G’AIM’E HANDS-ON PREVIEW: Arcade Classics Firing Into Modern-Day Homes

by

By the mid-2000s, home light-gun games gradually lost popularity as people moved towards more modern consoles and high-tech televisions. As a result, these games were mostly confined to arcades once again, reminiscent of their original setting. However, G’AIM’E is determined to change the status quo by successfully adapting to smart TVs, providing an extremely accurate and genuine home light-gun gaming experience. I was fortunate enough to test this innovative device during Gamescom 2025.

In the past, our household owned a PlayStation 1. I vividly recall the day a miniature plastic gun mysteriously materialized in our home. To my surprise, it was my father who was wielding it, blasting at criminals, piranhas, and apples perched on Dr. Dan and Dr. Don’s heads. Namco’s Point Blank quickly became an integral part of our family’s daily life and sparked my lifelong fascination with light-gun games.

A Time Crisis at Point Blank Range

In the 1980s, the era of light-gun games commenced, with arcade machines utilizing rudimentary plastic weapons to initiate play. Soon after, home consoles also jumped on this popular trend. For enthusiasts of such heart-pounding gameplay, investing in a home console, gun, and game proved significantly more cost-effective than continuously emptying wallets at arcade machines, relentlessly feeding them coins as if tomorrow never comes.

During the 1990s, arcade games like Point Blank, Time Crisis, and House of the Dead reached unprecedented popularity. The G-Con controller revolutionized gaming, turning many nights into hours spent huddled around the TV, pretending to shoot at a screen. Old CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs began to fade away in the early 2000s due to advancements such as plasma screens and other innovative technologies that spurred technological progress. Home light-gun games were specifically tailored for CRT technology, making them incompatible with the new developments.

G’AIM’E has taken action, declaring that enough is enough, as stated on its Kickstarter page. This device can be used across various screen types, such as Plasma, LED, QLED, and LCD. The successful Kickstarter campaign has currently raised almost $1 million, significantly surpassing its initial goal of $50,000. The high demand is evident, and my personal experience at Gamescom 2025 indicates that G’AIM’E could potentially revolutionize the market.

The paraphrased version aims to maintain the original meaning while making it more accessible and easy to read for a general audience.

Fire Away

G’AIME’s advanced high-resolution camera and intelligent AI system now replace infrared technology. It swiftly identified my gun, following a quick calibration setup to ensure accuracy. I was then able to rewind time and flawlessly play an updated version of the classic Time Crisis game, known for being the standout light-gun game and franchise.

Instantly, the game transports me back to my childhood days. The game’s “ACTION!” call resonates with me, and I find myself darting between cover, eliminating enemies, occasionally absorbing damage due to my overeagerness. My memory skills are instantly rejuvenated in the heat of the action. So engrossed was I in the action that any sync or connectivity issues seemed irrelevant.

Upon the release of G’AIM’E, you have the option to purchase both the system and gun, or add a pedal for an extra challenge. The pedal not only enhances your gaming experience but also provides a workout for your calves. Both methods are functional, and I found my time spent on the game rapidly passing as I shifted from Time Crisis to Namco’s action-packed Point Blank.

If my shots are off target, it means I’m not skilled, and that’s alright! The 30 minutes spent with the G’AIM’E system were engaging, and I crave more of the experience. It was precise, spot-on, and remarkably captures the essence of home, light-gun gaming for today.

At its launch, G’AIM’E will include Time Crisis, Point Blank, Steel Gunther, and Steel Gunther 2. I’m eagerly anticipating more gameplay and observing how technology advances in this exciting new phase. Here’s hoping that this marks the beginning of a new era for home arcades!

Could you please tell me about your most cherished memories involving light guns, whether they took place at home or in an arcade? Feel free to discuss this on the TopMob forum and mention which games or franchises you’d like to see brought back.

Read More

2025-08-20 19:50