I don't get why no one is playing with the trope.

Lampshading: "You look weak. What happened to your weapons?"

The second Justified example: "The opening cutscene shows a mysterious rival stealing Baron's fire sword and magical armor, underestimating Baron by leaving him with just a knife." Fits in with Castlevania:Symphony of the Night without even going into sequel, after a few screens, Alucard is stripped of the most (Or second most) powerful equipment in the game.