If the Resident Evil franchise is famous for anything, it’s for… well, sliding downhill faster than a professional skier on rocket-propelled skis after the much-beloved Resident Evil 4. If it’s famous for anything else, though, it’s the range of grotesque, mutated enemies it has players contend with.
Just to keep things even, though, Capcom has been kind enough to equip players with all manner of absurd weapons over the course of the series. Here are our picks for some of the silliest and strongest ever.
10 Hydra (Resident Evil 5)
Shotguns, of course, are an absolute staple of the Resident Evil armory. There are countless different versions to be found in the game, whether as special unlockables, restricted to certain modes or simply acquired during the course of the main story. In the latter case, Resident Evil 5’s strongest shotgun is the Hydra.
In terms of pure style, this is one of the coolest weapons around (when wielded by Chris or Wesker). It’s also equally effective from long range, which is something few shotguns can boast (obviously). It has its shortcomings, so it only comes in first on our rundown, but the Devil May Cry aspect and its firepower makes it a force to be reckoned with.
9 RAI-DEN (Resident Evil 3)
If you’ve unlocked the RAI-DEN in the Resident Evil 3 Remake, you’ll know that it’s one of the most unconventional weapons in series history. Yet another of Umbrella’s shady experimentations, RAI-DEN is a beastly energy weapon wielded like a handgun/magnum, but there’s a caveat to its power.
As the in-game description explains, it has phenomenal power only when targeting the weak spots of enemies. A steady aim is needed to reach its true destructive potential, then, and you have to complete the game once to unlock it for purchase.
8 Colt Anaconda “Silver Serpent” (Resident Evil Remake)
Some players were a little bemused by Barry Burton’s proud (and super meme-worthy) boast of “I have THIS,” when Jill Valentine asks him if he’s in need of any more powerful weapons as the pair explore the Spencer Mansion. You know, given that he took several shots to bring down that single zombie in the dining room.
The truth is, though, that cutscene was just for dramatic purposes. Barry’s beloved magnum in REmake, the Colt Anaconda, is an absolute powerhouse. It can topple the Tyrant in its powered-up form in just two shots! We couldn’t rate it more highly, however, because its use is so limited. It can be acquired only in Jill’s scenario --if she doesn’t return it to Barry-- and fired just six times as there are no ammo pick-ups for it at all.
7 Circular Saw (Resident Evil 7)
Generally speaking, the Resident Evil series is all about firearms. Standard choices like pistols, machine guns and rifles are the order of the day for the most part. Resident Evil 7’s Circular Saw is a rare exception to this rule, a melee weapon that packs one heck of a punch.
It has two modes of attack: a simple slash and a continuous spin that… well, has the exact grim effect on enemies that you’re probably picturing right now. Picture a less elaborate version of Bloodborne’s Whirligig Saw and you’ve just about got it. It’s unlocked by blazing through the game (regardless of difficulty level) in four hours or less.
6 Leon’s Knife (Resident Evil 4)
On the subject of melee weapons that just don’t get the appreciation they deserve, the knife Leon S. Kennedy wields in Resident Evil 4 also deserves a very special shoutout.
Granted, this is very much a tongue in cheek entry, as the knife itself deals precious little damage per hit. At the same time, you can’t underestimate just how deadly it can be. If you’re a veteran of the game, you’ll know that the classic pistol stagger, melee, knife-knife-knife-knife strategy will get you through many an encounter, saving tons of precious ammo in the process. We’ve rated the knife in the middle of the list, as it’s so weak yet still so deceptively effective.
5 Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher (Resident Evil 2 Remake)
Sometimes, a weapon’s name alone tells you all you need to know about its destructive capabilities. If these are anti-tank shells, you can darn well bet that no living creatures (grim mutated super-soldiers or otherwise) are really going to appreciate taking them to the face either.
The Anti-Tank Rocket is a very exclusive, monstrously damaging weapon in Resident Evil 2 Remake, wielded by Leon against the Super Tyrant (as well as by others in some additional scenarios). Strong as it is, its exclusivity and limited shots available (in usual circumstances) mean that we chose not to rate it any higher.
4 Elephant Killer (Resident Evil 6)
On the subject of weapons that wear their formidable reputations on their sleeves (or rather in their names), next up is the Elephant Killer. Old hands will know that elephants seem to be the yardstick by which the power of weapons is measured (“What d'you need that for? Goin' huntin' an elephant?”), and the Elephant Killer certainly does that concept justice.
This mighty magnum dispenses more damage than its rival, the Lightning Hawk, but is harder to handle and has a smaller magazine. The cutscene in which Sherry dispatches the Ustanak with this thing is a testament to its power, though it’s a little too conventional to rank any higher. There’s nothing surprising about a magnum being darn powerful.
3 Minigun/Gatling Gun (Resident Evil Series)
This entry’s also going to be a bit of a curveball. A minigun has proven to be a recurring weapon, appearing in several entries. The Gatling Gun, for instance, is available in both Resident Evil 2 (dubbed the Minigun in the remake) and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, also cropping up in Resident Evil: Revelations (in which it’s a unique weapon used for a specific boss battle).
Regardless of the series entry you’re playing, you know that you’ve got some extreme firepower on your side when you pick up or unlock this beast. It’s characterised by a super fast rate of fire and high power, allowing it to mow through just about anything (including some of the franchise’s most fearsome bosses, such as Birkin and his various forms). Its use is usually very exclusive, though, further limited by its lack of ammo or tendency to overheat (Revelations). These factors just deny it a spot in the top two.
2 Linear Launcher (Resident Evil CODE: Veronica/Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles)
Now we’re really talking. All manner of rocket launchers are available over the course of the series, generally in limited supply because they’re so destructive. Sometimes, they’re given unlimited ammo, just for the sake of being silly and overpowered. For our money, though, the more fearsome weapon of this type doesn’t really fire rockets at all, but rather a ball of devastating energy.
The iconic Linear Launcher first appears in Resident Evil CODE: Veronica. In that game, it’s used only against Alexia and in the Battle Game. Later, we learn in Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles that Alexander Ashford created it for that very purpose. It’s also unlockable and usable in that game and Resident Evil Survivor 2 Code: Veronica. It’s unwieldy, needing to recharge between shots, but it’s a heck of a weapon. Only our last pick can really top it.
1 P.R.L. 412 (Resident Evil 4)
It’s not the most snappily named boomstick around, but the P.R.L. (Plaga Removal Laser) 412 could well be the most destructive weapon the series has ever seen.
It’s unlocked by completing professional mode and has two modes of fire: a quick blast in close proximity to Leon or a slower charged laser that travels further. It’s moot in the end, really, because nothing can stand up to this absurd weapon at all. It can take down bosses with just one concentrated shot, and was even buffed as of the Wii release (now emitting several beams and charging more quickly). You have to manage its power meter, but a playthrough with this thing will show you the true meaning of the word power.