It’s a classic video game trope. You’re deep into an RPG or an action game, you’ve amassed a huge arsenal, and then you find it: the gun that shoots money. Whether it’s Terraria’s Coin Gun, a legendary pistol in Cyberpunk, or a special ability in Final Fantasy, these weapons promise incredible power at a very literal cost. They’re often flashy, powerful, and feel like the ultimate flex.
But let’s be honest. Do you ever actually use it? In a recent online discussion, gamers came together to ponder this exact question, and the consensus was overwhelming: for the most part, we don’t. We get the weapon, marvel at its absurdity, maybe fire it a few times for fun, and then stick it in our inventory to collect dust. Why is that? It turns out the answer says a lot about player psychology and what makes for good game design.
The Hoarder’s Dilemma: ‘What If I Need It Later?’
The number one reason most players avoid money-shooting guns is a deep-seated instinct known as resource hoarding. We’ve all been there. You have 99 potions, but you refuse to use one on a tough boss because… what if there’s a tougher boss later? The same logic applies here. Every bullet fired is cash you can’t spend on upgrades, armor, or crucial supplies.
This creates a strange paradox. As one gamer pointed out, if you’re struggling in a game, you probably don’t have the spare cash to literally fire it at your problems. And if you’re skilled enough to be rolling in dough, you probably don’t need a high-powered money gun to win. It often exists in a weird design space where it’s never the most practical option, making it feel more like a novelty or a gimmick than a useful tool.
When It Works: The Exceptions to the Rule
While most money guns are seen as inefficient, the discussion highlighted a few key examples where the mechanic is implemented brilliantly. These games succeed because they make spending money a core part of the gameplay loop, not just a quirky side option.
- The Metro Series: This was the most cited example of a ‘money gun’ system done right. In the post-apocalyptic world of Metro, high-quality, military-grade bullets are both the best ammunition and the primary currency. Every shot you take against a monster is a choice that directly impacts your ability to buy supplies at the next station. This creates a constant, meaningful tension where you’re always weighing the cost of survival.
- Roguelikes and Roguelites: Games like Risk of Rain 2 with its Crowdfunder item are perfect for this mechanic. In a roguelike run, money is often a temporary resource that resets when you die. In the late stages of a run, when you have more cash than you can spend, an item that lets you convert that excess money into pure damage becomes an incredibly powerful and strategic choice.
- Final Fantasy and Yojimbo: The Final Fantasy series often features a “Gil Toss” ability. But the ultimate expression of this is the summon Yojimbo from Final Fantasy X. Pay him enough gil, and he can one-shot any enemy in the game, including the super-bosses. It’s the ultimate high-risk, high-reward money sink, turning your wallet into a legitimate strategy for overcoming impossible odds.
A Matter of Balance
Ultimately, the usefulness of a money-shooting gun comes down to game balance. In games like Cyberpunk 2077, where cash becomes incredibly abundant in the late game, using a weapon that consumes a few eddies per shot is a drop in the bucket, making it a viable and fun choice. Similarly, in older games like Phantasy Star Online, the “Charge” weapons used a trivial amount of Meseta, making their high damage output a worthwhile trade-off.
However, in most single-player adventures where every coin feels precious, the psychological barrier is often too high to overcome. We are conditioned to see our in-game currency as a key to future progress, and the idea of literally shooting that progress away just doesn’t sit right with our inner hoarder.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a ‘money-shooting gun’ in video games?
- It’s a common trope where a game includes a weapon that uses the in-game currency (like gold, dollars, or gil) as its ammunition instead of traditional bullets.
- Why do most players avoid using these weapons?
- The primary reason is psychological. Players tend to hoard resources, including money, for future upgrades or purchases. Spending currency on ammo often feels inefficient or wasteful.
- Are there any games where this mechanic works well?
- Yes. The Metro series is often praised because currency-as-ammo is a core mechanic for all guns, creating constant tension. Roguelikes like Risk of Rain 2 also use it well, as money is a temporary resource within a single run.
- What are some other famous examples of games with money-based attacks?
- The Final Fantasy series (Gil Toss, Yojimbo), Terraria (Coin Gun), Saints Row, Borderlands, and Cyberpunk 2077 all feature weapons or abilities that use money.
- Is it ever a good strategy to use a money gun?
- It can be, depending on the game’s economy. If you are in the late game with an excess of cash and no other use for it, a powerful money gun can be a very effective tool.
- What does this say about game design?
- It shows that for a resource-cost mechanic to be successful, it needs to be integrated into the core gameplay loop and feel like a meaningful choice, rather than just a gimmick.
Conclusion
The gun that shoots money is a fascinating piece of game design. It’s a power fantasy, a satirical statement, and a psychological test all rolled into one. While most of us will continue to let these extravagant weapons gather dust in our inventories, they serve as a great reminder of how we, as players, think about value and resources. They force us to ask the question: what’s the real price of power? And more often than not, we decide it’s a price we’re not willing to pay. At least, not until we have 99 of every other item in the game.