20 Hidden Secrets In Resident Evil Games

20 Hidden Secrets in Resident Evil Games

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at 20 secrets, easter eggs, references, cheats, and more in “Resident Evil” games!

Signing Off

“Resident Evil 7” (2017)
With there being just as many “Resident Evil” spin-offs just as there are main games, it is totally understandable for some characters to be forgotten by most of the fanbase. For example, many may not remember Alyssa Ashcroft as she only ever appeared in “Resident Evil: Outbreak” and “Outbreak: File #2”. The journalist hasn’t had much of a role in the story since then. However, RE7 shows that Capcom hasn’t forgotten the famed reporter’s place in the franchise. One document you can find is titled “Over 20 Missing”, where Alyssa writes about the increase in missing person cases occurring in Louisiana.

Fit For a King

“Resident Evil 4” (2005)
The throne room is one of the more famous goofy moments in “Resident Evil 4”, but you kind of have to go out of your way to appreciate this small cutscene. Yes, you can sit on Salazar’s throne and soak in a few moments of looking like a real badass. Of course, there are more pressing matters to attend to like…you know...saving the President’s daughter from a deranged cult leader. But hey - at least these few moments of resting did get you a shiny trophy or achievement!

Tell Me Who’s Watchin’

“Resident Evil 2” (1998)
As much as we love the original games, especially RE2, the fixed camera angle is the only thing that keeps us from replaying them. There were plenty of times where we just wanted to turn around and shoot at the screen! If you tried doing this yourself, you found a funny little gag you could do whenever you wanted to waste some bullets in a fit of rage. Sad that no other RE games after this would include this, but shooting the camera is kind of hard to do when your character can’t always look at it.

Traitor!

“Resident Evil 4” (2005)
Okay, we love Luis. Who doesn’t? Yeah, he can be annoying in the middle of a fight sometimes and get in the way too much, but he’s no Sheva. For some, this was simply intolerable. If you ever decided to take your rage out on Luis and start shooting him, you got to witness a little cutscene where Leon meets his end way sooner than expected. Sadly, this was taken out of the 2023 remake, and Luis is now a god, able to withstand every weapon in your arsenal.

The Louisiana Secret

“Resident Evil: Village” (2021)
If you were one of those players who didn’t scour every corner of the map, chances are you missed this special Easter egg that provides a connection between the Bakers residence, the village, and the Mold. In one of the very last areas of “Village”, there is a cave hidden near the pond with the golden fish. Go inside, and you’ll find a laptop as well as the heart of the Megamycete. On the other side is a coin from Dulvey, Louisiana and a computer containing some sweet lore.

Comedy Gold

“Resident Evil 4” (2023)
One of the best parts about the original RE4 is how Leon constantly dunks on Salazar in the dumbest ways even when it doesn’t make sense. Seriously, we will never forget how he says “No thanks, bro” in the most sophisticated tone. Many were upset that this line was not repeated in the remake, but it was referenced another way. Simply defeat Salazar, and you shall earn a trophy or achievement called “No thanks, bro”. Toss a grenade into his mouth, and you’ll get a trophy or achievement called “You talk too much”!

RIP, Zombie Slayers

“Resident Evil 5” (2009)
RE5 holds a couple of references to Capcom’s other, more comedic horror series, “Dead Rising”. One newspaper on the floor is a copy of the Willamette Park Journal, which is the same paper Frank West works for. But what strikes our curiosity more is the list of deceased people in a document. Two names are written on there - “Frank E.” and “Isabella C.” We know that Frank’s last name is West and Isabella’s is Keyes, but there’s a good chance Capcom was just being cheeky. Maybe Frank East was Frank West’s BFF or something.

A Perfect Way to Pass the Time

“Resident Evil 4” (2023)
Okay, this one may not be as interesting as the other entries, but it was just a really amusing detail in RE4’s remake that Capcom really didn’t need to put in. Sometimes, as you are browsing his wares, the Merchant will make remarks about what you’re looking at or say something about your health. Other times, he will hum a little tune to himself. The tune is unrecognizable, but to think the Merchant is humming little diddies while infected, murderous villagers are running around is just too funny.

King Would Be Proud

“Resident Evil 2” (1998)
For the most part, “Resident Evil” will make references mainly to other Capcom games like “Mega Man” and “Street Fighter”. However, we were able to spot a rare movie reference back in the original version of RE2. In one of the hallways of Raccoon City Police Department, you’ll find red lettering on the wall that reads “Redrum”. This is a clear reference to the classic Stephen King novel, “The Shining”, which features the character Danny holding up his finger and saying “Redrum, redrum!” For some reason, the remake for RE2 did not make the same reference.

Aye Aye, Skipper!

“Resident Evil 4” (2023)
One of the strangest yet fun aspects of RE4 is finding out all the different methods to skip specific sections of the game. Indeed, you can find all sorts of crazy methods to completely bypass tough fights. For instance, you can shoot the bell during the mob fight in Chapter One to end it immediately. You can end the fight against the Chainsaw Sisters as quickly as it starts just by attaching mines to a lightbulb. One of our favorites, though, is tossing a grenade near the lever for the Goat Head to kill the enemy that triggers an ambush. So much cheese that it’d make Leon constipated, and that’s only scratching the surface.

Growing Up Is Optional

“Resident Evil 6” (2012)
Whether you’re in Raccoon City, Western Europe, or Louisiana, “Resident Evil” is a world filled with viscera and grit. However, the series isn’t afraid to get a bit goofy, and how could it not with some of the campy dialogue? One example of this lies within “Resident Evil 6”. During your various campaigns, you’ll come across a level that hides a playground. Yes, you can walk around this area, and yes, you can totally ride the panda and go down the slide! Enjoy this brief moment of innocence while the zombie-apocalyptic world burns around you.

Dino Crisis - In Theaters Friday

“Resident Evil 3” (1999)
The third mainline “Resident Evil” game features a wide buffet of references and Easter eggs to not just the series itself, but also other Capcom games. Many of these nods you’ll most likely find throughout your time on the surface of Raccoon City. One of these is a movie poster for a certain dinosaur-themed game we’ve been craving to see come back for some time now. Yep, that would be a “Dino Crisis” poster, and by god, if this isn’t a tease for the franchise’s comeback, we don’t know what else to do. Come on, Capcom - you gave Mega Man a nod and comeback, too! It’s time for “Dino Crisis” now!

Zombie Friends

“Resident Evil” (1996) & “Resident Evil 2” (1998)
Though this isn’t a common feature, the first “Resident Evil” as well as RE2 have one cool detail that can be experienced under specific circumstances. It is possible to encounter zombified versions of Wesker in RE1 and Brad in RE2. In the Sega Saturn version of RE1, all you have to do is access the Battle Game side mode and get far enough to encounter Zombie Wesker, who takes four Magnum bullets worth of damage to down. As for Zombie Brad in RE2, get to the RCPD without picking up any weapons or items while under Scenario A on Normal difficulty. He also takes quite a bit of damage before dying, but if you manage to beat him, you’ll receive a key that unlocks a new costume!

Resident Street Fighter

“Resident Evil 2” (1998) & “Resident Evil 7” (2017)
Yeah, some of the Capcom references can be painfully obvious, but they’re still pleasant to spot when playing. Along with “Dino Crisis” and “Mega Man”, “Street Fighter” has made its way into “Resident Evil” on a couple of occasions. In RE7, you can find a book called “Fighting Street” in a few different spots. Another cool nod to the fighting franchise is in RE2 while you’re running through the city. One of the bigger buildings is named “Arukas”, which is a reference to “Street Fighter’s” local butt-kicking schoolgirl, Sakura.

Someone’s Makin’ These…

“Resident Evil 7” (2017)
It isn’t uncommon for folks to get a tad frustrated with “Resident Evil’s” more obtuse puzzles, and RE7 protagonist Ethan Winters is in that group of people. Sure, finding items and remembering where inaccessible areas are located can be tedious, but item manipulation can be annoying, too. Ethan shares the resentment with players while solving one of RE7’s shadow puzzles. Spend enough time on one and he’ll ask who is even making these stupid things. Well, one note can be found in the attic that reveals who really is making these, and it’s the same company behind Spencer Mansion’s secret corridors. Damn you, Trevor and Chamberlain Construction!!

Shut Up - He’s Fishing!

“Resident Evil 4” (2005)
Some of the coolest moments in gaming come when players discover ways to off bosses before their initial encounters. This is one of those moments. Just before you venture out into the lake to face the monstrous Del Lago, do yourself a favor and shoot the water a few times. Use whatever you feel like - magnum, shotgun, pistol even. [show Del Lago eating Leon alive] I lied!! Del Lago jumps from the water and eats you whole! Naw, man, you got to put on your big boy pants and face this monstrous fish head on! There aren’t any shortcuts. You are Brody, he is JAWS - come back with the head, tail, the whole damn thing!

Merchants Talk

“Resident Evil: Village” (2021)
Speaking of RE4, “Village” shows the 2005 hit a ton of love through various references and nods. Of them all, there’s one that has hit fans the hardest. In a good way, of course. Whenever you’re browsing the Duke’s wares, he’ll make some light commentary on your purchases or say something completely unprovoked. One of these lines is a direct shout out to RE4’s shady-looking merchant character. It makes you wonder if the Duke and merchant have some sort of hidden agenda between “Resident Evil’s” heroes and villains. They just seem to appear at incredibly convenient times, and the fact they know each other makes it all seem suspicious.

Film D, aka “Rising Rookie”

“Resident Evil 2” (1998) & “Resident Evil 2” (2019)
This is an oldie, but a goodie, and Wesker would certainly agree with that sentiment. After all, he’s the one in possession of this! In the original RE2, you’ll have to search Wesker’s desk fifty times to obtain a photo of Rebecca in her basketball uniform. As for the remake, you’ll have to develop the film “Hiding Place” in order to retrieve a box from Wesker’s desk drawer. At first, you’ll only get a Wooden Box, but check the drawer again for the photo. So...it appears our edgelord has some ‘splaining to do.

A Sequel Tease?

“Resident Evil 3” (1999)
Before we cap off the list with our last entry, let’s revisit RE3 for one more cheeky reference. Most hardcore RE fans have probably spotted it already, but it’s pretty easy to overlook. One modest-lookin movie theater advertises a film supposedly called “Biohazard 4”. This is actually an advertisement and tease for “Resident Evil 4”, “Biohazard” being the franchise’s name in Japan. Indeed, RE4 was in development when RE3 launched, but the build that was being worked on at this time would become “Devil May Cry”. RE4 wouldn’t launch until 2005, six years after this tease was made public.

A Letter From Shinji Mikami

“Resident Evil HD” (2002)
We had to save the best for last, and it’s probably the one secret that’s the most difficult to witness. It’s no easy task to reach this as you’ll have to beat the game under Invisible Mode, which makes every enemy in the game...well, invisible. Do this, and you’ll unlock a heartfelt letter from series creator Shinji Mikami, thanking you for playing the game and congratulating you on your efforts. It’s a message that says more than just “Thanks for playing”, and you can really hear the gratitude in his words.

What’s the coolest secret you’ve found in a “Resident Evil” game? Did it make our list? Let us know down in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to MojoPlays for more great videos everyday.