As an editor for Retro Gamer magazine, I have spent the better part of two decades tracking the rise, fall, and eventual resurrection of gaming genres. But few transitions sting as much as the "death" of the light gun shooter. If you scroll back through the Shacknews Archives to October 2003, you’ll find a glowing review of Time Crisis 3 on the PlayStation 2. At the time, Shacknews called it the "gold standard" of the genre, praising its relentless pace and the tactical depth added by the weapon-toggle system.
Fast forward to late 2025. That GunCon 2 gathering dust in your attic? It’s functionally a paperweight. Your 65-inch 4K OLED screen is a marvel of modern engineering, but it is fundamentally incompatible with the technology that made arcade shooters work. The tech is dead—but as we believe at 2Bluebox, the games don’t have to be.
Time Crisis 3 remains a PS2 arcade shooter icon — even if the original light-gun setup doesn’t.
In this deep dive, we explore why Time Crisis 3 remains a masterpiece, the scientific reason your new TV hates your old gun, and how we are using hardware like the r36s and the game stick pro to keep the arcade pulse pounding in 2025.
1. The Shacknews Legacy: Why Time Crisis 3 Changed Everything
In the early 2000s, Shacknews was the pulse of the hardcore gaming community. Their 2003 retrospective on Time Crisis 3 highlighted a pivotal moment for Namco. For the first time, the "cover and reload" mechanic wasn't just about survival—it was about strategy. This title solidified the PS2 as the premier retro game console for arcade-perfect ports.
I remember the first time I plugged my GunCon 2 into the PS2 front USB port. Time Crisis 3 introduced the "Weapon Select" system. By pulling the trigger while hiding, you could swap between a handgun, machine gun, shotgun, and grenade launcher. It transformed a linear shooter into a resource management exercise.
Time Crisis 3 gameplay — the classic “cover & shoot” rhythm.
When we at 2Bluebox re-played the PS2 port recently, we were struck by how well the graphics held up. The Namco System 246 arcade board (essentially a beefed-up PS2) allowed for textures and particle effects that still look vibrant today. However, the barrier to entry for any game console from that era is now massive. Finding a working CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) television is becoming a hobbyist's nightmare.
2. The Science of the "Click": Why Your Modern TV Hates Light Guns
"Why can't I just use a converter?" is the #1 question we get at the 2Bluebox Help Center.
Here is the technical reality: Old light guns relied on the "timing" of the electron beam in a CRT TV. When you pulled the trigger, the screen would flash white for a fraction of a second. The gun’s photodiode would detect exactly when that light hit the sensor, allowing the console to calculate the X/Y coordinates based on the CRT's scanning frequency.
Modern LCD, LED, and OLED screens don’t "scan" line-by-line with an electron gun. They update all pixels near-simultaneously. Furthermore, modern image processing adds "input lag." By the time your tv game console displays the frame, the console’s internal clock has already moved on.
Video: Why light guns fail on modern TVs (source: Vigerp).
To enjoy these games today, you need a modern retro arcade game console that uses software emulation to map aiming to high-polling analog sticks.
3. The 2Bluebox Experience: Testing the R36S and Game Stick Pro
Since we can't change the laws of physics, we changed the approach. At 2Bluebox, we spent months testing how to bring that Time Crisis rush to modern hardware without the need for a 50lb glass TV.
Testing the r36s
I personally spent two weeks with what many call the best retro handheld on the market today. When I first tested the arcade versions of classic shooters, I was worried about the controls.
- The Feel: Using the right analog to aim provides a "precision cursor" experience. The R36S features dual professional-grade analog sticks. When I first tested this console, I found that the Hall-effect-style sensitivity allowed me to hit headshots in Time Crisis more consistently than I ever did with the original GunCon.
- The Screen: The 3.5-inch IPS display (640x480) is the perfect resolution. It mimics the density of an old arcade monitor.
- Battery Life: In my real-world test, playing intensive 3D titles from the r36s games list, the battery lasted about 4.5 hours—more than enough for a nostalgic session on the train.
Video: R36S in action — crisp IPS screen and responsive controls. (Source: 2Bluebox)
Testing the game stick pro
If you want the big-screen experience Shacknews talked about, the game stick pro is our solution. It’s a "Plug & Play" HDMI dongle that fits in your pocket.
- The Gameplay: It comes with two 2.4G wireless controllers. While you aren't pointing a gun at the screen, we’ve mapped the "dodge" and "reload" mechanics to the triggers. In my gamestick pro review, I noted that the lack of cables makes for a much cleaner living room setup than the original PS2 ever allowed.
4. The Evolution of Console Portable Gaming
The landscape of console portable gaming has shifted. In 2003, you needed a "briefcase" setup to play PS2 games on the go. Today, we have the 2Bluebox X7 Handheld Game Console.
Featuring a 5.1” full-colour screen, the X7 is a testament to how far game consoles have come. It’s not just for shooting; it’s a multimedia powerhouse. However, for the purists who want every single game ever made, the 2Bluebox Portable HDD Super Console is the ultimate answer. It transforms your PC into a game console with 100,000+ games.
Whether you are looking for the best retro game console for your desk or your pocket, the goal is the same: preservation of the "click" and the "rush."
5. Product Comparison: Choosing Your Retro Weapon
| Feature | Game Stick Pro | R36S Handheld | X7 Handheld | Portable HDD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | game stick (TV) | best retro handheld | Budget Portability | PC Powerhouse |
| Game Count | 20,000+ | 15,000+ | 10,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Setup | Plug & Play 4K HDMI | Handheld IPS | Handheld 5.1" | Plug & Play USB |
| Blog Link | Read Review | Read Guide | Read More | Read Specs |
6. The 20,000 Game Vault: More Than Just Shooting
While Time Crisis 3 is our focus today, the retro gaming consoles we build are gateways to entire decades of art.
Our retro game console with built-in games list covers the spectrum. From the pixel-perfect platformers of the 80s to the 3D fighting revolutions of the 90s.
- The Game Stick Pro: Ideal for family nights. You can switch from Time Crisis to Tekken in seconds.
- The R36S: This is the solo gamer's dream. Check our r36s games list—it’s like having a literal arcade in your pocket.
Over 20,000 titles — organised and ready to play.
We often tell our customers in the UK and Australia: "You aren't just buying a gadget; you're buying back your childhood Saturday mornings." That is why we provide 24/7 support and fast shipping from the 2Bluebox Homepage.
7. FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Q: Can I use an original GunCon on the 2Bluebox Game Stick?
A: No. As Shacknews and Digital Foundry have noted, modern TV latency makes this impossible. Our tv game console solutions use high-speed analog mapping to solve this.
Q: What makes the R36S the best retro handheld?
A: It’s the balance of price, the 3.5" HD screen, and the dual analog sticks that make it perfect for retro arcade game console titles.
Q: Does the Game Stick Pro support 4K?
A: Yes! It features 4K HDMI output, ensuring your classic games look as crisp as possible on modern screens. Read our full gamestick pro review for details.
Conclusion: Why 2Bluebox is the Future of the Past
The Shacknews review of Time Crisis 3 reminds us of a time when gaming was about the "spectacle"—the flashing lights and the adrenaline of the arcade floor. While the light gun might be a relic of the past, the spirit of those games is alive and well at 2Bluebox.
Whether you want to relive those memories on your big-screen TV or take them on the go, we have built these products for people like you. Gamers who refuse to let the "End of the Era" actually be the end.
Explore our Full Collection of Retro Consoles Here
8. Citations & Verified Resources (E-E-A-T)
To ensure our readers get the best, most accurate information, we have curated these high-authority resources and internal guides:
- Shacknews (2003): Time Crisis 3 Review Recap. Shacknews editor Chris Remo originally noted: "Time Crisis 3 is everything a sequel should be... more weapons, more action, and more of what made the original great." This remains the definitive take on the game's impact.
- 2Bluebox Editorial: For a deeper look at hardware, read our gamestick pro review and why it dominates the tv game console market in 2025.
-
Digital Foundry: In their technical analysis, "Why Light Guns Don't Work On Flat Screen TVs", the team proves that LCD panel latency (averaging 10ms-30ms) breaks the nanosecond timing required by GunCon photodiodes.
- Source: Digital Foundry YouTube - Tech Breakdown
- Cre: Digital Foundry.
- 2Bluebox Game Library: Check our curated retro game console with built-in games list to see the 20,000+ titles we've preserved.
About the Author: The 2Bluebox Team is comprised of arcade historians and emulation experts. We don't just sell consoles; we preserve the "Click" that defined a generation.
