8Bit/Digi

It has been 30 years since Time Crisis first appeared in arcades and redefined the light-gun genre. From the late 1990s through the 2000s, it was a staple of arcades, with at least one entry in the series usually available to play. While the original game came to the PlayStation in 1997, it could not fully capture the experience of playing it in the arcade. That has now changed, as G‘AIM’E has partnered with Bandai Namco to bring that experience home.

In honor of the series’ 30th anniversary, G‘AIM’E has recreated the iconic GunCon and packaged it with a mini console that comes with Time Crisis installed. During the 2026 Game Developers Conference, the team was on the expo floor showcasing the light gun and the work it put into recreating the classic arcade experience. This is a look at my conversation with the team and my hands-on time with their take on the classic GunCon.

G‘AIM’E and Time Crisis

During my time at the booth, I spoke with Heena Lakhani, Zazzie Fox, and Stephen Brown about the G‘AIM’E Lightgun and the full set. I was quick to notice not just the light guns ready to be played, but also a table displaying several hand-drawn sketches used as concept art for the original game. The team was more than happy to discuss each display, its history, and how it helped shape the game fans know today. Also on display were photos of the original Time Crisis team, along with collectable merchandise that is only available with the G‘AIM’E ultimate edition.

Going into the details, Lakhani gave me an overview of the G‘AIM’E Lightgun, its partnership with Bandai Namco, and the support provided by the original development team. The G‘AIM’E Lightgun recreates the look, feel, and function of the original GunCon, while also being designed to work with modern televisions and incorporating the pedal used in the original arcade version. This is made possible through artificial intelligence technology that allows the gun to self-calibrate by recognizing the screen, ensuring high accuracy and ease of use while operating at different angles and positions. When I first held the light gun, it felt like an improvement over the original arcade version. It was lightweight, fit comfortably in my hands, and had a smooth trigger pull. At the same time, the gun featured several buttons that were easy to reach.

Fox then walked me through the different versions of the G‘AIM’E Lightgun available. There is a Premium set that includes one light gun, one pedal, and a mini console with Time Crisis, Point Blank, Steel Gunner, and Steel Gunner 2. There is also an Ultimate version that includes everything in the Premium set, along with an additional light gun and some collectible merchandise.

Lakhani further explained that there are plans to expand the G‘AIM’E Lightgun beyond the Time Crisis series. This includes working with publishers of remakes and ports of other iconic arcade lightgun games, as well as modern titles that want to implement the lightgun into their games. However, everything is still in the early stages.

Playing Time Crisis

When it came to my playthrough, I started by spending most of my time with Time Crisis. Before starting the game, I wanted to get a feel for the pedal and its position so I could stand at a comfortable distance from the TV. Once the game began, I selected Story Mode and played through the first part of the opening stage. It had been a long time since I last played the original, and the G‘AIM’E Lightgun with the pedal felt different at first, but I adjusted quickly and fought my way through the stage. I completed the first part of the opening stage, but was killed halfway through the second.

I also spent some time playing Point Blank and Steel Gunner to get a sense of how they felt with the light gun. My overall impression was that it worked great with both games, sometimes even better than a well-maintained arcade cabinet.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the G‘AIM’E Lightgun looks, feels, and operates like the classic GunCon, but with meaningful upgrades and modern technology. The shooting and accuracy were superb, at times even surpassing the experience of using a light gun in the arcade. Setup is also far easier than with the original PlayStation GunCon, which was something I struggled with back in the day. The team at G‘AIM’E clearly has a deep love for classic light gun games, and it shows with one of the best lightguns I’ve played with.

This article is part of our coverage of the 2026 Game Developers Conference. If you attended the event, please share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: GDC provided 8Bit/Digi with press passes for the event.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.