Live by the Sword...

If this list was based on power alone, the Blade of Olympus would have been ranked a lot higher. The sword was created by Zeus and forged from the Heavens and the Earth for the specific purpose of ending the great war between the Olympians and the Titans. It’s powerful enough to wipe out entire armies with a single swing, and it can even kill deities in certain situations! It’s not a weapon that anyone can use, however, and its full potential can only be unleashed if its user drains their own godly powers into the sword. Throughout the course of the God of War series, Kratos, Gaia, Cronos, Athena, and Zeus himself are all killed by the blade. When Zeus forged a sword powerful enough to kill the Titans, he failed to realize that he would be vulnerable to it as well. Talk about your double-edged sword, amirite?

The beam katanas from No More Heroes are similar to the lightsabers from Star Wars in both their appearance and function. To be specific, they can cut through almost anything with little resistance. They can also be used for defensive purposes and are able to deflect bullets and other projectiles. Travis Touchdown obtains his first beam katana through an online auction, but he has the opportunity to use upgraded models as he rises through the ranks of the United Assassins Association. Some beam katanas have curved blades, some house multiple blades, and some are meant to be used in pairs, but they’re all deadly in the right hands. They’re not perfect weapons, however. Travis has to constantly shake their handles in order to keep them charged, but the motions come naturally to him for some reason.

Masamune is widely regarded as Japan’s greatest swordsmith, and many games feature weapons that are named in his honor. Chrono Trigger‘s take on the Masamune was especially memorable, as the sword was given its own personality. The legendary sword of antiquity is inhabited by two magic brothers named Masa and Mune who test would-be heroes who want to make names for themselves by claiming the Masamune as their own. In the hands of a brave knight named Frog, the legendary sword is powerful enough to carve mountains. The weapon becomes even stronger over time, and Frog comes to understand that the way you use a sword is more important than the sword itself. Frog carries a lot of emotional baggage with him, so Masa and Mune only allow him to use their full power after he stops dwelling on the past.

The primary weapons in the Kingdom Hearts series, Keyblades play an important role in the battle between darkness and light. Through methods that are not fully explained, the mysterious weapons choose their own masters and can only be used by people who have strong hearts. Sora’s ability to use the magical weapons was a major plot point in the first game, but there are other Keyblade wielders too – including Mickey Mouse himself! Keyblades can unlock everything from doors to chests and even links to other worlds, and they also play an important role in combat. It’s debatable if Keyblades truly belong on this list, but they are certainly used like swords even if they don’t necessarily look like them. Sora’s Keyblade might look blunt, but it can still slice through a skyscraper like a hot knife through butter.

After the elder shaman Ner’zhul was transformed into the Lich King by the demon lord Kil’jaeden, part of his soul was shackled to the Frostmourne. A icy tomb was created to contain the Lich King, but Ner’zhul used his powers to push the Frostmourne through the ice. A young prince named Arthas Menethil was the one who eventually claimed the sword, and he became an unwitting agent of the Litch King in the process. The Frostmourne sliced through opponents with little resistance, shattered most weapons it came in contact with, and became more powerful with each soul it devoured. All the while, the Lich King was able to see and hear through the eyes and ears of anyone who held the blade. In time, the Lich King used the corrupting influence of the Frostmourne to merge with Arthas Menethil outright.

The weapon of choice for cyborg ninjas everywhere, high-frequency blades are able to cut through almost anything by creating oscillations that weaken molecular bonds. A mercenary named Raiden is especially proficient with the weapon, and he uses it to slash through enemies, vehicles, architectural structures, and watermelons. He’s fast enough to slice a target multiple times before it hits the ground and precise enough to deflect bullets back at his enemies. The sword can also be used to block oncoming attacks and can parry with chainsaws without being damaged. Raiden wields weapons ranging from daggers to rocket launchers, but HF blades are the heart and soul of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. With sword in hand, Raiden becomes a one-man-army. It’s hard to believe that anyone ever questioned his manliness.

It’s rare for the main antagonist in a series to be a sword, but that’s the case in Soul Edge and its sequels. The Soul Edge was forged in the distant past as a regular sword, but it gained a malevolent will of its own after being bathed in blood and hatred. From that point, anyone who used the sword was pushed the brink of insanity as an evil spirit invaded their mind like a parasite. The Soul Edge can usually be identified by its grotesque yellow eye and flesh-like hilt, but the shape of the sword changes in accordance to who wields it. The Soul Edge has bonded with many hosts throughout the ages. Some voluntarily gave into the will of the cursed sword while others made misguided attempts to overcome its power. In either case, the Soul Edge has ways of drawing out darkness from whomever holds it.

The Monado is a mysterious sword that can manipulate ether and shape the world itself. As the only weapon capable of piercing the armor of the mechanical Mechon, the divine sword is said to have played an instrumental role in fending off a full-scale invasion. Most people who use the sword are unable to control it – regardless of how powerful or disciplined they might be – but an unlikely hero named Shulk was able to use the weapon despite his inexperience in battle. The sword can be used for many purposes, and it even gives its user the ability to predict the future. Seeing visions of an opponent’s attack allows Shulk to dodge or counterattack accordingly, but the capabilities of the Monado extend well beyond the gift of foresight. There are a number of magical swords on this list, but none are more powerful than the Monado.

Unrealistically large melee weapons are common in anime and other forms of Japanese pop fiction. Without question, the best-known example in the gaming world is Cloud Strife’s Buster Sword. The broadsword is larger than it has any right to be, but Cloud can wield it with ease. It’s not the strongest or largest weapon in the game, but it serves as an iconic image for Final Fantasy VII and is prominently featured in marketing materials. The sword cannot be sold in the game, and it often appears in cutscenes and mini-games regardless of whether or not Cloud has it equipped. Before Cloud came into its possession, the Buster Sword was used by his best friend and mentor, Zack. Cloud stole Zack’s identity and made a play for his girl after he was killed in action, so I guess the giant sword was just part of the package.

Although different Zelda games often feature different art styles and take place in different timelines, the Master Sword has remained remarkably consistent from one game to the next. Created by the goddess Hylia as the Goddess Sword, the legendary blade was home to an annoying spirit named Fi who helped guide the chosen hero on his adventure. (Fortunately, Fi stopped talking completely after the blade was reforged as the Master Sword.) The Master Sword can shoot out spectacular beams of energy, and its power to repel evil often makes it the only weapon that can vanquish the Prince of Darkness, Ganon. The Master Sword may look inconspicuous, but the sword is able to choose a master of its own will and can only be brandished by those who had proven themselves through trials of wisdom, power, and courage.