When you want some fun-filled and intense gaming activities for your teen kids and their friends, paintball and laser tag are the two options that hit your mind first. Both laser tag & paintball games are of similar nature, with almost the same objectives, but differ in terms of equipment and rules. One of our blog reader asked for Paintball vs Laser Tag comparison, so we have jotted different aspects in this guide for you.
The main idea is the same in paintball and laser tag, that is, you have to shoot your opponent, which you can do by hitting in paintball and by tagging in laser tag. Here on this platform, we will reveal an in-depth comparison between paintball and laser tag so that you have a rigorous understanding of both games.
Paintball vs Laser Tag (Comparison Table)
| Paintball | Laser Tag |
|---|---|
| Hits the opponent with dye-filled capsule | Tags the opponent by laser beam through laser gun |
| Play in daylight | Played in dark with a glow |
| Uses expensive gear | Inexpensive gear |
| Protective gears are mandatory | No need for protective gears |
| Mostly played outdoor | Mostly played in indoor arenas |
| Messy game-requires cleanup | Environmental friendly game-no clean up is required |
| Realistic game | Doesn’t feel much realistic |
| Players wear thick and light-colored clothes | Player wears dark colors |
| Painful | Painless |
Paintball and Laser Tag
Well, paintball is a game where players use some expensive and realistic style firearms that shoot paintballs, dye-filled gelatin capsules. These paintballs, on impact, burst and leave paint stains on the opponent. Usually, players are given a mission to accomplish while fighting with an opponent.
On the other hand, in laser tag, players use infrared emitting light laser tag guns to shoot or tag the opponent. Usually, players wear an infrared-sensitive signaling device that registers hits from other players. Laser tag is preferably played indoors because of its light effects and range. But some people also enjoy playing laser tag outdoor too.
Equipment
For paintball, you will need lots of different types of equipment like a mask, hopper, pods, protective body gear, and most importantly paintball marker. The more you get into paintball, the more you will desire for high-end and expensive paintball guns.
On the other hand, you won’t need such costly equipment while playing laser tag. All you need is an IR guns and signaling device. That’s it, no need to invest in Ammos or protective gear.
Pain Intensity
Talking about the intensity of pain in laser tag is simply useless. Nothing hits you in laser tag. It’s just an IR beam that tags you. That’s it. Therefore, no scene of pain and its intensity.
In contrast to this, paintball hurts! Yes, it gives you bruises depending upon the speed of, the shot. Getting hit by a paintball gives the actual and real feeling of a soldier being hit by the enemy.
Age Limit
Laser tag is a game that is popular among all age groups and genders. But women, kids, and some elderly people enjoy playing laser tag, and the reason is the painless nature of the game.
Whereas, a certain age group loves playing paintball as they consider it as one of the enthusiastic and military simulation games. Like teens and 20-30 age group people. If compared to the fan base of both games, laser tag would be the winner, as women, kids, and the elderly love laser tagging because no one wants to get paintball reminders (paintball bruises and welts) for a week.
Nature of Game
Paintball is a game that is full of aggression and the reason is its players. People of the 15-30 age group are full of aggression and they play paintball with full passion and dedication so that they won’t feel pain during the game.
On the flip side, laser tag is a game that is best for fun-freaks. It’s not full of aggression, rather it’s a fun-filled game. That’s the reason; women and kids enjoy playing it. It’s a great game to spend a quality and painless time with your loved ones.
Rules and Regulations
Though, both games offer a few same rules, like no contact is allowed and no on-purpose hitting or bruising is permissible. But yes, there are some rules and regulations that are totally different in both games.
| Laser Tag | Paintball |
|---|---|
| No firing from a close distance | 15ft is the minimum distance to fire |
| No climbing or running or crawling | No overshooting & Ramping is limited to a certain distance |
| Do not drop the laser tag equipment | Protective gears are mandatory & do not wipe paint from clothes |
Which one is Better? Paintball or Laser Tag
One cannot deny the fact that paintball hurts and then a question must pop up in your mind: Who on earth would love to play paintball when it hurts.
So in reality, young boys and men love to play paintball because it is full of enthusiasm. And above all, it is more realistic. Paintball boosts the adrenaline level and players compete with each other as if they were fighting in real life for a cause. Therefore, for those people who love to play real tactic games, then paintball is their choice of game.
Laser tag is a skirmish sport that is a fun-filled game and best for kids, women, and elderly-aged people. For those people who like to play safe and clean, laser tag is for them.
In short, laser tag and paintball both have their own set of pros and cons concerning the nature of the player. Though the nature of the games is similar, they are far different from each other.
Final Words
We can’t conclude that laser tag is superior to paintball. Neither do we say that paintball is the best game. But yes, we can recommend paintball if you want something real with real MilSim style firearms. It is the game that not only promotes teamwork but also relieves stress & increases interpersonal skills.