I've started a Kickstarter project:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/frankbuss/bloxorz-for-vectrex-pc-mac-ios-and-androidIt is interesting that there are still many people who own a Vectrex, buy homebrew games and a few developers who create new games for it. I created the prototype with a 27C256 EPROM, which is
really cheap at Digikey, but I think I will use a SMD mounted flash chip for the final version, because it is easier to solder and to program or even change later, if someone wants to burn a new version or own programs. I have already designed a circuit and a programmer for it, but first I'll wait if it is worth the work.
Already 42% funded. Getting slower now, but I need just 1 or 2 backers daily now for the rest and it will be successful.
And I got the revision 2 I designed:
I'll try to use a PIC16F18313 and the new
Configurable Logic Cell (CLC) peripheral to implement realtime bankswitching, if I need it.
I think the box looks really cool:
And I published the first version of the cartridge board as open source hardware, with detailed instructions in case someone doesn't want to back my project, but wants to build his/her own Vectrex game cartridge:
https://hackaday.io/project/28295-vectrex-cartridge
Do you have a manufacturer for the clamshell protective box? I know someone who's trying to find those (for another game system)
I'm using VHS tape boxes for it (new old stock, got a big package of it from eBay), padded with self adhesive foam inside, so that it doesn't rattle. There are different versions of it, I have one where you can insert a cover, which I will let print professionally later. But looks already surprisingly good with my color laser printer.
Edit: I have 85, I guess I won't need all, can sell you the rest in 22 days after the Kickstarter campaign.
Hah, great idea for the re-use. I didn't know vectrex games used a compatible size to VHS.
My guy has a very specific clamshell size he wants to use (genesis carts I think? can't remember. one of the similar era systems). I originally thought if you were having them custom made maybe you knew a good source for similar things.
Well, it is not exactly compatible, the VHS case is bigger than needed, but the height is about the same, so padded with foam it looks and works quite good. Maybe I can do a game tray. There is someone on Atariage who did this for the Vectrex:
http://atariage.com/forums/topic/272398-vectrex-game-trays-and-overlay-sleeves-now-available/Maybe he can do this for your carts as well. Some other people used card boxes then for the cartridges, but I don't like this, the VHS case is much more durable.
95% funded, and still 16 days to go. I guess I can already start working now on the final hardware and the other levels
Slight note. You might want to consider having the card edge that goes into the connector chamfered.
I don't know about the Vectrex, but the Mega-Drive/Genesis connectors pins took quite a beating from a certain manufacturers cartridges which had a non-chamfered edge, leading to poor/intermittent connection.
You might want to consider having the card edge that goes into the connector chamfered.
Yes, I did this for my Kerberos cartridge PCB, and I plan this for the Vectrex cartridge PCB as well.
Got an eMail this morning:
Well done. Good to see a success story now and then. Mind, busted projects can be fun sometimes
Cool, Bloxorz was the bomb on cool math games.
