PC Light-Gun Setup: Start Here

Read this first: emulation software is not game data

An emulator, compatibility layer, frontend, input hook, or calibration tool is software. It normally does not grant a licence to arcade ROMs, console disc images, BIOS/firmware, decryption keys, CHDs, PC game files, or server data. MAME is GPL-licensed, but its legal page separates the emulator's licence from other works (MAME legal information). RetroArch similarly supplies a frontend/API and cores, not a blanket right to copyrighted games.

• Obtain games through authorized releases or dump media/firmware you own where local law permits. Private-copy exceptions, anti-circumvention law and ownership-transfer rules vary; this is not legal advice.
• “Abandonware,” a dead publisher, an unavailable cabinet, or emulator compatibility does not put a game in the public domain.
• Do not download modern arcade installations, dongle data, keys, ROM sets or BIOS files from piracy sites. TeknoParrot and DemulShooter are tools; they do not legalize copied game data.
• Freeware, homebrew, public-domain and open-source games can be lawful, but check the licence for the specific data, not merely the emulator.
• Hooks can raise separate anti-cheat, security, contract and anti-circumvention issues. Use official releases and only software you may lawfully run.

Evidence standard

A listing needs project/developer documentation for an emulated gun protocol, absolute pointer/lightgun API, RawInput/multi-mouse route, or explicit modern-lightgun compatibility statement. A normal relative mouse is not enough. Absolute guns report screen position; relative modes report deltas and may drift, accelerate or fail at edges. Two-player use additionally requires the program to keep physical pointers separate instead of merging them into one cursor.

Platform reality

• Windows: broadest RawInput ecosystem; required for TeknoParrot, legacy Model 2/DEmul, DemulShooter and most native indie games.
• Linux: native MAME, RetroArch, PCSX2, Dolphin, RPCS3, Flycast and Supermodel; Batocera offers the most integrated appliance experience. evdev/SDL/X11/Wayland details matter.
• Android: official RetroArch, Dolphin, Flycast and ES-DE paths exist, but Android pointer delivery commonly lacks desktop-style independent RawInput mice. USB HID recognition does not guarantee absolute aim or two guns. No general-purpose official Android Sinden/GUN4IR/OpenFIRE configuration stack was verified.