10 Resident Evil Games That Deserve Remakes
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VOICE OVER: Ty Richardson
WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
Capcom has been on a roll with "Resident Evil" remakes, and these games would be excellent choices if they want to continue. For this list, we'll be looking at entries in the survival horror series that deserve a refresh. Our list includes “Resident Evil 0” (2002), “Resident Evil Gaiden” (2007), “Resident Evil: Revelations” (2012), “Resident Evil - Code: Veronica” (2000), and more!
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we're taking a look at the 10 "Resident Evil" Games We Feel Deserve a Remake! Capcom has been on a roll with remaking the old "Resident Evil" games. RE2, 3, and 4 have been properly modernized with tweaks and fixes to the story and level design that not only make them more playable than the originals, but also some of the best in survival horror games. Which "Resident Evil" game do you think deserves a second chance? Did it make the list? Let us know down in the comments.
When deciding the next “Resident Evil” to get a remake, RE5 is the most obvious and logical answer, especially given certain events in RE4’s remake. Ignoring that fact, we’re also at an interesting crossroads where “Resident Evil’s” history and Capcom’s efforts today have met. Fans will recall RE5 was the start of the franchise’s downward spiral as it leaned more and more into the action and less into the horror aspects. When played as a co-op game, RE5 is fine. Played solo, however, it’s borderline unplayable. Either Capcom completely retcons this entry and makes a completely new RE5 or they commit to righting the wrongs and bring the story we know up to code with the other installments.
One of the most perplexing aspects in Capcom’s plans in keeping “Resident Evil” up to date is the absence of an RE1 remake. In their defense, perhaps Capcom wishes to retain Mikami’s 2002 remake to preserve some portion of “Resident Evil’s” older days. Or maybe it’s been in the works for a while, and they’re not sure how to get it right just yet. Whatever the reason, it is still kind of weird that RE1 is still stuck in 2002. Not that that iteration is bad, it’s still playable and enjoyable, but when stacked alongside the modern remakes, it is definitely the odd man out. Maybe Capcom will wind up saving that for last. Who knows.
“Revelations” was notable mainly in how it provided a better “Resident Evil” experience compared to its home console brethren at the time, even more impressive that it was on Nintendo 3DS of all platforms. While “Revelations” did manage to make its way to modern consoles in 2017, there is one big reason as to why this could be the next remake we see: its place in the timeline. If Capcom wants to stick with the chronological order of events, “Revelations” would be next in line as it takes place almost right after the events of RE4. Recycled assets for environments and character models could help make a quick turnaround as RE5 spends some more time getting refined. Of course, if spin-offs aren’t a part of Capcom’s plans to modernize the franchise, we won’t complain.
The Mercenaries mode has long been one of the best endgame rewards of the franchise, so much so that there was an entire game made around it for the 3DS. “The Mercenaries 3D” gave players control of a variety of characters including Chris, Jill, Wesker, Rebecca, Claire, Krauser, HUNK, and Barry, earning skill points along the way to customize loadouts and abilities. Unfortunately, this dedicated package to an exceptional, arcadey game mode is forever stranded on 3DS. With “Resident Evil’s” explosion in popularity since RE7, we say it’s time for Capcom to try this again. Forget about what was done with “Resistance”, “Re:Verse”, and…”Umbrella Corps”. Give us “The Mercenaries 3D” with brand new characters added and more maps outside of what we saw in RE4 and 5. Your live service RE game has been here the whole time, just stranded on a dead platform.
If you want to keep Mercenaries to endgame content for the main games, fair enough, Capcom. But what about “Outbreak”? For those unfamiliar, “Outbreak” was basically Capcom’s “Left 4 Dead” before “Left 4 Dead” was even a thing, and it was way ahead of its time. Players take control of one of eight brand spankin’ new characters with their own abilities and experience five scenarios that come with their own set of levels, enemies, etcetera. Sadly, the servers for this underrated gem were pulled before online gaming truly took off, with American servers shutting down in 2007 and Japanese servers four years later.
Look, we all know it’s coming. If RE5 is getting a remake, then that means RE6 will be getting one at some point. And honestly, we would love to see it. RE6 did so many things wrong between its general focus on “Call of Duty” action, it’s explosive boss fights, and its incredibly boring story. But even those who truly despise it have to entertain the idea of RE6 possibly being a good game. Capcom’s efforts to modernize the old games bring them an opportunity to right the wrongs of RE5 and 6. What will this game look like once the episodic format is ditched, the story is reeled in, and the focus is kept on survival horror? How different is this game going to look like? Our morbid curiosity actually has us excited to see how it turns out, but we might be several years away from even a teaser.
“Gaiden” is certainly the weirdest game in the entire “Resident Evil” franchise on account of it being on the Game Boy Color. Our confusion mostly stems from the gameplay itself; players move around from a top-down perspective until approached by an enemy, which is where it’ll shift to a first-person perspective for a brief timing minigame. Interesting, but not a way to experience “Resident Evil”. Remaking this would be beneficial simply for how Capcom could turn this often forgotten title into a fully realized version of itself. However, we can understand why they might ignore as many of the game’s events are completely ignored by the rest of the franchise. A true runt of the litter, it is.
Yes, we know we are almost treading into “Umbrella Corps” territory and nobody needs that dumpster fire. “Operation Raccoon City” was arguably the last time Capcom got multiplayer right with “Resident Evil” and yet didn’t go anywhere with it. For the unfamiliar, “Operation Raccoon City” allowed players and their friends to take on a series of missions as Umbrella Corp security agents and relive the events of RE2 and RE3. On top of that, you had an online mode where you could control our main heroes of the series like Jill, Leon, Ada, Carlos, Claire, and more. And if you played on Xbox 360, there was Nemesis mode where one player hunted down the team as Nemesis. The game sounds like a more expanded version of “Resistance”, the multiplayer mode for RE3 Remake, and trust us when we say it was miles better than that.
Let’s cast aside our love for darling Rebecca for just a second and face the ugly truth about RE0: this game is rough. Not “rough” like “man, this is hard”, but “rough” like “good lord, this is so archaic and boring”. It has some interesting ideas like the ability to switch between Carlos and Rebecca . However, the fixed camera makes it hard to tell where you can and can’t walk sometimes as well as make combat frustrating. RE0 would be an excellent way to introduce Rebecca (...and Billy, we suppose) in the new era of “Resident Evil”. Plus, the unique train setting is just appealing overall.
The amount of negligence towards “Code: Veronica” is borderline criminal. Longtime “Resident Evil” fans will remember that “Code: Veronica” was essentially RE3 before RE3 was even conceived. Some would go so far as to say this was the real RE3. Regardless of how you feel about that notion, “Code: Veronica” deserves to be remade almost solely because of its place in the timeline. Claire Redfield is one of the most underrated characters of the franchise, and yet she has practically no presence in the series after RE2, “Code: Veronica” being her biggest role. So, what, we’ll include her in the RE2 remake and continue redoing and tweaking the series without her? Nothing happened to her after everything with Leon, Sherry, learning about Umbrella Corp, and trying to find her brother? Ignoring her story is just going to make this era look weird decades later, Capcom. Please do what’s right and remake “Code: Veronica”. Give our girl Claire some respect.
“Resident Evil 5” (2009)
When deciding the next “Resident Evil” to get a remake, RE5 is the most obvious and logical answer, especially given certain events in RE4’s remake. Ignoring that fact, we’re also at an interesting crossroads where “Resident Evil’s” history and Capcom’s efforts today have met. Fans will recall RE5 was the start of the franchise’s downward spiral as it leaned more and more into the action and less into the horror aspects. When played as a co-op game, RE5 is fine. Played solo, however, it’s borderline unplayable. Either Capcom completely retcons this entry and makes a completely new RE5 or they commit to righting the wrongs and bring the story we know up to code with the other installments.
“Resident Evil” (1996)
One of the most perplexing aspects in Capcom’s plans in keeping “Resident Evil” up to date is the absence of an RE1 remake. In their defense, perhaps Capcom wishes to retain Mikami’s 2002 remake to preserve some portion of “Resident Evil’s” older days. Or maybe it’s been in the works for a while, and they’re not sure how to get it right just yet. Whatever the reason, it is still kind of weird that RE1 is still stuck in 2002. Not that that iteration is bad, it’s still playable and enjoyable, but when stacked alongside the modern remakes, it is definitely the odd man out. Maybe Capcom will wind up saving that for last. Who knows.
“Resident Evil: Revelations” (2012)
“Revelations” was notable mainly in how it provided a better “Resident Evil” experience compared to its home console brethren at the time, even more impressive that it was on Nintendo 3DS of all platforms. While “Revelations” did manage to make its way to modern consoles in 2017, there is one big reason as to why this could be the next remake we see: its place in the timeline. If Capcom wants to stick with the chronological order of events, “Revelations” would be next in line as it takes place almost right after the events of RE4. Recycled assets for environments and character models could help make a quick turnaround as RE5 spends some more time getting refined. Of course, if spin-offs aren’t a part of Capcom’s plans to modernize the franchise, we won’t complain.
“Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D” (2011)
The Mercenaries mode has long been one of the best endgame rewards of the franchise, so much so that there was an entire game made around it for the 3DS. “The Mercenaries 3D” gave players control of a variety of characters including Chris, Jill, Wesker, Rebecca, Claire, Krauser, HUNK, and Barry, earning skill points along the way to customize loadouts and abilities. Unfortunately, this dedicated package to an exceptional, arcadey game mode is forever stranded on 3DS. With “Resident Evil’s” explosion in popularity since RE7, we say it’s time for Capcom to try this again. Forget about what was done with “Resistance”, “Re:Verse”, and…”Umbrella Corps”. Give us “The Mercenaries 3D” with brand new characters added and more maps outside of what we saw in RE4 and 5. Your live service RE game has been here the whole time, just stranded on a dead platform.
“Resident Evil: Outbreak” (2003)
If you want to keep Mercenaries to endgame content for the main games, fair enough, Capcom. But what about “Outbreak”? For those unfamiliar, “Outbreak” was basically Capcom’s “Left 4 Dead” before “Left 4 Dead” was even a thing, and it was way ahead of its time. Players take control of one of eight brand spankin’ new characters with their own abilities and experience five scenarios that come with their own set of levels, enemies, etcetera. Sadly, the servers for this underrated gem were pulled before online gaming truly took off, with American servers shutting down in 2007 and Japanese servers four years later.
“Resident Evil 6” (2012)
Look, we all know it’s coming. If RE5 is getting a remake, then that means RE6 will be getting one at some point. And honestly, we would love to see it. RE6 did so many things wrong between its general focus on “Call of Duty” action, it’s explosive boss fights, and its incredibly boring story. But even those who truly despise it have to entertain the idea of RE6 possibly being a good game. Capcom’s efforts to modernize the old games bring them an opportunity to right the wrongs of RE5 and 6. What will this game look like once the episodic format is ditched, the story is reeled in, and the focus is kept on survival horror? How different is this game going to look like? Our morbid curiosity actually has us excited to see how it turns out, but we might be several years away from even a teaser.
“Resident Evil Gaiden” (2007)
“Gaiden” is certainly the weirdest game in the entire “Resident Evil” franchise on account of it being on the Game Boy Color. Our confusion mostly stems from the gameplay itself; players move around from a top-down perspective until approached by an enemy, which is where it’ll shift to a first-person perspective for a brief timing minigame. Interesting, but not a way to experience “Resident Evil”. Remaking this would be beneficial simply for how Capcom could turn this often forgotten title into a fully realized version of itself. However, we can understand why they might ignore as many of the game’s events are completely ignored by the rest of the franchise. A true runt of the litter, it is.
“Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City” (2012)
Yes, we know we are almost treading into “Umbrella Corps” territory and nobody needs that dumpster fire. “Operation Raccoon City” was arguably the last time Capcom got multiplayer right with “Resident Evil” and yet didn’t go anywhere with it. For the unfamiliar, “Operation Raccoon City” allowed players and their friends to take on a series of missions as Umbrella Corp security agents and relive the events of RE2 and RE3. On top of that, you had an online mode where you could control our main heroes of the series like Jill, Leon, Ada, Carlos, Claire, and more. And if you played on Xbox 360, there was Nemesis mode where one player hunted down the team as Nemesis. The game sounds like a more expanded version of “Resistance”, the multiplayer mode for RE3 Remake, and trust us when we say it was miles better than that.
“Resident Evil 0” (2002)
Let’s cast aside our love for darling Rebecca for just a second and face the ugly truth about RE0: this game is rough. Not “rough” like “man, this is hard”, but “rough” like “good lord, this is so archaic and boring”. It has some interesting ideas like the ability to switch between Carlos and Rebecca . However, the fixed camera makes it hard to tell where you can and can’t walk sometimes as well as make combat frustrating. RE0 would be an excellent way to introduce Rebecca (...and Billy, we suppose) in the new era of “Resident Evil”. Plus, the unique train setting is just appealing overall.
“Resident Evil - Code: Veronica” (2000)
The amount of negligence towards “Code: Veronica” is borderline criminal. Longtime “Resident Evil” fans will remember that “Code: Veronica” was essentially RE3 before RE3 was even conceived. Some would go so far as to say this was the real RE3. Regardless of how you feel about that notion, “Code: Veronica” deserves to be remade almost solely because of its place in the timeline. Claire Redfield is one of the most underrated characters of the franchise, and yet she has practically no presence in the series after RE2, “Code: Veronica” being her biggest role. So, what, we’ll include her in the RE2 remake and continue redoing and tweaking the series without her? Nothing happened to her after everything with Leon, Sherry, learning about Umbrella Corp, and trying to find her brother? Ignoring her story is just going to make this era look weird decades later, Capcom. Please do what’s right and remake “Code: Veronica”. Give our girl Claire some respect.
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