There is no doubt that Time Crisis is an arcade legend, up there with Sega’s Virtua Cop franchise. The port to the PlayStation 3, Time Crisis 4, is even more promising, only if you plan to continuously play alone. While Time Crisis 4 for the PS3 presents itself as a solid port from the arcade, it also presents much frustration for those wanting to dual and play two players. For some odd reason, the Guncom 3 (peripheral gun required to play Time Crisis 4) is not sold separately. This presents many problems because it forces the consumer to buy a second copy of Time Crisis 4 just to obtain a Guncom 3.
A particular individual had a talk with a representative named "Brian" from the Namco Bandia’s Live Support Chat Supercenter Headquarters. Here is the full transcript:
"Please wait for a site operator to respond. You are now chatting with ‘Brian’
Brian: Thank you for contacting Namco Bandai’s Live Support. How may I help you?
Alfredo: Hi Brian, I am contacting you because I would like to purchase a second guncon controller to be able to play Time Crisis 4 with 2 players on my PS3 but have failed to find any place to do so online and would like to get some help in finding out where it could be bought
Brian: I’m sorry, but the Guncon 3 is not sold separately. It is only sold bundled with Time Crisis 4.
Alfredo: huh ? But the game supports 2 controllers, doesn’t it?
Brian: Yes, it supports two Guncon 3s for split screen multiplayer.
Brian: But the Guncon 3 is not sold separately.
Alfredo: so, isn’t it unfair to ask a person to buy the game twice if he/she only intends to use it in one PS3 (my case) if he/she wants to do split screen multiplayer?
Brian: You can play the split-screen with one Guncon 3 and a controller. If you wish to play two players using two Guncon 3s then you will need another copy of Time Crisis 4.
Brian: Is there anything else I can help you with?
Al fredo: but the game is supposed to be played with guncons ! It is a LIGHT GUN game 🙁 Also, what happens when somebody’s guncon gets stolen or is broken, how can you get a new replacement guncon?
Brian: We do not sell replacement Guncon 3s. If the Guncon 4 is defective, then we can provide an RMA exchange where we’ll inspect and repair or replace your Guncon 3.
Brian: Is there anything else I can help you with?"
Time Crisis 4 is the latest installment in a series made popular in the arcades. Based off of the arcade title, Time Crisis 4, for the PS3 features many exclusive aspects, not available in the arcade title such as "left-right look" that allows alternate variations to combat and extended levels exclusive to the PS3.
Source: Consumerist.com