The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Resident Evil 6 is the weakest mainline entry, while the Resident Evil 4 remake is the strongest all-around package. That verdict is editorial, not official: the series spans survival horror, action, fixed-camera exploration and first-person reinvention, so the best game for you depends on which of those you want. If you’re new, Capcom USA staff recommend Resident Evil 2 (2019) as a starting point; it’s a strong choice, though not the only one.
What counts as a major Resident Evil game?
“Major” is not a Capcom category. This ranking covers the numbered series from the original Resident Evil through Resident Evil Requiem, includes Resident Evil 0, and treats substantial remakes as separate games because they offer distinct play experiences—not just updated ports. That makes 14 entries. The ranking weighs atmosphere and horror, combat and controls, pacing and level design, replay value, and importance to the wider series. Each game is judged on how well it delivers its own style; an action shift or a first-person perspective is not a flaw by itself.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - PlayStation 5 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Resident Evil 3 - PlayStation 5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Capcom dates the first game to 1996 and reported more than 170 million cumulative series game sales as of March 31, 2025. The company describes Requiem as the ninth main installment; it announced a February 27, 2026 release. Those milestones show the franchise’s reach, but neither determines the order below.
Resident Evil games ranked from worst to best
14. Resident Evil 6
Verdict: The series’ broadest attempt at blockbuster action is also its least coherent. Its campaign structure and playable-character variety give it scale, but that scale comes at the expense of the measured exploration, resource pressure and sustained unease that make the strongest entries work. Its combat has more to offer than its reputation suggests, yet the whole is uneven. Choose it for a sprawling action game and the franchise’s wider cast, not as a first taste of survival horror.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazon Exclusive - 2 sided poster included in every game!
- Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst who is introverted and easily scared, representing a new type of character for the Resident Evil series. Grace will experience horror from the same perspective as the player as she learns to overcome her fears throughout the course of the story.
- For the first time ever in Resident Evil history, players will be able to freely switch between both first- and third-person perspectives throughout the game.
- An Anniversary to Remember: With March 2026 marking the Resident Evil series’ 30-year anniversary, Resident Evil Requiem marks its own milestone in the franchise.
- Pre-orders for Resident Evil Requiem are now open, with the bonus of Grace’s costume: Apocalypse. Please note that the picture weapon does not come with the costume, but it can be obtained in-game.
13. Resident Evil 0
Verdict: The partner system and item-management twist make 0 a fascinating experiment, but also a demanding one. Having to manage two characters and revisit locations with supplies can turn a tense puzzle into inventory logistics. Its setting on the eve of the first game’s Mansion Incident gives series fans useful context, but its extra complexity makes it a poor starting point and keeps it below the tighter classics.
12. Resident Evil 3 (2020 remake)
Verdict: A brisk, polished action-horror run that works better when treated as a compact companion to the 2019 Resident Evil 2 than as a full-scale successor. Its momentum and more direct encounters suit players who want less backtracking, but that same pace leaves less room for exploration and tension to build. Play it for an efficient, modern take on Jill Valentine’s escape from Raccoon City; don’t expect the breadth of its predecessor.
11. Resident Evil 5
Verdict: Resident Evil 5 makes its co-op combat the main attraction. Coordinating with a partner can make its encounters lively, while playing alone puts more pressure on the partner system and exposes the game’s action-first priorities. It is a better fit for a two-player session than for someone seeking isolation, puzzle-solving and creeping dread. Its place in the series is easier to appreciate once you know how far the games had moved from their survival-horror roots.
Rank #2
- FEAR COMES HOME -- Fear, combat, exploration, and item management: these are the four pillars of survival horror, a genre that has never been more masterfully executed than in the gameplay of Resident Evil. The horror continues in the ground-breaking Resident Evil 7. Step into the new Isolated View and experience true survival horror in a world created by the all-new RE Engine.
- DEEP IN THE BAYOU - When Ethan Winters opened his inbox, the last thing he expected was to find an email from his wife; she had been missing for three years. The message was simple: "Come get me," and an address in Louisiana. This leads Ethan to a decrepit mansion in the heart of the bayou. The place has a seriously creepy vibe, but Ethan continues his search – until a stranger attacks him and knocks him unconscious. Ethan has no idea what awaits him when he wakes up...for he is now in the clutches of the Baker family.
- A NEW PERSPECTIVE -- In RESIDENT EVIL 7, we're changing the way you interact with the world. For this next major entry in the series, play from a first-person point of view, dramatically increasing your ability to become fully absorbed in the world we have created.
- 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.
10. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
Verdict: The original Nemesis earns its place through urgency: its pursuit-driven structure makes Raccoon City feel dangerous in a way the more controlled entries do not. The pressure and route choices give it a distinctive identity, though its shorter, more action-oriented shape offers less of the careful exploration that defines the best games here. It remains the better pick for players curious about the original version’s particular rhythm and menace.
Recommended Free Tools
9. Resident Evil (1996)
Verdict: The first game’s mansion, locked doors and constrained resources established the series’ core survival-horror language. Its fixed-camera presentation and older controls are part of its historical character, but they can make it a tougher recommendation for players accustomed to modern movement and combat. Start here if you want to see the formula at its source; choose the remake below if you want a more approachable version of the same basic scenario.
8. Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Verdict: The original Resident Evil 2 balances two connected campaigns with a memorable citywide disaster and a strong sense of place. Its fixed-camera design and deliberate pace reward patience, and its structure gives returning players reasons to see more than one side of the story. The trade-off is that its controls and presentation feel less immediate than the 2019 remake. For players who enjoy classic survival-horror design, the older game remains a worthwhile experience in its own right.
Rank #3
- 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.
7. Resident Evil Village
Verdict: Village turns the first-person horror of Resident Evil 7 toward a broader, more varied adventure. Its change of settings and enemies keeps the journey moving, but the increased emphasis on combat and spectacle softens the claustrophobic fear that made its predecessor so effective. It is a natural next game after 7—Capcom identifies it as a sequel to the seventh installment—and a good fit for players who want horror with more action and variety.
6. Resident Evil 4 (2005)
Verdict: The original Resident Evil 4 changed the series’ combat perspective to over-the-shoulder action, a shift Capcom identifies as a major system revamp. Its encounter design and escalating journey remain influential, and the less streamlined feel compared with later games is part of what makes this version distinctive. It ranks below the remake because the newer game makes the same basic approach more fluid and cohesive, not because the original’s impact has faded.
5. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Verdict: Resident Evil 7 is the series’ most forceful modern return to intimate survival horror. First-person perspective narrows the player’s view and makes close encounters feel immediate, while the tighter scale leaves room for exploration and dread. Its deliberately uncomfortable opening stretch will not suit everyone, and its combat is less central than in the action-led entries. Play it when you want the series to feel frightening first and expansive second.
Rank #4
- 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.
4. Resident Evil (2002 remake)
Verdict: The remake of the original is the mansion-era formula at its most refined: a dense, interconnected setting, deliberate resource decisions and a steady drip of discoveries. It preserves the tension of the fixed-camera approach while making the original scenario a more substantial experience. Its measured pace and classic controls remain a barrier for some newcomers, but those same qualities make it one of the series’ strongest survival-horror games.
3. Resident Evil 2 (2019 remake)
Verdict: The 2019 remake is the best entry point for most new players. It translates the original’s Raccoon City scenario into a modern over-the-shoulder game without losing the pressure of limited supplies, dangerous enemies and an unfolding mystery. The result balances exploration, action and horror more successfully than almost any other entry. Capcom USA staff also recommend it as a jumping-on point; that is a useful endorsement, not a rule that every player must start there.
2. Resident Evil Requiem
Verdict: Requiem belongs near the top of the mainline ranking: it is the ninth installment and the newest numbered chapter in the series covered here. Metacritic’s gallery, updated February 25, 2026, lists an 89 Metascore for the game. That critic aggregate is platform- and review-coverage-dependent, not a universal verdict or a substitute for the criteria used in this ranking. It is a sensible choice for players who want to follow the current series, but newcomers may find Resident Evil 2 (2019) a clearer on-ramp.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsBest Value
- 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.
1. Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake)
Verdict: The 2023 remake takes the original’s pivotal over-the-shoulder action design and makes it the most complete package in the series. Its combat, exploration and pacing work together without sacrificing the danger that gives the encounters their force. It is less focused on pure survival horror than 7 or the mansion games, but its balance of action, tension and replay appeal makes it the strongest all-around pick. Capcom dates the remake to 2023; it is a separate experience from the influential 2005 original, not a replacement for it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Resident Evil game should you play first?
- For a modern, balanced introduction: play Resident Evil 2 (2019). It is approachable without losing the series’ mix of exploration, horror and combat, and Capcom USA staff recommend it to new players.
- For the most polished action-horror: choose Resident Evil 4 (2023 remake). It makes the most sense if you want fluid combat and a strong sense of forward momentum.
- For the scariest modern starting point: try Resident Evil 7. Its first-person perspective and concentrated atmosphere give it a different feel from the action-led games.
- For the original survival-horror style: choose the 2002 remake of Resident Evil. It is more approachable than the 1996 original while retaining the mansion’s deliberate, fixed-camera design.
- For the series’ history: start with the 1996 original, then move to the 1998 Resident Evil 2. Expect older controls and pacing rather than a modernized experience.
Where do Code: Veronica and Revelations fit?
Resident Evil: Code: Veronica and the two Revelations games are influential, substantial entries, but they are not numbered main installments. They are left outside this ranking’s core rather than treated as minor games. The franchise also includes many other spin-offs; a list claiming to rank literally every Resident Evil game would need a much wider scope. Metacritic’s February 2026 gallery, for example, describes its set as 11 main-series games plus spin-offs and remakes, and applies its own inclusion rules. Its order is critic-score order, not a definitive ranking of the franchise.
Capcom’s 2025 Integrated Report describes the series’ essence as “Battling overwhelming fear, solving mysteries, and surviving by any means necessary.” The games above pursue that combination in sharply different proportions, which is why the right starting point matters as much as the final ranking.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
