After the launch of Battlefield 2042, the Battlefield franchise marks over 16 total games, with Battlefield 2042 being a great starting point. The Battlefield franchise is easily one of the most iconic in the gaming space. From its humbling start in 2002 with Battlefield 1942 to the innovations it brought to the modern military shooter with Battlefield 2, and finally continuing strong in the modern day with Battlefield 2042, the franchise has always looked to push itself to not just be memorable, but also remarkable in a very crowded genre.
However, many things have contributed to Battlefield's success and longevity despite many shortcomings in the past and recent years. The obvious one would be the weapons that have defined each Battlefield and left a lasting impression on all the players that have played them. So, what better way to recognize this remarkable franchise than pay homage to the iconic weapons it had throughout the years?
AEK-971
Making its first appearance in the console-exclusive Battlefield Bad Company game, the AEK-971 didn't leave much of an impression due to being overshadowed by more powerful and consistent assault rifles like the M416 and XM8. This would remain the case going into Battlefield 3 with the M16A3 essentially dominating the meta and leaving no room for any other gun to shine.
This would all change once Battlefield 4 was released and players immediately noticed the strength of the weapon. Not only did it have an insane time to kill, thanks in part to its high rate of fire, but it was also very accurate, and the recoil was easy to manage. Even after it received a nerf and a few adjustments later in the game's life it remained a fan favorite. This favoritism would continue through to Battlefield 2042 even if the gun was mediocre, but it remains one of the franchise's most memorable weapons.
XM8 LMG
Light Machine Guns don't have a great track record in Battlefield games and that hasn't changed even today. However, there do exist a few outliers that have captured the attention of players and the XM8 LMG is one of them. First appearing in Bad Company, the gun wasn't the best in its kit, but it did prove to be very.
Bad Company 2 is where the gun peaked in terms of potency and appeal. It was easily in the top three most popular guns in the Medic kit which was quite the accomplishment given the other powerhouses in that kit. From there the gun would only appear again in Battlefield Play4Free and 2042, but its status as an iconic gun in the franchise is unwavering. It isn't all that rare to see the community discuss some of their favorite weapons and the XM8 is consistently brought up as one of them.
Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I
Whenever Battlefield returns to a pre-modern era setting like World War 2, fans can be sure to see one of the most popular bolt-action rifles...the Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I. Funnily enough it would only go by this name in Battlefield 5 with other games featuring this weapon calling it the "No4 Sniper." Regardless of this naming convention, fans immediately fell in love with the gun during its first appearance in Battlefield 1942 thanks to its strength and ease of use.
After its second appearance in Battlefield Vietnam, the gun would go missing for a few years as the franchise focused on more modern and futuristic settings. Thankfully when the series returned to WW2 in Battlefield 5 so would the gun in all its glory. Even when the franchise went back to a modern setting in 2042, Battlefield Portal allowed fans to continue using this classic rifle. Throughout all the highs and lows, it stands as by far the most iconic sniper rifle the franchise has ever had.
M1911
Many guns have appeared in multiple Battlefield titles with some being there almost like DICE has an obligation to include the weapon. That seems to be the case for the M1911, a gun that has appeared more than any other in Battlefield. Only a handful of games didn't include the weapon with the most obvious one being Battlefield 2142, since it would have been very out of place in this futuristic setting.
What's curious about this weapon is the fact that it has never been the best pistol in any Battlefield game. However, that didn't stop the weapon from leaving its mark on the franchise and becoming iconic for its longevity, consistency, and reliability in nearly every situation. Its design is also iconic in the real world as it's based on the Colt M1911 which also has a long history as a recognizable and iconic weapon.
SAIGA
Shotguns weren't always a fan favorite among the player population due to how limited their options were. The most obvious limitation shotguns had was range, which was especially noticeable given how massive the maps were and how rare close-quarters combat was. Despite this and many other disadvantages, the Saiga still managed to not only be a popular choice for players but managed to be the most iconic shotgun in the franchise.
Through all its variations across the eight games it has appeared in, the Saiga managed to continue to be a popular choice for players thanks to ease of use, well-rounded stats, high rate of fire, and appealing design. It even saw some time in the spotlight as a top choice among shotguns in Battlefield 3 and Battlefield 4. Many will surely remember how fun and infuriating the gun was during the days of 24/7 Operation Locker servers in said games. The legacy the gun managed to carve out for itself has rightfully earned it a spot as an iconic weapon in the Battlefield franchise.
M16
It would be impossible to discuss the most iconic weapons in Battlefield without an entry dedicated to what is easily the franchise's most recognizable gun, the M16. Another weapon that appears in every game seemingly out of obligation, the M16 is remembered and revered for its strength, consistency, and classic weapon design that any player can recognize.
One of the unique aspects of the M16 is that it has multiple variations across multiple titles. In Battlefield 2 it appears as the M16A2 with a 3-round burst fire mode, but in Battlefield 3 it's the M16A3 and is fully automatic. This is a unique privilege very few guns in the franchise get to have and while some may call it favoritism others welcome this as one of the distinguishing features of the gun. It also helps that in multiple games the gun has been objectively the best in the meta so that has undoubtedly contributed to its popularity and iconic status within the franchise.