Contents
How a CRT screen works
A cathode ray television did not display the image like a modern screen. The principle was based on a beam of electrons that scanned the screen line by line, from top to bottom, about 50 times per second in Europe (PAL) and 60 times in the United States (NTSC). Each phosphor dot briefly lit up as the beam passed, creating the illusion of a stable image thanks to retinal persistence.
The principle of the optical gun
The video game gun does not contain a camera, but an optical sensor (photodiode). When the trigger was pressed:
- The console blacked out the screen for a fraction of a second.
- The targets were then displayed in white, one by one.
- The gun’s sensor detected the light if the player was correctly aiming at the target at the moment of the flash.
Thanks to this very fast synchronization, the console could determine which target had been hit. This system was used by iconic games like Duck Hunt on the NES.
Why it no longer works on modern screens
On an LCD, plasma, or OLED screen, the image is not displayed line by line but generated as a block. Therefore, there is no longer any scanning that the console can exploit to synchronize the gun’s sensor. The result: classic optical guns are incompatible with flat screens.
Modern solutions to regain the experience
Today, some enthusiasts have developed alternatives to replay these classics:
- Sinden Lightgun: a modern gun with an integrated camera that detects a white frame around the image.
- Emulation + cameras: some setups use computer vision to recreate the effect.
- Third-party USB accessories: designed to work on PC or recent consoles.
These technologies do not exactly reproduce the original system, but they allow for a similar experience.
FAQ
Can the NES Zapper work on a flat screen?
No, it absolutely requires a CRT. On an LCD or OLED, it will never correctly detect the light.
Can we still use a CRT today for these games?
Yes, if you have an old cathode ray television in working condition, optical guns still work perfectly.
Are there emulators compatible with modern guns?
Yes, for example MAME or RetroArch can be configured to recognize modern USB light guns.
Why did we sometimes see a flash on the screen when shooting?
Because the console briefly turned off the screen to test the targets. It was visible to the naked eye, especially in Duck Hunt.
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