please rec me light gun games

I just got an email saying that my order of Sinden light guns is coming today, so I'll need some games to fiddle around with my new toys. Please recommend me some titles with light gun support; deeper cuts will be greatly appreciated but I'll include some light gun games I've already played on the list just so you know I'm aware of them

This isn't going to stop me from visiting arcades for light gun cabinets by the way, but it'll be good practice for when I do actually go arcade hunting in the spring/summer again. Dunno if I'll do formal write-ups for all of these but I might leave my short thoughts in the notes when I feel like it

Time Crisis II
Time Crisis II
Still looking for a cabinet and will def finish this in person some day
Time Crisis 4
Time Crisis 4
Still looking for a cabinet and will def finish this in person some day
Time Crisis 3
Time Crisis 3
This one's my usual go-to for light gun cabinets and I've beaten it but the barcade nearest me is gone so... I'll have to make do with other means til I can find another cabinet
The House of the Dead 2
The House of the Dead 2
There's a cabinet for this not too far from where I live so chances are I will complete this when the time is right
Point Blank
Point Blank
Time Crisis: Project Titan
Time Crisis: Project Titan
I've been told that this might not be the highlight of the series by any means but I suppose we'll have to see how it goes with a trial run or two
Ghost Squad
Ghost Squad
The Ocean Hunter
The Ocean Hunter
Revolution X
Revolution X
Duck Hunt
Duck Hunt
Ok this probably won't be my favorite by any means but I guess I have to try it for the sake of experiencing video game history
Virtua Cop
Virtua Cop
Death Crimson
Death Crimson
Policenauts
Policenauts
Possible replay in the works with light-gun gunfights? We'll see!
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
Vampire Night
Vampire Night
Police 24/7
Police 24/7
Resident Evil: Dead Aim
Resident Evil: Dead Aim
oh boy
Elemental Gearbolt
Elemental Gearbolt
Point Blank 2
Point Blank 2
Dino Stalker
Dino Stalker
Gunfighter: The Legend of Jesse James
Gunfighter: The Legend of Jesse James
Deadstorm Pirates
Deadstorm Pirates
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Steel Gunner
Steel Gunner
Steel Gunner 2
Steel Gunner 2
Rail Chase
Rail Chase
Alien3: The Gun
Alien3: The Gun
Crypt Killer
Crypt Killer
Ninja Assault
Ninja Assault
Virtua Cop 2
Virtua Cop 2
Virtua Cop 3
Virtua Cop 3
Panic Museum
Panic Museum
Haunted Museum 1
Shh...! Welcome to Frightfearland
Shh...! Welcome to Frightfearland
Haunted Museum 2
Loving Deads: The House of the Dead EX
Loving Deads: The House of the Dead EX
The House of the Dead: Overkill
The House of the Dead: Overkill
Lethal Enforcers
Lethal Enforcers
Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters
Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters
CarnEvil
CarnEvil
Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns Arcade Hits Pack
Gunblade NY & LA Machineguns Arcade Hits Pack
Who Shot Johnny Rock?
Who Shot Johnny Rock?
Mad Dog McCree
Mad Dog McCree
Silent Scope Complete
Silent Scope Complete
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Lucky & Wild
Lucky & Wild
Battle Clash
Battle Clash
Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge
Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge

21 Comments


2 months ago

The Lost World: Jurassic Park may not be the best or the flashiest, but it's pretty fun for what it is and it deserves at least a try me thinks, and if you play it I hope you enjoy it :D

2 months ago

Ghost Squad is one of my favourites of the genre and is lots of fun. I played the Wii port which is a sort of Expanded version, but the original arcade is more or less the same from what I've seen.

2 months ago

The Ocean Hunter and Revolution X

2 months ago

Duck Hunt studio audience laughter

2 months ago

I think there's diminishing returns with the Time Crisis sequels, but 1, 2 and 3 are all good. I'd get Project Titan in the bin, personally. Otherwise, Vampire Night, Police 911 (also known as Police 24/7) and HotD1 are all great. I wouldn't play them for the lightgun support, but Sega CD Snatcher and Saturn Policenauts are both great compatible games.

2 months ago

Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles and the other one

2 months ago

For both sides of the quality spectrum, I absolutely recommend both Virtua Cop and Death Crimson.

Double downing for The Ocean Hunter.

2 months ago

Thanks for all the recs so far guys, I'm really only familiar with some of the Time Crisis games and a few scattered plays of some of the House of the Dead games so this has been really helpful!

@87th I did not know that Snatcher and Policenauts were light gun compatible. I've played through both and am satisfied enough with the encounters in Snatcher to where I don't feel the need to revisit it right now, but Policenauts with light gun combat sounds a lot more interesting considering that the more fiddly gunfights with controller really got on my nerves near the end. Maybe given a bit more time, I could definitely go for a replay with the light gun.

@Vee Honestly I'm down for janky kusoge light gun titles, just need to get some friends in call so I won't be alone when trying Death Crimson out

2 months ago

@Drax It's honestly much more manageable with the mouse (PS1, Saturn and 3DO versions are all compatible), but it's a neat gimmick. My first playthrough of Snatcher was with the Justifier, and I loved having to draw a physical gun whenever an action scene sprung up, but it's not such a thrilling on repeat visits.

2 months ago

elemental gearbolt, been a hot minute since i played but its real shit (also point blank 2 is really good)

2 months ago

I would say Dino Stalker if you have not played it yet and I am sure it would be more fun with a proper guncon! I enjoyed it!

2 months ago

Gunfighter

2 months ago

Deadstorm Pirates

2 months ago

Happy to see so many cool games on here! But just for the record, you added the playsatation and saturn version of The Lost World, which I don't think it's a lightgun game to begin with XD. Makes sense tho, there are A TON of The Lost World games, but the one I meant was the arcade one, which I linked in my original comment, just saying it to clear confusion :D

2 months ago

@DeemonAndGames Thanks, must have completely slipped my mind that there were multiple versions of The Lost World on IGDB and the arcade version would be a different listing despite having the same name.

2 months ago

For something early and worthy, there's Namco's Steel Gunner duology, plus Rail Chase and Aliens3 from SEGA. I'm curious to see what you think of Crypt Killer, Ninja Assault, and the Virtua Cop series as well.

2 months ago

@PasokonDeacon Damn you listed a ton of suggestions I've never heard of at all, thanks for all the older selections!

2 months ago

Both Haunted Museum titles are really campy and fun, and House of the Dead EX is maybe my favorite light-gun title ever. I think all three can run via Teknoparrot atm.

2 months ago

Off this list already, I'll absolutely re-recommend Time Crisis 2, 3 and Ghost Squad. All of them are great fun.

As far as what's not here:
- Not as good as HotD 1 or 2, The Typing of the Dead Overkill still is a fair bit of fun. Not sure exactly how well it translates to the Sinden due to being made for PC mice in mind too, but it's a fun exploitation movie light gun romp. It originally came out on Wii as House of the Dead Overkill, but grab the PC version for easier setup, higher fidelity + having both Typing and Shooting modes.
- Lethal Enforcers tends to lean more towards the Duck Hunt era of gallery shooter than later light gun games, but I think it holds up pretty well for being made then. Lethal Enforcers 2 is also a thing, but I think the policeman "Dirty Harry" theming of 1 is more entertaining personally.
- Ain't that scary anymore, but CarnEvil is such a good horror shooter. Completely different vibe from the House of the Dead games too.
- It's a sin no one's recommended Gunblade NY or L.A. Machineguns yet. The most hyper90's light gun games I've ever enjoyed playing, they are immensely enjoyable. I will say if you get motion sick easily, watch some gameplay first before trying them - they move A LOT.

Here's some extra ones worth a single playthrough - haven't personally tried them myself, but they're either super novel or just awesome: Who Shot Johnny Rock, Mad Dog McCree, Silent Scope (the entire series, but specifically 1), Terminator 2 Judgement Day, Lucky & Wild (tough cause of mapping Steering Wheel + Gun), Battle Clash, Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge

2 months ago

@DynamicDonut You've been a huge help, thanks for all the suggestions I've never even heard of.

2 months ago

If you can get it working easily, Lupin The 3rd: The Shooting is one I was interested in a lot it even has a typing variant!


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