Ask any owners of the GunCon or a light gun if there is a shortage of good games for their peripheral, you can bet their answer will be a resounding 'Yes'. Sure, the titles are limited, but unlike some exclusive controllers, there is still support coming. Time Crisis: Crisis Zone answers the call for all those fans with itchy trigger fingers awaiting another game to fill the void in a limited library. Sculpted from the arcade game released some time ago, Namco wanted to bring more than just the quarter eating arcade experience home, and they have succeeded with new modes and lasting gaming play... at least for a light gun title that is.

Visuals are easily a step up from Time Crisis 3, with a larger polygon count, larger levels, and more action on screen than in previous titles. Impressively, you are not just awarded points for the enemies you take down. A good majority of items placed in the background are destructible allowing for a more realistic shooting surface. Bottles, papers, windows, shelves, tables, doors, and much more are in your path and can be blown to bits. You no longer feel driven on a rail, and more like you are using squad techniques to move about the levels. For the flash sensitive, a flash light reducer will help keep those seizures to a minimum. Presentation and cut scenes help move the story mode along, but expect no more than typical B movie quality. The additions to the visuals are impressive, which makes you wonder how much more can be done with this genre before it is too tired.

Audio is typical fodder for the series, passable, but nothing special to remember. Good sounds for guns, better sounds for background destruction, music provides riveting themes to heat up the action, but the acting... well let's just say that Kevin Spacey will still have a job in the industry after Crisis Zone hits shelves. In the end, there is nothing truly bad to say about the sounds, but there is not too much to boast about either.

Gameplay is fast and frantic that will make twitch fans palms sweat. I have to wonder if an airflow light gun is in the works. With an aim adjuster built in, your friends cannot blame the gun for their poor accuracy. It is true that the GunCon remains the most accurate gun of its kind thanks to the A/V adaptor. Added this year is a couple of new game play features. First, there is rapid-fire machine gun action that will give that poor trigger finger a rest. The coolest of the new features is easily the double wielding action you can do with the help of two GunCons. This adds a completely new element and degree of innovation to the series, and if one downside can be found, is the game will be tough for those who use just one GunCon. True to the series is the movements of dodging and ducking return along with a tough as nails A.I. that uses keen judgment and cover techniques. Light gun games have always been short on content, but Time Crisis: Crisis Zone looks to buck the trend. Adding unlockable weapons, modes, and even new enemies, there is plenty to go back and play this one a few more times. Granted the story mode will not set you back any real length, but it is still a fun romp to blast your way through. If only to utilize some cool new weapons, you will find yourself taking on the terrorists repeatedly.

With a slew of new features, a few new modes, and the knowledge in knowing that Namco still cares about you GunCon owners, it is easily worth the money to pick this one up if you find yourself a fan of the genre. Heck, even if you own just one GunCon, you may do yourself a favor and pick up the packed in gun version of the game just to enjoy the double gun action. However you look at it, light gun games are still active, and if you want it to stay that way, make sure to grab this strong sequel to the already popular series.