Scorpion (1999) Score: 100% Developer: Blaze Device Type: Controller

Function: Last year when I had the pleasure of testing out the Scorpion (then sold under the company name ?X-Gear?), I found that this was a nearly perfect gun. After soul searching for some time, I could not come up with any reason not to give the Scorpion a perfect score. It really was that good. Since that time, I have had many people write me asking where they can pick up one of these guns. Unfortunately, at that time there were not a whole lot of them to be had. It seems that the X-Gear venture was a sort of field test to see how Blaze?s products would fare in the United States market. Well, for all of you out there who missed them the first time, rejoice -- they?re coming back, and this time, they?re EVEN BETTER! The new Scorpion has all of the same controls as the original Scorpion. Therefore, I can?t easily rate its learning curve again, but this gun simply feels ?natural.? If you?ve NEVER tried a light gun before this one... let this one be your first. If you?re used to light guns with longer barrels, take the 15 minutes needed to get used to the Scorpion. It?s worth it!

Performance: The physical design of the Scorpion is much the same as the old model. Now, however, the gun doesn?t require batteries for the recoil feature. Also, the GunCon adapter cord is about an inch longer -- better, but not enough to make much of a difference. This is taken care of (in the version I reviewed) by the inclusion of a free GunCon AV adaptor, which is necessary to use the GunCon with a newer PlayStation which only has the Video Multi-Out connector. The Scorpion still feels really nice when using it. It has a nearly perfect weight to it... heavy enough not to feel so much like a ?toy? gun, and light enough not to fatigue the gamer. The new Scorpion is deadly accurate even without the GunCon mode selected. To top it all off, the Blaze Scorpion has a jack in the bottom of the handle which allows it to be used in conjunction with a Reload pedal (sold separately). Now you can bring the arcade experience home! The new Scorpion is quite possibly THE best light gun for the PlayStation.

Features: Jolt Action feedback (no batteries needed) Standard/Namco compatible (switch selectable) Auto Reload Auto Fire Jack for use with Reload pedal 6?4? cord

Drawbacks & Problems:: I no longer even consider the barrel length to be a hindrance. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get used to the shorter barrel length if you are used to other, larger light guns. Blaze?s Scorpion is quite simply a nice piece of work!

-Geck0, GameVortex Communications AKA Robert Perkins