Every Mainline ‘Resident Evil’ Game In Order, From The Original To ‘Requiem’

Few horror franchises have lasted as long or shifted as much as ‘Resident Evil,’ and for anyone trying to sort out where to start, the release order remains the clearest way to see how the series actually evolved. Rather than jumping into the tangled in universe chronology, following the games as Capcom actually put them out shows how survival horror mechanics, camera perspectives and storytelling all changed from one console generation to the next.

This rundown walks through every mainline ‘Resident Evil’ game in the order it originally released, from the 1996 debut through the upcoming ‘Resident Evil Requiem.’ Remakes are included at the point they arrived, since they represent distinct releases with their own reception and legacy.

Resident Evil

The series began in 1996 with ‘Resident Evil’ releasing on PlayStation in Japan and North America before reaching PAL territories and later Windows and Sega Saturn. The game placed Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield inside a mansion overrun by mutated creatures as they searched for missing S.T.A.R.S. teammates, establishing the fixed camera angles and resource management that defined early survival horror.

Resident Evil 2

‘Resident Evil 2’ followed in January 1998, launching in North America and Japan before its April release in Europe, with later ports arriving on Nintendo 64, Dreamcast and GameCube. Rookie officer Leon Kennedy and college student Claire Redfield became the new leads as they tried to escape a zombie infested Raccoon City, and the sequel is widely regarded as one of the strongest entries in the franchise.

Resident Evil 3 Nemesis

‘Resident Evil 3 Nemesis’ arrived in Japan in September 1999 and reached North America that November, followed by a European release the following year. Jill Valentine returned as the lead, this time facing a relentless pursuer as Raccoon City’s outbreak reached its final days.

Resident Evil Code Veronica

‘Resident Evil Code Veronica’ debuted on Dreamcast in Japan in February 2000, later reaching PlayStation 2, GameCube and PlayStation 3 and 4 through remastered editions. The entry is generally considered one of the most beloved classic chapters in the series, and Capcom confirmed at Summer Game Fest 2026 that a full remake is now in development for a 2027 release.

Resident Evil Zero

‘Resident Evil Zero’ launched on GameCube in November 2002 in North America, reaching Japan and Europe soon after. The prequel follows S.T.A.R.S. rookie Rebecca Chambers and convicted ex Marine Billy Coen aboard a train overtaken by the undead, filling in the origins of the outbreak that sets the original game in motion.

Resident Evil 4

‘Resident Evil 4’ originally released for GameCube in 2005 and shifted the series toward an over the shoulder third person perspective with a more refined inventory system, moving away from the franchise’s earlier horror focused roots. The change proved influential well beyond the series itself, reshaping how many later action games approached combat and camera work.

Resident Evil 5

Capcom followed with ‘Resident Evil 5′ for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2009, introducing a cooperative mode that let players tackle the campaign with an AI partner or a second player through split screen. The entry leaned further into action set pieces while keeping the series’ core scavenging and puzzle solving intact.

Resident Evil 6

‘Resident Evil 6’ arrived in 2012 as the most ambitious entry to that point, offering multiple cooperative campaigns each built around different playable characters. It marked the furthest the mainline series drifted from its survival horror foundations before Capcom began pulling back toward atmosphere and tension.

Resident Evil 7 Biohazard

‘Resident Evil 7 Biohazard’ released on January 24, 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, introducing a first person perspective and VR support. The shift centered the story on Ethan Winters and the unsettling Baker family, returning the franchise to a more intimate and frightening tone after years of large scale action.

Resident Evil 2 Remake

Capcom rebuilt ‘Resident Evil 2’ for a January 25, 2019 release on PlayStation 4, PC and Xbox One, pairing the original’s atmosphere with modern graphics, controls and character animation. The remake was celebrated by both fans and critics as a high point for the series and for horror remakes generally.

Resident Evil 3 Remake

The remake of ‘Resident Evil 3’ was officially announced on December 10, 2019 with a release date of April 3, 2020 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Windows. Reception was more divided this time, with some fans criticizing its shorter length and more linear structure compared to the original and to the ‘Resident Evil 2’ remake.

Resident Evil Village

‘Resident Evil Village’ released on May 7, 2021 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. It continued Ethan Winters’ story from ‘Resident Evil 7’ while shifting the setting to a gothic European village, with longtime character Chris Redfield playing a significant role.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

‘Resident Evil 4’ received its own remake on March 24, 2023, releasing across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. The remake was met with strong critical praise, with IGN awarding it a perfect score and describing it as a modernization that fully realizes the original’s potential.

Resident Evil Requiem

The newest mainline entry, ‘Resident Evil Requiem,’ is scheduled for release on February 27, 2026, developed on Capcom’s RE Engine and arriving as the ninth main installment during the franchise’s 30th anniversary. The story follows FBI technical analyst Grace Ashcroft as she investigates a series of deaths tied to the murder of her mother, and fans have already speculated a connection to Alyssa Ashcroft from the ‘Resident Evil Outbreak’ games. It is set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch 2, returning players once again to the ruins of Raccoon City.

With ‘Resident Evil Requiem’ closing in on its February launch and a ‘Code Veronica’ remake now confirmed for 2027, which entry in this thirty year run do you think has aged the best, and which one are you most looking forward to revisiting.