An arm cannon, in science fiction, is a type of large projectile weapon that is worn on (and sometimes replaces) the arm, usually covering it to at least the elbow. Such devices are often components of integrated powered armour, although they can be worn alone.
The exact nature of such devices vary; some, such as that used by Barret Wallace in Final Fantasy VII [1], fire bullets or shells, while others, including those of Mega Man, and Samus Aran of the Metroid series, are variations on the traditional raygun, using advanced directed-energy technologies popular in science fiction such as laser and plasma[2] beams to destroy enemies [3]. Some such devices have other functions too, such as tractor beams, or, more peacefully, flashlights and sensor arrays [4].
Arm cannons tend to be controlled by interfacing directly with the nervous system, rather than using a trigger. Some, such as the sonic blaster of Cyborg of Teen Titans and the plasma cannon of Mega Man, are able to morph back into a regular hand when not being used [2].
Below details a list of fictional characters with arm cannon extrusions:
- The Alien Grunt enemy from Half-Life carries a biological arm cannon
- Andrew Waltfeld
- Barret Wallace
- Bumblebee has an arm cannon that is similar to Mega Man's in the 2007 Transformers movie.
- Bushwacker, a Marvel Comics villain, most associated with fighting Daredevil
- The Commander unit in Total Annihilation
- Cyborg
- Gray Fox of the Metal Gear series, more specifically his Cyborg Ninja incarnation
- KOS-MOS, of the Xenosaga series, R Cannon
- Mega Man
- Mega Man X
- Mega Man 'Trigger' Volnut
- MegaMan.EXE
- Robocop receives an arm cannon upgrade in Robocop 3 that he can install as needed by detaching his regular hand and attaching the weapon
- Springer in Transformers: The Movie has a different type of Arm Cannon, one hidden within his forearm. It is only seen briefly and is assumedly the only projectile weapon he possesses.
- Strogg warriors from the video games Quake II and 4 tend to replace their arms with weapons
- Samus Aran
- Shockwave, from Transformers
- Miles "Tails" Prower from the Sonic the Hedgehog series uses an arm cannon in Sonic Battle
- Vash the Stampede of Trigun uses an arm cannon called Angel Arm
- Warp Darkmatter of Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
- Cobra, from Space Adventure Cobra
- Storm Bolters attached to Grey Knights power armour.
Note: Spider-Man's web-shooters (whether considering those from the comic book, which were mechanical, or the biological webshooters from the movies), would not be considered arm cannons.
References
edit- ^ Square Enix character profiles URL accessed 13 May, 2006
- ^ a b Mega Man Physics URL accessed 13 May, 2006
- ^ Arm Cannon Mechanics (DOC), URL accessed 13 May, 2006
- ^ Hitchhiker's Guide to Video Games URL accessed 13 May, 2006
[[Category:Rayguns]] [[Category:Science fiction weapons]] [[Category:Video game weapons]] [[Category:Fictional firearms]]