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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For a broad story-first playthrough, start with Resident Evil 0, then play Resident Evil, the opening section of Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 2, and the rest of Resident Evil 3. Continue with Code: Veronica, Resident Evil 4, Revelations, Resident Evil 5, Revelations 2, Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Village, and Requiem. This is a useful game-only chronology, not a mandatory canon checklist: the series has several reasonable starting points, and its main entries tell complete stories in isolation.
Resident Evil games in story order
The sequence below follows broad in-universe chronology, including the overlap between Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. It uses the widely available remakes where appropriate; playing an original instead does not change the overall route.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Resident Evil Triple Pack - Nintendo Switch | $38.60 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection - Nintendo Switch | $37.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection (PS4) | $22.05 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- Resident Evil 0 — the earliest game in this chronology.
- Resident Evil — play either the original or a remake.
- Resident Evil 3 — opening section — this is the chronology-first placement for the remake’s overlapping Raccoon City events.
- Resident Evil 2 — play the original or remake.
- Resident Evil 3 — finish the game.
- Resident Evil Code: Veronica — often sold as Code: Veronica X.
- Resident Evil 4.
- Resident Evil: Revelations — an optional story-expanding offshoot.
- Resident Evil 5.
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 — an optional story-expanding offshoot.
- Resident Evil 6.
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard.
- Resident Evil Village.
- Resident Evil Requiem — Capcom identifies it as the ninth main installment; its announced February 27, 2026 release date has passed. Capcom’s release announcement lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
How to handle the Resident Evil 2 and 3 overlap
The Raccoon City stories in Resident Evil 2 and the Resident Evil 3 remake overlap. A chronology-first route splits Resident Evil 3 around Resident Evil 2, following the sequence recommended by GamesRadar’s chronological guide. That approach means stopping partway through a game.
If you would rather not interrupt a playthrough, finish Resident Evil 2 and then play all of Resident Evil 3. You will lose some chronological precision, but keep each game’s story continuous. The split is a suggested way to follow overlapping events, not a requirement for understanding either game.
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- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind what led to the horrors at the Mansion in Resident Evil in this fan-favorite and popular prequel title to the series.
- Completely enhanced visuals - New high-resolution textures have been created from scratch, including 1080p support on next-gen consoles, while still preserving the classic appearance of the original release.
- Fan-favorite Resident Evil characters - Rookie S.T.A.R.S. member Rebecca Chambers and wanted criminal Billy Coen combine skills and buddy up to survive the undead and infected nightmares that await them.
- All original difficulty levels plus new Very Easy Mode for novice players
Choose a shorter route or include the offshoots
Main-story route
For a shorter route focused on the main numbered and major continuation entries, play Resident Evil (original or remake) → Resident Evil 2 → Resident Evil 3 → Code: Veronica → Resident Evil 4 → Resident Evil 5 → Resident Evil 6 → Resident Evil 7: Biohazard → Village → Requiem. Add Resident Evil 0 first if you want the earliest in-universe events rather than an introduction closer to the original release era.
Expanded story route
To include the offshoots that add connective story, slot Resident Evil: Revelations between Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, and Resident Evil: Revelations 2 between Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6. PlayStation’s franchise guide gives those placements and describes the offshoots as additions to the broader story; they are not prerequisites for following the main games. PlayStation’s Resident Evil games guide notes that entries tell complete stories in isolation despite connective narrative elements.
Rank #2
- Play anywhere: play Resident Evil Triple Pack on the go using the Nintendo Switch system's handheld or at home in tabletop mode.
- Two-player local and online co-op: experience Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 locally or online with a friend.
- Game enhancements: includes a variety of game improvements for both Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6.
- Includes map packs, special costumes, plus the game modes from Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6.
Which Resident Evil game should I play first?
There is no single best first game for every player. PlayStation’s guide presents several valid entry points; choose based on whether chronology, release-era context, or a modernized introduction matters most to you.
- For earliest chronology: begin with Resident Evil 0, then play Resident Evil. The prequel came after the first game, so this is chronological rather than release order.
- For an original-era introduction: begin with Resident Evil, then continue through Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3.
- For modern presentation: start with the Resident Evil 2 remake. PlayStation recommends it as an entry point for players who want the series’ roots with updated visuals and gameplay.
Choosing a remake changes presentation and gameplay, not the broad position of that story in this guide. The series also has older entries whose current platform availability can vary by title and territory, so check the store for your region and platform before planning purchases.
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Rank #3
- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind the horrors in the Resident Evil mansion, as well as what led up to them, in these titles which mark the beginning of the Resident Evil timeline.
- Relive the classic horror in either its original settings or modified to modern-day standards
- Play as Albert Wesker in Resident Evil 0 - After completing the main campaign, players will be able to take control of the fan-favorite series antagonist, complete with his Uroboros powers from Resident Evil 5, to wreak havoc in the all new Wesker Mode
- Play Anywhere: Play Resident Evil Origins Collection on the go using the Nintendo Switch system's handheld or tabletop mode
What counts as the current endpoint?
Capcom identifies Resident Evil Requiem as the ninth main installment and announced a February 27, 2026 release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The date has passed as of October 2026. This guide is limited to games in the story route; it does not try to place every film, DLC chapter, or spin-off.
For scale, Capcom reported more than 174 million cumulative game units sold as of June 30, 2025. That is a dated series-wide figure, not a current total. Capcom’s 2025 report provides the June 30 cutoff.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Reawaken a Classic – Resident Evil 4 preserves the essence of the original game, now reconstructed using Capcom’s proprietary RE Engine to deliver realistic visuals and additional narrative depth to the iconic story that was not possible at the time of the original release.
- Modernized Gameplay – The team from 2019’s Resident Evil 2 returns to build upon the series’ modern approach to survival horror. Engage in frenzied combat with the Ganados villagers, explore a European village gripped by madness, and solve puzzles to access new areas and collect useful items for Leon and Ashley’s constant struggle to survive.
- Overwhelming Hordes – Face hordes of rabid enemies that threaten to overwhelm Leon with even more diverse methods of attack than in the original release.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
- Survive on a Knife’s Edge – Years of intense training have taught Leon new ways to use his knife, helping to even the odds against the unrelenting onslaught of enemies. By parrying enemy attacks, you can avoid debilitating damage and evade lunging enemies seeking to grab Leon and hold him in place. Make smart use of scavenged knives to deliver precise finishing moves on vulnerable enemies, and even use the element of surprise to quietly dispatch unsuspecting foes before they break.
Rank #4
- Return to the series' origins
- Enhanced visuals
- remastered sound effects
- Wesker mode
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
