There are a few types of guns that have existed in the first-person shooter genre for years. Pistols, automatic rifles, and sniper rifles are essential inclusions in any FPS arsenal.
That said, nothing packs more of a punch than the shotgun. The shotgun is one of the most popular and entertaining weapons that can be used, regardless of the game you’re playing. When you pick up a shotgun in an FPS, you’ll usually breathe a sigh of relief.
There have been a countless number of shotguns in shooting games, and while many of them are similar, a few stand out. On this list, we’ve arranged some of our favorite shotguns from FPS history, both retro and modern.
Here are users top rated FPS Shotguns:
#1 M90 CAWS (Halo series)
The Halo franchise has some pretty epic guns, but few of them are as overpowered as the M90 CAWS. The default shotgun is outstanding throughout the entire game series, but we most fondly remember using it during multiplayer matches. In both Halo 2 and Halo 3, having the shotgun in hand often meant double-kills were coming fast.
The M90 CAWS is also a nearly unstoppable force in any Halo campaign mode, especially when used at point-blank range. With the exception of a few bosses and most vehicles, the shotgun can flatten anything you put in front of it. Despite the lack of range, it's also incredibly useful against Halo's most annoying enemy, the Flood.
#2 Model 1887 Shotgun Akimbo (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2)
If you get blasted by a shotgun in a multiplayer FPS match, it can often feel frustrating. When it comes to competitive Call of Duty, nothing was more infuriating that being on the receiving end of this high-tier shotgun. You could only unlock the Model 1887 by spending significant time playing the game, so it's a weapon that was out of reach for most players.
In order to truly unlock the power of the Model 1887, players would often utilize the Akimbo perk, allowing them to dual-wield the weapons. The significant range and increased damage output was considered so powerful that the weapons were eventually changed in an update patch. Although using the Model 1887 with the Akimbo perk was widely regarded as cheap and annoying, its destructive capabilities were too good to pass up.
#3 Shotgun (DOOM)
While it's not the first shotgun to ever exist in the FPS genre, the shotgun in the original DOOM has a legacy of its own. The starting pistol and melee attacks worked alright, but as soon as you picked up the shotgun in the first level, you knew things were about to get messy.
The shotgun in the original DOOM is notorious for its massive range of damage, especially when wielded by enemies. While pretty devastating outright, the shotgun is capable of delivering extremely high numbers of damage, making it an excellent choice for lengthy boss fights. No matter how tanky the demon, the shotgun is usually the best bet for destroying it.
#4 Rapture Shotgun (Bioshock)
The world of Rapture is a scary place; there's murderous drug addicts rampaging in the streets, and the whole city is underwater. Even though you're capable of shooting lightning and fire out of your hands, there's nothing more reliable than the trusty Rapture Shotgun when things get tough. Capable of chopping down a ravenous splicer with a quick pull of the trigger, this classic pump-action shotgun packs quite the punch.
The Rapture Shotgun becomes twice as effective once you unlock various ammunition types, such as electric and exploding buckshot. Nothing puts the “boom” in “boomstick” like exploding ammunition. If wielded correctly, the Rapture Shotgun can even quickly fell the massive “Big Daddies”, Raptures' most fearsome foe.
#5 Combat Shotgun (Fallout 3)
The world of Fallout 3 is a barren one, where most weapons are scrapped together from junk. In the post-apocalyptic Wasteland, it's hard to come across a sturdy weapon that deals a worthwhile amount of damage. Luckily, the Combat Shotgun exists for players looking to make a statement during gunfights.
The Combat Shotgun is almost a necessary tool for exploring the dangerous world, where every corner can hide a deadly foe. Clearing buildings and eliminating resistance is easy with the Combat Shotgun, thanks to its drum magazine that holds up to 12 shots. Unfortunately, the Combat Shotgun isn't very durable, so you'll want to repair it whenever possible.
#6 Conference Call (Borderlands 2)
The Borderlands series has always been known for its ridiculous guns, and the Conference Call shotgun is definitely one of them. Although it's not as silly or over-the-top as some of the other guns in the game, the Conference Call takes the idea of “spread shot” to a whole new level.
The Conference Call fires off five projectiles, each one doing a decent bit of damage. The thing that makes the Conference Call special is its unique ability, which causes those five projectiles to fire off additional projectiles. The smaller shots spread out horizontally from your initial target, tearing up everything and anything nearby. Due to its insanely high area-of-effect, the Conference Call could quickly tear down even the most fearsome end-game bosses with ease.
#7 Boneduster (Bulletstorm)
Bulletstorm is a game that's all about being as creative and gruesome with your kills as possible. It's often ridiculous in its bloodshed, which is mirrored in the crazy guns you can use. Of those weapons, the Boneduster shotgun is not only one of the most powerful, but it results in some of the coolest kills you can pull off.
The Boneduster has not one or two barrels, but a full FOUR barrels of blasting power. This results in an incredible amount of force when fired, which will either send your enemies flying or cut them clean in half. The environments in Bulletstorm are often full of hazards, and the Boneduster is one of the best guns to send victims into these death-traps.
#8 Gnasher (Gears of War series)
Ever since its introduction in the first Gears of War game, the Gnasher has quickly become one of gaming's most iconic shotguns. There's always enough Gnasher ammo to go around it seems, ensuring you have ammo to spare. Not that you'll need it though, as the Gnasher is incredibly powerful at close range.This is especially true in the franchises' multiplayer modes, where the Gnasher has gained quite the reputation. As long as you're close enough to your target, the Gnasher can tear it to bloody shreds with a single shot. It's a great counter to players trying to chainsaw you in half, or anyone who gets too close for comfort.