December 10, 1999 Web posted at: 9:35 a.m. EST (1435 GMT) by Danny W. Lam

From...

(IDG) -- Mad Catz's Dream Blaster light gun for the Dreamcast is small, lightweight, accurate, and works the way it should. But we also found a couple of annoyances that kept us from making it our weapon of choice.

Resembling a phaser from an old Star Trek movie, the Dream Blaster has the usual trigger, along with B-buttons on both sides, a Start button, a mode button to set the auto-fire/reload modes, and a four-way hat switch. There's also a single expansion slot for a VMU or a vibration pack.

	MESSAGE BOARD
Gaming

Calibrating the Dream Blaster in House of the Dead 2 was simple enough, and we achieved good results. Shots were accurate, but what really stood out during gameplay was the absence of delay while reloading in auto-fire/reload mode.

Interact's Dreamcast gun, the StarFire Light Blaster, had an annoying delay while it reloaded. For a split second, you weren't able to fire. Not so with the Dream Blaster. It was definitely a smoother overall gameplay experience.

MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE

IDG.net home page

More gaming news, reviews and cheats from GameProWorld

Download free game demos

Game controllers, console systems and more hardware reviews

GameProWorld.com's Dreamcast channel

Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net

E-BusinessWorld

Year 2000 World

Questions about computers? Let IDG.net's editors help you

Subscribe to IDG.net's free daily newsletter for computer geniuses (& newbies too)

Search IDG.net in 12 languages

However, the placement of that hat switch was a thorn in our side. Initially, we ignored it because we gripped the DB tightly. But as the game progressed and our tiring hands needed to rest a bit, our grip slid and the hat switch burrowed into the curve between the thumb and the first finger. Also, the B-buttons were tough to reach.

The Dream Blaster is a good light gun and does what it should. If the ergonomic issues don't bother you and your hands are big enough so that it's not a hassle, then have a look at it. We wouldn't recommend playing HOTD2 without one.

What We Like: Accuracy; performance in auto fire/reload mode

What Needs Work: Hat switch and B-button placement.

What it's got:

• Auto-fire/reload
• Hat switch
• VMU/Vibration pack slot

Manufacturer: Mad Catz

Street: $ 30.00