The Most Popular Mythological Weapons Seen In Video Games

Throughout history, there are tales of legendary arms that are supernaturally powerful, usually wielded by grand heroes, vile villains, and even gods. These weapons are not only especially well-made, but they are downright magical, granting special abilities and divine authority.

Of course, since these armaments are so grandiose, they appear in stories across time, from oral tradition to the written word, all the way up to video games. We’ve gathered the most common ones to appear in the latter here. So whether they’re the actual artifact, an interpretation, or just a name to evoke the original, here are the mythological weapons that keep appearing in video games.

1

Excalibur

The blade of the once and future king and arguably the most well-known weapon in all of media, at least in the west. In its original legend, the Excalibur was the weapon of King Arthur, granted to him by the Lady of the Lake, and bestowing upon him the responsibility of ruling Britain.

Another reading of the sword’s name is Caladbolg, and as such, it also shows up in games under that name, like with Tidus’ ultimate weapon in Final Fantasy X.

In video games, the name Excalibur is given to weapons and objects of unparalleled sharpness and magical power. It’s usually an endgame weapon, like in the Final Fantasy series, but it can also be a character’s signature weapon, like with Saber in the Fate series. A swordsman-type Warframe also bears this name, who, among other abilities, can wield a blade of light.

2

Muramasa

Named after its allegedly ill-tempered creator, the Muramasa is often portrayed as a blade of unparalleled sharpness and bloodthirst. It’s often portrayed as a cursed weapon, demanding blood when it’s unsheathed– from its opponent or wielder, it does not care.

In video games, it often shows up as a powerful weapon, just shy of endgame and often coming with a drawback. This is the case in Golden Sun, where it has a high attack rating but is cursed and can’t be unequipped without assistance, as well as wasting the wielder’s turn. In Muramasa: The Demon Blade, the titular weapon is a type of blade crafted by the mad ghost of the swordsmith Senji Muramasa.

3

Seven-Branched Sword

Another Japanese national treasure, its unique design and historical significance means that it appears in many games, especially those made or set in Japan. The Seven-Branched Sword is believed to be a gift from a king in Baekje-era Korea to a Yamato-era Japanese leader.

In video games, other than its seven branched design, it doesn’t have a consistent portrayal. Whether it’s good or evil, the only commonality it shares across games is that it’s important.

In Ninja Gaiden, it’s known as the Dark Dragon Blade, and the villain’s search for it starts the plot. While in Nioh 2, it’s known as the Sohayamaru and its reforging is key to defeating the final boss.

4

Mjolnir

Mjolnir is a magical hammer and the signature weapon of the god Thor, so naturally, if he is in a video game, he brings it with him. It’s a powerful tool of war and can bless the worthy. Though it’s not explicitly said that it controls the weather, most portrayals depict it as able to control lightning (and rarely, wind) since Thor is the god of storms.

Generally, it’s a powerhouse when it’s available in a video game, usually as a hammer. Mjolnir also tends to be used as a name of powerful technologies in sci-fi settings, like Halo’s Mjolnir Armor and as a type of torpedo in EVE Online.

5

Durandal

The blade of the legendary Paladin Roland, who served under Charlemagne. It’s said to be an especially quality blade that was both indestructible and capable of cutting through stone, brought to Charlemagne by an angel to deliver to Roland.

In video games, it’s often an endgame weapon in line with the likes of Excalibur or the Masamune, like in Final Fantasy 12, where it’s the most powerful one-handed sword. It also often shows up as a codename in sci-fi, like in Marathon, where it’s the name of an AI, or in Honkai Impact 3rd, where it’s the handle of a particularly powerful character.

6

Gungnir

The spear of Odin the Allfather, the head of the Norse Pantheon. For such an illustrious wielder, its powers are surprisingly simple. When thrown, it always hits its mark, no matter the skill of the one throwing it.

Though it’s simple, its status as Odin’s weapon means that it shows up in video games a few times. It’s a high-end spear in some Final Fantasy games as well as the signature skill of the summon Odin when it’s not using Zantetsuken. Of course, the titular spear is at the center of the plot of the game Gungnir.

7

The Imperial Regalia

The Imperial Regalia is a set of Japanese national treasures consisting of the sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the mirror Yata no Kagami, and the comma-shaped jewel Yasakani no Magatama. These are said to be divinely given to the Emperor’s family line by the goddess Amaterasu, legitimizing their authority.

In fiction, they tend to show up together, and if not, when one of them makes an appearance, the others show up later to complete the set.

They figure heavily in BlazBlue’s narrative, with important aspects and characters being named after them. In Tales of Symphonia, the recurring enemy Sword Dancer drops one of the regalia every time it’s defeated. And of course, they make up the kit of Amaterasu in both Okami and Smite.

8

Pandora’s Box

This artifact is said to store all the woes of mankind and was bestowed to a curious girl named Pandora, who opened it, unleashing the horrors that plague humanity. Though not technically a weapon, it tends to show up as one in video games.

In video games, it tends to show up as a plot device, like in God of War, where it’s used to defeat Ares in the first game of the Greek saga and figures heavily into the rest of the Greek saga. When it shows up as a wieldable weapon, it tends to be something that’s unleashed, like in DMC 4, where it takes multiple weapon forms, but its biggest attack is simple: to open the box and let the golden light out.

9

Masamune

Another blade named after a skilled swordsmith, the Masamune is often anachronistically compared with the Muramasa. Legend tells of the swordsmiths testing their blade against each other by placing them in a river. The former had the leaves floating in the river flow around the blade unharmed, while the latter attracted the leaves and cut them in half.

The lesson is that the better blade is the one that can control what it cuts rather than one that cuts without thought, something most games take to heart. The Masamune is often a step up above the Muramasa, or at least equal, without any of the drawbacks.

Usually, it’s wielded by the good guys. A notable exception is Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII, who wields a Masamune that’s a seven-foot blade.