Analyzing Pre-1987 Computer Game Audio- VECTREK: Spike (1983)

Photo of game system (atarihq.com)

All right, so for starters I was actually excited about doing this analysis for this particular game! This game is called Spike and it is one of the games compatible with the Vectrex (the first home arcade system) gaming system. I was born almost a decade after this game was establish, but even I enjoyed playing Spike. My uncle passed down his Vectrek system (along with the other games) to me when I was around 5 (approximately). I can say that this was probably the game that I played the most. For some reason when I was younger it I reminded me of Mr. Pacman (don't ask how I came up with that comparison lol). To be honest I don't remember why I liked this game so much (during my elementary years). Although I have not played the game in x amount of years, but now I admire the romantic theme of the game (Spike trying to save his lady, Molly).

Photo of game cartridge (obsolete-tears.com)

Okay, so on to the reason of this post (AUDIO). Just like any gaming system Vectrek had a main noise that it made whenever any game was turned on, which I describe as a sort of a "da da doom" sound ( I think this is the same sound my old Gameboy Color made). As the title of the game is displayed, a playful theme is heard. As the game begins there is a shuffle sound that represents footsteps as Molly is being taking away by the villian. Computer generated voices are heard was Molly and Spike cry out to one another.

A distressed Molly cries for help (old-computers.com)



The background music of the game is somewhat of a high pitch, which eventually speeds up later on during the game ( this adds suspense to the player). A ladder is lowered on each stage (which Spike has to climb to reach the door), and as the ladder hits the platform a low pitch is made.There is a "puck" sound as Spike climbs the ladder to each platform. As Spike reaches the key (this opens the door to the next level) a triumphant sound is heard. Now during the next level of the game an object (which Spike was to defeat) enters the scene. This object resembles an upside down jack-in-the-box, and as it hops around it makes a "boing" noise. A kicking (thump) noise is made from Spike's feet as he kicks the bouncing object (or any opposing object). As Spike dies a sound of defeat comes from the game, which is later followed by the infamous computerized "DARNIT" by Spike. After Spike dies a few times the game ends, but no spectacular noise is made the screne just simply displays "END". Considering the time period of which this game came from I think the audio was suitable.