Vector Dream
The Vector Graphics Arcade Game Emulator

This emulator was a nice suprise. I happened to find it by completely by accident shortly after it's initial release.  I was not aware that it was in development.  Vector Dream really gives you the feel of an arcade game.  You hear the sounds of the quarters as they are inserted in the coin slot.  You get to push the option buttons on the option buttons on the side of the screen.  It is truly just like having the real game.

This emulator makes you believe that you are in an arcade. It is a REAL winner. The author, Peter Hirschberg, has done an outstanding job.   So far, he has focused his efforts on some classic Atari games. Six games are are supported now, and I'm sure that more are on the way soon!!

Tempest by Atari
Note the background overlay, quarter slot with eject button, and option buttons

Vector Dream is an arcade emulator for Windows 95/NT. An arcade game emulator is a software program that "pretends" to be the hardware for classic video games, allowing you to run the ROM images from these original games on your computer. Most emulators can emulate a number of games. Vector Dream emulates only "vector" games (games that have a vector monitor instead of a raster monitor).

Remember back when you were 12, and had $5.00 of tokens in your pocket to play Asteroids?  Well, so does the author. The sights, the sounds, and the smells. Vector Dream attempts to do more than just "run the ROMs". Vector Dream strives to CAPTURE THE EXPERIENCE of those days gone past, and provide you with the PRESENCE of a real arcade game. If Peter could have somehow supplied the smell of hot particle board and dusty high voltage components (or frying transistors, as some of you have jokingly suggested), he claims that he would have.

Red Baron by Atari
Note the background overlay

Peter has owned some of these classic machines for years now, as well as having spent quite a few years repairing them for a living. There is more to an arcade game than simply software! Peter plans on lavishing each emulated game with the attention to small details that it deserves.

Take a look at the detail of these games. Asteroids Deluxe and Battlezone both have the overlays that were present in the original game. Other Atari vector games, such as Tempest and Red Baron did not use overlays.   However, some custom ones have been created, and they do enhance the gaming experience.  Playing Red Baron with the new overlay really adds a whole new dimension to the original game.  Lunar Lander has an overlay to simulate screen burn-in.   You just can't get any more real than that!!!

In order to start the game, you must drag a quarter into the quarter slot on the screen, and push the 1 or 2 player button.  In addition, if you have a fast system, you can turn on the "arcade ambience" option, and it will sound like you are really in a real arcade.  You will hear the sounds of other games, and people talking.

Supported Games:

• Lunar Lander

• Asteroids

• Asteroids Deluxe

• Battlezone

• Red Baron

• Tempest

Features:

• Place any image behind the screen! (Useful for simulating overlays and two-way mirrored games!)

• ANTI-ALIASED and TRANSLUCENT Vector Lines!

• Full sound support using DirectSound

• Fully resizable window with auto-scaling and optional aspect ratio lock

• Optional full screen mode

• Uses Neil Bradley's m6502 CPU code (100% assembly)

• GUI configuration dialogs

• Configurable dipswitches and key mapping

• Mouse support for Lunar Lander

• Control panel simulation

• Virtual monitor controls (contrast, brightness, etc)

• "Dirty rectangle" screen updating algorithm for increased speed

• Coin drop sound effects

• Monitor deflection coil sound effects

• AC line noise sound effects

• Native Windows© 95/NT

Minimum System Requirements:
Pentium 133
Windows 95 or NT
DirectSound drivers (for sound)
Sound card (for sound)
Accelerated Video Card with 16 bit color

Recommended System Requirements:
Pentium PRO 200? (translucent vectors will require faster)
Windows© 95/NT
DirectSound
Sound card (for sound)
Accelerated Video Card
16 bit color (HI COLOR) or better.

DirectX Can be downloaded from the Microsoft site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/directx/dxf/enduser5.0/default.htm

Go to the Vector Dream homepage

This emulator can be downloaded directly from it's homepage.

NOTE: In order to run this emulator, you must have the emulator itself, and a copy of the ROM's from the original system.  The emulator itself is Freeware.  The ROM's are copyrighted by the programmer or the manufacturer. You are only legally entitled to do so if you own the actual game, or a PCB/ROM Cartridge from the game that you are emulating. If you decide to download ROM's to test out an emulator, you must delete the ROM's within 24 hours unless you own the equipment mentioned above.

ROM's may be found at many sites, including EMUCLASSICS.