overlay, box and manual as he ran out. Well, that almost sounds like a relief there, that he might be making more at some point. Or were these specialized shells or something? Because I would say it seems to me that he could just use the process that Dondzila uses now from Mark Shaker, rather than butchering Intellivision carts like he used to but then I assume I'm not getting all of the story anyway. I do know he made overlays for the games, which isn't very common in general for homebrews (and it was probably THE only homebrew yet with an overlay for each game but I could be mistaken!). Oh, and for the current Star Castle deal? Good lord, that cart is NOT worth that much unless it comes with a hooker attached to it  |
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Post by gliptitude on Jun 27, 2012 21:22:41 GMT -5
Oh, and for the current Star Castle deal? Good lord, that cart is NOT worth that much unless it comes with a hooker attached to it In the item description the seller says he will sell all of his boxed GCE games together for $5,000, ("5K"). 1K would be generous appraisal in my opinion, regardless of condition. |
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Post by VectorX on Jun 27, 2012 21:37:06 GMT -5
Yes, he's just a wishful thinker...hopefully the stuff won't sell...
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Post by Mayhem on Jun 27, 2012 22:14:07 GMT -5
Well, that almost sounds like a relief there, that he might be making more at some point. Or were these specialized shells or something? Because I would say it seems to me that he could just use the process that Dondzila uses now from Mark Shaker, rather than butchering Intellivision carts like he used to but then I assume I'm not getting all of the story anyway. I do know he made overlays for the games, which isn't very common in general for homebrews (and it was probably THE only homebrew yet with an overlay for each game but I could be mistaken!). From what I can gather, he made 100 cartridges. However there were less than 100 overlays made. Or he made 100 and a proportion of them didn't come out very well. I think less than 100 inlays/boxes too. Someone contacted me about 3-4 years ago asking if I'd make a high quality scan of my inlay so he could "complete" his copy of the game, as he had a box and manual, but no inlay. And no overlay either. I think the last 20 or so were sold cart and manual only. Only 20 copies were made available for sale at CGE 2002. I bought mine from the auction on Saturday night, so I actually own #2. The rest were then sold via mail order after the show. I don't know how long it took him to sell all of them, but he did sell all of them eventually afaik. Manu making an overlay for his home made version of VecSports Boxing was the first homebrew overlay done, but it wasn't that great quality. The overlay for VeCaves is very good, and the second one to appear on the scene. I presume the overlay in the LE Protector was the third. And then they vanished, until people such as Martijn and Kristoff brought them back. And now George is making one for Warrior. |
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Post by VectorX on Jun 27, 2012 22:27:48 GMT -5
The overlay for VeCaves is very good, and the second one to appear on the scene. Yeah I always thought it looked nice on Mark's site. And then they vanished, until people such as Martijn and Kristoff brought them back. And now George is making one for Warrior. With overlays vs. carts, carts are going to win out every time. They can cost a fair amount to make and it can be a difficult process in figuring out a decent way to make them without scratching them up and such (such as the guy who started making overlays that were announced on Atari Age the other month, but people complained that they weren't that good, which he upped the quality a bit with them with his next batch I think). Plus they're also not mandatory and not everyone uses them anyway...quite a few "ifs" there, not necessarily a good avenue to pursue. |
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Post by cNp on Jun 28, 2012 2:40:09 GMT -5
I sold my VecCaves privately for a really good price so won't be surprised to see this auction go high. I do find it strange how so many more Protectors come up for auction as opposed to VecCaves though... I know which I'd rather have. The bonus game on Protector is one of the most addictive ever imo. I have most of the homebrew games but I get them to play really so if the price is high for something I'm not playing then I'd prefer it to go to someone else and take the cash! Cannot wait for Warrior as it's 2 player and my son and I play a lot on Armor Attack because it's both at the same time... and because it's great. I think I have Warrior #001 coming my way cNp |
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Post by desfeek on Jun 28, 2012 2:57:30 GMT -5
Just to note a couple of points made in the thread... the VecSports Boxing is the "second" edition of the game that was made, the first version that GDG put out in 2002. Originally Manu had produced 14 hand made copies in cardboard boxes, then GDG licensed it to make 100 copies, that were originally sold at CGE 2002. The second auction, price wise, is all to do with VeCaves. As for VeCaves, while it was made in roughly the same amounts as other games of the time, it's the sheer fact that hardly any copies of it have been resold say compared to the LE Protector. That's what has driven the price up. Even mega Vectrex collector David Elfstrom did not have a copy of it before he left the scene. It's hard to know how many complete copies of VeCaves there are. I did speak to Mark about this, and he couldn't recall. Probably around 80. There were 100 cartridges made, but not all of them came with overlay, box and manual as he ran out. The copy I own was bought at CGE 2002, where it launched alongside VecSports Boxing. Thank you Mayhem for typing all this so I didn't have to. 100% correct, from what I recall. I'm not making a play on either of these, but I'll bet Martijn from revival-studios might be checking his pocketbooks right about now... |
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Post by desfeek on Jun 28, 2012 3:04:53 GMT -5
Manu making an overlay for his home made version of VecSports Boxing was the first homebrew overlay done, but it wasn't that great quality. The overlay for VeCaves is very good, and the second one to appear on the scene. I presume the overlay in the LE Protector was the third. And then they vanished, until people such as Martijn and Kristoff brought them back. And now George is making one for Warrior. Don't forget Vectorzoa's overlays! (Logo, Star Sling, Spike's Circus) And then there is the elusive Joust Evolution overlay... |
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Post by TrekMD on Jun 28, 2012 7:32:50 GMT -5
Was Joust Evolution released? I have tried to contact Vectorzoa but I get no reply.
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