Dreamcast light guns
Encyclopedia
The Dreamcast video game console
had several light gun
s between the years of 2000 and 2003.
The light gun will work with a CRT TV or a CRT VGA monitor in 640x480 mode.
The Dreamcast Gun is a light gun
that was made specifically for the Dreamcast; however, it was released only in Europe and Asia, where it is the official light gun for use. It works on American consoles, as all Dreamcast peripherals are region-free. American gamers could either import this controller at inflated prices, or choose from two third-party controllers released for the system. However, the Dreamcast Gun was purposely disabled for use with American games. This was an intentional move on Sega
's part, who were worried about bad press after the Columbine High School massacre
. Instead, Mad Catz
released an officially licensed light gun in America, which does work with Sega's US gun games. The official European and Asian Dreamcast Gun does NOT work with any American games, and vice versa.
The pistol
-shaped gun has one expansion slot that is compatible with the VMU
and the vibration pack. This allows the player(s) to save their games and get a more authentic arcade
-like experience. The gun has been acclaimed by users as being extremely accurate.
This light gun was manufactured by Interact. This accessory featured a directional pad on its left side, and two start and B buttons on each side. It has an auto-reload trigger (located just in front of the gun trigger), which gave gamers mixed results. The auto-reload had split-second delay, and although more realistic in terms of timing, was not exactly what many gamers had in mind. With a Jump Pack plugged in, it can simulate recoil when shots are fired.
Mad Catz
's Dream Blaster is the official Dreamcast light gun for use in the United States. This is the reason why it features official Sega branding on the side of the gun and has a design mimicking the Dreamcast Gun. This gun also features an auto-reload feature. However, unlike the Star Fire Light Blaster, it lacks the delay, thus giving the player(s) an infinite stream of ammunition.
light gun, but is a beige color similar to the Dreamcast console. It incorporates auto fire and auto reload functions, has internal vibration, an 8-way directional pad, and B/Start buttons.
This gun will work with any Dreamcast.
Silent scope does NOT support light guns.
If the "Silent Scope" mode is chosen with the mode selector, you can control the scope with the 8-way directional pad at the side like with the analog stick on the normal pad. Pulling the trigger is a shot.
There is a mode selector switch at the side of the gun.
The selector switch has two modes, auto and single fire.
The Bio Gun is multi-region. Works with PAL and NTSC Dreamcasts.
The auto-fire rate is probably the highest of all dc-lightguns in most games.
It looks very similar to the Dream Blaster except that it is slightly shorter and does not have a rubber grip.
Features:
The auto-fire/reload does not have any delay.
It has 3 modes of operation which are selected using a switch: "Normal" (single shot), "AR" (single shot with auto reload) and "AR+AF" (automatic fire with automatic reload).
The gun features a kick-back feature where the slide actually kicks back and forth every shot (which can be disabled using a switch). For this functionality, however, the gun requires an additional power supply to be plugged into the gun's plug on the Dreamcast console.
The gun is modeled after a Desert Eagle
, and is white with orange buttons. There are also versions sold under the "Desert Eagle" label that are all black. It's bulky, but not unmanageably so. There is no VMU slot. The gun features a D-pad and Start and B buttons beneath the barrel and an additional B Button is on the grip itself.
Though the hammer is articulated, it has no function.
It has 3 modes of operation which are selected using a switch: "Normal" (single shot), "AR" (single shot with auto reload) and "AF" (automatic fire with automatic reload). It also has a vibration "ON" or "OFF" switch. It looks like the original Dreamcast Gun but bulky. There is a top slot for the VMU. The gun features a D-pad with Start and B buttons above the grip along with the trigger.
The box gives these specifications:
does not support light guns.
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
had several light gun
Light gun
A light gun is a pointing device for computers and a control device for arcade and video games.Modern screen-based light guns work by building a sensor into the gun itself, and the on-screen target emit light rather than the gun...
s between the years of 2000 and 2003.
The light gun will work with a CRT TV or a CRT VGA monitor in 640x480 mode.
Dreamcast Gun
Light gun
A light gun is a pointing device for computers and a control device for arcade and video games.Modern screen-based light guns work by building a sensor into the gun itself, and the on-screen target emit light rather than the gun...
that was made specifically for the Dreamcast; however, it was released only in Europe and Asia, where it is the official light gun for use. It works on American consoles, as all Dreamcast peripherals are region-free. American gamers could either import this controller at inflated prices, or choose from two third-party controllers released for the system. However, the Dreamcast Gun was purposely disabled for use with American games. This was an intentional move on Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
's part, who were worried about bad press after the Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
. Instead, Mad Catz
Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. is a peripherals manufacturer for various video game consoles headquartered in San Diego, California. It produces a wide range of accessories including control pads, memory cards, connection cables, headphones and other human interface devices.- History :The company was...
released an officially licensed light gun in America, which does work with Sega's US gun games. The official European and Asian Dreamcast Gun does NOT work with any American games, and vice versa.
The pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
-shaped gun has one expansion slot that is compatible with the VMU
VMU
The VMU, or Visual Memory Unit is a memory card peripheral for the Dreamcast. Its official name was changed by Sega for each of the three key regions:-* Japan = Visual Memory System * North America = Visual Memory Unit...
and the vibration pack. This allows the player(s) to save their games and get a more authentic arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
-like experience. The gun has been acclaimed by users as being extremely accurate.
StarFire LightBlaster
Dream Blaster
Mad Catz
Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. is a peripherals manufacturer for various video game consoles headquartered in San Diego, California. It produces a wide range of accessories including control pads, memory cards, connection cables, headphones and other human interface devices.- History :The company was...
's Dream Blaster is the official Dreamcast light gun for use in the United States. This is the reason why it features official Sega branding on the side of the gun and has a design mimicking the Dreamcast Gun. This gun also features an auto-reload feature. However, unlike the Star Fire Light Blaster, it lacks the delay, thus giving the player(s) an infinite stream of ammunition.
SRC Bio Gun
The Bio Gun is identical in form to the SaturnSega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
light gun, but is a beige color similar to the Dreamcast console. It incorporates auto fire and auto reload functions, has internal vibration, an 8-way directional pad, and B/Start buttons.
This gun will work with any Dreamcast.
Silent scope does NOT support light guns.
If the "Silent Scope" mode is chosen with the mode selector, you can control the scope with the 8-way directional pad at the side like with the analog stick on the normal pad. Pulling the trigger is a shot.
There is a mode selector switch at the side of the gun.
The selector switch has two modes, auto and single fire.
The Bio Gun is multi-region. Works with PAL and NTSC Dreamcasts.
The auto-fire rate is probably the highest of all dc-lightguns in most games.
Virtual Blaster
A third party "made in china" light gun for the Dreamcast. The Virtual Blaster bears the brand name Topmax.It looks very similar to the Dream Blaster except that it is slightly shorter and does not have a rubber grip.
Features:
- Small 8-directional D-Pad, B and START button on the back of the gun
- 3 shooting modes: manual, auto-reload and auto-fire/reload (3-position slider button on the left side of the barrel)
- Built in vibration function that can be switched off (2-position slider button on the right side of the barrel)
- Memory Pack slot
The auto-fire/reload does not have any delay.
DCX Blaster
The DCX Blaster is an almost exact clone of the original Dreamcast Gun, except that it's painted black and has minor stylistic variations. It features a single expansion slot for rumble pack or memory card and is compatible in all regions. It is variable firing configurations which include: manual-reload & triggered-fire, auto-reload & triggered-fire, and auto-reload & auto-fire.Hais DC Lightgun with Kick-Back
Hais DC Lightgun with Kick-Back is a light gun compatible with all Dreamcast light gun titles.It has 3 modes of operation which are selected using a switch: "Normal" (single shot), "AR" (single shot with auto reload) and "AR+AF" (automatic fire with automatic reload).
The gun features a kick-back feature where the slide actually kicks back and forth every shot (which can be disabled using a switch). For this functionality, however, the gun requires an additional power supply to be plugged into the gun's plug on the Dreamcast console.
The gun is modeled after a Desert Eagle
Desert Eagle
The Desert Eagle is a large-framed gas-operated semi-automatic pistol designed by Magnum Research in the U.S. and by IMI in Israel; the pistol is manufactured primarily in Israel by IMI...
, and is white with orange buttons. There are also versions sold under the "Desert Eagle" label that are all black. It's bulky, but not unmanageably so. There is no VMU slot. The gun features a D-pad and Start and B buttons beneath the barrel and an additional B Button is on the grip itself.
Though the hammer is articulated, it has no function.
Hais DC Mini Gun
The Hais DC Mini Gun is a Dreamcast light gun compatible with all US Dreamcast light gun titles. It has both single shot and autofire capabilities, and has a built in vibration function (which can be disabled using a switch). The gun is small in comparison to other light guns for the Dreamcast, but is surprisingly comfortable to hold. There are no expansion slots for the Hais DC Mini Gun, meaning it is incompatible with the VMU. The gun features a directional pad and Start and B buttons beneath the barrel. The trigger uses a well-made plastic slide, as opposed to hinged triggers, which produce clicking noises. The trigger weight is also desirably ergonomic. The orange plastic hammer of the gun is actually a functional button capable of triggering a secondary weapon.Yobo Gameware DC Lightgun
Yobo DC Lightgun is a light gun compatible with all Dreamcast light gun titles.It has 3 modes of operation which are selected using a switch: "Normal" (single shot), "AR" (single shot with auto reload) and "AF" (automatic fire with automatic reload). It also has a vibration "ON" or "OFF" switch. It looks like the original Dreamcast Gun but bulky. There is a top slot for the VMU. The gun features a D-pad with Start and B buttons above the grip along with the trigger.
SRC DC Wireless Gun
This Dreamcast light gun was modeled after light guns traditionally used in arcades. It is wireless and uses a transmitter that utilizes infrared signals.The box gives these specifications:
- Responds instantly
- Performs just as well as any "wired" light gun
- Easy to install and operate
- Expansion port is compatible with any Dreamcast memory card
- For best results, the SRC DC should stay within four meters of the receiver
- The distance between the receiver and the TV should not exceed one meter
- The light gun uses one 9V battery to power the IR transmitter
- The receiver has a mode selection switch that allows it to be used with Silent Scope
Pelican Stinger
A gun by Pelican.- Unique Reload Trigger for rapid manual reloading of bullets
- Built in Jolt Action with On/Off Selector
- Auto Reload Mode: Single fire with automatic bullet reload
- Turbo Fire Mode: Turbo fire with automatic bullet reload
- Comfortable Rubberized Head Grips
- Compatible with VMU and JUMP PACK
ThrustMaster Pump Action Light gun
A gun by Thrustmaster (Thrust Master)- Black and white colours with THRUSTMASTER logo
- Supports different modes of fire
Cybergun: Desert Eagle
- Single and Auto fire.
- Manual and Auto Reload.
- Official and Authentic Replica
Commercial games
Counterintuitively, Silent ScopeSilent Scope
Silent Scope is an arcade game that puts the player in the shoes of a sniper during a series of terrorist incidents. Unlike most first person shooters, the gun for this game is mounted to the machine, requiring players to physically alter their position to shoot...
does not support light guns.
- Death Crimson OXDeath Crimson OXis a light gun shooting game developed by Ecole. It was released in arcades in 2000 then ported to the Dreamcast console in 2001 . It is the sequel to Death Crimson...
(Only the Japanese Release supports the European Light-Guns) - Death Crimson 2 (Japan Only Release)
- Demolition Racer: No ExitDemolition Racer: No ExitDemolition Racer: No Exit is a racing game developed for the Dreamcast. It was produced by Infogrames and Pitbull Syndicate. It is an enhanced port of Demolition Racer for PlayStation....
('Big Car Hunter' minigame) - Confidential MissionConfidential MissionConfidential Mission is a light gun game published by Sega, first available as an arcade game, then ported to the Dreamcast. The game is in the same style as the Virtua Cop series, with support for one or two players. The game was developed by Sega's Hitmaker development team and first released in...
- House of the Dead 2
- Virtua Cop 2Virtua Cop 2Virtua Cop 2 is a light gun arcade game, released in 1995 and developed internally at Sega by their AM2 studio. It was ported to home systems on the Sega Saturn in 1996. It was released in PC in 1997 and Dreamcast in 2000...
(in the Sega Smash PackSega Smash PackSega Smash Pack is a series of game compilations featuring mostly Sega Mega Drive games. Sega Smash Pack games have been released for the PC, Dreamcast, and the Game Boy Advance.-PC:The first Sega Smash Pack was released in 1999 for the PC...
and also as a stand-alone release in Japan)
Freeware games
- bloop
- SMSPlus
- NesterDC
- Pop a Cap
- Revolver