Resident Evil 4's remake is finally here, and much like in the original game, it comes with a huge list of weapons for the player to choose from. While the amount of weapon variety may seem daunting at first, particularly to new players who are just learning how the game works, there are definitely a few weapons that stand far and away above the rest.
While it is true that, in terms of raw destructive power, the Rocket Launcher and the Broken Butterfly Magnum outmatch anything else, and in terms of usefulness, nothing can compare to Leon's trusty knife, these weapons are all so situational, that most Resident Evil 4 players aren't going to get more than a little bit of time with them. With that in mind, players should know which weapons are most consistently useful. Here is a quick rundown of the five best weapons in Resident Evil 4 that can help just about any player reach the ending safely.
The Punisher Is an Affordable Handgun That's Perfect Against Crowds
When it comes to straight Power, the Punisher Handgun may be one of the weakest in the game. However, the weapon's unique trait gives it far more value. The Punisher comes with the Perk "Penetration Power," meaning if players shoot an enemy with this gun, it will go straight through them and hit any foes who are standing behind them. This makes the Punisher one of the best weapons for crowd control. Furthermore, the Punisher can be picked up from the Merchant as early as Chapter 2, who only asks for five Spinels in exchange for this weapon, a number players may already have by then.
The Stingray Is a Long-Range Rifle That Shines in the Late-game
During certain portions of Resident Evil 4, it's necessary to deal some long-range damage. While there are several rifles that can fill that job decently enough, the Stingray is far and away the best of them. The Stingray comes with a solid amount of Power behind each shot to make sure it gets the job done, and a quick rate of fire to ensure that, if the player misses one or two shots, it won't be a fatal mistake. The Stingray is also compatible with the Biosensor Scope, which is one of the player's most important tools when they inevitably reach the infamous Regenerators. The Stingray is available from the Merchant's Shop for 30,000 Pesetas at the start of Chapter 7, and while this may seem like a hefty price tag, it's absolutely worth it in the long run.
The Bolt Thrower Is Perfect When Ammo Is Scarce
As Resident Evil 4 is a survival-horror game, there are sections where ammo is scarce; the Bolt Thrower is the perfect backup weapon for those times. While fairly average among other weapons in terms of Power, Fire Rate, and other stats, the Bolt Thrower comes with a unique ability that sets it a step above the others: Reusable ammunition. After killing enemies with the Bolt Thrower, Leon can inspect their bodies to regain the bolts he just used and load them back into the weapon. Add onto that the fact that the Bolt Thrower can be upgraded to include a Mine Launcher, and its usefulness shoots through the roof. The Bolt Thrower can be purchased from the Merchant for 10,000 Pesetas as early as the start of Chapter 2.
The Riot Gun's Short Spread Makes It the Perfect Shotgun
Shotguns are arguably the most important type of weapon to have in any Resident Evil game, as a single, well-timed shotgun blast can instantly turn the tide and provide breathing room whenever a seemingly endless horde of zombies starts getting too close. This is what the Riot Gun excels at. Though there are shotguns with higher damage outputs, the Riot Gun has a shorter spread than the others, ensuring that the damage goes exactly where the player wants it to go. As the name suggests, the Riot Gun is the perfect tool against big groups, but it's also useful against big solo enemies. The Riot Gun becomes available in the Merchant's Shop at the start of Chapter 6, and it will cost the player 28,000 Pesetas.
The Red9 Pistol Is the Best Handgun in Resident Evil 4 Remake
At the end of the day, most of the enemy encounters in Resident Evil 4 will eventually make the player fall back on their handgun. This makes handguns arguably the most important tool in Leon's arsenal, and without a doubt, the Red9 Pistol is the best of them all. There are no gimmicks or tricks with the Red9 -- just point and shoot, and it will hit the enemies like a truck. The Red9 does come with some massive recoil issues, but this is easily fixed by buying the Red9 stock from the Merchant. While the stock does make the Red9 take up more of Leon's limited inventory space, the upsides make this gun absolutely worth it.
The Red9 Pistol itself can be looted from a chest found on a dilapidated boat out in the middle of the lake. However, this can only be reached after the player has defeated Del Lagos. The Red9 Stock can then be purchased from the Merchant for Nine Spinels from Chapter 7 and on.