Doom On The Vectrex: Classic Shooter Transformed into Vector Art

Though vector graphics have largely faded from mainstream gaming, dedicated fans continue to support the Vectrex, the only home console ever designed for vector display. To draw attention to this unique platform, what better way than to run Doom on it?

Over the years, Doom has been adapted to an astonishing variety of devices, including iPods, graphing calculators, and even toasters. the version for the Vectrex, developed by Time Extension, stands out with its distinctive visual style. This uniqueness arises from the console’s innovative display method: it uses an electron beam to draw lines directly on the screen rather than relying on a pixel grid. The result is a striking, Tron-like look that transforms the game into a visual artwork rather than simply another quirky port.

How can a console that was released 11 years before Doom run this classic game? In reality, it doesn’t run the game natively. Modder Jason Kopp, known as ArcadeJason, created the demo using his Ultimate Vectrex Multicart 2 (UVMC2). This cartridge functions like a compact plug-in PC, handling all the processing while utilizing the console’s built-in CRT for visuals. The audio is delivered through a separate 3.5mm output from the cartridge. This project also incorporates a software development kit designed by fellow modder Daniel Ferrer Guerrero.

Despite the fact that this is not a true native Vectrex port, the outcome is one of the most impressive visual interpretations of Doom that has been produced. You can view Kopp’s impressive work in the video below.