Whether you’re on a quest for revenge, overthrowing an evil tyrant, or infiltrating a clandestine organisation — odds are you’re going to be armed. With iconic designs and badass names, weapons in video games are often as memorable as those that wield them.
From magical longswords to glittering guns, here are some of our favourite weapons in gaming:
Gunblade – Final Fantasy VIII
When people think of weapons from the Final Fantasy series, the majority would probably gravitate toward a certain oversized hunk of sharpened steel… And for good reason. For me, the Gunblade edges out all competition. It’s a freaking revolver attached to a freaking sword!
Wielded by Squall Leonhart in Final Fantasy VIII, the gunblade didn’t actually fire bullets, but triggered mini-explosions that vibrated along the blade to deal more damage. Triggered with ‘R1’ on the PlayStation controller, you needed to time your triggers with Squall’s strikes for critical hits.
There was nothing more satisfying than activating Squall’s Renzokuken limit break, hitting every critical in the combo, then rolling into a Lionheart finisher. The mechanic was a cool interactive element that kept me more engaged in the turn-based combat.
– Shaun.
Golden Gun – GoldenEye 007
The Golden Gun is a James Bond icon. In the movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’, it’s a custom-built device wielded by assassin Francisco Scaramanga — a cigarette case, lighter, pen, and cufflink that combine into a pistol. Famously, it kills with a single shot. Why? Because, as Scaramanga says: “I only need one.” I didn’t know any of that when I first played GoldenEye 007. The history, the characters — all of it was lost on me. But the Golden Gun? That needed no explanation. One shot. One kill. Instantly, it was the coolest weapon I’d ever seen.
In the chaos of split-screen multiplayer, nothing was more exciting than finding it first. That glint of gold meant the tables could turn in an instant — a chance to flip the match on its head. It was wildly unbalanced, yes, but that only made it better. It made you feel unstoppable, and for a kid just learning the ropes of first-person shooters, it was unforgettable.
– Tim.
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GLOO Cannon – Prey
The Gelifoam Lattice Organism Obstructor, or ‘GLOO’ Cannon, isn’t your usual weapon of mass destruction, but it’s one of the most versatile tools in gaming. Used by the protagonist Morgan in Prey, it’s a weapon, a tool, and a mode of transport all in one.
While not designed to kill, in combat, it can slow down enemies — buying time to regroup, attack, or research them. Out of combat, it reshapes Talos I itself. You can spray GLOO up walls to craft new climbing routes, block doors to hold off enemies, or seal dangerous gas leaks. GLOO can also smother fires, patch hull breaches, and form safe bridges over electrified floors as it’s non-conductive.
My love for the GLOO Cannon ties directly to my love of the games’ developers, Arkane Studios, and their passion for empowering the player through ingenuity and immersion through improvisation.
– Elly.
Master Sword – The Legend of Zelda
“Hyah! Hya! Ahh!” Truer words never spoken, Link. The Master Sword has long been the ultimate weapon of Hyrule’s hero throughout The Legend of Zelda series. Its first appearance dates back to 1992’s A Link to the Past, and since then it’s become the most iconic item in the entire franchise.
My first encounter with this legendary blade came shortly after I (well, Link) stepped into the Temple of Time and pulled it from the stone — a moment that still fills me with nostalgia some 27 years later. In more recent entries, once Princess Zelda has her way with it, the True Master Sword becomes the most powerful weapon across any of the games.
There’s some serious lore behind this one too: the sword was forged by a goddess herself, granting its wielder the divine power to banish evil.
Not the coolest sword in gaming, I hear you say? Well, excuuuuse me, princess!!
– Julian.
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F.L.U.D.D. – Super Mario Sunshine
The Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device, or F.L.U.D.D. for short, is a loyal sidekick disguised as a water blaster. It turns Mario’s usual jump-and-flip routine into a fluid (literally) platforming playground; letting you hover, rocket, and slide across Isle Delfino. It’s clever in combat too, from stunning enemies to starring in some of the game’s most inventive boss fights… And if you’re feeling particularly cheeky you can give NPCs an unexpected shower.
Throughout the game I started to care for this little robot more than I expected. By the time the final cutscene rolled around, that emotional bond hit hard. F.L.U.D.D. isn’t just a weapon or gadget, it’s your friend.
– Rose.
Blades of Chaos – God of War
No list of video game weapons is complete without the Blades of Chaos from God of War. Their simplicity was one of the reasons I really got into the game, and not just because I was young and more prone to button mashing back then.
They’re equal parts brutal and beautiful — seared into Kratos’ arms, dragging him through Ares’ torment, and forever bound to his rage. What I love about them is how versatile they are, they’re tools as much as weapons, perfect for solving puzzles or climbing cliffs. And in combat you’re not just hacking and slashing, you’re flinging, swinging, and scorching enemies with fiery magic… Button-mashing or not, the Blades made every fight feel epic.
– Sonia.
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Portal Gun – Portal
The Portal Gun is more than a weapon, it’s the core game principle that drives Valve’s timeless puzzle classic Portal. With the ability to shoot two portals and move seamlessly between them, the brilliant level design lets you wield this power in endlessly inventive ways. And this was only a few years removed from where watching ragdolls fall down stairs on the internet, passed for impressive physics. With the power of the Portal Gun, you were quite literally thrust into a new dimension of fun.
– Rivers.
Gravity Gun – Half-Life
When Valve showcased the tech demo of Half-Life 2 back in 2003, their focus was on their groundbreaking physics engine, Havok. The demo showed off just how interactive the world would be, and also introduced the first iteration of what would later become my favourite video game weapon, the Gravity Gun.
Providing countless ways to approach problems, the gun can completely change the way you play the game. Someone throws a grenade at you? Not to worry, grab it with the power of gravity and lob it right back. Don’t want to shoot your gun anymore? That’s fine, just toss whatever you can find in the surrounding landscape at your enemies instead. In the final level, after it gets juiced up, you can even throw enemies at each other!
To this day, there’s not been a weapon that scratches the same itch that the Gravity Gun does.
– Sam.
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Buster Sword – Final Fantasy VII
The Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII is a true icon of late 90s gaming, inspiring hundreds of convention cosplayers for decades after. I myself have a full-size metal replica at home, and trust me when I say that lifting it requires a feat of anime-level strength.
In a world where cities are built around giant cannons, super soldiers and demi-gods from space stand in your way, and living weapons roam the planet — you need a big weapon. The Buster Sword for me is a symbol of power and determination. It’s sturdy and stoic, like Cloud who wields it. And as a contrast to villain Sephiroth’s iconic Masamune — a finely hone scalpel of a weapon — the Buster Sword is a powerful, sturdy counterpoint.
The design is simple, just a huge slab of metal. But it perfectly bridges the gap between the fantasy roots of the series, while embodying the techno-futurist world of Midgard. The Buster Sword is my favourite because of its simplicity, and the multitude of ideas it represents.
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