Best Light Gun Games of All Time

Nothing screams nostalgia more than light-gun games. Back in the day, arcade games such as Duck Hunt captivated players during the heyday of arcade gaming. These games typically featured a light gun-shaped controller, which players used to aim and shoot at targets on the arcade screen. 

With time, these games have evolved into more intense and action-packed shooting experiences. But we can't forget where it all started. So it's only fitting to start the year by reminiscing about the light gun games that defined our childhood. Here are the best light gun games of all time.

5. Dead Space: Extraction

Branching off from the Dead Space series, Extraction is an on-rails light gun game that leverages Wii consoles like the Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil series. Although the devs are reluctant to label it that way, they prefer the label ‘guided first-person experience.’ Nevertheless, it's a worthwhile experience. 

Despite not having the same horror appeal as the other games, we can certainly say it packs more than House of the Dead: Overkill. The game emphasizes its narrative, which could explain the toning down of the horror elements. Thankfully, you don't need to play any other title in the Dead Space series to understand this one; it's as straightforward as it comes. But it does help, especially since its events kick off from the previous title. 

One downside, however, is that it's too nice for gamers. As a seasoned gamer, it's quite easy to play, and you can get bored easily. If you're like me and prefer more of a challenge, crank up the difficulty setting. You'll certainly get more necromorphs that don't go down easily.

Release year: 2009

Platforms: Nintendo Wii and PS3

4. House of the Dead

The arcade era popularized the use of the undead as targets. Hunting down zombies feels like child's play or cliché today, but in 1996, when House of the Dead launched, they were a massive hit, no pun intended. This classic rail shooter is a tad different from the rest. For starters, ammo conservation is critical. The ‘spray and pray' analogy doesn't work here. Secondly, the game rewards precision. Headshots give you bonuses and drain your adversaries' health pretty fast.

If you're tired of the endless shooting, the game keeps the pace exciting with hostage rescue episodes. The in-between episodes can crack you up, especially when you find the petrified hostages hiding in crawl spaces. Besides being funny, they can also be annoying. If you shoot a hostage, you end up losing precious points. Once again, the title puts the focus on precision. 

The House of Dead franchise has several spin-offs and five mainline titles. For those with a knack for the new instead of the old, the House of the Dead delivers horror in plenty of ways. MegaPixel Studio has released a remake of the game for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Stadia, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Release year: 1996

Platforms: Arcade, Sega Saturn, Microsoft Windows, mobile phone, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5.

3. Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles

Another contender taking advantage of the Wii console peripheral is Capcom's undisputed horror franchise, Resident Evil. The series also dabbled in light gun action with Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. Using motion controls on the Wii adds an immersive element, turning your controller into a virtual firearm. 

Moreover, it seamlessly blends moments from Resident Evil 0, 1, and 3. The narrative is watered down, which is fine because the game focuses on creating a grimy atmosphere and letting the player live through memorable moments from the franchise. Graphically, the game captures the eerie atmosphere of Resident Evil with attention to detail in dark, decaying environments. 

However, the game has its drawbacks. The on-rails format sacrifices exploration for linearity, and difficulty spikes can be punishing. Despite these flaws, Umbrella Chronicles delivers a frenetic and nostalgic experience, offering a fresh perspective on classic scenarios.

Release year: 2007

Platforms: Wii, PlayStation 3

2. Time Crisis

Time Crisis is among the few titles with realistic moments for a light gun game. The game is a household name among arcade fans, and the realism is one of the reasons. You play as an agent, and your task is to rescue the president's daughter. Such a sensitive task is devoid of the freedom of too much time, hence the name Time Crisis. The game comes with some pressure, where you get a time limit to cover each section. Hence, to succeed, you must kill your foes before the clock runs out. Doing so gives you a time extension, which is handy in the next section.

The game's standout feature is the duck-for-cover gesture, which serves both as a defensive maneuver and a crucial offensive tactic, the latter being particularly notable as it's the sole method to reload your weapon. In terms of defense, it functions exactly as you'd expect in combat: taking cover obscures your view of the opponent's actions, necessitating a rhythmic dance of hiding and emerging to counterattack. This dual-purpose mechanic not only enhances the gameplay's depth but also offers an immersive experience reminiscent of the Hitman series, had it been introduced in 1995.

Release year: 1995

Platforms: Arcade, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, iOS

1. Duck Hunt

A legendary name in the arcade scene is Duck Hunt, the game that started it all. Back then, it was one of the few top games compatible with the Nintendo Zapper gun. The game provides you with the option of shooting either one duck, two ducks, or clay pellets. If you opt to shoot ducks, your quest is simple: aim at the screen and shoot any duck that flies by. You risk being your dog's laughingstock if you fail to get all the ducks. 

Playing the game on Wii U has a different perspective. It retains the gameplay, but you use the Wii Remote instead of a Zapper gun. This adds a layer of immersion to the intuitive controls. As you complete the levels, the action becomes faster, which is the game's progression technique. For better competitive action, you can have another player control the ducks.

Essentially, Duck Hunt is a memorable light gun game that deserves a comeback.

Release year: 1984

Platforms: Nintendo Entertainment System, Arcade

And there you have it, our best light gun games. What's your take on our picks? Which game will you play for a nostalgic trip down memory lane? Let us know on our socials here.