Light Guns
Light guns were pointing devices designed to let users
interact with compatible software by aiming at targets on
a television screen. Their operation depended on the
display and the hardware interface, and they were distinct
from light pens used directly against a screen.
This section documents light guns and related light-gun peripherals for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, including their advertised features, contemporary descriptions and published prices where these can be established from surviving sources.
This section documents light guns and related light-gun peripherals for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, including their advertised features, contemporary descriptions and published prices where these can be established from surviving sources.
Features
Original Price
Cheetah Defender
The Cheetah Defender is a light gun for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, supplied with six games written by CodeMasters. It features a dark grey moulded plastic body, brightly coloured handgrips, a forward-raked handgrip, internal weighting for improved balance and handling, and a rapid-fire button. Its longer connecting lead allows the user to stand further from the television.
Notes
A contemporary review compared the Defender with the Sinclair Magnum Light Phaser, manufactured by Trojan for Amstrad. Although the Magnum worked with the Defender games, the reverse was not true, suggesting that the two guns used incompatible input methods. The reviewer described the Defender as more solidly constructed and apparently more accurate, although the latter assessment may have reflected differences in how the software interpreted the gun's input. The Cheetah software also avoided the prominent white flashing bars associated with the Magnum.
The Defender's greater weight improved its perceived solidity but could cause arm fatigue during extended use. Its forward-raked grip also required a slightly different wrist position from the Magnum's more upright grip.
The bundled games included Jungle Warfare, F16 Fighting Falcon, Advanced Pinball Simulator, Bronx Street Cop and Billy the Kid. The reviewer particularly enjoyed Bronx Street Cop and Billy the Kid, and considered the overall package good value.
The Defender's greater weight improved its perceived solidity but could cause arm fatigue during extended use. Its forward-raked grip also required a slightly different wrist position from the Magnum's more upright grip.
The bundled games included Jungle Warfare, F16 Fighting Falcon, Advanced Pinball Simulator, Bronx Street Cop and Billy the Kid. The reviewer particularly enjoyed Bronx Street Cop and Billy the Kid, and considered the overall package good value.
Price not yet available.
Sinclair Magnum Light Gun
Trojan Products
The Sinclair Magnum Light Phaser is a light-gun peripheral designed for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K, ZX Spectrum +2 and ZX Spectrum +3. It was designed and manufactured by Swansea-based Trojan Developments (also referred to as Trojan Products), a company already known for its light-pen peripherals. Amstrad marketed the gun under the Sinclair name, while Virgin Mastertronic Ltd. handled distribution.
The Magnum allows players to aim at targets on a television screen and fire using a trigger in compatible games. It uses light-detection technology to determine the position at which the gun is aimed on the screen, providing an alternative to conventional joystick and keyboard controls.
The gun was advertised with a six-game light-gun software pack. A contemporary advertisement in Your Sinclair, issue 48, specifically names Operation Wolf and Bullseye among the included games. The Magnum was also promoted as part of the ZX Spectrum +2 and +3 Action Packs.
The Magnum allows players to aim at targets on a television screen and fire using a trigger in compatible games. It uses light-detection technology to determine the position at which the gun is aimed on the screen, providing an alternative to conventional joystick and keyboard controls.
The gun was advertised with a six-game light-gun software pack. A contemporary advertisement in Your Sinclair, issue 48, specifically names Operation Wolf and Bullseye among the included games. The Magnum was also promoted as part of the ZX Spectrum +2 and +3 Action Packs.
Price not yet available.
Page Revised: 17/10/2026