If you were around in the eighties, you probably remember Duckhunt. This was one of the earliest shooting games where you actually had a gun to point and shoot at the screen. Shooting games have always been popular on all platforms. Video games and violence have always gone hand in hand. Platforms and accessories have come a long way since then. There is certainly plenty of choice when it comes to the best gun for your Wii shooting games.

You only need to take a look around your nearest gaming shop to see there are plenty of Wii guns. Unless you are a hardcore gamer, you are not going to buy more than one, it is quite difficult to know which one to pick. Stay away from cheaper brands you are not familiar with, these are often poorly made and stop working after a little while. Look for well made models that look like they will last the distance.

Of the most popular models of guns available on the market there are a few that stand out. The Wii Zapper Gun is probably the highest selling and is a safe, mainstream choice. There are a few others that are just as good, the one you decide to go with really just comes down to personal choice. Some guns take two hands to hold, others one. Some have a laser sighting, while others do not. Some of the guns will shoot much quicker than other, this sounds like a good feature but can actually be quite annoying in particular games.

The Wii Zapper gun is one of the most highly regarded guns on the market. The Zapper is actually a device that allows you to clip in the Wii remote and the nunchuck, effectively allowing you to use two controls at once. On most games you use the Wii remote to steer your character and the nunchuck to shoot your weapon, be it gun, bow and arrow or laser.

Some games, like Call of Duty: World at War, have specific functions that can only be completed with the Zapper Gun. Perhaps this is one of the best reasons to try it out. The Zapper gun is an official Nintendo accessory, not by a third party. For this reason it is a little more expensive than other guns on the market, but well worth the investment. The Zapper gun comes bundled with Crossbow Training, a great little game to help you improve your shooting skills.

An alternative to the zapper is the Wii Perfect Shot Gun, manufactured by Nyko. This gun only allows for the Wii remote to be inserted, so with some games you need to hold the nunchuck in your other hand. Depending on your hand-eye co-ordination, this can be a little more involved than using the Wii Zapper. Some gamers have found it preferable to the Zapper however. The Wii perfect shotgun fires with greater speed than the Zapper, expect a sore trigger finger after a couple of hours of play. The best benefit of the Wii Perfect Shotgun is the price; only a fraction of that of the zapper.

If you are looking for a gun that you can plug both the Wii remote and the nunchuck into, try CTA Digital’s Wii multifunction gun. Structurally it works much the same as the zapper, with the Wii remote plugging in to control steering and the nunchuck on the back to shoot. Its design is much sharper, resembling a machine gun. The laser pointer looks very cool, but is not really that good in game play; if anything it’s a little off target. Some players find that the Zapper is easier to hold and has better aim, at a similar price the Zapper is the better choice.

CTA Digital also manufactures the Wii Magnum Gun. Like the multifunction gun, it is very cool in its styling. The Wii remote fits into a cradle on the top of the gun, but there is no accommodation for the nunchuck, which you need to hold in your opposite hand. This is one of the most comfortable Wii pistols to use. Even after hours of game play your hands and fingers don’t get tired. Compared to some of the heavier guns which can leave you feeling sore after an hour, this is a huge selling point for the Magnum.

The type of game you are playing will be a big influence on the gun you decide to buy. While some need a faster shooting speed, others will benefit from the laser sighting. Have in mind the games you already own that will make use of the gun and how you like to play, or else put in some research into the types of games you are looking at buying. A lot has been written in regard to particular shooting games and the guns that suit them best.

Of course, you can always use your Wii remote as a gun, but it’s just not as much fun.