G'AIM'E Light Gun Review: Time Crisis and Classic Light Gun Games Return to Modern TVs

The resurgence of classic arcade experiences continues with Tassei Denki’s G'AIM'E Light Gun, a modern solution bringing legendary light gun games, including Namco’s Time Crisis, to today’s flat-panel TVs.

After garnering substantial support during its 2024 Kickstarter campaign—raising over £860,000 (approximately $1.4 million)—the G'AIM'E Light Gun has quickly become the subject of attention among retro gaming enthusiasts and modern players alike. Light gun gaming, which nearly disappeared following the shift from CRT screens to HD and OLED displays, returns triumphantly with the G'AIM'E thanks to innovative hardware design and a robust pre-loaded game library.

Tassei Denki’s light gun aims to deliver arcade-accurate action without the technical hurdles often linked to modern TV compatibility. ## G'AIM'E Light Gun: Hardware and Setup The G'AIM'E Light Gun package centers around a compact HDMI-connected mini-console and a robust, arcade-inspired light gun available in blue and orange finishes.

Depending on the edition, the box includes one or two guns, a pedal for more authentic arcade action, and various collectibles.

Setup is refreshingly simple: connect the mini-console via HDMI, plug in the guns and pedal using USB-C, and get started—no additional sensor bars or complicated configurations required. Bundled variants include Basic, Premium, and Ultimate editions.

Every version comes with Time Crisis pre-installed; Premium and Ultimate also add Point Blank, Steel Gunner, and Steel Gunner 2 to the roster.

The gun itself echoes the feel of Namco’s iconic GunCon but is constructed with modern durability in mind—solid, responsive, and lightweight.

Key hardware features include clicky A and B buttons, dedicated reloading buttons, responsive triggers, a recoil switch for feedback, and a long braided cable for play flexibility.

The included pedal in the Premium and Ultimate sets reproduces the signature Time Crisis gameplay mechanic, allowing players to duck behind cover or reload seamlessly. ## Innovative Performance and AI Technology A key differentiator for the G'AIM'E Light Gun is its AI-enhanced tracking system.

Tassei Denki describes the AI as having been trained on over 3,000 screens, granting it an in-depth, conceptual understanding of what constitutes a display.

This means that, unlike older or rival solutions such as the Sinden Light Gun or Polymega Light Gun, the G'AIM'E does not require visible screen borders for tracking. Tassei Denki summarizes the approach: the device’s AI uses its training to intuitively analyze and identify the TV boundaries, ensuring precise aim detection.

While performance can be affected by environmental factors—or if a significant change in player distance occurs—recalibration is straightforward and ensures maximum accuracy.

Best results are seen in well-calibrated, dimly-lit rooms, with the AI-based system excelling in handling different TV types and sizes, as long as optimal player distance is maintained. ## Software: Time Crisis and Arcade Classics on Demand The G'AIM'E Light Gun ships with arcade-perfect versions of Namco's Time Crisis—a 1995 trailblazer famous for its pedal-and-cover system—and, on higher-tier bundles, adds Point Blank, Steel Gunner, and Steel Gunner 2.

Each game is expertly emulated, offering responsive gameplay similar to their original arcade iterations.

Notably, Bandai Namco specially prepared the Time Crisis release for this mini-console, cementing its authenticity.

Multiplayer support is present in Point Blank and Steel Gunner titles when the Ultimate pack’s second gun is connected. One drawback is software expandability: currently, users can’t download new games, though Tassei Denki has indicated future updates may become available via USB-C, not Wi-Fi. ## Bundle Breakdown and Pricing Available for preorder, the Basic bundle retails at $99.99/£99.99/€99.99 and includes a single gun and Time Crisis.

The $149.99/£149.99/€149.99 Premium edition adds extra games, a pedal, and a collectible pin.

The Ultimate bundle ($199.99/£199.99/€199.99) is the most complete, packing two guns, a pedal, collectibles, and a power adapter.

Orders are expected to ship in December 2024. ## Conclusion: G'AIM'E Ushers in a New Era of Light Gun Gaming Tassei Denki’s G'AIM'E Light Gun successfully revives light gun gaming for the HDMI generation, combining accessible hardware and a stellar library of Namco arcade classics.

While calibration and environmental conditions are vital for peak performance, the result is an authentic, highly enjoyable return to an almost-lost genre.

With Time Crisis and Point Blank at the forefront—and the possibility for future expansion—the G'AIM'E is a standout choice for retro fans and newcomers seeking true light gun arcade thrills on modern hardware.

Time Crisis Tassei Denki Point Blank G'AIM'E Bandai Namco G'AIM'E Light Gun Steel Gunner Steel Gunner 2 Sinden Light Gun Sony PlayStation Arcade1UP Polymega Hookshot Media