An isometric vector arcade shooter that runs on a real Vectrex through PiTrex. Wireframe graphics, fuel-driven survival and true 3D altitude flight — a tribute to Zaxxon.
// What is Vexxon
Vexxon is a fast, skill-based isometric vector shooter. Every wall, enemy and explosion is drawn as wireframe lines — no filled polygons, no textures. It's a tribute to Zaxxon (1982), the Sega classic that made isometric perspective famous, with three acts and fuel that keeps you moving.
Fly up and down, not just left and right. Clear short walls, dive under tall gaps — altitude is a puzzle and a weapon.
~50 seconds per tank, and it never stops draining. Shoot fuel tanks to refill — miss too many and you drop out of the sky.
The Vector Swarm sweeps, orbits, bobs on sine waves and weaves figure-eights — randomized every run.
Fortress corridors, then an open-space dogfight, then the boss — one continuous forward run.
Explosions, engine trails, expanding bomb waves and screen shake — wireframe, but lively.
No emulator. Vexxon runs on real Vectrex hardware through a PiTrex card.
// The Last Vector · 2847
Humanity spread across the galaxy on the Vexxon Frequency — a harmonic wavelength that folds space itself. Then a counter-frequency began corrupting the network. Fortress stations fell silent, their defenses turning against us. From the broken signal came the Vector Swarm: geometric ships that move in patterns no one can predict.
At the heart of the corruption sits the Nexus Robot, a war machine shielded by eight power cores. You fly the experimental Arrowhead — the last ship that can still cross the corrupted frequency lanes. You are the last vector.
// The Campaign
Thread the corridors of collapsed frequency stations. Blast destructible walls to open paths, fly over the indestructible ones, and time your runs through pulsing laser barriers. Gun tanks lead their shots, rocket platforms launch guided missiles, radar towers scan for you — and the fuel gauge never stops falling.
Open the throttle in free space. Geometric enemy ships attack in patrol sweeps, orbital dances and figure-eight formations — each run reshuffled. Between them loom the Giant Devastators, armored warships that soak up hit after hit before they break apart into light.
The source of the counter-frequency. Eight power cores shield the machine — destroy every one before you can hit the Nexus itself, while it keeps pushing toward you. Watch your fuel and bombs; this is the toughest fight of the run.
// PiTrex · Vectrex
PiTrex is a Raspberry-Pi interface board that plugs into the Vectrex cartridge port and drives the console's original vector display directly. Vexxon runs on the real hardware, not an emulator.
Please note: the PiTrex board and the Raspberry Pi are not included with the game and must be purchased separately.
More for the PiTrex: VECTORSPACE, 42 vector arcade games, coming this holiday season.
// A physical release
VEXXON is a physical release. Every order is hand-assembled and shipped in a box — a personalised card, the Vectrex overlay, a printed guide and a note from me.
The PiTrex board, a Raspberry Pi and a Vectrex console are required to play and are not included.
// Order
Orders closed on Sunday 6 September and the run is now in production. If you ordered, your copy is assembled after printing — realistically that means delivery in October.
Want to hear when there is a next batch? Leave your details and you'll be the first to know.
WIP · UVMC2 on a real Vectrex
// Coming · Digital edition
No PiTrex? VEXXON is coming to the Ultimate Vectrex Multicart 2. Copy one file to the cartridge's SD card, pick it from the menu, and fly — on your real Vectrex.
The digital edition carries your name in the game. It comes without a box, overlay or serial number — those stay with the physical edition. Updates are included, level 2 too.
Own the boxed edition? You get the UVMC2 version free, with your name and serial number, through your personal download.
// Level Workbench
The Level Workbench is a 3D editor for VEXXON levels that runs in the browser. It uses the game's own code to build the geometry, so every wall, fuel tank and gun tank you place looks exactly the way the game will draw it. Switch to the isometric view to check how a stretch will read in play.
Anyone can build a level. It is kept in your browser and saved as you work.
// Release Notes
The version on your card is shown in version.txt on the SD
card and in the User Manual. Installing an update takes two files —
see the FAQ.
// Get Vexxon
Every copy carries its own serial number and a personalized in-game name. Bring the vector revolution to your Vectrex.