…but I’m back! I never really went away but this website has been very much neglected. No more!
I have opened a store for physical items :
https://www.binarystarsoftware.com/?page_id=700
and I have a separate website for downloadable content :
https://binarystarsoftware.itch.io/
Check them out and check back soon for more updates!
Something that might come in useful (especially to those of you using Laurence Bennion’s excellent new UV overlay) is adding a USB port to your Vectrex to provide power to a UV LED strip such as this one : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-5V-REAL-UV-Ultraviolet-LED-Strip-Light-Tape-Lights-SMD-5050-LEDs-Blacklight/323538253248
I made a simple USB power box using a spare USB extension cable, a Sega Genesis/Megadrive joystick extension cable (DB9 plug end) and a plastic box which a Raspberry Pi came in years ago 😉
To make you own, all you need to do is use a USB socket (or cut one from a USB extension cable as I did), and connect the two outer VCC and GND pins on the socket to pins 7 (+5V) and 8 (GND) on the DB9 joystick extension cable. Add shrink tubing to the DB9 plug cable and solder the wires to the relevant pins on the USB socket.
Once you are happy with the soldered connections, shrink the shrink tubing to protect (or do as I did, cover in hot glue and hide your sins in a box 😉 )
Now, you must shave the end of the plastic plug to fit the Vectrex port and you are good to go!
The “AY 38912 Sound Tool” allows you to manipulate the AY sound chip registers.
Controls
Left/Right on joystick to select sound register.
Button 1 retriggers the hardware envelope.
Button 4 and joystick L/R to change values.
Button 3 changes values in steps of 10, Button 2 steps of 100.
You can save into 4 slots by holding down on the joystick and pressing button 1-4. You can load these slots by holding up on the joystick and pressing buttons 1-4 to recall.
A simple graphics demo displaying the 12 signs of the zodiac.
Check it out on the DOWNLOADS page.
Crossfire is a simple head-to head game for one (vs CPU) or two players.
Grab the ROM from the DOWNLOADS page.
Have fun!
My latest cartridge release, a compilation of 7 games and applications is now available for purchase from Packrat Video Games.
Visit http://www.packratvg.com/vbits.html to place your order.
I’ll be demoing my new lightgun game “Dogs ‘n’ Ducks” at Revival Retro Gaming Expo in Walsall (UK) this Saturday/Sunday.
Come along to play new games by myself, Chris Parsons (Vector Republic) and Jim Watt (Clockwork Robot).
A simple screensaver type application for your Vectrex. Draws patterns on the screen, to the sound of sci-fi bleeps and bloops.
Download : http://binarystarsoftware.com/bin/Dots_v100.BIN
Have fun!
Bits ‘n Bytes is a compilation of seven simple games and applications, available soon from Packrat Video Games. http://www.packratvg.com/
The cartridge Includes :
Vector Pong : A Ping -pong game for 1 or 2 players.
Frogs n Flies : Eat-em-up game for 1 or 2 players.
Hex : Shoot the enemies and avoid barriers for bonus points in this twitchy action game. 1 player only. Supports Atari Driving controller in port 2.
Space Race : Avoid the asteroids and complete ‘laps’ of the asteroid field to win. 1 or 2 players.
Quick Shot : Test your button mashing skills. 1 player only.
Doodle : Use the Vectrex light-pen or joystick to doodle drawings on screen.
Vector Clock : A clock application for Vectrex. Plays a random short piece of music every hour.
As I didn’t have time to write any new Xmas themed games for 2016, I thought I’d make a little festive mod to one of my existing ones.
“Xmas Space Race” plays the same as the hidden 2 player game “Space Race“, found on my “Galaxy Wars : Space Launcher” cartridge. This version adds Christmas trees and a single player mode where you race against the Vectrex!
Happy holidays folks!
Chris
