A fuel injector. The fuel injector can include a fuel channel configured to receive pressurized gaseous fuel from a fuel rail, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the fuel channel, wherein the nozzle includes tapered portions configured to be seated adjacent a cylinder head. The fuel injector can also include a pintle having an opened position and a closed position, wherein pressurized gaseous fuel is introduced from the nozzle directly into a combustion chamber when the pintle is in the opened position and wherein introduction of the pressurized gaseous fuel is substantially blocked when the pintle is in the closed position. The fuel injector can also include a pintle controller configured to selectively move the pintle between the closed position and the opened position.