Zapper Question

[UserFlynn]

Hi. I just set up my RetroPie, and have it hooked up to an HDMI to RCA converter, and am running it on an old CRT screen TV, so the graphics are all as they should be.

I know the standard issue with a light gun is that the refresh rate on LED TVs is not compatible, but since I'm playing on a CRT, I was wondering if the Pie and emulator would recognize a Zapper, if I had one goint into a NES to USB converter? Like, does the zapper identify itself as a gamepad? Would it work straight plug and play? COULD it work in theory?

I'd want to know before ordering a NES to USB cord, and finding a Zapper on Ebay.

Thanks for any and all help!

[mediamogul]

@UserFlynn said in Zapper Question:

I was wondering if the Pie and emulator would recognize a Zapper, if I had one goint into a NES to USB converter? Like, does the zapper identify itself as a gamepad?

The Zapper doesn't interface in the same way as a NES gamepad, so standard NES to USB adapters are not an option. Unfortunately there really isn't any true gun support in RetroArch/RetroPie outside of clicking your targets with a mouse. There are such things as PC compatible gaming guns, however they identify in a way that is also currently not supported by RetroArch/RetroPie. I'm actually in the process of converting an original Nintendo Zapper into a PC compatible gun for use on my main desktop machine. It's entirely possible that support could be added to RetroArch/RetroPie one day, but it will likely be a long way off.

[UserFlynn]

@mediamogul Thanks so much.

I had hoped that by playing on a CRT, I would have circumvented the problem, if the zapper just self-identified as a P2 gamepad to the NES.

[mediamogul]

@UserFlynn

Unfortunately, it isn't that simple. If you want to play these games, you'll need to look into a Windows or Mac-based setup with a PC gaming gun solution from either Ultimarc, ArcadeGuns.com or Mayflash.