I’ve been wondering where all the modern light-gun shooters have gone. It seems like every retro genre has had its moment with reboots or sequels, but light-gun shooters are nearly forgotten. I understand that the decline of CRTs, which worked well with these peripherals, and the move away from arcade-style gaming have made it less appealing for developers to revive the genre. The only recent titles I’ve seen, like *Time Crisis* or *House of the Dead*, are just remakes rather than anything new. I really miss the arcade-style, on-rails shooting games that were so iconic. What gives? Are there any current or upcoming games that embrace this classic style, perhaps using motion controls or something similar?
5 Answers
Aside from the VR options like *Pistol Whip*, I think light-gun games just never gained massive popularity after the NES days. Most people only had *Duck Hunt* and called it a day! Now, producing new light guns is expensive and maybe not worth it for developers when there’s little audience left. They still exist in some Japanese arcades, though!
The tech is the main issue. Light guns work with CRTs because of the way they processed the images. With modern digital screens, the lag makes it trickier. You’ve got companies like Sinden and gun4ir trying to innovate and I’ve heard there are some solid light-gun games on Steam if you look around. It’s just not the same as back in the day, where you had a simpler peripheral that worked seamlessly.
I think there’s potential for something new if they could figure out the tech. It would be awesome to see old classics reimagined!
You’re totally right! The revival of classic genres has skipped light-gun shooters. People talk about VR being a substitute, but it’s just not the same. Games like *Crisis VRgade* do capture that spirit, but they don’t have the same feel as old-school arcades. Plus, arcades are pretty much extinct in the West, but you can still find some fun shooters in Japan. If you want something new, keep an eye out for *Die to Survive* that’s being developed. It’s getting some buzz!
Exactly! VR shooters can be fun, but they lack that classic arcade vibe we want. It’s like we need a solid balance between old and new.
Totally agree! I wish someone would just make a proper sequel to *Battle Clash*!
If you haven’t checked out modern games like *Blue Estate* or *Mad Bullets*, they’re available on Steam and offer a fresh take on rail shooters. But honestly, we’ll probably always have a soft spot for those classics like *Time Crisis* and really miss the arcade experience. Those Jurassic Park and Silent Scope cabinets were unbeatable!
I think I’ll give those a shot! The nostalgia for those old arcade days is real.
Yeah, those cabinet experiences can’t be replicated easily at home. I really miss the thrill of standing in front of an arcade machine!
Honestly, it seems like the market isn’t really there for light-gun games anymore. Most people don’t even own a light gun, unlike back in the day when a Zapper came bundled with the NES. Now you’re trying to sell a game and a $200 peripheral, which is a tough sell. That’s probably why they’ve shifted focus to VR. Still, I wish for a return to the classic light-gun style!
Right? Everyone seems to have moved on to VR gaming and those arcade experiences just aren’t the same at home.
And it’s a shame because some of those classic mechanics could be really fun with new tech!
Yeah, it’s crazy how much the hardware has changed! But it’s cool that some modern games are still embracing that light-gun feel.