Zapper Light Gun Orange

The Orange NES Zapper is the later version of Nintendo's light gun for the Nintendo Entertainment System. Nintendo released it in 1989 with an orange barrel and grip. The change followed a 1988 law requiring toy guns to look distinct from real firearms.

About the Orange NES Zapper

The Zapper first launched in North America on October 18, 1985, in dark gray to match the NES. Nintendo R&D1 designed the original, with Gunpei Yokoi and Satoru Okada. Lance Barr of Nintendo of America redesigned it for the North American market.

The orange model works the same way as the gray one. Pull the trigger and the game blacks out the screen for one frame. On the next frame, targets show up in white. The optical sensor inside the gun detects the light, and the game uses the timing of the flash to tell which target you hit.

It plugs into the NES controller port like a standard controller.

Orange Zapper Light Gun Details

• Works with: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Zapper games
• Maker: Nintendo
• Released: 1989 (orange version)
• What it does: Light gun controller for shooting games
• Color: Orange barrel and grip
• What you get: The Zapper shown in the listing photos

What You Need to Play

You need an NES, a Zapper game and a CRT television. The Zapper does not work on LCD, plasma or other flat-panel displays. Zapper-only games include Duck Hunt, To the Earth and Shooting Range. Wild Gunman, Gumshoe, Hogan's Alley, Baby Boomer and Freedom Force also use the NES light gun. Operation Wolf and Mechanized Attack accept either the Zapper or a controller. Check the photos for the exact orange Zapper light gun you will receive.

Zapper Games and Controllers

Try Duck Hunt or Gumshoe. Want the 1985 color? See the gray Zapper light gun. Shop all NES controllers. Read more about the NES Zapper on Wikipedia.

Orange NES Zapper: FAQs

Why is the Zapper orange?
A 1988 law required toy guns to look different from real guns, so Nintendo released an orange Zapper in 1989.

Does the Orange NES Zapper work on a modern TV?
No. It works only on CRT televisions, not flat-panel screens.

Does it play the same games as the gray Zapper?
Yes. It works the same way, with games such as Duck Hunt and Hogan's Alley.

Is it new or used?
Please check the listing photos to see the exact item you will receive.

Shipping and Returns

Orders are dispatched within 2 business days. Standard US shipping is $4.99, and orders over $50 ship free. Read our 30-day return policy for details.