Resident Evil 4was initially released as a GameCube exclusive, which is funny to think about now as it has since come to virtually every modern system under the sun. The game has also since been considered as not just one of thegreatest survival horror gamesof all time, but one of the greatest games of all time, period.
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Resident Evil 4has such a large arsenal, that it can be hard to keep track of every weapon and decide what to use during a playthrough. This list should help anybody going through the game for the first time plan ahead on what to use. Knowing what weapons to upgrade is vital to saving money and making sure players have enough resources.
Updated on July 20th, 2022, by Jack Pursey:Following months of rumors and speculation, it has finally been confirmed that theiconic survival horror gameResident Evil 4 is set to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and receive a modern remake. Many people believe that the horror game holds up well, though it will still be great to play a modern take on the classic game.
For those wanting to replay the game before the remake arrives, we’ve updated this list ofResident Evil 4’s best weaponsto include the special guns that are unlocked after beating the game.
19Shotgun
The Shotgun is found early on in the adventureduring the first stand in the small village. It does not let players down during the first chapter but is better left at the wayside once better shotguns come along. Regardless of power,the Shotgun is always good for staggering enemies.
In a first playthrough ofResident Evil 4, the Shotgun feels like a saving grace during an extremely desperate time.Leon is being attacked by all sides, but after finding the Shotgun, he is able to even the odds.
18Rocket Launcher
While it may seem like this weapon is too low on the list, several disadvantages make the Rocket Launcher less than ideal. It only fires once and takes up a lot of inventory space.Only one is found in the environment during thecastle chapter. It is better to sell than use.
Leon disposes of Saddler with a special Rocket Launcher.If only he had this before Saddler killed Luis.Rocket launchers are a common motif in the series, with many games ending with the protagonist earning a rocket launcher during a losing battle and destroying the antagonist with it.
17Rifle
Players should definitely buy the Rifleonce it becomes availableto purchase from the Merchant, but there is no need to upgrade it. The range is nice, but it becomes obsolete once Leon reaches the castle and the semi-automatic Rifle becomes available.
When Leon first gets it, he is able to snipe numerous enemies from where the merchant is, which marks a first for the franchise.Players manually aim for one moment inCode Veronica, but it is only during a boss and not a sniping sequence.
16The Knife
Do not underestimate the Knife. While it is not very powerful, the Knife is vital to saving ammunition, especially early on.In pre-release demos, the knife was a separate item players had to equip before using, as opposed to it being a different command on the controller.
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When an enemy is knocked to the ground, walk up to them and knife them instead of shooting them. Maybe it is just a few shots, but they add up.The knife is also great against Krauser during his boss fight.
15Matilda
The Matilda is the first weapon on this list that can only be purchased after beating the main campaign. Unfortunately, the gun isn’t the greatest of rewards.
The Matilda is a handgun that is unique in the game for its burst fire. In most games, burst-fire is a great benefit, but that’s not the case inResident Evil 4, as ammo is precious, and every shot counts. Thankfully, the other unlockable guns are worth the effort.
14Mine Thrower
As cool as the Mine Thrower is, players do not need it. It is good for clearing a crowd, but other weapons fulfill a similar purpose.
The ammunition is also valuable,so one strategy is buying the weapon and selling the ammo Leon collects. At the end of the day, the Mine Thrower is simply a cool weapon.
13Punisher
The Punisher is a pistol obtained by shooting at least ten blue medallions in the first chapter. It is relatively easy to find all of these and a good thing to do even if players do not plan on using the gun.
It pierces through enemies, allowing Leon to damage multiple Ganados at once. It is best to use it until Leon gets the Red9. In terms of long-term use, either the Handgun or Red9 are more desirable.
12Broken Butterfly
This magnum isavailable to buy from the Merchant, but it is better to collect itduring the castle chapter.Of the two magnums Leon gets, it is the worst. All the same, it gets the job done until players can purchase Killer 7.
There is a segment with the monsters in the knight’s armor where the Broken Butterfly comes in handy.It also just feels cool to use.AnyResident Evilfan knows to save Magnum ammunition for the bosses.
11Riot Gun
Taste in shotguns ultimately depends on personal preference.While the Riot Gun is weaker than the Striker, it has a longer range and is easier to aim.
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It ultimately depends on what players value in a shotgun.Its special ability is nothing to write home about either. Regardless of which shotgun the player wants to use, they should always have one in the inventory.
10Killer 7
This magnum should replace the Broken Butterfly immediately after obtaining it. Starting at a base firepower of 25, it eventually goes up to 35, making it an ideal power weapon for any boss fight. The name is obviously an homage to theCapcom gameKiller 7.
On a first playthrough, try to buy it before the Salazar boss fightsince it can take him out in just several shots. AnyResident Evilfan knows to save the magnum for the boss fights, and the fourth mainline entry is no exception.
