What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
For most newcomers, Resident Evil 2 (2019) is the clearest place to start: Capcom USA staff recommend it as “a great jumping-on point for the series.” If you want the older fixed-camera survival-horror style, try the 2002 remake of the original Resident Evil. For Resident Evil 4, the 2005 original and 2023 remake are both worth considering for different reasons; playing both is optional, not a prerequisite for understanding the series.
Should you play the Resident Evil originals or remakes?
Choose based on the experience you want, rather than assuming a remake simply replaces its original. The versions differ in presentation and, in some cases, story treatment; the extent of those changes varies by game.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Resident Evil 4 Remake Strategy Guide | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- For a straightforward starting point: Resident Evil 2 (2019). Capcom USA staff recommended it to new players in its October 18, 2024 guide.
- For classic survival-horror structure with refinements: the 2002 remake of Resident Evil, which retains tank controls as an option and offers alternate modern movement in the enhanced release Capcom described.
- For a comparison of an original and a reworked version: play both Resident Evil 4 (2005) and its 2023 remake if you are curious about how the later game reshapes the story and experience.
Camera and controls, atmosphere and pacing, story changes, interest in historical design, and platform availability are all useful considerations. The evidence is game-specific: options documented for the first game’s remake should not be assumed to apply to the others.
Which Resident Evil game should you play first?
Capcom USA staff’s advice is direct: “If you’re a new player, start out with Resident Evil 2 (2019). It’s a great jumping-on point for the series.” The recommendation appears in Capcom’s Resident Evil: Where to Play guide. It offers a clear modern entry point without requiring you to play the 1998 original first.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
If your main interest is the series’ older fixed-camera survival-horror form, the 2002 remake of the first game is another sensible place to begin. Choose the original 1996 release if you specifically want to experience the series’ beginnings and can find an edition that works for your platform and region; current availability of every regional version is not established here.
Resident Evil (1996) vs. Resident Evil (2002): which version fits?
Capcom describes the 2002 game as a re-imagined take on the original, with refined gameplay, graphics, and sound. For its enhanced-release announcement, Capcom said players could keep the original tank controls or select modern analog movement. It also described a scrolling-camera option that adapts the original 4:3 presentation to a 16:9 view, with settings adjustable in game. Those specifics come from Capcom’s August 5, 2014 announcement.
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.
- Pick the 2002 remake if you want the classic survival-horror structure with updated presentation and a choice of control style in the enhanced version Capcom discussed.
- Seek out the 1996 original if experiencing the earliest release matters more to you than those refinements, subject to finding an accessible regional edition.
Resident Evil 2 (1998) vs. Resident Evil 2 (2019): what changes?
Capcom’s comparison of the two games points to changes beyond visual fidelity. For example, a location encountered early in the original appears later in the remake, and Ada’s depiction is different. These examples show that the remake changes presentation and the way material is arranged; they are not a complete account of its scenarios, routes, or campaigns. Capcom’s February 1, 2021 comparison documents those examples.
If you are choosing only one version as a new player, Capcom USA staff recommend the 2019 game as an entry point. Choose the 1998 original if you specifically want to experience the earlier release; this comparison does not establish that every route or scenario differs in a particular way.
Rank #3
- 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.
Resident Evil 3 (1999) vs. Resident Evil 3 (2020): what can be established?
The available official material confirms the modern Resident Evil 3 release date and platforms, but does not substantiate a detailed original-versus-remake content comparison. That is not enough to make precise claims about cuts, pacing, or which version is better. Treat the choice as one between the original release and its modern remake, and check current regional platform listings for the edition you want.
Resident Evil 4 (2005) vs. Resident Evil 4 (2023): is the remake different?
Yes. Capcom identifies the 2023 title as a remake of the 2005 game and said the remake reworks the story to provide a fresh gameplay experience. In 2025, Capcom described the reimagined gameplay as carefully preserving the original’s appeal. Together, those statements support a measured view: the remake updates and reshapes the experience while seeking to retain what Capcom considers central to the original. They do not establish every specific change to combat, camera, pacing, or content.
Rank #4
- 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
Capcom’s June 3, 2022 announcement introduced the remake, and its April 25, 2025 release reported that the game had passed 10 million units worldwide, with the figure current as of December 31, 2024. Sales are a commercial measure, not evidence that one version is artistically superior.
- Play the 2023 remake if you want Capcom’s reworked version of the story and a fresh gameplay experience.
- Play the 2005 original if you want the earlier design or a direct comparison with the remake.
- Play both if you are interested in how a remake can preserve elements of an original while reshaping its experience. You do not need both to follow the series.
How should platform availability affect your choice?
Availability depends on the specific title, edition, platform, and region. Before buying, verify the current listing for your region and check whether it is physical or digital, which game or games it includes, and the supported platform. Capcom’s Resident Evil Remake Trilogy collection announcement describes a collection of three remake titles and additional content; check a current store listing for its exact contents and availability.
Best Value
Capcom reported cumulative Resident Evil series sales exceeding 167 million units as of December 31, 2024, in its April 25, 2025 announcement. That franchise-wide figure provides context for the series’ reach, not a comparison of the quality of its originals and remakes.
Quick Recap
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.
