The best shotgun in the Resident Evil 4 remake

Guts, Glory, and Guns in Resident Evil 4 Remake

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With Resident Evil 4 Remake, the general structure of the classic game has remained the same, which means players will be doing plenty of gun blasting. Shotguns are useful to have on hand, especially for those foes that don’t go down easily. There are a few shotguns available but most players are probably interested in figuring out how to get the best shotgun in Resident Evil 4 Remake.

The Skull Shaker Shotgun in Resident Evil 4 Remake

There is a cornucopia of guns to play with in Resident Evil 4 Remake, which makes it impossible to use and upgrade them all in a single playthrough. This means players will have to think carefully about which guns they decide to invest their resources into. Players looking for the shotgun that brings the biggest blast should look no further than the Skull Shaker.

Screenshot by Destructoid

The Skull Shaker is a sawn-off shotgun that lives up to its name. It has a good spread, making it the perfect tool for holding off an approaching horde. It’s also fun to use, as Leon will spin the gun in his hand before readying himself to fire. Importantly, the Skull Shaker is a compact shotgun, which means, unlike most other shotguns, it doesn’t take up too much space in the inventory. When fully upgraded (lv. 5), it has the following stats:

  • Power – 9.07
  • Ammo Capacity – 6
  • Reload Speed – 1.29
  • Rate of Fire – 0.96

When the shotgun is fully upgraded, players unlock the Exclusive upgrade which doubles its power to 18.14, making it an unstoppable machine. Though the low ammo capacity is a notable flaw, thanks to its phenomenal power, Leon won’t need too many bullets to deal with enemies.

How to Get the Skull Shaker in Resident Evil 4 Remake

The Skull Shaker is a bit of a strange case, as it was originally made available as a bonus for the Deluxe Edition and Collector’s Edition of Resident Evil 4 Remake. For players who still want to get their hands on the weapon, it is available on the PS Store as DLC on its own or as part of the Resident Evil 4 Remake Extra DLC Pack. Once purchased, the firearm will be available from any storage box near a typewriter from Chapter 2 onwards.

The Shotguns of Resident Evil 4 Remake

Although the Skull Shaker is certainly impressive, it doesn’t mean the rest of the shotguns should be neglected The W-870 is the first shotgun players encounter, and it is obtained in Chapter 1. It is nothing more than serviceable at first, though when it is fully upgraded, the Exclusive upgrade is unlocked, which doubles its power to 20.2, making it the most powerful shotgun in the game!

Despite its power, the W-870’s large size in the inventory, slow reloading speed, and low rate of fire make it a hard sell. Nevertheless, for players who aren’t interested in forking out extra money for Resident Evil 4 Remake DLC, it is an appropriate alternative to the Skull Shaker.

Screenshot by Destructoid

Players should also consider the Striker. Like the Skull Shaker, it’s compact. Furthermore, it’s a powerful tool that decimates anything standing before it. The biggest downside is that it has an extremely low effective firing range, even for a shotgun. As a result, it only really finds good use in close combat situations.

Leon’s journey is a hazardous one, but with the right weapons, he can emerge victorious. A good shotgun is a necessary part of any strong arsenal, and the Skull Shaker makes for an excellent sidekick. For players who prefer raw power over everything else, the W-870 is also a great option.


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Smangaliso Simelane
Staff Writer - Smangaliso Simelane is a writer with a passion for all things related to video games. He has been writing about video games since 2020.