History DualWielding / VideoGames

** Ezio Auditore in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedII'' and its sequels uses two hidden blades very efficiently.

** In ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII'' Connor, the new Assassin, can dual-wield ''anything''. Tomahawk/hidden blade? Tomahawk/pistol? Two pistols? You name it.
** Edward, as seen in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIVBlackFlag'', specialises in dual-wielding cutlasses.
** Starting with ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOdyssey'', all protagonists can dual-wield a wide variety of melee weapons. The Eagle Bearer still downplays it a bit by always using Leonidas' Spear in their off-hand. [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedValhalla Eivor]] has no such restrictions and can dual-wield any combination of spears, swords, axes, maces and even shields once they've acquired the necessary ability. Note that all swords in ''Valhalla'' are two-handed {{BFS}}s, and that both games allow for near-instant switching between [[BowAndSwordInAccord melee combat and archery]]. To make up for all that flexibility, a number of new enemy types (usually of the FragileSpeedster or LightningBruiser type) have also taken up dual-wielding, most often daggers or hatchets.

*** The player has several weapons that utilize dual wielding: [[AnAxeToGrind The Winged Knight Twinaxes]], Painting Guardian Sword and Farron Greatsword, with the latter having a dagger to compensate the greatsword's weight.

** Scyther has scicle-like claws for slashing foes.

* ''VideoGame/PrayerOfTheFaithless'': As [[https://rpgmaker.net/games/7969/Characters/ his character description]], says, Reyson can do it:

** ''VideoGame/BravelySecond'' brings the Ninja back, but also adds the Charioteer, which takes this trope UpToEleven by allowing characters to ''triple and quad wield'' weapons by equipping them in the head and armor slots, turning them into a GlassCannon.

* Various characters in ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriors'' and ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' dual-wield. On the ''VideoGame/DynastyWarriors'' side, Lu Xun in previous installments fought with two short swords and Liu Bei's revamped moveset in ''6'' gives him two long swords. After Cao Pi [[TookALevelInBadass got his own moveset and character design]] he used a "dual blade" which split into two long swords that he dual wields for some of his special attacks. Probably the most over the top is Pang De who dual-wields [[UpToEleven pair of halberds]]. Sun Ce also uses a pair of tonfas.

* In the Hebijo story mode of ''[[VideoGame/SenranKagura Senran Kagura: Burst]]'', some enemies will fight with a sword in each hand and spin their torsos to attack. Taken UpToEleven by Homura, who wields six swords at once (three in each hand) [[spoiler: until she becomes Crimson Homura, who will solely use her seventh sword unless performing the x button special attack]].

* ''VideoGame/MapleStory'' mostly averts this by having everyone wield one weapon, regardless of how many hands it needs to be held. Any off-hand items are shields. However, there are a couple of Bandit shields that are appear to be second daggers. They increase attack power and look like they're also striking the enemy along with the user's main dagger. Now played straight with the Dual Blade subset of thieves.
* ''VideoGame/MassEffect3'' introduced the omni-blade, an upgrade to your standard omni-tool that can be used to stab people. Most Sentinel variants in multiplayer wield two of these.
* In ''VideoGame/MechRunner'', the [=XP=]-41 can dual-wield melee weapons against enemy robots.
* In the ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'' games, Zero always seems to have two Z-Sabers in the official art, but never in actual play. Same goes for the Recoil Rod in ''Zero 3''. The recurring villain Harpuia also wields two blades. When you get the Biometal based on him in ''VideoGame/MegaManZX'', you have them too; you get a combo attack if you swing them alternately.
* In ''VideoGame/MightAndMagic 6'' and ''7'', dual-wielding is available to anyone who can become Dagger Expert (anyone but a Cleric) or Sword Master (varies), either of which skills allows the named weapon to be wielded in the left hand while any one-handed weapon is used in the right. In ''Might and Magic 9'', a Gladiator can become a Grandmaster of Spear and so dual-wield ''spears'' or even ''halberds''.

* In ''VideoGame/MitsumeteKnight'', one of the Eight Generals of the enemy [[PrivateMilitaryContractors mercenary brigade]] Valpha-Valaharian, [[ActionGirl Rinanore of]] [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast the Ice]] [[MeaningfulName and Fire]], wields two swords, and she even embues one of them with [[AnIcePerson ice magic]], and the [[FlamingSword other with]] [[PlayingWithFire fire magic]], [[InstantIceJustAddCold when us]][[KillItWithFire ing her]] LimitBreak.
* This is the style of the Dual Swords class in the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' franchise. Although as the series has gone on, the more appropriate name is Dual Blades as the weapons aren't necessarily always a pair of swords -- alternative forms for this weapon class include clubs, hatchets, kama sickles, steel war fans, and WolverineClaws.

* A few characters in the ''VideoGame/{{Neptunia}}'' series: IF (''katar'' punching daggers and gauntlets with WolverineClaws), [=Cyberconnect2=] (daggers), [=MarvelousAQL=] (katanas), and [[spoiler:[[AlternateUniverse Adult (Ultra Dimension)]] Neptune]] (swords).
* In ''VideoGame/NetHack'', your character can "train up" in dual-wielding skill (wearing a shield or wielding a two-handed weapon is also an option.) The best weapons to combine, if any, depends on which character-class you've chosen. In homage to the historical fact noted above, Samurais start the game with two swords.
* The ''Sigma'' UpdatedRerelease of the Xbox ''VideoGame/NinjaGaiden'' remake introduced the paired katana set known as the Dragon's Fang and Tiger's Claw. The proper sequel added twin tonfa and the wrist-and-foot-claws Falcon's Talon. Near the end, Ryu also [[spoiler:uses the True Dragon Sword and the Blade of the Archfiend together the same way he does the Dragon's Fang and Tiger's Claw.]]
* ''VideoGame/NocturneRPGMaker'' has Reviel, who can equip any combination of long swords and short swords. There are also some familiars who dual wield daggers, though familiars don't have any options for equipping weapons like the main characters.
* In ''VideoGame/NoMoreHeroes2DesperateStruggle'', Travis gets a beam katana two-set called the Rose Nasty. The one he holds in his left hand is shorter than the right hand one. It's also the fastest beam katana in the game, although it's also the weakest.

* Steroids from ''VideoGame/NuclearThrone'' utilizes his massive strength to hold and fire two weapons at once, whether they're [[GunsAkimbo firearms]] or melee weapons, or [[SwordAndGun both]].
* ''VideoGame/{{Onechanbara}}'' games:

* In ''VideoGame/PathOfExile'', dual wielding serves as a middle ground between weapon & shield combo and two-handed weapons. Dual wielding grants a bonus to attack speed and block chance. The only restriction is that you cannot dual wield both a melee and ranged weapon. Certain skills let you attack with both weapons and there are effects that only apply to weapons on the off-hand. Previously, you were able to only attack with your main hand weapon and use your off-hand weapon purely as a StatStick.
* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'':

* The ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' games sometimes featured this trope.

* [[FieryRedhead Annah]] from ''VideoGame/PlanescapeTorment'' dual-wields punching daggers (and, judging by the combat animations, her feet, though the game rules don't cover that).

* ''Riding Fight'', an arcade BeatEmUp by Creator/{{Taito}}, has one boss who wields a chainsaw in each hand.

* ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'' has the [[WeaponOfPeace Blade of Mercy]], the weapon of choice for the [[HunterOfHisOwnKind Hunter of Hunters]] oath. It's a short sword that can be [[BifurcatedWeapon split apart]] into a [[KnifeNut pair of daggers]]. Naturally, these are the [[SuperSpeed fastest attacking weapons]] in the game.

** In ''VideoGame/GuildWars2'' every one-handed weapon can be dual-wielded, with some restrictions (for instance, Elementalists, Necromancers and Thieves can dual-wield daggers, but Rangers can only use them in their off-hand). This is especially important for the Thief class, who get a unique attack for every [[SwordAndGun combination]] [[KnifeNut of]] [[GunsAkimbo weapons]].

* In ''VideoGame/KillerInstinct 1'', Black Orchid fought with twin laser swords, each capable of producing two "blades". When ''KI 2'' rolled around, she'd swapped to a pair of glowing tonfa. One of her opponents in the second game, Maya, was an Amazon warrior with a pair of [[KnifeNut broad-bladed knives]].

* Ichiro Ogami from ''VideoGame/SakuraWars'' does this with his katanas. This, of course, means his HumongousMecha dual-wields katanas as well. Same thing applies to his nephew [[VideoGame/SakuraWarsSoLongMyLove Shinjiro Taiga]]. The ''New York NY'' OVA reveals that both of them were taught the technique by Ichiro's older sister (and Shinjiro's mother) Futaba.

** Yazoo from the same movie gets bonus points for dual wielding a pair of ''gunblades. [[GunsAkimbo That possess firearm capabilities]].'' He may have quite the feminine face, but ''damn'' if he doesn't play WhiteHairBlackHeart almost as well as [[ImageSource Kadaj]].

* ''VideoGame/AshesAfterglow'': [[PlayerCharacter Scav]] can wield either the crowbar or a handgun alongside his Solar Lantern, the only way he has of seeing in the dark.

* ''VideoGame/DmCDevilMayCry'':
** Lucia dual-wields daggers, while Dante does this in the third game with the Agni & Rudra [[ElementalRockPaperScissors fire and wind]] scimitars. Vergil takes it a step further with his Yamato katana and Force Edge broadsword, although quasi-realistically enough he doesn't try to strike with both at the same time.
** Dante dual wields giant chainsaws transformed from a demonic motorcycle.

* Both titular protagonists of Creator/SquareEnix's UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi-inspired games, ''VideoGame/BraveFencerMusashi'' and ''VideoGame/MusashiSamuraiLegend'', dual wield a katana with a [[{{BFS}} big]] [[MagicSword magic]] [[{{BFS}} broadsword]]. The former only ever has one broadsword at a time, while the latter can collect up to ''six''.

* ''VideoGame/AshesAfterglow'': [[PlayerCharacter Scav]] can wield either the crowbar or a handgun alongside his Solar Lantern, the only way he has of seeing in the dark.

* It's very common in video games based on ''Franchise/StarWars''.
** The mad Twi'lek Dark Jedi Boc, from ''VideoGame/JediKnightDarkForcesII'', uses a single unusually thick lightsaber -- which, when he feels particularly threatened, he splits into two slender ones.
** ''VideoGame/JediKnightJediAcademy'':
*** Your character has the option of using the two-saber style (with which you can also quench one saber to single-wield if you wish). You can even make each one a different color. Hypnotic?
*** [[TheDragon Alora]] has two lightsabers during your second fight with her.
** In ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'' and its sequel ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublicIITheSithLords'', any character (except [[spoiler:Kreia]] after she gets her hand chopped off) can dual wield one-handed weapons. While the game doesn't allow for SwordAndGun, you can bring GunsAkimbo (even T3-M4, the game's ShoutOut to R2-D2, can do this) with dual pistols or dual wield 2 full-sized melee weapons. However, you take a penalty unless you invest in character perks, and an additional penalty unless you use a "balanced weapon" (generally a "short" variant of the lightsaber or vibroblade, or a smaller pistol) in your off-hand.[[note]]A bug will occur if you equip a lightsaber and a vibroblade dual-wielded. While it has no impact on game mechanics, the vibroblade will make the iconic lightsaber sounds instead of the sword sounds.[[/note]]
** ''VideoGame/StarWarsEmpireAtWar: Forces of Corruption'' example: Urai Fen, Zann Consortium HeroUnit, who dual-wields two BFS's. That can kill a light vehicle in one hit.
** ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheForceUnleashed2'' lets you dual wield [[LaserBlade lightsabers]] in ReverseGrip.
** In ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', the Jedi Knight and Sith Warrior can dual-wield lightsabers if they take the Sentinel and Marauder specializations respectively, which focuses on pure DPS. Similarly, the Bounty Hunter and the Smuggler can go GunsAkimbo if they choose the Mercenary and Gunslinger specializations, which also focus on damage-dealing (with a bit of CombatMedic in the case of the Bounty Hunter).

*** Only available to player characters of the rogue class using a pair of daggers. It is one of the strongest rogue builds in the game, especially when paired with Duellist and Assassin, allowing you to shred virtually anything quickly - especially if it's stunned (giving you automatic criticals with one specific talent).

* In ''VideoGame/HellgateLondon'', dual wielding is one of the skills of the Blademaster. Unusually for this trope, this is actually much slower and clumsier than fighting with one weapon, or even a sword and an off-hand pistol - the advantage is that you're hitting them with two weapons, which, unsurprisingly, does a lot more damage than just one, as well as being able to hit with two different damage types and stack mod effects.

* This is the style of the Dual Swords class in the ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' franchise. Although as the series has gone on, the more appropriate name is Dual Blades as the weapons aren't necessarily always a pair of swords - alternative forms for this weapon class include clubs, hatchets, kama sickles, steel war fans, and WolverineClaws.

** The mad Twi'lek Dark Jedi Boc, from ''VideoGame/JediKnightDarkForcesII'', uses a single unusually thick lightsaber--which, when he feels particularly threatened, he splits into two slender ones.

* ''VideoGame/Wolfenstein3D: Spear of Destiny'' has a villainous version: Ubermutant, the boss of Level 16, wields a knife in each of its four hands--or perhaps, has a knife instead of a hand for each of its four arms; the ancient graphics make this a little unclear. Yes, this is a game where the main weapons are guns. [[ChestBlaster He has one of those, too.]]

* Steroids from ''VideoGame/NuclearThrone'' utilizes his massive strength to hold and fire two weapons at once, whether they're [[GunsAkimbo firearms]] or melee weapons.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Onechanbara}}'' games:

** Starting with ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedOdyssey'', all protagonists can dual-wield a wide variety of melee weapons. The Eagle Bearer still downplays it a bit by always using Leonidas' Spear in their off-hand. [[VideoGame/AssassinsCreedValhalla Eivor]] has no such restrictions and can dual-wield any combination of spears, swords, axes, maces and even shields once they've acquired the necessary ability. Note that all swords in ''Valhalla'' are two-handed {{BFG}}s, and that both games allow for near-instant switching between [[BowAndSwordInAccord melee and archery]].