In 2008, the Call of Duty Ray Gun made its first appearance, surfacing in World at War’s side mode, Nazi Zombies. It was a special-edition weapon that could only be found in the game’s ‘mystery box’, a chest that would reward the player with a random weapon upon purchasing ‘a spin’ of the box. It has been featured in some way in twelve unique Call of Duty games, making it one of the most common weapons to be seen in the franchise, despite being completely fictional.

It’s synonymous with Call of Duty Zombies, but it’s also known by those that have never played the mode, owing to the fact that it has bled out of the popular side mode. In this article, we’re taking a look at the Call of Duty Ray Gun and determining whether it’s the most iconic weapon in the history of the series. There are so few weapons that compete with the Ray Gun, and it has even gone so far as to be made available as a full-size collector’s item.

The Ray Gun is known as a ‘wonder weapon’, and it’s a remarkable device that fires devastating rays of energy capable of decimating an enemy in a single shot. It’s a relatively rare weapon that is always unlocked following a specific challenge or quest, or at random by spinning the ‘mystery box’ found in every Call of Duty Zombies game. It has been featured as an ‘Easter Egg’ item in many games, and it has been recreated as a weapon blueprint variant in Call of Duty Warzone.

It typically looks like a bizarre, sci-fi-themed handgun, and the base model of the Ray Gun has remained more or less the same since it debuted way back in 2008. It’s a staple weapon throughout the Call of Duty series, and any fan worth their salt will instantly recognise it.

In 2023, it was revealed that a real-world replica was being created for collectors around the world. It boasted a staggering price point worth hundreds of dollars, but it was a full-size replica that had lights and sounds imbued into it. As it’s a fan-favourite weapon that triggers great excitement when it’s found in any Call of Duty game, it makes sense that it was ultimately turned into a coveted collector’s item.

Even if you put your mind to it, you couldn’t think of a weapon more iconic than the Call of Duty Ray Gun. There are some examples that stand firm as competitors to the Ray Gun, but most of them are only iconic because of their dominating presence in one or two games. For instance:

• Intervention, a sniper rifle from Modern Warfare 2 (2009) that was replicated in Modern Warfare II (2022)
• MP40, one of the best weapons in World at War, WWII, and Vanguard
• FAMAS, arguably the best weapon in Modern Warfare 2 (2009), and Black Ops (2010)
• Riot Shield, featured in basically every Call of Duty title in some way
• Desert Eagle, a powerful sidearm that has had a presence in Call of Duty since 2007’s Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Ultimately, so few of these weapons have the commanding presence of the Call of Duty Ray Gun. It’s a weapon that is completely and utterly unique to the Call of Duty franchise, whereas all the other weapons listed above are real-world guns that are featured in plenty of other military-based games. There’s no other Ray Gun out there, though.

That’s enough to make the Ray Gun the most iconic weapon in the history of Call of Duty, wouldn’t you agree?