While the toys may look good and draw "oohs" and "aahs" from friends as they gaze upon them, there’s still the little matter of how well they work in an actual game of “laser pursuit.” Unfortunately, this is where things fall apart and you begin to wonder if functionality wasn’t sacrificed for style.

For starters, the targeting devices are fairly picky, and if you don’t score a direct hit on the sensor it won’t register. Since the actual sensor is roughly 2.5” in diameter, you have to aim at a very specific locale in order to score a hit. Also, since the device will likely be hooked to your friend’s pants, you’ll spend a lot of time aiming at the crotch. It may be funny for a time, but it won’t be long before you begin to feel a bit weird. Further complicating the targeting is the fact that the guns aren’t synched to specific targets, so any gun fired will hit any target. This most commonly becomes a problem in team games, as it’s possible for you to accidentally shoot your allies and knock them out of the game. All the targeting issues really spring out of the fact that the sensors are very rudimentary, and one can only assume they were added as an afterthought. If they had been given the same level of care and diligence as the weapons themselves, it’s likely this could have been the premier laser gaming set.

Aside from the targeting sensors, the guns themselves face a few durability issues as both weapons I received had incurred some degree of damage in shipping. Something had broken loose inside my plasma rifle, thus causing it to rattle whenever it was moved, and the catch which held the overheat flange on the plasma pistol had also broken. Thus, whenever I played, whoever used the pistol had to hold the flange down, release it when they used a charged shot (which causes the gun to “overheat”), and then push it back down and hold it there to get it working again. It’s a fair bit of annoying to have to hold such an integral piece in place as you’re running about anyway, and since everyone knows the pistol is one of the video game’s weakest weapons, this added malady proved that even in real life, the pistol is only useful when there are no other guns around.

A final sticking point is the price, as at full retail these two guns will set you back over $200 when purchased together. Add in the fact that Jasman has plans to release an Energy Sword as well and you’re looking at a hobby that can grow expensive quite quickly. There’s little doubt that the plasma rifle is worth the investment, as it is quite truly badass, but the pistol feels overpriced at $80, and it’s hard to find the incentive to grab what is the more inferior replica.

For the true collector, these two weapons are an invaluable bit of memorabilia, likely to impress friends and woo colleagues anytime you bring them out. They are great display pieces, and hanging these over your mantle would be considered a badge of honor for any gamer. I currently have mine proudly displayed above my computer, and I get a little shiver just looking at them.

If you are looking to use the guns as they are intended, for games in the backyard, then you’ll likely be somewhat disappointed. There are several other sets out there that are much more enjoyable than these and at a lower cost as well. And besides, you already know every match is going to devolve into a fight over who gets the rifle, so unless you have two there’s little reason to bother. When it comes right down to it, the guns are collectibles in the truest sense, nice to look at, but not for touching.