This is an automated archive.

The original was posted on /r/linux_gaming by /u/sillia-ja-kuolemaa on 2023-08-12 12:33:14+00:00.

I searched extensively and found close to nothing extensive and in any way recent. I have a strong desire to play the “on-rail” shooters (mostly released for arcades, now widely accessible in emulators) and various other motion-controlled games. In the home console space Wii (with Wiimote) and PS3/PS4 (with Playstation Move) have the largest game libraries to my knowledge.

For the Dolphin emulator (GC/Wii) an accessory called ‘DolphinBar’ was released by a company called Mayflash around a decade ago (a 2014 review from the Dolphin blog), but I haven’t yet tried the device personally and the compatibility outside of the said console is likely limited – since the Wiimote only follows the IR sensor bar, the controller can’t practically be used for aiming without an on-screen crosshair or cursor.

For the PS Move there’s at least one prominent Github repository, but at this time I’m not willing to install third-party binaries on my main system – kernel-level compatibility or some seamless compatibility-layer would certainly be much more convenient.

As for standalone lightguns, the crowdfunded Sinden gun is perhaps the most prominent modern device (was reviewed by Linus), but the hardware seems more or less alpha-tier, the software certainly more so. For Linux use the easiest way may be installing a community-made distribution.

I’ve practically given up, unless I start earning enough disposable income to spend on hardware and overseas shipping. I’ve also considered buying the original console hardware, but with the costly scalers (e.g. Framemeister, Retrotink) being recommended especially for compatibility with modern TVs, that option is a distant stretch goal.

I do however have a hope for some “virtual playing environment” in VR – note that I’m not referring to any VR-adding mods or built-in support (has to generally be applied on a per-game basis, I’m sure), but some “3D room space” wherein you can control emulated lightgun games with motion-tracking VR controllers. For Windows there’s EmuVR (trailer):

uses Retroarch for emulation, so you can play with any Libretro core! Here are some of the available systems (scroll down the list to see 70+ systems):

[…]