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If you want to revisit the stories behind the anticipated remakes, play the original Resident Evil 5 first, then Resident Evil 6. Capcom describes RE5 as built around two operatives and co-op play, and says RE6 takes place after it. If you would rather play a different series entry, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, and Resident Evil 4 are straightforward alternatives.
One caveat: Capcom’s official materials cited here list the original RE5 and RE6, but do not confirm remakes or a release schedule for them. “Waiting” is therefore a reader’s premise, not a confirmed Capcom timetable.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $69.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Start with Resident Evil 5, then play Resident Evil 6
For the most direct route to the two games named in the title, play them in release-story order: Resident Evil 5 followed by Resident Evil 6. Capcom says RE6 takes place after RE5 and follows several interconnected stories, including those of Leon S. Kennedy and Sherry Birkin. That makes RE5 the supported starting point for this pair. Capcom’s Resident Evil lineup lists both original games.
Resident Evil 5: the co-op-focused pick
Capcom describes RE5 as starring two B.S.A.A. operatives: Chris Redfield and his partner, Sheva Alomar. Its October 29, 2019 announcement calls the game “highly regarded for its co-op gameplay” and says you can play solo or with a friend. Choose it if you want the most direct preparation for an RE5 remake, or if cooperative play is part of what you want from your next series game. Capcom’s 2019 announcement also describes the Switch release and bundle format.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazon Exclusive - 2 sided poster included in every game!
- Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who is introverted and easily scared, representing a new type of character for the Resident Evil series. Grace will experience horror from the same perspective as the player as she learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story.
- For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, players will be able to freely switch between both first- and third-person perspectives throughout the game.
- An Anniversary to Remember: With March 2026 marking the Resident Evil series’ 30-year anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem marks its own milestone in the franchise.
- Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem are now open, with the bonus of Grace’s costume: Apocalypse. Please note that the picture weapon does not come with the costume, but it can be obtained in-game.
Resident Evil 6: the follow-up with interconnected stories
Move to RE6 after RE5 if you want to follow the sequence Capcom identifies. The publisher says RE6 unfolds after RE5 and connects multiple storylines, including those featuring Leon S. Kennedy and Sherry Birkin. That story structure makes it the natural second game for readers interested in the original RE5–RE6 pairing.
Want a different Resident Evil game instead?
Capcom’s lineup also includes RE2, RE3, RE4, Resident Evil 7 biohazard, Resident Evil Village, Resident Evil Revelations, and Resident Evil Revelations 2. The official listing establishes that these are series options, not a ranking. The following picks are preference-based suggestions rather than a Capcom comparison of quality, scares, or pacing.
Rank #2
- 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.
Resident Evil 2: choose another mainline entry
Pick RE2 if you want to stay with a numbered mainline game without going straight to RE5. It is one of the entries in Capcom’s official lineup; the cited material does not establish how its tone or mechanics compare with RE5 or RE6.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsResident Evil 3: choose another numbered-series option
RE3 is another numbered entry to consider if you want to play a different mainline game while you wait. Capcom lists it alongside RE2 and RE4, but does not rank those games or compare their horror intensity or campaign length.
Rank #3
- TERRIFYING ZOMBIES WAITING AROUND EVERY CORNER -- Driven by insatiable hunger, these creatures act on instinct, gnashing their teeth, ripping at flesh, and devouring their victims. The new immersive camera lets you feel their fangs as they sink into your flesh.
- RACCOON CITY, REBUILT IN INTRICATE DETAIL -- The characters, environments, and story have all been rebuilt from the ground up to create a terrifying world that feels both nostalgic and new.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
Resident Evil 4: choose the other game in the historical Switch bundle
RE4 is a suitable alternative if you want a different series entry, and it was also part of Capcom’s 2019 Switch Triple Pack. That historical package included RE4 on cartridge and download codes for RE5 and RE6. Capcom’s announcement does not establish that the bundle is currently in stock, what it costs now, or whether any included code can still be redeemed.
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Platform and edition availability can change which option makes sense. For Nintendo Switch 2, Capcom announced on September 10, 2026 that RE2, RE3, and RE4 would release on October 16, 2026. That date is upcoming as of October 4, 2026; check Capcom’s announcement for the release details. Capcom’s Switch 2 announcement
Rank #4
- FEAR COMES HOME -- Fear, combat, exploration, and item management: these are the four pillars of survival horror, a genre that has never been more masterfully executed than in the gameplay of Resident Evil. The horror continues in the ground-breaking Resident Evil 7. Step into the new Isolated View and experience true survival horror in a world created by the all-new RE Engine.
- DEEP IN THE BAYOU - When Ethan Winters opened his inbox, the last thing he expected was to find an email from his wife; she had been missing for three years. The message was simple: "Come get me," and an address in Louisiana. This leads Ethan to a decrepit mansion in the heart of the bayou. The place has a seriously creepy vibe, but Ethan continues his search – until a stranger attacks him and knocks him unconscious. Ethan has no idea what awaits him when he wakes up...for he is now in the clutches of the Baker family.
- A NEW PERSPECTIVE -- In RESIDENT EVIL 7, we're changing the way you interact with the world. For this next major entry in the series, play from a first-person point of view, dramatically increasing your ability to become fully absorbed in the world we have created.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
The older Switch Triple Pack is a separate, historical retail bundle, not evidence of current availability. If you find a listing, verify its region and platform compatibility, and confirm that any download codes are redeemable before buying. Capcom’s 2019 announcement described original North American and Latin American distribution, with RE4 on cartridge and codes for RE5 and RE6.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- CLASSIC RESIDENT EVIL GAMEPLAY -- Overcome chilling encounters in a relentless fight for survival that ratchets up the intensity through nail-biting exploration and gripping puzzle-solving.
- EXPLORE RACCOON CITY FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE -- Get even closer to the action with an over-the-shoulder camera and updated control scheme, drawing you into every bloodcurdling encounter.
- SURVIVE TOGETHER IN THE MULTIPLAYER MODE -- Bring up to four friends into the carnage with Resident Evil Resistance, a multiplayer survival horror experience included in the Resident Evil 3 package. Available as a PlayStation 4 title compatible on all PlayStation 5 devices. Includes code necessary for redemption, requires additional download not on disc.
- NEW FOR PLAYSTATION5 – Upgraded features new to the PlayStation5 version of the game include a higher frame rate, 3D audio, added ray tracing, and engaging DualSense support for Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers.
Quick choice guide
| Game | Why choose it | What the cited Capcom material establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil 5 | You want the direct starting point for the RE5 remake premise, or co-op play. | Chris Redfield and Sheva Alomar are the two operatives; play is solo or with a friend. |
| Resident Evil 6 | You want to continue the RE5 sequence. | It takes place after RE5 and tells multiple interconnected stories. |
| Resident Evil 2 | You want another numbered-series entry. | Listed in Capcom’s lineup; a comparative ranking is not stated. |
| Resident Evil 3 | You want a different numbered-series entry. | Listed in Capcom’s lineup; a comparative ranking is not stated. |
| Resident Evil 4 | You want another series option, including one featured in the historical Switch Triple Pack. | Listed in Capcom’s lineup; the 2019 pack put RE4 on cartridge and included codes for RE5 and RE6. |
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.
