The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For a broad, game-only story route, play Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil, the opening section of Resident Evil 3, Resident Evil 2, then finish 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 practical chronology, not a mandatory canon checklist: PlayStation notes that the entries tell complete stories in isolation, and there is no single definitive first game.
Resident Evil games in story order
The order below follows the broad in-universe sequence for the main games and two story-expanding offshoots. It uses remakes where they are a suitable modern option; the original Resident Evil can also occupy the first-game slot.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Origins Collection - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Resident Evil Triple Pack - Nintendo Switch | $39.99 | 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 |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Resident Evil 0 — the earliest game in the chronological guide. Because it is a prequel released after the first game, you can also save it until after Resident Evil if you would rather meet the series in release-era context.
- Resident Evil — play the original or remake.
- Resident Evil 3 (opening section) — for strict chronology, play its opening portion before Resident Evil 2.
- Resident Evil 2 — the events overlap with Resident Evil 3.
- Resident Evil 3 (remainder) — return to the game and finish it.
- Resident Evil Code: Veronica — often sold as Code: Veronica X; it is a significant continuation after the Raccoon City games despite not having a number in its title.
- Resident Evil 4
- Resident Evil: Revelations — an optional offshoot between 4 and 5.
- Resident Evil 5
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 — an optional offshoot between 5 and 6.
- Resident Evil 6
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Resident Evil Village
- Resident Evil Requiem — Capcom identifies it as the ninth main installment. Capcom announced a February 27, 2026 release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2; that date has passed.
The chronology-first split of Resident Evil 3 comes from GamesRadar’s guide; it is a recommended way to account for the overlap, not a requirement imposed by the games.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesChoose the route that suits your first playthrough
Strict chronology
Start with Resident Evil 0 and split Resident Evil 3 around Resident Evil 2, as listed above. This places events as early as possible in the fictional timeline, but it interrupts two games and starts with a prequel.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Continuous play without stopping mid-game
Play Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, then all of Resident Evil 3, followed by the remaining titles in the list. The middle events will not be arranged as tightly by chronology, but you can finish each game in one sitting or over a continuous run.
A more representative first experience
Begin with Resident Evil (original or remake), then play Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3. This gives the first game its release-era context and lets you experience the Raccoon City story without opening on a prequel.
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.
A modern starting point
PlayStation recommends the Resident Evil 2 remake for players who want the series’ roots with updated visuals and gameplay. Starting there is a reasonable choice if you want a modern presentation rather than strict chronology.
Main-story route or expanded route?
For a shorter run through the central numbered-story path, play Resident Evil (or its remake), Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3, Code: Veronica, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Village and Requiem. Add Revelations before 5 and Revelations 2 before 6 if you want the offshoots that expand the connective story. PlayStation describes those games as offshoots and says the main entries can be understood as complete stories on their own.
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
Availability for older entries varies by title, platform and territory. Check the store for your region and platform before planning a purchase; there is no single availability list that applies to every player.
Which Resident Evil game should I play first?
Choose based on what you want from the first game: Resident Evil 0 for the earliest in-universe events, Resident Evil for an introduction closer to the series’ release context, or the Resident Evil 2 remake for a modernized entry point. PlayStation emphasizes that no one starting point is definitive and that each entry tells a complete story in isolation.
Rank #4
- Return to the series' origins
- Enhanced visuals
- remastered sound effects
- Wesker mode
What “story order” covers
This is a practical order for the games listed, not an official Capcom master timeline. It does not place every film, DLC chapter or spin-off, and the split within Resident Evil 3 is a chronology-minded editorial recommendation. You can follow the main story without treating every side entry as required.
Recommended Free Tools
Capcom reported more than 174 million cumulative game units sold as of June 30, 2025. That is a dated series-sales figure, not a current lifetime total.
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.
Sources
- PlayStation: Resident Evil games in order
- GamesRadar: Resident Evil games in order
- Capcom: Resident Evil Requiem announcement and release details
- Capcom 2025 corporate report
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.
