Point me towards a light gun shooter cabinet and I’m likely to be there for a while. Talk about a terrific game genre, one where you can blow away enemies while acquiring power-ups. And the two player ones are even better, as you can literally go John Woo (Hard Boiled?) on zombies and other enemies. Now that arcade feeling comes home, thanks to G’AIM’E’s Plug and Play Ultimate system.
It’s essentially a 30th anniversary celebration of Namco’s legendary arcade game Time Crisis. In it, you play Richard Miller, a hero assigned to rescue a kidnapped woman from terrorists. The G’AIM’E package comes packed with two guns and an arcade perfect port, along with other games including Steel Gunner and Point Blank. (Unless you buy the basic model, which is just Time Crisis.) There are other goodies, too.
This plug-and-play system works very well for something not involving camera sensors. The accuracy is mostly spot on (save for a few things we’ll get into), and the ability to turn on and off recoil is a nice touch. It’s also fairly simple to set up, though, again, you need to make sure certain things are set.
I do wish there was an option to download more games (Crisis Zone?), and there can be mild calibration issues depending on placement. But overall, G’AIM’E has produced a fun arcade wonder here. The plug-and-play ultimate generates hours of fun for arcade enthusiasts. Now to build that custom arcade cabinet.
G’AIM’E Aims For Greatness With the Plug and Play
Right out of the box, you know what you’re getting into. The G’AIM’E plug-and-play includes two guns, as well as the base system, a foot pedal, and some cool Time Crisis goodies. There’s a neat arcade diorama (with a rather large pistol), as well as a collector’s pin. (Keep in mind this is for the Ultimate tier – lower ones just have the system, and maybe not all the games.)
It’s relatively easy to set up. You get the system in place (with the included components) and plug in the guns you want to use. Then you turn on and go through the menu, setting up calibration. It took us a couple of tries, based on a couple of things.
First off, you need to be a certain distance from the screen you’re playing on. It depends on size, and there’s a diagram breaking this down. (You can also do it through the system too.) We learned the best distance by trial and error, but found no problems after with using the lightguns. It’s fairly accurate, give or take a missed shot or two.
The other thing is placement. If you’re near a window or a place where the lighting is off, there’s a chance that some of your shots may not read accurately. So be sure you’re in a good space where the sensor can see its targets.
Outside of that, the system works wonderfully. You can select through games with ease, and re-calibrate at any time. I also like the included foot pedal, though it’s likely to be a hassle for those with big feet. (Might as well wear clown shoes, grumble.)
As for the on-gun buttons, they work without much hassle. And you can play Time Crisis using just the peripheral, should you feel compelled. I do wish the black and orange model was available for purchase outside of Japan, though. (You can clearly tell it’s a light gun.)
Alright, let’s get into the games!
G’AIM’E Takes You Back To the Arcade
First up is, obviously, Time Crisis. Namco’s game has never looked better than it does here. It’s a perfect, fast arcade port, with all the explosions and other effects you’d expect. It does show its age in slight areas, but overall, it’s still a winner.
Next up? Point Blank. I do wish more than the first game was included. However, with two players it’s an absolute blast, as you go through each skillful stage. The tougher ones will definitely put you through your paces, though. I gotta shoot a whole leaf? With one bullet?!
The final two games are from the Steel Gunner series. I prefer the original over the sequel, but they’re both rad arcade affairs, perfectly translated. Plus it’s not every day you get to shoot a giant mech to pieces.
I just wish there was an option to add more Namco classics to the picture. Time Crisis II and Time Crisis: Crisis Zonewould’ve been wonderful for this. And, of course, throwing the idea out there to get Sega on board. Why not.
One other thing – if you just get the basic tier, you only get Time Crisis. The extra games are definitely worth the cash, as you can see from this breakdown on the official page.
Lock and Load This Holiday Season With G’AIM’E
Overall, I’m very pleased with how the G’AIM’E plug-and-play system turned out. The guns work remarkably well without the need for sensors, and the small but sufficient collection of games will keep you busy. The extras are nice, and the whole thing is easy to set up, though not quite perfect.
I do hope for updates in the future that will bring more games to the table. For now, though, this is a must-have for arcade fans.
Many thanks to Overload PR and G’AIM’E for providing us with a review unit! The G’AIM’E packages are available for purchase here!
Need more light-gun shooting fun? Check out our review of Operation Night Strikers!
