BLADES, GUNS, AND EXPLOSIVES:
THE ULTIMATE ARSENAL OF VIDEO GAMES

Assassin’s Creed boasts amazing swords like The Sword of Altair and The Sword of Vlad the Impaler. Some may even say that Connor’s Tomahawk is up there. But the reason why the dual-hidden wristblades are so valued is that they symbolize status, reserved exclusively for highly trained Master Assassins. The dual-blades were forged with rare materials and represent a mark of prestige to the wielder.

Dual-blades bypass opponents’ defenses, making it easier to attack multiple opponents at once; their main feature is their fluidity and ease of execution. These blades are not only the ultimate weapons of stealth, but they are also one of the most recognizable and popular weapons in gaming.

The Blades of Chaos are the opposite of a stealth-based weapon. Here is a weapon that you do not want to be on the opposite end of. These blades were fueled by ancient primordial fire, allowing them to burn through freezing realms. Their long chains wrapped around the arms allow for 360-degree combat attacks. A quick hack-and-slash experience that set the benchmark for action games.

Physically fused into Kratos’s forearms as a curse by Ares, they have lore as compelling as the physical damage they cause. These blades represent a symbol of tragic loss and regret, as Kratos was tricked by Ares into killing his wife and daughter, which is the catalyst for Kratos turning into
a vengeful God-slayer. Undoubtedly, a painful weapon
for both the wielder and the victim.

As we are on the topic of zombies, we cannot leave out one of the most beloved zombie-killing games: Resident Evil.
It boasts countless amazing weapons, but the Handcannon stands out as the most iconic. The Requiem Magnum from Resident Evil 9 is an upgraded version of the Handcannon, drawing inspiration from the real-life Russian-developed RSh-12 (Revolver Shaginski-12).

A single round from this beast will clear the entire room of zombies, thanks to its extreme piercing capabilities and massive .50-caliber stopping power. The game usually makes you work hours before unlocking this Magnum; however, the Requiem is given at the start of the game, making the player feel unstoppable from the get-go. 
It is absurdly large for an assault revolver but gives a visually unique aesthetic compared to other magnums.

Call of Duty is adored by many across the globe as one of the most engaging FPS games. Although it incorporates a wide range of weapons, the Ray Gun uniquely stands out as the most distinctive weapon, both in its appearance and in how it works. Its design deliberately replicates the retro toy guns we used to have as kids, including the unique sound, making it visually nostalgic to players.

The Ray Gun boasts one-hit-kill capability that can destroy massive groups of zombies with splash damage. It was first introduced to players as an Easter egg in a Mystery Box, which became a defining milestone in the players’ journey. The Ray Gun became the face of the Zombies game mode, and it continues to be upgraded with every new release in the franchise, remaining the most sought-after weapon.

The sniper rifle will always be considered one of the most surgical and transformative weapons of the 21st century,
and Counter-Strike was the game that propelled it to mainstream popularity. The AWP (Arctic Warfare Police)
is one of the most accurate and devastating machines, establishing itself as one of the best one-shot-one-kill weapons in gaming. It requires no precision aiming for
a headshot; a single strike can instantly prove fatal.

The most iconic gun on this list, and yes, this is entirely my own opinion, is the incredibly iconic Golden Gun from a James Bond movie in 1974. This weapon is the pioneer of the one-hit-kill category, has an inaccuracy rate of 0%, and can pierce any armor, door, or even walls. But there is a catch with this gun: it fires a single bullet at a time and takes a while to reload manually after each shot. 

This made players value each & every shot and even led to the development of game modes that centered on this gun. A normal gun like the Cougar Magnum deals 10 damage per shot, whereas the Golden Gun deals 500 damage per shot, making it 50 times more deadly than the second-best pistol in the game. With its signature look and design to being the ultimate overkill, this just had to be included.

The BFG 9000 is the epitome of unhinged gaming power. Known also as “The Big F**king Gun,” the name definitely justifies the damage caused by this handheld planet buster. One blast is enough to eradicate entire hordes of demons, establishing itself as the gold standard of the FPS genre.

Drawing inspiration from a famous toy blaster in the 90’s, the design has gradually evolved into a futuristic weapon that inflicts 100 to 800 damage per shot. Adding the 40 invisible tracer rays, each dealing 15 to 87 damage per shot, results in over 4200 damage points in a single shot.

Each shot has a brief delay, paired with a low-frequency charging hum that heightens anticipation before a green energy plasma orb is launched. Combining the massive damage the BFG 9000 causes with its mechanics and design, it is undoubtedly one of the best weapons ever.

Since we mentioned Nuclear, the Fat Man from the Fallout franchise is one of the most devastating weapons to exist in gaming. Even the name is a reference to the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki in WW2. Its physical design is also inspired by real-life Cold War-era nuclear concepts.

The Fat Man is a hand-held catapult that launches portable nuclear bombs. As it is highly destructive, the impact from the blast radius can backfire, and players often accidentally vaporize themselves if they fire too close to the target.

With the massive damage it causes to the area, it can easily reduce even the toughest monsters in the wasteland to ash. Not to mention the glowing mushroom cloud that appears after the bomb is dropped. This weapon truly represents the satirical nuclear humor of the Fallout universe.

When it comes to the best explosives, the Infinite Rocket Launcher from Resident Evil has to be included, as it is
one of the most recognizable and iconic weapons in gaming history. This weapon represents the ultimate reward and is earned only after mastering the game.
Once unlocked, the power dynamic flips in favor of
the players, as a single shot is enough to obliterate
anyone and guarantees victory.

To end on a lighter note, it is undeniable that Mario Kart’s Bob-ombs are nostalgic and very recognizable in gaming history. The spherical black body, with cute white eyes and stumpy feet, makes it impossible not to include them in this list. They are also incredibly useful, as they can be launched offensively or used defensively. But as a ticking time bomb, one has to be careful not to let it blow up right behind you.

Besides the Bob-Ombs, the three core shells in Mario Kart are also incredibly nostalgic, but I had to go for the Red Shell instead of the Blue or Green, even though each has its own strengths. The Red Shell is the most useful, as it will lock onto and follow the exact racing path of the kart that is directly in front of you. They might not be nuclear-level explosives, but they definitely deserve to be on this list.