For most newcomers, Resident Evil 2 (2019) is the easiest place to start: Capcom USA staff call it “a great jumping-on point for the series.” If you want the older fixed-camera survival-horror style, try the 2002 remake of the first Resident Evil. For Resident Evil 4, either the 2005 original or 2023 remake is a worthwhile choice; play both if you want to compare how the story and design changed.
Should you play the Resident Evil originals or remakes?
There is no single version that replaces every original. The remakes differ from one another: the 2002 first-game remake retains classic control options, the 2019 Resident Evil 2 changes presentation and some details, and Capcom says the 2023 Resident Evil 4 reworks the story. Choose according to whether you want an approachable entry, classic survival-horror design, or a comparison of how a specific game was remade.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $18.13 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil Origins Collection - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Resident Evil 4 Remake Strategy Guide | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Choose a version by what you want
- New to the series: Start with Resident Evil 2 (2019), which Capcom USA staff recommend as a jumping-on point.
- Want classic survival horror: Choose the 2002 remake of Resident Evil. It reimagines the PS1 game and retains tank controls as an option in the enhanced release described by Capcom.
- Interested in the original design: Seek out an original where it is accessible, especially if you want to understand the series’ earlier design choices. Availability depends on game, platform, and region.
- Want to compare a remake with its source: Play both versions of Resident Evil 4. It is a rewarding comparison, not a prerequisite for following the series.
Which Resident Evil game should you play first?
Capcom USA staff recommend Resident Evil 2 (2019): “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, published October 18, 2024. It is a direct option if you want a modern starting point rather than beginning with the earliest release.
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If the older survival-horror format is the appeal, the 2002 remake of Resident Evil offers a way into that style with refinements to gameplay, graphics, and sound, in Capcom’s description. Its enhanced release also lets players select between the original tank-control scheme and an alternate modern analog movement option. The original PS1 game may interest players curious about the series’ beginnings, but the sources here do not establish current access to every regional version.
#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.
How do the original Resident Evil and its 2002 remake differ?
Capcom describes the 2002 version as a re-imagined take on the PS1 original, with refined gameplay, graphics, and sound. Its later enhanced release offers control and display options rather than forcing every player into one presentation.
- Controls: Tank controls remain available, and players can instead select modern analog movement.
- Presentation: A scrolling camera option adapts the original 4:3 presentation to a 16:9 view; Capcom says settings can be adjusted in game.
Those options make the 2002 remake a sensible pick if you want the classic survival-horror form with refinements. They do not establish that every version of the original or remake is equally accessible on current platforms.
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.
Source: Capcom USA, Enhanced Resident Evil remake coming to current and next-gen platforms, August 5, 2014.
Is Resident Evil 2 remake different from the original?
Yes. Capcom’s comparison points to changes beyond visual fidelity: a location encountered early in the 1998 original appears later in the 2019 remake, and Ada is depicted differently. These examples show changes in presentation and structure, but they do not amount to a full account of scenario, route, or campaign differences.
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.
If you are choosing only one for a first playthrough, Capcom staff’s recommendation is the 2019 game. Choose the 1998 version if you specifically want the original release’s design and presentation, subject to platform and regional availability.
Source: Resident Evil Portal / Capcom, REanalyzing: Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 2: Remake, February 1, 2021.
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
What should you know about Resident Evil 3?
Resident Evil 3 (2020) is part of the modern remake releases, but the official material cited here does not establish a detailed comparison with the 1999 original. It would be misleading to make specific claims here about content cuts, pacing, or which version is better. If you are deciding between them, check current platform and regional listings for the editions you can access.
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Capcom identifies Resident Evil 4 (2023) as a remake of the lauded 2005 title and says the newer game reworks the story to provide a fresh gameplay experience. In 2025, the company described its reimagined gameplay as carefully preserving the original’s appeal. That supports a clear distinction: the remake reshapes the experience while aiming to retain elements Capcom considers central to the original.
Best Value
Choose the 2005 game if you want to experience its original design; choose the 2023 remake for the reworked version. Playing both is useful if you want to compare narrative and design changes, but it is not necessary to understand the series. Capcom’s descriptions do not establish every specific difference in combat, camera, pacing, or content.
Sources: Capcom Co., Ltd., New Resident Evil 4 Announced for March 24, 2023 Release!, June 3, 2022; and Resident Evil 4 tops 10 Million Units Worldwide!, April 25, 2025.
What to check before choosing a version
- Platform and region: Availability can differ by title, edition, platform, and region. Confirm the current regional store listing rather than assuming an original release is available on your system.
- Edition contents: For a collection, check which games and additional content it includes. Capcom announced a Resident Evil Remake Trilogy collection, but that announcement alone does not verify current stock, a retailer listing, or a particular SKU.
- Physical or digital: Confirm whether the listing is for a physical or digital edition and that it matches your platform.
What sales figures tell you—and what they do not
Capcom reported that Resident Evil 4 remake had sold more than 10 million units worldwide as of December 31, 2024, in an announcement dated April 25, 2025. The same announcement put cumulative Resident Evil series sales above 167 million units as of that date. These are commercial figures, not evidence that one version is artistically superior.
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