Electronics

NES Zapper Laser packs a punch

NES Zapper Laser packs a punch
A hacker has retrofitted a classic NES Zapper with a powerful laser, resulting in a gun that is anything but a toy
A hacker has retrofitted a classic NES Zapper with a powerful laser, resulting in a gun that is anything but a toy
View 14 Images
A hacker has retrofitted a classic NES Zapper with a powerful laser, resulting in a gun that is anything but a toy
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A hacker has retrofitted a classic NES Zapper with a powerful laser, resulting in a gun that is anything but a toy
A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
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A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
The basic components used to make the NES Zapper Laser included batteries, a 445 nm diode, lens, key switch and heat-sink
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The basic components used to make the NES Zapper Laser included batteries, a 445 nm diode, lens, key switch and heat-sink
The tools used to make the NES Zapper Laser were non-specialist items such as soldering irons and screwdrivers
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The tools used to make the NES Zapper Laser were non-specialist items such as soldering irons and screwdrivers
There's a step-by-step guide available for building your own NES Zapper Laser, but this is definitely not a project for novices to tackle
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There's a step-by-step guide available for building your own NES Zapper Laser, but this is definitely not a project for novices to tackle
A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
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A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
The basic components used to make the NES Zapper Laser included batteries, a 445 nm diode, lens, key switch and heat-sink
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The basic components used to make the NES Zapper Laser included batteries, a 445 nm diode, lens, key switch and heat-sink
The tools used to make the NES Zapper Laser were non-specialist items such as soldering irons and screwdrivers
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The tools used to make the NES Zapper Laser were non-specialist items such as soldering irons and screwdrivers
The NES Zapper Laser is a gun that's anything but a toy
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The NES Zapper Laser is a gun that's anything but a toy
The tools used to make the NES Zapper Laser were non-specialist items such as soldering irons and screwdrivers
10/14
The tools used to make the NES Zapper Laser were non-specialist items such as soldering irons and screwdrivers
The basic components used to make the NES Zapper Laser included batteries, a 445 nm diode, lens, key switch and heat-sink
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The basic components used to make the NES Zapper Laser included batteries, a 445 nm diode, lens, key switch and heat-sink
A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
12/14
A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
There's a step-by-step guide available for building your own NES Zapper Laser, but this is definitely not a project for novices to tackle
13/14
There's a step-by-step guide available for building your own NES Zapper Laser, but this is definitely not a project for novices to tackle
A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
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A full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial trigger will enable a longer burn time
View gallery - 14 images

Remember the classic NES Zapper, as used in games like Duck Hunt? Well, an intrepid tinkerer at North Street Labs hacker space in Portsmouth, Virginia, has taken that same harmless toy and retrofitted it with a powerful laser. While not quite deadly enough to take out a real life mallard, you wouldn't want to point the NES Zapper Laser toward a TV either, as it's capable of doing considerable damage to whatever it shoots.

The somewhat complicated retrofitting process involved removing most of the NES Zapper's original internal electronics to make room for the dangerous laser tech. However, the switch and trigger mechanism were kept in place as, impressively, Nintendo engineered the electric momentary switch inside the gun to such a high degree that it's capable of handling the high levels of current necessary for a real laser gun.

There's a step-by-step guide available for building your own NES Zapper Laser, but this is definitely not a project for novices to tackle
There's a step-by-step guide available for building your own NES Zapper Laser, but this is definitely not a project for novices to tackle

The NES Zapper Laser is set up so that a full trigger pull provides a momentary pulse, while a partial pull produces a longer burn time. Sensibly, the gun’s creator Justin integrated a key-operated safety switch into the gun's butt to prevent unauthorized usage, as in the wrong hands the NES Zapper Laser could easily blind someone.

The basic components used to make the NES Zapper Laser included batteries, a 445 nm diode, lens, key switch and heat-sink. There's a step-by-step guide to building your own NES Zapper Laser via the source link below, but this is definitely not a project for the novice and proper safety gear is essential.

Check out the video below to see the Nintendo Zapper Laser in action.

Source: North Street Labs via Hack A Day

Nintendo Zapper Laser setting things on fire. 2W+ output!

View gallery - 14 images
3 comments
3 comments
Mark Morgan
They have had this on instructables.com for quite some time w/16x dvd burner laser, even with a blu laser from a blu ray burner. But nice article still in all.
Bill Bennett
I have a legal 1.2 watt 445nm laser from the wicked folks, if this is truly 2.0watt is it legal to own in the USA?, and the safety of glasses, can't recommend them enough, I have two sets, 445nm for the blue burning things up and 532nm for my green lasers, yeah just bright and distance, the 445nm will destroy your sight in a second forever if aimed on something reflective, I popped a spider on the wall in a second with the blue one set at one watt. be careful, buy the goggles
Seth Segura
Wouldn't it be cool if they did this with the Super Scope?