LaserScope: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|NES light gun}} | {{Short description|NES light gun peripheral}} | ||
[[File:LaserScope.jpg| | {{distinguish|text=the [[Super Scope]]}} | ||
The '''Konami LaserScope''' is a head-mounted [[light gun]] used with and licensed for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] | {{Infobox information appliance | ||
| name = LaserScope | |||
| logo = | |||
| image = [[File:LaserScope.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption = Konami LaserScope | |||
| aka = | |||
| developer = [[Konami]] | |||
| manufacturer = | |||
| carrier = | |||
| family = | |||
| type = [[Video game accessory|Video game console peripheral]] | |||
| generation = [[History of video game consoles (third generation)|Third generation]] | |||
| releasedate = 1990<ref>{{cite news|title=Blizzard of improved products unveiled at electronics show|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Y69dAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q10NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1243%2C478657|accessdate=15 November 2014|agency=AP|publisher=Observer-Reporter|date=June 2, 1990}}</ref> | |||
| lifespan = | |||
| price = $39.95<ref name=forbes>{{cite web|last1=Ewalt|first1=David M.|title=The Konami LaserScope|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/05/29/the-konami-laserscope/|website=Forbes|accessdate=15 November 2014|date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| discontinued = | |||
| unitssold = | |||
| unitsshipped = | |||
| media = [[Input device]] | |||
| os = | |||
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| graphics = | |||
| sound = | |||
| input = | |||
| location = | |||
| controllers = | |||
| output = | |||
| camera = | |||
| touchpad = | |||
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| topgame = | |||
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}} | |||
The '''Konami LaserScope''' is a head-mounted [[light gun]] used with and licensed for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. By speaking into an attached microphone, players can "fire" the device from a scope that hangs in front of the player's right eye. A transparent eyepiece with a crosshair aids aiming. The LaserScope also features switches that allow players to channel game audio through attached earpieces.<ref name="forbes"/><ref name="Herman">{{cite book |last1=Herman |first1=Leonard |title=Phoenix: The Fall & Rise of Video Games |date=1997 |publisher=Rolenta Press |pages=153–154 |isbn=978-0-9643848-2-8 |url=https://archive.org/details/phoenixfallriseo0000leon/page/154/mode/2up?q=konami+laserscope}}</ref> | |||
The LaserScope was originally designed for the game ''[[Laser Invasion]]'' and also works with any game compatible with the [[NES Zapper]]. In addition, players could detach the LaserScope's "scope module" and use the headphones with any stereo system. | |||
Intended to evoke pilots' headgear and provide an immersive experience, the LaserScope received mediocre reviews on release and is now considered an example of the glut of low-quality peripherals for the NES.<ref name="GameSpy">{{cite web |last1=Christian Nutt & Benjamin Turner |title=Nintendo Famicom: 20 Years of Fun! |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/july03/famicom/index8.shtml |website=GameSpy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110621233531/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/july03/famicom/index8.shtml |access-date=7 September 2025 |archive-date=21 June 2011 }}</ref> | |||
==Reception== | |||
Early reviews for the LaserScope were unenthusiastic and highlighted multiple design flaws. Reviewers noted that the microphone required players to "shout fairly loudly" to be registered and was activated by any loud noise (not only "Fire!" as instructions stated). This loud shouting was considered awkward, especially if the player was using the device as headphones in an otherwise quiet room. Because players aimed by pointing their head, the device was also seen as physically tiring compared to the handheld Zapper.<ref name="Lundrigan">{{cite journal |last1=Lundrigan |first1=Jeff |title=Nintendo News: Konami Laserscope |journal=Game Players |date=January 1991 |pages=24–25 |url=https://archive.org/details/game-players-january-1991/page/n25/mode/2up?q=konami+laserscope |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="Poole">{{cite journal |last1=Poole |first1=Stephen |title=Laser Invasion |journal=Game Players |date=July 1991 |page=72 |url=https://archive.org/details/game-players-issue-25-july-1991/page/72/mode/2up?q=konami+laserscope |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> | |||
{{Quote box | |||
|quote = "There's that tier of NES peripherals that are these weird, optional things, like the LaserScope [...] You're just playing the same video games with flimsier, fudgier controls." | |||
|author = [[Jeff Gerstmann]]<ref name="Gerstmann">{{cite web |last1=Gerstmann |first1=Jeff |title=Metal Gear is Back! Ranking the NES, Episode 108 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=funq5xHEpyc&t=8653s |website=YouTube |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> | |||
|width = 33% | |||
|align = right | |||
}} | |||
Despite these problems, the LaserScope functioned as intended. According to one reviewer, it was "a little gimmicky, but it works."<ref name="Lundrigan"/> | |||
== | The LaserScope has appeared on lists of odd, obscure, or "worst" video game devices and has been remembered as uncomfortable and poorly designed.<ref name="Edwards">{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Benj |title=Nintendo Entertainment System Oddities |url=https://www.technologizer.com/2010/10/18/nes/11/index.html |website=Technologizer |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="Ward">{{cite journal |last1=Ward |first1=Dick |title=Six Feet Under: Accessories |journal=Video Game Trader |date=Winter 2009–2010 |page=92 |url=https://archive.org/details/video-game-trader-14-winter-2009-2010/page/42/mode/2up?q=konami+laserscope |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine |title=EGM Flashback |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=July 1999 |volume=12 |issue=120 |page=114 |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/6354e7ab-86a4-4bd4-977b-38b1c77d220c |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> A [[GameSpy]] retrospective claimed it was among the "silliest" peripherals released for the NES,<ref name="GameSpy"/> and [[James Rolfe]] made light of the LaserScope in an episode of ''[[The Angry Video Game Nerd]]'' by using swear words to fire the device.<ref name="AVGN">{{cite web |last1=Angry Video Game Nerd |title=NES Accessories - Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) |website=[[YouTube]] |date=24 November 2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kBMscW_dVg |access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:33, 27 September 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Template:Infobox information appliance The Konami LaserScope is a head-mounted light gun used with and licensed for the Nintendo Entertainment System. By speaking into an attached microphone, players can "fire" the device from a scope that hangs in front of the player's right eye. A transparent eyepiece with a crosshair aids aiming. The LaserScope also features switches that allow players to channel game audio through attached earpieces.[1][2]
The LaserScope was originally designed for the game Laser Invasion and also works with any game compatible with the NES Zapper. In addition, players could detach the LaserScope's "scope module" and use the headphones with any stereo system.
Intended to evoke pilots' headgear and provide an immersive experience, the LaserScope received mediocre reviews on release and is now considered an example of the glut of low-quality peripherals for the NES.[3]
Reception
Early reviews for the LaserScope were unenthusiastic and highlighted multiple design flaws. Reviewers noted that the microphone required players to "shout fairly loudly" to be registered and was activated by any loud noise (not only "Fire!" as instructions stated). This loud shouting was considered awkward, especially if the player was using the device as headphones in an otherwise quiet room. Because players aimed by pointing their head, the device was also seen as physically tiring compared to the handheld Zapper.[4][5]
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"There's that tier of NES peripherals that are these weird, optional things, like the LaserScope [...] You're just playing the same video games with flimsier, fudgier controls."
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Despite these problems, the LaserScope functioned as intended. According to one reviewer, it was "a little gimmicky, but it works."[4]
The LaserScope has appeared on lists of odd, obscure, or "worst" video game devices and has been remembered as uncomfortable and poorly designed.[7][8][9] A GameSpy retrospective claimed it was among the "silliest" peripherals released for the NES,[3] and James Rolfe made light of the LaserScope in an episode of The Angry Video Game Nerd by using swear words to fire the device.[10]
References
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