I made an arcade light gun setup using a handheld, and you can too over Christmas
Dec. 24, 2023Deck the halls with arcade hardware
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As a retro gaming enthusiast, I am a complete sucker for old light gun games. The only problem is, my local amusement center just retired its long-standing House of the Dead 2 arcade cabinet, and using console alternatives like the PS2 Namco GunCon requires fishing an old CRT TV out of storage. Simply put, the whole affair felt like an out-of-reach faff. At least, that was the case until I realized I could put together a small and authentic arcade light gun system in my living room. So, since the Holiday season is upon us, I thought it’d be a good idea to cover what I used to make it happen, as you’ll be able to put your own setup together over Christmas.
Admittedly, there are various ways you can put together this arcade setup, but there’s one key element that’s mandatory - a Sinden Lightgun. I’ll get onto why the peripheral is key, but once you’ve got the sidearm to hand, you’ll be able to pick up everything else at your leisure. Some of you may already be rocking thebest gaming TVat home, and you’ll technically be able to use any capablegaming PCto put together this setup, but perhaps my setup will lend some inspiration in any case
MySinden Lightgun reviewis now live if you want a closer look at the peripheral, but here’s a rundown of what it actually is. Dressed up just like an original Namco GunCon, thePC controlleruses a combination of clever tech and software to replicate the experience of retro light guns on modern displays. Whether you’re looking to play modern releases like House of the Dead Remake on Steam or you need a way to revisit emulated classics like Time Crisis, this accessory is going to have you playing like it’s 1999. That’s perhaps a bit cheesy even for me, but this thing even has recoil and pedal support, so it’s technically better than anything you could have achieved at home before.
1. A Sinden Lightgun
Buy it if:
✅ You want to play light gun games on PC✅ You’ve only got modern screens✅ You’d prefer something authentic but modern
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’ve got an old CRT and original guns❌ You’d rather play with a mouse
The Sinden Lightgun will work with any PC, but my setup trades a traditional bulky rig for one of thebest gaming handheldsaround. Specifically, I decided to use theAyaneo 2S, as while I’d normally opt for theSteam Deckinstead, SteamOS support is still in the early stages. If you own neither of those, I’d actually suggest seriously considering anAsus ROG Allyinstead, as it’s currently downfrom $699.99 to $599.99over at Best Buy.
Buy it if:
✅ You prefer to play with a controller✅ You can play plugged in most of the time✅ You want to play as many games as possible
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You only play Steam games❌ You want to boost fps further at 1080p
For what we’re going to be using this setup for, there shouldn’t be a noticeable difference in using theAsusROG Ally instead of the Ayaneo 2S. Sure, the handheld I’ve got to hand boasts a beefierAMDRyzen 7 7840U APU, but performance should be around the same in practice. Plus, the ROG Ally is our favorite handheld gaming PC overall thanks to its balance of price and specs, so it won’t disappoint when you switch to playing with your fingers and thumbs.
Alternatively, you could also use a tiny rig to achieve the same sort of compact setup, and something like theAyaneo Retro Mini PCcould fit the bill. Just like with a handheld, your mileage will vary when it comes to newer releases, but it should be able to handle Steam’s selection of light gun romps and some PS2 emulation.
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We might not be usingValve’s handheld for this project, but the next piece of the puzzle requires shopping around for thebest Steam Deck dock. The Ayaneo 2S and Asus ROG Ally will play nicely with most docking stations out there, and I’ve tested most options using both portable powerhouses.
My personal go-to Steam Deck dock is theBaseus 6-in-1 docking station, as it’s got plenty of ports and an adjustable cradle that fits most handhelds. Annoyingly, it went out of stock recently, so my next recommendation would be theJsaux 6-in-1 dockinstead. It’s still going to provide your device with plenty of juice to power your light gun and send visuals to your screen of choice, and it’s pretty affordable compared to the official Valve accessory.
Jsuax 6-in-1 Steam Deck dock |$49.99$39.99 at AmazonSave $10 -You’ll rarely find this dock sitting at full price, but it’s still a great deal for a hub with three USB ports, 100W power delivery, and an aluminium body.
Buy it if:
✅ You want to connect a keyboard and mouse✅ You’re looking for great build quality✅ You’ve got your own power adapter
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’d rather keep things official❌ You want an additional charger
If you fancy opting for another docking station, I’d bear two things in mind. Firstly, make sure you pick something with 100W Power Delivery, as you’ll need enough juice to power the Sinden Lightgun, your Windows handheld of choice, and other peripherals. You’ll also want to make sure you pick something with enough ports, as while we’ll be primarily using the light gun for gameplay, a mouse and keyboard will come in handy for setup.
Without some sort of screen, you aren’t going to get far, and chances are you’ve already got one at home. That’ll effectively save you from having to shop for a newgaming TV,but since we’re talking about my setup, I’ll point you towards the 50-inchSamsungTU690T, as it’s the same as the older display dwelling in my living room at the moment.
Buy it if:
✅ You want an affordable 4K panel✅ You’re looking for something for a smaller living space✅ You want access to Tizen smart features
Don’t buy it if:
While I’m currently using a larger TV, I can confirm this setup also works wonderfully with smaller displays. That means you could browse thebest gaming monitorsand emerge with a screen specifically for this kind of setup. If I were buying a screen specifically for this setup, I’d be tempted to opt for something like the Dough Spectrum One, especially since it’s still downfrom $699 to $599following a previous Black Friday discount.
This part is purely optional, but 8bitDo’s NES-inspired keyboard has something that’ll come in weirdly handy when playing light gun games. I mean, it also just looks the part, and it’s going to feel even more appropriate if you’re aiming to play old Nintendo games like Duck Hunt. However, I’ve actually been using its comically sized A and B buttons as makeshift reload pedals, which isn’t as daft an idea as you’d think.
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard | $99.99 at AmazonSadly, 8BitDo’s NES-inspired keyboard is still full price right now, but it offers up clicky Kailh Box Switches, 2.4Ghz wireless, Bluetooth, and extra large A+B buttons that plug into the back. It’s certainly the kind of keyboard you’d want to pair with anything remotely retro-themed, and you won’t find anything else quite like it out there.
Buy it if:
✅ You care about retro aesthetics✅ You want clicky switches✅ You can think of a use for its ridiculous big buttons
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’d prefer something quieter❌ You want something you can use on the couch
Not only is 8bitDo’s Famicom Keyboard tribute wireless, but it boasts both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz via a dongle. Naturally, that means you’ll be able to quickly switch from another PC to your light gun setup whenever it’s required. That could be the excuse some of you have been waiting for to upgrade your existing gaming keyboard, even if it does prioritize aesthetics over practicality.
If you’d prefer something more couch-friendly, I’d probably use the likes of theLogitechK400 Plus. It’s lightweight, has a trackpad built-in, and runs off of AA batteries, not to mention it boasts 2.4 GHz wireless. That’s certainly more of a less fuss approach than using a keyboard that’s around the same size as a Commodore 64, but I’m still into that regardless.
And just like that, you’ve got yourself a compact light gun arcade setup that doesn’t take up a lot of room, requires a crusty old CRT, and can live in your living room without beingthatintrusive. If you’ve already got some of these bits lying around, you’re already halfway there, but you’ll hopefully be able to snag some decent savings on anything you don’t have if you’ve thrifty about it.
Looking for something that’ll run the latest games? Check out thebest gaming PCsfor a selection of powerhouse rigs. You’ll also want to peek at ourbest gaming laptoppicks if you’re after something more mobile.
I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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