G’AIM’E Review: The $99 “Plug & Play” Lightgun That Actually Works

Testing out this new plug-and-play light gun console really shows how modern tech can breathe new life into old-school gaming. The device hooks up fast via HDMI and powers on without any extra sensors or endless setup steps.

Within seconds, you’re blasting away in shooter games that used to need big, clunky arcade cabinets. The design keeps that familiar retro vibe, but it sneaks in smart upgrades that actually help with accuracy and make things easier overall.

The gun packs built-in AI that calibrates itself to different screens, learning from each setup so it stays sharp. The package gives you several game choices and versions, depending on what you’re willing to spend or what interests you most.

Build quality feels reassuringly solid—clearly, the folks behind this have made gaming hardware before. In really bright rooms, setup can get a little finicky, but most of the time, the experience feels straightforward and brings back that old-school shooter joy.

Key Takeaways

  • The console sets up in minutes and works smoothly with modern TVs.
  • AI tech helps your aim and adjusts to whatever screen you use.
  • Sturdy build and a retro look make for a trustworthy, fun experience.

What Is Game? Plug-And-Play Light Gun Console

Main Functions and Design

Game is a plug-and-play light gun console that’s all about quick setup and instant action. It comes with four preloaded games and connects straight to your TV with HDMI.

The little black box looks a lot like a classic PlayStation 1 game case and gives you two USB-C ports, a power button, and a reset button. Simple, right?

The light gun itself borrows a ton from Bandai Namco’s 1997 Time Crisis model. It’s got a similar weight, trigger feel, and button layout, with A/B buttons, an insert coin button, and a pause button for menus.

The recoil feedback is punchy but not ridiculous—just enough to remind you of the arcade.

Here’s how the Kickstarter campaign breaks down:

Tier Contents Price Range
Basic 1 gun + 1 game (Time Crisis) ~£99
Premium 1 gun + 4 games ~£150
Ultimate 2 guns + 4 games + foot pedal ~£200

Quick Setup and Calibration

Setup is ridiculously fast—under 30 seconds most of the time. Plug in power and HDMI, turn it on, and you’ll see an on-screen demo right away.

Every time you start, you shoot eight points on the screen for calibration. It’s quick, and you’re off to the races.

The gun uses a built-in camera and AI system running Linux to keep your aim true. This AI’s been trained on all sorts of TVs and gets smarter with firmware updates.

If you’ve got a bunch of bright lights or big windows, calibration might get thrown off, so dimmer rooms work best. Reflections can mess with the camera in the gun.

Support for Modern Screens

Unlike those old light guns, Game works with modern flat-screen TVs—no external cameras, no screen borders, nothing extra to mess with.

The AI tracking lets the gun adapt to different displays and lighting. If you point away from the TV, it might lose calibration for a second, but it snaps back as soon as you aim again.

It’s a pretty straightforward way to get that arcade shooter feel on today’s screens.

AI-Powered Calibration and Accuracy

How the Setup and Alignment Function

Setup is a breeze—just a few seconds, honestly. After you plug it into your TV, you do a quick calibration by shooting at eight points on the display.

This step lines up the gun’s camera with your TV, so your shots go where you expect. Here’s what that looks like:

Step Action Purpose
1 Power on the console Start the calibration demo
2 Aim and shoot at 8 on-screen points Map the screen area
3 Confirm calibration Begin gameplay

It runs this process at every startup, so accuracy stays reliable.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Precision

The gun’s built-in AI system runs on a Linux platform. It’s been trained with tons of TV models, so it can handle all sorts of screens and refresh rates.

Firmware updates keep expanding what it can recognize, so aiming gets better over time. The company says this AI approach is why they can keep the price down and still get solid performance.

Effect of Room Lighting on Accuracy

Lighting can definitely mess with things. In testing, strong sunlight from a window made the lower screen corner way less accurate—the gun’s camera saw reflections, not the TV.

Want to avoid that headache? Here’s what helps:

  • Keep your TV away from bright windows
  • Cut down on direct sunlight or glare
  • Recalibrate if you move things or the light changes a lot

If you accidentally point at another screen, calibration might glitch, but the AI usually fixes itself fast when you aim back at the TV.

Included Games and Packages

Built-In Game Selection

You get four classic shooters right out of the box—Time Crisis, Point Blank, and both Steel Gunner games. Each loads up quickly after calibration, so you’re not stuck waiting around.

Funding Levels and Prices

There are three main packages on the crowdfunding page:

Tier Contents Price (approx.)
Base Pack One light gun and Time Crisis only £99
Premium Pack All four games, one gun, and optional foot pedal £150
Ultimate Pack All four games, two guns, and foot pedal Up to $200 (USD)

There’s no Wi‑Fi, so you can’t download new games later. If you want more variety, the higher tiers just make more sense in the long run.

Add‑On Choices

Pick from blue or orange guns in the UK, US, and EU. Japan gets a black and orange version because of different safety rules.

If you’re a Time Crisis fan, the optional foot pedal brings that arcade feel home. Each gun plugs in with USB‑C and has buttons for pausing, adding credits, and toggling recoil.

Light Gun Design And Functionality

Design Influence

This light gun is a love letter to Bandai Namco’s late-’90s classic. The team worked with the original creators to nail that old-school look and feel, but they’ve updated it for today’s living room.

The shape, heft, and trigger are all super close to the arcade originals, so you get that familiar, satisfying vibe.

Buttons and Functional Elements

You get a bunch of functional buttons that make gameplay straightforward:

Button Function
A / B Buttons Menus and in-game options
Insert Coin Adds credits/lives in supported games
Pause Brings up a custom menu or main menu
Recoil Toggle Turns recoil on or off

Whether you’re a casual player or a shooter veteran, the controls are easy to figure out.

Recoil and Construction Quality

The recoil system gives a solid vibration—enough to feel, but not enough to rattle your teeth. There’s no moving top section like some old arcade guns, but honestly, the feedback still feels good.

The gun’s solid build and balanced weight show that the manufacturer knows their stuff. Early test models used braided orange cables, but they switched to silicone for more flexibility in the newer ones.

Regional Versions

Different parts of the world get different color schemes to meet safety laws.

  • UK, US, and EU: Blue and orange, so it’s obviously a toy.
  • Japan: Black and orange, which fits local rules.

These tweaks keep things safe but still give you a cool-looking controller.

User Experience and Gameplay

Setup and Accessibility

Booting up is quick—just plug in HDMI and power. Turn it on, do the eight-point calibration, and you’re ready to play.

The built-in AI helps the gun figure out whatever display you’ve got, so you don’t have to mess with extra sensors or cameras.

Quick setup breakdown:

Step Action Time Required
1 Connect power and HDMI ~10 seconds
2 Complete calibration ~10 seconds
3 Start playing Immediately

Sense of Familiarity

The gun’s design channels those classic arcade shooters. Layout, buttons, trigger—they all feel like the old days, which is oddly comforting if you grew up with these games.

The weight and recoil are just right—enough nostalgia, but not so heavy that it gets annoying.

What stands out:

  • Trigger is firm, works for rapid or held fire
  • Recoil gives you that tactile arcade feel
  • Easy-access buttons for pause, coin insert, and recoil toggle

Family‑Friendly Design

Bright blue and orange colors make it clear this is a toy, not a real weapon. That’s reassuring, especially if you’ve got kids around.

No complicated cables or sketchy parts—the setup is safe for family game nights. Parents will probably like the quick start and obvious safety design, and kids can just jump in without fussing with settings or menus.

Build Quality and Company Background

Construction Materials and Cable Options

The console and light gun show a surprising amount of attention to detail. The gun’s got a decent weight, and the trigger feels satisfying—quick taps or steady pulls work just fine.

Menu, pause, and recoil control buttons sit on the sides, so you don’t have to fumble around to find them. Early batches shipped with braided orange cables.

Now, newer units are coming out with silicone cables instead. Silicone bends more easily, but it tends to cling to tables or desks a bit more than braided cables do.

Colour options depend on where you are—regional safety rules shape the choices:

Region Colour Variant Reason
UK / US / EU Blue and Orange Must appear toy-like for safety
Japan Black and Orange Local laws allow darker models

Manufacturer Expertise

Tasai built this system, and they’ve mostly worked behind the scenes for other gaming brands before. This console marks their first direct-to-consumer product, and honestly, you can feel that experience in the hardware.

Both the console and gun feel sturdy and well-made, which lines up with Tasai’s history in manufacturing for bigger names.

Limitations and Considerations

Setup Accuracy Challenges

During testing, I had to calibrate by shooting a few points on the screen before diving in. The process went by quickly enough, but accuracy took a hit if the room had strong sunlight or glare.

If a big window sat near the display, the bottom right corner of the screen became noticeably less precise—sometimes by half.

Tips to improve accuracy:

  • Keep your TV away from direct sunlight or bright windows.
  • Try not to have reflective stuff behind or beside the screen.
  • Recalibrate if you move the console or the lighting changes.
Issue Cause Recommended Action
Inconsistent aim Strong ambient light Close blinds or reposition TV
Temporary glitch Switching between displays Return to main screen and allow auto-correction
Reduced corner accuracy Uneven lighting Perform a fresh calibration

Environmental Setup Advice

The console really shines in controlled lighting. If you’ve got bright sunlight or harsh overhead bulbs, the gun’s camera sensor might start acting up.

It’s best to set up in a room with moderate light—nothing too dramatic. Try not to put the system close to open windows or a bunch of screens.

Recommended setup checklist:

  • Lighting: Go for indirect light. Lamps with shades or soft bulbs work well.
  • Placement: Give the TV some space—at least a few feet away from windows is smart.
  • Surfaces: Steer clear of glossy screens or anything super reflective in the background.

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