Is there a more satisfying or cathartic weapon in all of gaming than the humble chainsaw? Sure, there’s the visceral kick of an iconic double-barrelled shotgun, or a flamethrower might earn a gamer’s burning enthusiasm. Even these behemoths of gaming, however, cannot compare to the sheer vicious and devastating might of a fearsome chainsaw.
As such, the medium is littered with this simple yet deadly melee weapon. Rarely does an action title not thrust a chainsaw into players' awaiting hands. All are up for contention here, from those that the player wields to those that must be earnestly dodged when brandished by enemies. The chainsaws that follow, then, are the ones that really leave players buzzing.
10 MadWorld: Dominate The Most Violent Game Show Ever With Your Chainsaw-Arm
PlatinumGames' unappreciated Nintendo Wii cult classic MadWorld may have been forgotten by many. However, those who played it will have its fantastic chainsaw arm carved in their memories. Protagonist Jack Cayman enters a violent game show, ‘Death Watch’, with, as promised, a massive chainsaw attached to his arm.
This intimidating weapon isn’t just for show, either, as Jack wields it with explosively gory consequences. Thanks to MadWorld’s distinctive black and white visuals, Jack’s chainsaw combos will live long in the memory of any gamer who was lucky enough to experience this chaotic adventure.Grotesque and gratuitous, but highly satisfying.
9 Resident Evil 4: Chainsaw-Wielding Enemies That Just Won't Quit
For the millions of players who experienced the terrifying thrill ride that is Resident Evil 4, there was one sound more than others that sent chills down their spine: the roar of a chainsaw. Hearing it meant that an encounter with the fearsome Chainsaw Man (or Chainsaw Ganado) was fast approaching.
Thanks to the burlap sack pulled over his head and his unrelenting march towards the player character, the Chainsaw Man is quickly recognized. Capable of absorbing an impressive amount of punishment, the Chainsaw Man made even the most Stoic of gamers scream as he separated enigmatic protagonist Leon Kennedy’s head from his shoulders. In The Mercenaries mode, an even more formidable version of this foe appears on one stage, and there are also the dreaded Bella Sisters in the village.
8 Lollipop Chainsaw: The Most Elegant Chainsaw-Wielding Moves Ever
Released on the PlayStation 3 way back in 2012, Lollipop Chainsaw follows the implausible adventures of a zombie-hunting cheerleader. As is typical of developers Grasshopper Studios, the game is incredibly aware of its surreal premise, but that doesn’t stop the chainsaw action coming thick and fast.
Juliet is highly skilled at wielding her weapon; performing hacking strikes and dynamic dodges with a whole host of accompanying flips and tricks. Sure, the elaborate combos might be entirely unbelievable, but that all adds to Lollipop Chainsaw’s eclectic charm. It's bright, bold, silly, and a riot of fun.
7 Gears of War: Dueling Chainsaws
What could be better than a chainsaw? A chainsaw that’s also a gun. Gears of War – and its numerous sequels – are idealized by their fanbase for having brutally bombastic combat. A huge part of that appeal is the Chainsaw Bayonet.
Attached to a Lancer Assault Rifle, this monstrous weapon can hack with wanton abandon through even the toughest of Drone hides. However, the bayonet truly showed its worth in the phenomenal Gears Of War series multiplayer, where its instant-kill properties made it vital to a cunning player’s game plan. On top of that, there's the iconic chainsaw duel: perhaps the most vicious mechanic ever to feature the weapon.
6 Dead Space 2: In Space, No-One Can Hear You Saw
Dead Space 2 is surely one of the most outrageous survival horror thrill-rides ever conceived. The story followed brave protagonist Isaac Clark, an engineer caught in a harrowing situation, taking on the hideous Necromorphs. The creepy critters come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, but there’s one thing they all have in common – they have lots of hackable limbs.
That’s great news for Isaac and his space chainsaw – or, to use its proper title, his Ripper. The Ripper can blast out circular blades that slice through Necromorph limbs with ghastly ease. More of a circular saw that a chainsaw, perhaps, but it certainly warrants inclusion here.
5 Doom: A Hellishly Good Fallback Weapon, Only Getting Better With Age
Doom equips players with the quintessential video game chainsaw. From 1993 onwards, players’ jaws dropped as Doom Slayer sliced and diced through the demons that opposed him. Despite its limited fuel, Doom’s chainsaw proved vital to survival, offering players the choice of carving up foes up close and personal. A valuable fallback when the game's many enemies drew too close.
Doom’s chainsaw has even got better with age. Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal offer the most viscerally vicious version of the weapon yet, releasing a handy pile of health and ammo with every successful kill. A dramatic spectacle indeed.
4 Dead Rising: A Cobbled-Together Chainsaw Is Still A Chainsaw
The zombie survival comedy Dead Rising and its sequels are all about customization. All sorts of weapons can be made from apparently harmless household items. Bowling bows can be flung, cactuses swung and chairs heaved at foes, just for starters. The greatest weapon available is, of course, the chainsaw.
Dead Rising offered players numerous choices of chainsaw to hack through the horde of zombies before them. With its limited fuel, the chainsaw won’t last for long, but the heroic Frank West will mash his way through anything and everything in his path while it holds out.
3 Grand Theft Auto: Open-World Chainsaw-Wielding
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City could be seen as something of a love letter to the film Scarface. As such, it absolutely had to provide players with a cast of memorable characters and a chainsaw for a weapon. Fortunately, developers Rockstar did not disappoint. For a paltry $500 in-game, player character Tommy Vercetti can get his hands on a terrifying chainsaw.
There’s no finer experience in all of Grand Theft Auto history than chasing down a fleeing foe with a chainsaw in hand, having just listened to Judas Priest’s You’ve Got Another Thing Coming on the car radio. It’s a brutally brilliant, classic moment not soon forgotten.
2 Manhunt: The Chainsaw Makes The Biggest Mess Of All
Manhunt is a particularly unpleasant gore-soaked video game that emerged in 2003. Created by the team at Rockstar North, Manhunt was a third-person stealth game that gained the ire of many with its depictions of graphic violence. By modern video game standards, Manhunt hasn’t held up particularly well; the shooting mechanics prove particularly tricky for many who revisit this controversial title.
Horrific deaths come thick and fast in Manhunt, though none are as nasty as those inflicted by a chainsaw. Initially wielded by antagonist Piggsy, the chainsaw can be removed from its previous owner’s bloody hooves to be turned against the Hunters. Be warned: It’s a stomach-turning experience.
1 Left 4 Dead: They Never Saw Their Friends There
Is there a better weapon for killing hordes of dangerous zombies than the humble chainsaw?
According to multiplayer action-fest and one of the best zombies games of all time, Left 4 Dead, the answer is no. First introduced in Left 4 Dead 2, the chainsaw is one of the most potent weapons in the game, causing horrific damage to anything foolish enough to get in its way.Wield it with caution, though: Get too carried away, and you might find yourself accidentally carving up one of your fellow survivors instead. With its very limited fuel, the last thing you’d want to do is waste your chainsaw by accidentally killing your friends.