Editing Vectrex (section)

==Screen overlays==
[[File:Vectrex-Overlay.jpg|thumb|right|Games came supplied with color overlay sheets to compensate for the limitations of the screen.]]
In order to enhance the display visuals of the Vectrex, every commercially released game included its own unique translucent plastic screen overlay that accompanied the cartridge (a concept first seen with the [[Magnavox Odyssey]], as well as some early arcade machines).<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Steven |last=Kent |title=Retroview: Virtual Boy of the '80s |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=36 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=December 1997|page=35}})</ref> Instead of physically touching the CRT screen, four tabs on the Vectrex console securely held them in place in front of it, with a small gap between the actual screen and the overlay. Made up of one to three colors for the play field area, these overlays simulate simple color graphics (on an otherwise black and white screen), helped reduced glare, flicker and gave the appearance of a flat screen. They also allowed changes in brightness intensity of vector graphics to be more visually distinctive. In some cases game designers created pseudo color cycling effects, for a sense of movement, by using alternating colored patterns. In addition to players' score areas, some overlays also contained additional artwork and patterns, to add to the game's play field. Across the bottom of each overlay are game-specific joystick and button functions as a guide for the player. Each overlay also displayed the title and logo of each game, along with a colored border or design, to add cosmetic flair to the Vectrex (much like an arcade machine with its marquee or side art). Overlays were not required, but added to the experience in terms of the visual look of game graphics and the overall display appearance of the console.