There are tons of creative weapons throughout the history of gaming, from unique takes on realistic weapons, such as Resident Evil's Samurai Edge, to totally unique concepts like Saint's Row 4's entire weapons selection. However, only a select few firearms in video games have become so recognizable they can be called iconic.
The most iconic guns in video games are nothing like real-life firearms, although plenty of games do simulate actual rifles, shotguns and more. Here are five video game guns that stand out for their design, mythos, or other unique elements.
1. Gravity Gun (Half-Life 2)
The Gravity Gun makes great use of Half-Life 2's physics engine. Being able to pick up and fling objects at enemies is a pretty fun way to do combat and a great back-up for when a player's weapons run dry on ammo. The weapon's unique design, with its otherworldly orange glow and industrial sci-fi look, help it stand out amongst other video game weapons.
Of course, it's hard to talk about how iconic the Gravity Gun is without mentioning how well it's introduced. After battling through Black Mesa East, players are separated from their allies and forced to navigate through the abandoned city of Ravenholm. Half-Life 2 makes a point to not resupply the player's ammunition, forcing them to utilize their newly acquired Gravity Gun and the many physics trapped scattered around Ravenholm to deal with the zombie infestation in the city.
2. Spartan Laser (Halo)
Nothing in the Halo series is quite as devastating as the Spartan Laser, a powerful anti-vehicle cannon that is typically mounted, though it can be carried in hand. This weapon is remembered due to its sheer power and devastation, especially in multiplayer matches. Those who played Halo multiplayer may have memories of seeing a Spartan Laser-equipped enemy taking aim at them, along with feeling the spike of fear that came with it.
There are a lot of iconic weapons from the Halo series. The pistol and Energy Sword certainly stand out as noteworthy, but the Spartan Laser is without a doubt one of the most powerful weapons in gaming.
3. Golden Gun (GoldenEye 007)
The one-shot one-kill Golden Gun from the Nintendo 64 classic, GoldenEye 007, is legendary not just for its power, but because it's hidden in single-player mode. To unlock the Golden Gun, players have to complete a floor puzzle that feels like something that could show up in Bethesda's new Indiana Jones game.
The Golden Gun's legacy is also related to its appearance in Golden Gun-only multiplayer matches. Plus, it hails from a classic first-person shooter that helped define what makes multiplayer FPS games so enjoyable.
4. BFG 9000 (DOOM)
There's no better game for pure brutal devastation than DOOM, and its huge selection of powerful weapons reflects this. The BFG 9000 is actually a bit of an odd weapon for DOOM's fast-paced gameplay. The projectile moves fairly slowly and is more focused on dealing area of effect damage. When the energy orb actually impacts something, however, players can expect some truly devastating damage to be inflicted on their target. It's a powerful weapon that's appeared in multiple DOOM games spanning numerous console generations, cementing its status as an iconic weapon.
5. Portal Gun (Portal)
The Portal Gun isn't just a weapon -- it's also a tool players use to traverse Aperture Science, solving puzzles as they attempt to escape the facility. It's one of the most diverse guns in all of gaming, which has been explored through tons of fan-made projects.
Portal and Portal 2's gameplay introduce players to the gun's wide array of uses. These are some of the highest-rated games on Steam for a reason, and the Portal Gun plays a major part in that.