The Vectrex, the cult 1982 console with its built-in vector display, is about to be reborn in miniature form. The Vectrex Mini project, led by the French team Neo Retro and headed by David "Flynn" Oghia, launches its Kickstarter campaign on November 3, 2025, at 4 p.m.

This miniaturized version aims to revive one of the true UFOs of video game history, as reported by Rom Game. The original Vectrex, developed by Smith Engineering and marketed by General Consumer Electronics, was revolutionary for its time: unlike its competitors such as the Atari 2600, which required a television, it came with its own 9-inch CRT display capable of rendering crisp, bright vector graphics.

A mini console that’s fully featured

The Vectrex Mini captures the spirit of the original in a casing half the size, produced using the same injection molding process as in the 1980s. At its core lies a modern ESP32 processor powerful enough to run the entire Vectrex library with performance surpassing many arcade cabinets of the era.

The 5-inch AMOLED screen (800×600 pixels) replaces the original cathode-ray tube, faithfully reproducing the legendary vector graphics with sharpness and brightness. Although it can’t perfectly recreate the phosphorescent glow of CRT vectors, the team promises an authentic and immersive result.

The console includes 12 classic preinstalled games (final lineup to be announced soon), mostly from the General Consumer Electronics catalog, along with their physical overlays. These colorful plastic sheets, placed in front of the screen to enhance minimalist graphics, were an essential part of the Vectrex experience — and Neo Retro has made sure to include them for the sake of nostalgia.

Pricing and editions

Early backers will be able to grab a “Founder’s Edition” starting at €99 for the first 50 units, followed by €129 for the next 300 orders, then €149 for everyone else. As reported by Games Radar, that’s surprisingly affordable for an all-in-one tabletop arcade system with an AMOLED screen.

A limited White Edition will also be offered at $250 (around €219), capped at 200 units. This “very NASA-punk” white version includes a numbered certificate of authenticity and a unique badge. David Oghia initially wanted a gold-plated Vectrex Mini, but the manufacturing process proved too complex.

Modern connectivity

The Vectrex Mini comes with several modern features: USB-C power (via outlet or power bank), a microSD slot to add more games, an included Bluetooth controller, and video output (USB-C or HDMI, final decision pending). There’s no cartridge slot for original Vectrex games — the console will only run preinstalled titles and additional ones via microSD.

Timeline and availability

The Kickstarter campaign launches on Monday, November 3, 2025 and will remain open throughout the month. Production is expected to take about 10 months after the campaign ends, with deliveries scheduled for late 2026. For now, Kickstarter will be the only way to get one.

For a console that never found commercial success in 1982 but became a collector’s cult favorite, the Vectrex Mini represents a rare opportunity to discover — or rediscover — this unique piece of video game history. See you on November 3 for all the campaign details.