In Cave Story, Quote can collect many weapons, each differing in abilities. By gaining Energy Crystals that are in the shape of orange, shining small, medium and large-sized triangles, you can level your weapon up to 1, 2 and 3, 3 being the maximum. The level of which Quote's current weapon is at can be seen in the orange bar at the top left side of the screen. Energy crystals fall from enemies after their defeat, as well as certain containers. As Quote's weapon levels up, it's power, abilites and/or range change, depending on the weapon. Quote's experience lowers as he takes damage, so he'd have to continue collecting experience to manage his levels and keep them at the maximum. Due to the game's weapon trading system, the player will only ever carry five different weapons at a time.
Weapons[]
 Polar Star |
The first required weapon, found in the First Cave. Fires fast-moving slow-ranged bullets. Bullets do more damage each time the weapon is levelled up. 2 bullets can be on screen at once. |
 Missile Launcher |
The first optional weapon, obtained the first time you open a chest that normally contains a Missile Expansion. Can be found at earliest in the Egg Corridor. Fires somewhat slow but long-ranged projectiles. Missiles become more powerful at level 2, and 3 are fired at once at level 3. It has limited ammo, which can be refilled by items dropped by killed enemies |
 Fireball |
The second required weapon, given to the player by Santa in the Bushlands after returning Santa's Key. Fires projectiles which fall to the ground and bounce along it. |
 Bubbline |
The second optional weapon, found in Mimiga Village by using Jellyfish Juice in the Assembly Hall's fireplace. Fires short range bubbles which do low damage at level 1. Bubbles do more damage at level 2. At level 3, you can hold fire to start creating a shield of bubbles around you, then release to fire them all at once. |
 Machine Gun |
The first potential upgrade for the Polar Star, gotten from Curly Brace while she's still in the Sand Zone. Fires rapid shots but has limited ammo which slowly recharges overtime. Levels up slowly but levels down fast. At level 2, it recharges faster, and at level 3 it recharges incredibly fast. At level 3, jumping and shooting downwards allows flight, allowing early access to some items. |
 Blade |
The third and last required weapon, obtained from King after the final boss of the Sand Zone. |
 Super Missile Launcher |
Optional, more powerful upgrade of the regular Missile Launcher found in a chest that appears after defeating Balrog in the Labyrinth. If the regular Missile Launcher has not been obtained, the chest will be unopenable, making the Super Missile Launcher unobtainable. |
 Snake |
The second potential upgrade for the Polar Star, gotten from Chaba at the Labyrinth. Requires giving up the Fireball. |
 Spur |
The third potential upgrade for the Polar Star, gotten by returning the Polar Star to the Hermit Gunsmith after escaping the Labyrinth. Requires the Booster v2.0 to reach. |
 Nemesis |
The last optional weapon, obtained by trading the Blade to Mr. Little. Unlike the other trades, this one is reversible, allowing you to trade the Nemesis back for the Blade. |