Square Enix has been the lead JRPG developer in the gaming industry since the genre was first created. They have created numerous games, characters, and weapons that have become icons of the genre.
With every legendary protagonist comes an equally legendary weapon. Square Enix has a few of the most recognizable video game swords. This list will highlight 10 very iconic weapons that they have created.
10 X-Blade (Kingdom Hearts BBS & 3)
There are a vast amount of Keyblades in the Kingdom Hearts series. The X-Blade (pronounced Chi Blade) is one of the most important to the series lore. Its first appearance was in Birth By Sleep, where Xehanort fries desperately to obtain it. It then returned in Kingdom Hearts 3 as his main weapon.
Oblivion, Mickey’s Kingdom Key D, and other Keyblades used by many key figures throughout the series are also very recognizable, but none have left as much of an impact on the series storyline. The X-Blade is heavily connected to ancient lore and acts as a final test for Sora to overcome in the Dark Seeker Saga.
9 13 Royal Arms (Final Fantasy 15)
The Royal Arms is a set of 13 weapons that were used by the ancestors of Noctis. 7 of them are obtained throughout Final Fantasy 15’s main storyline, while the other 6 are optional. They play a key role in the young prince’s journey.
Noctis is the only character capable of using them due to his bloodline. After he obtained multiple, he becomes able to switch between them in a brief moment. Final Fantasy 15 is a very popular game that sold over 10 million units, but the design of these weapons doesn’t stick out as much as other weapons. There’s also not a specific one among them that sticks out a lot compared to the others.
8 Virtuous Treaty & Virtuous Contract (NieR Automata)
2B’s default set of weapons has quickly become the most recognizable weapon from the NieR series. They become so recognizable for the series, that they were even included in the remake of NieR Replicant. Automata is a modern game that sold 6 million units, and 2B brought this pair of weapons with her to many crossovers.
Virtuous Contract is a small one-handed sword, and Virtuous Treaty is a large two-handed weapon that packs a bigger punch. Both these swords floating behind 2B thanks to futuristic android technology have become a staple of her design. Treaty is slightly more iconic than its Contract counterpart, but they’re a pair of weapons that go hand-in-hand.
7 Revolver Gunblade (Final Fantasy 8)
Gunblades have become a staple of the Final Fantasy series ever since their debut in 8. Squall, Seifer, and multiple NPCs use this type of weapon. Gunblades make an appearance in 12, 13, 14, 15, and multiple spin-offs too. Squall’s default weapon, the Revolver, remains the most recognizable variation of the Gunblade.
This is due to how often Squall uses it in comparison to other Gunblades throughout the series. Final Fantasy 8 is also the second best-selling series entry from the PS1 era, selling just under 10 million units. It even makes multiple appearances in early Kingdom Hearts titles where Squall (better known as Leon in those games) appears. Its unique design helps it stand out a lot more from the Royal Arms.
6 Brotherhood (Final Fantasy 10)
Brotherhood is the name of the water sword used by Tidus. It sticks out from many other swords in the series due to its unique color scheme and bubble attack effects. It returns as a weapon in 10-2, and is referenced in a few later installments too. Like Final Fantasy 8, the tenth main installment sold roughly 10 million units.
Brotherhood’s name is symbolic of the connection that Tidus and Wakka share. Wakka originally gave it to his brother, but his brother died before the game began. Tidus reminded Wakka of his brother a lot, so Wakka have it to him to use throughout the entire game.
5 Zenithian Sword (Dragon Quest 4-6)
All three games in Dragon Quest’s Zenithian trilogy contain the Zenithian Sword (known as the Sword of Ramias in 6). Each mainline game it appears in has sold roughly 5 million units each, and was a genre-defining game during the NES and SNES eras.
It has appeared in multiple spin-offs and crossovers since, but its lack of being relevant to a more recent mainline title does hold it back. The main thing that keeps it relevant is a large amount of merchandise released for it in Japan. Square Enix sells plastic replicas, there was a Wii controller with its handle as a massive joystick, and much more.
4 Masamune (Final Fantasy & More)
The Masamune is a reoccurring sword in the Final Fantasy series, and even appears in some other Square Enix series. The most notable versions of the sword includes Frog’s from Chrono Trigger, Sephiroth’s from Final Fantasy 7, and Auron’s from Final Fantasy 10.
It has appeared in most of the best-selling Square Enix titles but lacks memorability in a lot of them due to it constantly changing designs. Most share very little in common outside their name. Still, the one used by Sephiroth specifically is a very iconic incarnation of the sword.
3 Sword of Kings (Dragon Quest 1-3 & 11)
Erdrick’s Sword originated in the very first Dragon Quest title, making it the legendary sword used for the longest period of time by Square Enix. In fact, it’s actually one of the oldest video game weapons that still actively gets used in modern games. It appears in classic titles, a plethora of spin-offs, it made a major return in 11, and there is constant merchandise of the weapon in Japan. There was even a Wii controller made in the shape of the entire sword for a spin-off title.
All mainline games that it in have sold a minimum of 5 million units. This weapon constantly receives references in other media; Earthbound contains a sword with the same namesake, the Wyrmhero Blade from Final Fantasy is modeled after it, popular anime such as Assassination Classroom reference it, and much more. The only reason it’s not higher up on the list is due to the design of the weapon itself not sticking out as much. The Elder Futhark inscriptions and hilt don’t do enough to make it stand out from other video game weapons
2 Kingdom Key (Kingdom Hearts)
The Kingdom Key is by far the most recognizable Keyblade in the Kingdom Hearts series. It’s been with Sora since the very beginning and is his default weapon in every installment that he appears in. It’s a staple of the series that will surely continue in many future installments. This means it will always be relevant, unlike many weapons that primarily are only known for appearing in one game. The three main numbered Kingdom Hearts games have all sold over 5 million units, and most other installments have sold over a million as well.
In terms of sales and other media that reference it, the Kingdom Key doesn’t overcome some other entries on this list, but there’s a different reason that this weapon is as recognizable as it is. Its unique key design sticks out a lot from standard swords and other kinds of weapons. It’s so distinct that many people who have never played the series can easily recognize where it came from. An extremely unique design will almost always stick out more than a more basic one.
1 Buster Sword (Final Fantasy 7)
The originally PS1 Final Fantasy 7 sold over 14 million units, and was a game that made JRPGs grow massively more popular outside of Japan. Just as the game and many characters have become some of the most recognizable JRPG icons, so has Cloud’s signature Buster Sword.
While Erdrick’s Sword constantly appears in Japanese media, Cloud’s does on a global scale; appearing in many western series such as Adventure Time. FF7’s Remake and the many spin-offs keep this weapon relevant. It may not be as important to its entire series like the Kingdom Key is, but FF7’s popularity alone outweighs nearly every other Square Enix game. The Busted Sword even gets a lot of unique merchandise, such as an alarm clock made in its likeness.
