We all have our favourite tools of defence and destruction when it comes to the annals of sci-fi lore. Over the years (and across TV and film to games and books), we’ve seen some brilliant weapon concepts develop. I’ve hand-picked my top 10 (in no particular order – they’re all supremely cool). Lock and load!

Star Wars’ Lightsaber

What better place to start than the one weapon kids (and adults, actually) all over the world yearned for, ever since Star Wars premiere? The lightsaber. A weapon from a more elegant age, created by a Jedi (or Sith) to mark the end of their training. I was always keen on Luke Skywalker’s green blade in Return of the Jedi.

Star Trek’s Phaser

“Set phasers from stun… to kill.” That timeless line sums up all the best bits of the famous Star Trek phaser. Having gone through several iterations, from the gun-like shape of the original TV series through to JJ Abram’s reimagining, the phaser is still a weapon to be reckoned with.

Aliens’ Pulse Rifle

I’ll let Lieutenant Hicks take this one: “I wanna introduce you to a personal friend of mine. This is an M41A pulse rifle. Ten millimetre with over-and-under; thirty millimetre pump-action grenade launcher.” Total badass.

Final Fantasy VIII’s Gunblades

Squall might have spent most of the game pouting, but when he and his nemesis Seifer crossed gunblades, you knew it was business time. Loaded with magically enhanced rounds or just swung to cut a foe in two, the gunblade’s iconic design has stuck with me ever since.

District 9’s Tesla Rifle

While we’re disappointed that he isn’t going to direct a Halo movie adaptation after all, director Neill Blomkamp’s next-best-thing was crafting these devastating weapons. Combining explosive bolts of energy with a  ramshackle aesthetic, the Tesla Rifle is a cool bit of kit.

Ghostbusters’ Proton Pack

Up there with lightsabers for kids who grew up in the 1980s, no doubt. The proton pack is purportedly a portable nuclear reactor capable of constricting ghosts within its tangling beam arm. It also dismantles elegant dining rooms and looks a treat in the process. Infinitely cooler than the ‘happy slime’ pack from Ghostbusters II – just don’t cross the streams.

Mal from Firefly’s Pistol

A steampunk-inspired sci-fi side-arm? Yes please. No nifty doo-dads, no lasers – just bullets and a trigger. This puppy looks cool, doesn’t require a PHD to operate and gets the job done. Long live Firefly, we say.

Green Lantern’s Ring

Anything the Green Lantern can think up, the ring generates. I don’t know about you, but I’d probably end up absentmindedly thinking about cheeseburgers and breasts. Suddenly, WHAM: two giant cheeseburger-breast-fists to pummel my enemies into submission.

The Fifth Element’s Zorg ZF-1 Pod Gun

Hilariously all-encompassing, the Zorg Pod Gun contains everything from a high powered machine gun and freeze ray to a rocket launcher, flame thrower, net and, hilariously, a self-destruct button. One of the coolest sci-fi weapons ever from one of the best sci-fi films ever.

The Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver

While the show has tweaked the use of this classic Doctor Who prop countless times, there’s something still so alluring about the idea of the Sonic Screwdriver. Think of it as a Swiss Army Knife blend of defensive properties, offensive weapons and crime-solving gimmickry. It’s the sci-fi version of a magic wand, we think. I’ll take two, thanks!