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Post by desfeek on Jan 31, 2013 15:46:42 GMT -5
Okay, because I have been such a downer lately, gliptitude suggested I make a thread full of Vectrex love, and that's just what I'm going to do. On top of that, but I have included some things here that I cannot find anywhere else on the internet! As some of you may remember, I went through a phase of collecting Vectrex paperwork. I obtained many of the little brochures, pamphlets, mail-order forms and envelopes that GCE, Triton, and Electronics Direct sent out back in 1982. What I have included here are my set of Electronics Direct order forms - all unused, I might add - from the entire lifespan of the Vectrex. My favorite thing about this set of forms is that you can see the downfall of the Vectrex, through the offers they give:  At the beginning of the Vectrex lifecycle. A decent deal, one that is reminiscent of a modern-day Gamestop sale.  Getting better. This deal was probably concocted to move older inventory, but I don't think they saw the writing on the wall...yet.  Now, the coupons start getting really interesting. The first coupon we saw, 1 free cart for any purchase of $100 or more, has been replaced with 1 free cart for any purchase of 3 carts. Obviously, I think we all know which coupon we would use if we still could...  The last order form. One free Vectrex with the purchase of 8 or more cartirdges. Oh my God, can we combine coupon deals? Lastly, an example of an envelope these would arrive in:  I wish beyond anything these coupons could still be redeemed. I am so thankful I was able to obtain these unused examples, as I think they are really interesting examples of the gradual downfall of the Vectrex. How many people do you guys think took advantage of these offers? |
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Post by VectorX on Jan 31, 2013 15:51:06 GMT -5
I don't know, but that's great you have those complete order forms. I still have my envelope and brief Vectrex catalog from the same company, but it is the later, "clearing out Vectrex inventory" one, not the early one that you have, obviously.
That's great though!
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Post by desfeek on Jan 31, 2013 16:15:00 GMT -5
Whoa, I don't think I've ever seen the "Clearing out Vectrex Inventory" catalog - post a picture, if you can!
Do you remember receiving those back in the day? What prompted you to hang on to them?
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Post by VectorX on Jan 31, 2013 16:28:09 GMT -5
Whoa, I don't think I've ever seen the "Clearing out Vectrex Inventory" catalog - post a picture, if you can! Nuts-o-rama...I could have sworn someone had pictures of that somewhere, but upon looking at a few Vectrex sites, I can't find them. The pictures won't be that great but I'll get them. Meanwhile, you can see what the envelope looks like here; it looks just like yours, just with slightly different Vectrex wording to it though  Do you remember receiving those back in the day? Yes, that's how I got Bedlam, at the blowout price for only $9.95 or something. Still didn't have the money for the 3D Imager though, and I'm still outta luck there!  What prompted you to hang on to them? Because it's VIDEO GAME-related (ya know, important!)! And I'm a packrat. |
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Post by wyldephang on Jan 31, 2013 16:40:59 GMT -5
My favorite thing about this set of forms is that you can see the downfall of the Vectrex, through the offers they give: An illustrated history of the rise and fall of the Vectrex! Too bad GCE/MB didn't print out a bright red flyer that said, "Warning! Video game crash imminent!" And then, from behind the counter at your local game store comes the sad electronic stutter of a Vectrex playing a mournful tune on Melody Master.  |
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Post by VectorX on Jan 31, 2013 17:05:03 GMT -5
I think what the deal was that I know this mailout I got so well that I had it ingrained in my head that I had seen it online, which might not be true after all. Here it is though:   I'd say it's in a grade A condition, just the red is a little faded and there's a small stain at one point, and that's it, no tears or anything. I'll try to keep a mental note to send this to Joernen (sp?) at vectrex.nl at some point when I get a scanner. |
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Post by desfeek on Jan 31, 2013 17:24:52 GMT -5
Ah yes! I actually DO have that! Also, it has been linked before on Spike's Big Vectrex page, at: www.atarihq.com/vectrex/triton2.gifHowever, these are much better pictures and can show everyone what it truly says! Thanks for posting these! wyldephang - that would be epic! I love your addition of the mournful Melody Master tune LOL |
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Post by VectorX on Jan 31, 2013 17:49:47 GMT -5
Also, it has been linked before on Spike's Big Vectrex page, That might've been where I saw it then at some point... However, these are much better pictures and can show everyone what it truly says! Thanks for posting these! That's for questioning me about it so I could do so wyldephang - that would be epic! I love your addition of the mournful Melody Master tune LOL It's kind of sadly sick to me  |
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Post by desfeek on Feb 1, 2013 5:03:33 GMT -5
Because it's VIDEO GAME-related (ya know, important!)! And I'm a packrat. I wish I had your frame of mind when I was younger. My favorite game of all time is Popful Mail for the Sega CD. When my brother stepped on, and scratched our only copy in or around 2001 - I turned to eBay and bought a brand-new copy for $70 (!!!), promptly ripping it open and throwing away the precious insert. I also remember the day I went through my PS2 and Gamecube games, throwing away anything that wasn't a manual  It's kind of sadly sick to me You're right, still the imagery is funny - a cashier, handing out fliers with a Vectrex playing sad music. If it weren't for the most under-appreciated console of all time doing poorly - this would be hilarious. I have two brochures of games from both Triton and Electronics Direct that I would be willing to post if there was enough interest. There isn't really any ground-breaking information contained in them, and they are relatively common - but they aren't easily accessible on the internet. Let me know if this sounds interesting, I have to go to bed tonight, but I'll get to it first thing in the morning! |
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Post by VectorX on Feb 1, 2013 10:13:13 GMT -5
Because it's VIDEO GAME-related (ya know, important!)! I wish I had your frame of mind when I was younger. I don't have *everything* though. I think I tossed the box my Vectrex controller came in, for instance. I won't know for sure until I move (which isn't any time soon) so I can look in the Vectrex box again (it's not in a very accessible place). I've ditched a few other things here and there I shouldn't have (Atari 2600 Supercharger plus Phaser Patrol boxes). My favorite game of all time is Popful Mail for the Sega CD. Yeah I've always been curious about that one, since I have the Sega CD. When my brother stepped on, and scratched our only copy in or around 2001 - I turned to eBay and bought a brand-new copy for $70 (!!!) Wow... It's kind of sadly sick to me You're right, still the imagery is funny - a cashier, handing out fliers with a Vectrex playing sad music. If it weren't for the most under-appreciated console of all time doing poorly - this would be hilarious. Yeah, I'll give wyld props for it being sadly funny, at least I have two brochures of games from both Triton and Electronics Direct that I would be willing to post if there was enough interest. There isn't really any ground-breaking information contained in them, and they are relatively common - but they aren't easily accessible on the internet. I look forward to it. I think this is the only Triton mailout I have. |
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Post by desfeek on Feb 1, 2013 16:55:51 GMT -5
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Post by desfeek on Feb 1, 2013 17:27:49 GMT -5
"A long time ago, before our history began, wizards - both good and evil - battled for the supremacy of the earth. It was a time of magic and adventure when all men possessed special powers. The most evil wizard, Narzod, gained the power to enslave all mankind. You are the only honorable wizard with the knowledge to defeat Narzod and destroy his fortress. But Narzod guards his realm with deadly creatures, including the Mystic Hurler. Beware, and approach the Fortress of Narzod with caution."
This is also the description on the box and game manual, but still, what great advertising! What logical person wouldn't want to play this?
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Post by VectorX on Feb 1, 2013 20:02:31 GMT -5
^No kidding, especially since I thought your...uh, wizard (?) was just a blaster of some kind. Are those in good condition? They seem to be from here. Thanks, I hadn't seen any of those at all! |
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Post by desfeek on Feb 6, 2013 22:06:01 GMT -5
They are in good condition! The worst thing that ever happened to these was getting flattened by my scanner (and I only did that for archiving's sake). Your welcome! Here's a couple final tidbits that I had to edit for privacy:  Another version (Lightpen) of the Electronics Direct envelope. By my count, that is three versions of this envelope we have in this thread!  Triton Letter that was sent (I assume) with purchases.  Triton Receipt - $29.95 for a new "Hand Controller" *drool*  Another Triton Receipt. $19.95 Pole Position - one of my favorite Vectrex games. The coolest piece of Vectrex Paperwork I own is the Vectrex Passport Magazine: www.geekvintage.com/gce-vectrex-passport-magazine.php , but the biggest piece I'd like to own is the Vectrex Press Kit: www.playvectrex.com/preserves/presskit/vpk_f.htm . How rare do you guys think that Presskit is? Trade-show only? Every possible distributor? Magazines or newspapers? I love the last page, with the "functional in-store demonstration units". |
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Post by VectorX on Feb 6, 2013 22:27:08 GMT -5
Thanks for more updates, although with forgetting about the press kit, that stuff makes me sad Another version (Lightpen) of the Electronics Direct envelope. By my count, that is three versions of this envelope we have in this thread! It still amazes me with the "new" (or possibly "newly discovered") Vectrex stuff that has been coming out of the woodwork in just the last couple of years. Here's to more though! (I'd raise a glass if one were handy) |
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