Every Resident Evil Game Ranked

Every Resident Evil Game Ranked from Worst to Best

Latest posts by James Gibson (see all)

How can a mother choose a favorite amongst her children? Well, this old saying is really not the case for me and the Resident Evil franchise. To me, a game is either good or not; I cannot take my nostalgic feelings for a series or game of old and transfer that onto a different/newer title just because the box has the same logo on it or the same voice actors pop up now and again. 

Every Resident Evil Games

However, while I have a definite opinion regarding what makes a good Resident Evil game and what doesn’t, I understand that the criteria which In which we have every Resident Evil game ranked are going to be completely different from yours and, in some cases, our personal rankings may be completely different, and I accept that. Except for a couple of the stinkers on this list, that is. So, with this being said, why don’t we take a look at the selection criteria I used to rank these games?

Selection Criteria

  • First and foremost, my opinion on whether a game is good or not is whether or not I actually enjoyed my time whilst playing it. Crazy, I know.
  • Next, I considered whether these games are truly horror games and not just action shooters designed to bring in the biggest crowds possible.
  • Of course, I also had to consider elements of the game’s main storyline. This included the actual plot, the scenery, and the level design, as well as the bosses. 
  • Sadly, I also had to include combat mechanics in my criteria for this list because nobody wants clunky mechanics, regardless if you want a huge amount of combat in your RE game.
  • Lastly, I also considered just how well polished these games were. Campcom and the RE franchise are notorious for releasing games ages before they would be considered finished by any diligent studio, so this was something I really had to keep a close eye on.

With the selection criteria stated for your benefit, let’s jump right into this list because, believe me, it’s gonna be a long journey.

Resident Evil Gaiden

Resident Evil Gaiden 

  • Release Date: December 2001 
  • GameRankings Score: 56%
  • Console: Gameboy Color

While there are certainly worse games on this list, I felt like I just had to put Resident Evil Gaiden in here somewhere for one simple reason. That being, it is simply not a Resident Evil game. To me, it seems that guys over at Capcom found out about the Gameboy color and decided to shovel out a RE title for it as quickly as possible in order to make a quick buck. 

This is because nothing in the game actually reminds you of a RE game. Yes, it does share some of the same named characters, but if I hadn’t known this game was called Resident Evil, I would have suspected plagiarism before guessing that it was a direct spin-off. 

Umbrella Corps

Umbrella Corps

  • Release Date: June 2016
  • Metacritic Score: 38
  • Console: PS4 and PC

Yes, you already knew this title was going to come in dead last, didn’t you? Well, the hate that Umbrella Crops receives is precisely warranted as it is not only a disappointment of a RE entry but just a disappointment in general. I’m only happy that they seemingly forgot to put the franchise name on the box. 

Once again, the main flaw with this game was that it didn’t actually feel like an RE game. Instead, many gamers compared it to an undercooked version of CoD. Probably the most embarrassing thing about this multiplayer shooter is that Capcom developed it for the growing Esports market. As you might imagine, this didn’t happen as the servers lay empty mere weeks after the game’s release.

Resident Evil: Survivor

Resident Evil: Survivor

  • Release Date: January 2000
  • Metacritic Score: 39
  • Console: Playstation

This title was the first-ever RE game not to be part of the main series. This spin-off was not only ill-advised but completely tone-deaf in terms of what the fans actually wanted from their RE experience. 

This game was originally supposed to be sold alongside an arcade-style light gun that transformed your gaming experience entirely. However, since Capcom loaned out the RE IP for this title, the resultant game came back to them without support for this light gun in the North American market. This left most Americans and Europeans without a fancy plastic gun to distract them from the lack of a game that was remaining.

Resident Evil: Zero

Resident Evil: Zero 

  • Release Date: November 2002
  • Metacritic Score: 83 (GameCube), 62 (Wii)
  • Console: GameCube, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Playstation 3 and 4, PC

While many people like Resident Evil: Zero and hold it in high esteem, my opinion on it is unwavering and tremendously low. First of all, the partnership between Rebecca Chamber and Billy Coen always confused me. I understand what the developers were going for here; pairing up a cop with a former force reconnaissance officer turned convict sounds cool, but you know what it also sounds like? Cliche drivel that any two-year-old could come up with.

Finally, this game can probably accomplish the worst thing possible in all media production, and it manages to make itself completely forgettable. Nothing in this game stuck in my mind after I put it down for the final time. I felt like I had the remote from Adam Sandler’s ‘Click’ as I seemingly teleported hours into the future every time I played the title. 

Resident Evil: Operation Racoon City

Resident Evil: Operation Racoon City

  • Release Date: March 2012
  • Metacritic Score: 48
  • Console: PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360

I feel like I don’t really need to explain why Resident Evil: Operation Racoon City is here. However, if I must, we should talk about the shocking AI system that crippled this game’s chances of being taken seriously. Oh, and I would also like to mention the horrible mechanics that turned this shooter into a rage-inducing nightmare to try and actually play on a difficulty harder than the ones babies could play. 

This game takes place between RE 2 and RE 3, and the events that occur in the game aren’t actually part of the RE canon. Instead, they are merely hypothetical moments that could have taken place. I ask you, what is the point of that?

Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2

Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2

  • Release Date: September 2004
  • Metacritic Score: 58
  • Console: Playstation 2

This game was released as an expansion to the decently received RE: Outbreak as a standalone title.  However, the timing of this game’s release couldn’t has been worse as it immediately followed the much loved and critically acclaimed RE 4. 

The love fans had for RE 4 and the polish the game’s mechanics had really showed off the flaws buried at the core of this game, tarnishing it for anyone who played it at the time of release. In the end, though, this game’s real crime was a complete inability to grasp even the simplest of gaming mechanics to allow players to, you know, actually play the game properly.

Resident Evil: Resistance

Resident Evil: Resistance 

  • Release Date: April 2020
  • Metacritic Score: 64
  • Console: Playstation 4, PC, Xbox One

To put it simply, Capcom really has to stop lending the Resident Evil IP out to other studios. Resident Evil: Resistance, designed by NeoBards Entertainment, is the most blatant rip-off I have seen in a while. Clearly, they saw the success of Dead by Daylight and decided to throw a RE skin over the top of it and called it a day because that’s all this game. Except much worse than DbD. 

This game came free with the RE 3 remake, yet I still feel like I paid too much money for it. The complete lack of originality and ability to leave you feeling underwhelmed is something that future game designers should study. 

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

  • Release Date: June 2011
  • Metacritic Score: 65
  • Console: Nintendo 3DS

The Mercenaries 3D has eight player characters, some of which you will remember from past RE games; however, none of the best guys have made the cut, with Leon coming in at number 1. While this game was certainly a RE title, a rare thing it seems within this franchise; the overall story was just too short to warrant any sensible person to spend their hard-earned cash on it. The story itself was also a little bit unneeded and irrelevant to the main story. 

For me, the fact that it was only released for the 3DS was also a bit of a disappointment as the developers really leaned into this console’s unique features, a decision I would say was a mistake.

Resident Evil: Dead Aim

Resident Evil: Dead Aim 

  • Release Date: February 2003
  • Metacritic Score: 65
  • Console: Playstation 2

Here we are again with another entry in the “Gun Survivor” sub-series of RE. These games put the gun in your hand by supporting an arcade-style light gun. 

Most of this game takes place aboard the Spencer Rain, an Umbrella Corps ship wherein our forgettable protagonist, as part of his forgettable USSTRATCOM team, tackles the zombie infestation in the hopes of rescuing some hostages. 

Once again, the developers went too far into the novelty of light gun gaming, focusing solely on this and forgetting to actually right or design any real storyline.

Resident Evil 6

Resident Evil 6
Image by James Gibson
  • Release Date: October 2012
  • Metacritic Score: 69
  • Console: PC, Playstation 3 and 4, Xbox

While I did not really hate Resident Evil 6 when I compared it to other titles on this list, even ones ranked higher than it; however, I feel it is my moral duty to include this title here due to its damage to the overall IP of Resident Evil.

Capcom’s horrid strategy of turning their classically beautiful horror game franchise into a button-smashing, infinite ammo-spewing chad fest was smart for the series’ overall popularity with the gaming community.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence

Resident Evil Deadly Silence

  • Release Date: February 2006
  • Metacritic Score: 71
  • Console: Nintendo DS

The flaws with Deadly Silence are perhaps more relevant today than ever. As this title was supposed to be an updated version of RE 1 for its 10th anniversary, the flaws and dated aspects of the game at the time were a problem for critics; now, with the remakes being in full flow, this game looks even worse.

Resident Evil: Outbreak

Resident Evil: Outbreak

  • Release Date: December 2003
  • Metacritic Score: 71
  • Console: Playstation 2

Resident Evil: Outbreak was probably one of the most promising releases in the RE franchise for some time. However, the combination of completely new characters and segmented, episodic stories didn’t quite hit the mark for some.

Alongside the terrible co-op gameplay, this title lacked any real creativity or polish, thus placing it this far down our list. 

Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica

Resident Evil Survivor 2 - Code: Veronica

  • Release Date: July 2001
  • Metacritic Score: 69
  • Console: Playstation 2

If we were giving away prizes for the longest and most nonsensical names in the industry, you know RE would sweep up. However, this isn’t the case, meaning I have to tell you about this game’s horrible graphics, storyline, and general lackluster presentation. 

In fairness, it was never going to compete with the original Code: Veronica, so building fans’ hopes up like that wasn’t the best idea. 

Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Resident Evil: Revelations 2

  • Release Date: February 2015
  • Metacritic Score: 74
  • Console: Playstation 4, Xbox

I am going to keep this one short. The storyline of Resident Evil Revelations 2 is not only crazy and illogical but also completely lacking polish. Once again, this game was damaged by its association with RE 5 and the original Revelations title. 

Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles

Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles

  • Release Date: November 2009
  • Metacritic Score: 75
  • Console: Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3

This on-rails shooter developed by Capcom for the Wii was ambitious at the time but ultimately fell short due to the stuttering nature of the story, wherein the main narrative is split into four sections.

There were a lot of cool ideas in Darkside Chroniles; however, you could only really enjoy this title should you love the lore of the RE universe.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles

  • Release Date: November 2013
  • Metacritic Score: 75
  • Console: Nintendo Wii

I would describe the Umbrella Chronicles as a similar but better attempt at the rail shooter genre for the Nintendo Wii. While most of the experience was improved for this game, the story still appeared to be an afterthought, leaving the player feeling very underwhelmed. 

Resident Evil 5

Resident Evil 5

  • Release Date: October 2012
  • Metacritic Score: 69
  • Console: Playstation 4, Switch, PC

Resident Evil 5 was Capcom’s first entry into the multiplayer market with this franchise. The overall experience was tarnished by poor partner AI and, even worse, horror elements. 

It would seem that trying to transform a classic horror game into a fast-paced shooter was a stupid and unnecessary pursuit that only led to the horror that was RE 6.

Resident Evil 3: Remake

Resident Evil 3: Remake

  • Release Date: March 2020
  • Metacritic Score: 77
  • Console: PC, Playstation 4, Xbox One

A great deal of the joy and horror of the game was washed away by the new development team’s continued focus on the action elements

They bolster these action sections and also managed to sneakily cut out entire sections of the original game that more casual players may have found boring. You know, the sections that created tension and ambiance? Yeah, those ones. 

Resident Evil: Revelations

Resident Evil: Revelations

  • Release Date: January 2012
  • Metacritic Score: 77
  • Console: PC, Playstation 3, Nintendo 3DS

While many people did enjoy the graphics and some of the quirkier elements of this title, those reviews came while it was still on the DS. On other consoles, though, Resident Evil: Revelations was simply lackluster in all areas. 

A child mapped the controls on anything other than the DS, and the overall storyline loses all ability to scare you as the game progresses. 

Resident Evil: Village

Resident Evil: Village

  • Release Date: May 2021
  • Metacritic Score: 81
  • Console: Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X, PC

Resident Evil: Village fell below the high mark that RE 7: Biohazard set shortly before. The hype that games success and critical acclaim built for this installment may have built my hopes up just a bit too high, leaving Village with little hope for complete success. 

The game is still very good compared to other entries on this list, full of excellently scary moments and wrapped in some great graphics.

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X 

  • Release Date: February 2001
  • Metacritic Score: 84
  • Console: Xbox 360, Playstation 3

While Veronica X Resident Evil is not considered a separate entity by many, I will say that it is because of the number of changes made to it.

In reality, this game, upon original release, was very highly acclaimed; however, continued ports of this title resulted in continual commercial and critical failure, with each port being worse than the last. 

Resident Evil 2: Remake

Resident Evil 2: Remake

  • Release Date: January 2019
  • Metacritic Score: 89
  • Console: PC, PS4, Xbox One

The incorporation of modern gameplay mechanics into this classic game was a sure-fire success right from conception. While many di-hard fans of the series questioned the point in digging up such a beloved title, I was happy to play through the old RE 2 storyline with some little tweaks.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

  • Release Date: January 2017
  • Metacritic Score: 83
  • Console: PS4, PC, Xbox One

By the time 2017 rolled around, I, like many of the RE fanbase, had already given up hope of getting another proper Resident Evil game. However, this is when Capcom took the world by storm and released the seventh official RE game. 

For me, this Resident Evil 7: Biohazard earned its place on this list based on the strength of these opening hours alone. The fear and tension those opening scenes filled me with have never been done before or since by another video game.

However, I will say that once I did manage to get myself a weapon, this tension did seem to fade, especially after my first boss battle with the father taught me that the AI in this game was easily fooled and that each boss could be dispatched rather easily by simply running around in circles for the majority of the fight.

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4

  • Release Date: January 2005
  • Metacritic Score: 96
  • Console: Playstation 2, GameCube, Wii

Here come the pitchforks. Yes, I know this is the darling of the series and the one everyone loves. I am also aware that I am probably wrong on this one. However, just hear me out.

Now, please do try and understand that I did definitely enjoy my time during Resident Evil 4; however, I simply cannot give the game a higher position on this list based on one thing and one thing only. This list is about the best Resident Evil games, not action-shooter titles, with slite bits of horror thrown into the mix for flavor. 

While there are some great scenes and an even better storyline holding said moments together, I just feel that Capcom’s insistence on pushing the title towards a more action-focused experience compared to the classic feeling one got from the original game is just not what I want from a RE game. 

Resident Evil: Code Veronica

Resident Evil: Code Veronica

  • Release Date: February 2000
  • Metacritic Score: 94
  • Console: Dreamcast 

I consider Code Veronica as the ultimate RE cult game. All in the fanbase love it, but a small minority claim it to be the best game ever made. The Dreamcast allowed the developers to design a game with updated graphics and real-time 3D graphics for the first time ever in the series. 

This, combined with strong and familiar lead characters, a great storyline, and a good bit of polish, put this game high on anyone’s list of best Dreamcast games. 

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

  • Release Date: September 1999
  • Metacritic Score: 91
  • Console: Playstation, GameCube, Dreamcast

The strength of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis comes from the strength of the storyline, level design, and from Nemesis himself. 

Because of Nemesis’ continual hulking shadow over this game’s entire playthrough, I have placed this game so highly on this list. No other game made me feel so aware and terrified of every noise, thinking he was coming again.

Resident Evil (2002)

Resident Evil (2002)

  • Release Date: March 2002
  • Metacritic Score: 91
  • Console: PC, GameCube, Xbox, Playstation

After the success of RE 1 and before the new proper full remake of the game came this 2002 update. This game added some new and much-needed weapons as well as some cool new areas to explore.

At the heart of this game, though, still lay the beating heart of the original story and RE recipe, something that I believe is still yet to be beaten in the franchise. 

Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2

  • Release Date: January 1998
  • Metacritic Score: 89
  • Console: Nintendo 64, PC, Dreamcast, Gamecube

In my opinion, when you wipe away all of the nostalgia we all still have for the original RE game and the remakes it has now spawned, you are left with one overall first prize winner in this franchise.

Resident Evil 2 took all of the good elements that worked in RE 1 and used everything that went badly to create a game that perfectly defined the genre that the first game had created/changed. 

While the remake is also on this list, I do have to say that the older graphics and mechanics of this title actually add to the horror elements for me, maybe because they cast me back to my childhood. I don’t know for certain; all I know is that this is one hell of a game amongst some all-time greats. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Question: What is the best Resident Evil game?

Answer: While many people and list makers out there will point to titles such as Resident Evil 4 and the original Resident Evil, I will go out on a limb and proclaim the Resident Evil 2 Remake as the best game the series has offered. If you doubt me, I implore you to give it a go. 

Question: What does Biohazard have to do with Resident Evil?

Answer: When the seventh game in the series was released under the name Resident Evil: Biohazard, many fans were confused because the title did not have anything to do with biohazardous waste. However, this title was given to the game because the RE franchise is known as Biohazard in Japan, the home country of the game’s developers, Capcom.

Question: What is the hardest Resident Evil game?

Answer: If you ask this question on the fan forums and to players who are not too familiar with the earlier editions in the series, they will almost always answer RE 5. However, this is because of the intolerable AI system in the game that drags down the player’s entire experience and makes things a lot harder for the payer. However, my personal opinion is the original RE 2 due to its poor graphics and control calibration.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, a complete list and guide to one of the most popular franchises in all of gaming and the daddy of all horror games currently on the market today. While I do recognize that you may not be very happy with the placement of some of these games on this list, please rest assured that this is merely my personal opinion, and I am by no means telling you to change your mind and come over to the dark side. 

However, with all this in mind, I truly hope you enjoyed this guide and at least agreed with some of the games I have placed on this list, if not all of them. Regardless, I hope to see you again soon. Happy gaming!

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