Vectorman was one of the better uses of prerendered computer graphics in games. Sure, Nintendo did it with the Donkey Kong Country franchise but that was, well, on the Super Nintendo. Sega needed something to brag about in this genre and Vectorman was it. I find it hard to ignore but there is a strong connection to Ballz 3D by Accolade here.

Vectorman touts a familiar story

Stop me if you have heard this one before. In 2049 humans decide to move onto other planets looking for new homes. Considering the Earth is in ruins from pollution, littering, and generally trashed, it is time to move somewhere else to repeat the process.

Hoping against hope, or simply taking responsibility, humans leave behind robots to clean up the mess. One robot is unintentionally connected to a nuclear missile, this action making the robot go nuts. This evil robot takes over the global network that connects all cleanup robots. Declaring himself ruler of Earth, he sets out to do one thing.

Destroy all humans that return to Earth of course.

A lowly toxic sludge cleanup robot, Vectorman, returns to Earth and finds things are out of whack quite a bit. Considering he was outside the network he is not affected by the overlording robot.

This sets up Vectorman to be mankind’s last hope.

Technologically and graphically impressive

While researching this article I learned that the Vectorman sprite is made of 23 individual sprites. That is quite impressive and explains why his animation is so smooth.

Much like other robots in games, such as Mega Man, Vectorman features a hand blaster for offense. He can not only jump but also double jump and duck, take that Capcom’s blue bomber.

Sega had a hit on their hands with Vectorman, they even released a sequel also on Sega Genesis.

Beginning of the end

Vectorman, much like many other franchises Sega would develop on Genesis, was left on the 16-bit console. Sure, they have made these games available on more modern platforms over the years, those are not new entries. Hopefully the success of Streets of Rage 4 will show Sega that fans do indeed want more of these classic 16-bit franchises.

Why they did not, at minimum, re-release a straight remake on Sega Saturn with both Vectorman games is beyond me. Imagine this franchise’s prerendered graphics in even more detail. Or why they did not use the Clockwork Knight engine to update this franchise, among many others. Just mind boggling.

Anyhow, Vectorman is still a worthy addition to your game library. I do have to give thanks to Sega for keeping it available for fans in many forms from compilations to single purchase options such as on Steam.

Carl Williams

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