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Capcom released the original Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis on Steam on April 1, 2026. These are the classic 1996, 1998, and 1999 games—not the 2002, 2019, and 2020 remakes—and they include several useful updates for modern PCs.
The catch is that the Steam editions use Enigma Protector third-party DRM and publish surprisingly demanding minimum PC specifications for games from the PlayStation era. Steam Deck owners should also be prepared for possible launch and configuration problems.
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What Capcom actually released
The new Steam lineup contains three original versions of the series’ early survival-horror games:
- Resident Evil (1996)—the original mansion adventure, not Resident Evil HD Remaster or the 2002 remake.
- Resident Evil 2 (1998)—the original Leon and Claire game, not Capcom’s 2019 remake.
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)—the original Jill Valentine game, not the 2020 remake.
Capcom co-developed the releases with GOG, following the games’ earlier GOG editions. They are preservation-minded ports of the original games rather than graphical remasters or rebuilt versions. The original character models, environments, controls, pacing, story presentation, and overall PlayStation-era identity remain the point.
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Breath of Fire IV also arrived as part of the same broader classic-game release activity, but it is separate from the Resident Evil trilogy.
What has been improved for modern PCs
Although these are not remakes, the ports are more practical to run on current Windows systems than an untouched 1990s PC release. Reported improvements include:
- updated DirectX rendering;
- windowed display options and additional screen controls;
- vertical synchronization;
- gamma correction and integer scaling;
- improved video playback or timing;
- better subtitle presentation in Resident Evil 3;
- improved registry settings and game initialization;
- cleaner task switching and exiting;
- modern Windows compatibility; and
- controller-related support intended to make the games more usable on current hardware.
Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 include six language localizations. Resident Evil 3 also includes its original Mercenaries Mode.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThat makes these releases best understood as lightly modernized editions: the original games with technical accommodations for contemporary PCs, not modernized visual experiences in the style of Capcom’s remakes.
The catch: Enigma DRM is included
Each of the trilogy’s Steam listings examined for this release identifies The Enigma Protector in its third-party DRM disclosure and requires agreement to a third-party end-user license agreement.
The presence of Enigma does not, by itself, prove that every player will experience poor performance, stuttering, reduced battery life, or other specific technical problems. There is not enough evidence to make those claims universally. It is nevertheless an important purchasing distinction because the corresponding GOG editions are advertised as DRM-free, with no activation or online connection required to play and an optional offline installer.
In practical terms, buyers should not assume that the Steam and GOG editions are interchangeable simply because they contain the same classic games. The Steam versions provide the conveniences of the Steam ecosystem, but they also include the disclosed DRM. GOG emphasizes offline installation and DRM-free use.
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Why the published PC requirements are surprising
The second catch is the gap between the games’ age and the hardware listed on Steam. The Resident Evil 3: Nemesis Steam page lists minimum specifications including:
- Operating system: Windows 11;
- Memory: 8 GB of RAM;
- Graphics API: DirectX 12; and
- Graphics card: a GeForce GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 5600 XT-class GPU.
Those requirements look unusually modern for games originally designed for the PlayStation. They likely reflect the requirements of the new Windows wrapper, rendering layer, and compatibility environment rather than the raw demands of the original game engine. That distinction is useful, but it does not make the published requirements optional: check the live Steam page for each title before buying, since the listed specifications may differ between games or change after updates.
Do not use the original 1990s system requirements as a guide to whether the Steam versions will install or run. The current storefront listing is the relevant source for the new release.
Steam Deck: possible, but not effortless
Early third-party testing found a less convenient experience on Steam Deck. Steam Deck HQ reported that Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2 initially produced registry-related errors and required Proton GE, Protontricks, and manual registry changes to launch. The same testing reported control problems with Resident Evil 3 and described the Enigma DRM as contributing to an awkward experience.
After applying workarounds, the outlet reported that the games could run. That does not mean the trilogy is universally unplayable on Deck, nor does it establish permanent behavior. Proton, SteamOS, game updates, and community fixes can all change compatibility over time.
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The cautious conclusion for Deck owners is that the default experience may require troubleshooting. Steam provides library integration and a convenient installation path once configured, while the DRM-free GOG editions avoid Enigma but may require more manual work to add and configure on a Steam Deck.
A sensible Steam Deck troubleshooting order
- Install the latest SteamOS updates and check whether the game has received a patch.
- Try the current default Proton compatibility setting first.
- If the game fails at launch, consult current community reports before changing registry files.
- Only then consider Proton GE, Protontricks, or manual registry changes, following a current, title-specific guide.
- Back up or document any registry changes so they can be reversed if a later update makes them unnecessary.
Because the reported fixes are platform-specific and can become outdated, do not treat an old workaround as an official permanent requirement.
Steam versus GOG: which edition makes more sense?
| Choose Steam if… | Choose GOG if… |
|---|---|
| You mainly play on a conventional Windows 11 gaming PC. | DRM-free ownership is a priority. |
| You value Steam library integration, automatic installation, achievements, or family-sharing features where applicable. | You want an offline installer and no required activation or online connection. |
| Your system meets the live Steam requirements and you accept the third-party DRM disclosure. | You prefer the lighter Windows requirements shown on GOG’s product pages, subject to checking the current listing. |
| You want the games in an existing Steam collection and are comfortable with possible Deck configuration work. | You are comfortable manually configuring a non-Steam version on Steam Deck. |
The strongest storefront distinction is therefore not image quality or game content. It is the balance between platform convenience and DRM-free offline access. The DRM-free Resident Evil classics on GOG are particularly relevant to buyers who want to preserve and install the games without a storefront activation layer. That does not prove GOG is universally better on Steam Deck: its lack of Enigma is attractive, but adding and configuring a GOG game can be less convenient than using Steam.
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Reports from April 1–2, 2026 listed each Steam game at $4.99 during a 50% introductory discount, with a stated regular price of $9.99. That was launch pricing, not a guaranteed current price. Check the live store pages before publication or purchase, particularly because the promotion may have ended or a later sale may have replaced it.
Who should buy these releases?
They make sense for:
- players who specifically want the original versions rather than the remakes;
- fans interested in the games’ original presentation and history;
- Windows players who meet the current published requirements and do not object to Enigma DRM;
- Steam users who value having the trilogy in their existing library; and
- collectors of officially supported classic PC releases.
Think twice if:
- you expect a visual remaster or modern remake;
- you want DRM-free software;
- your PC does not meet the current Steam listing’s requirements;
- you expect a completely frictionless Steam Deck experience; or
- you are buying primarily for a low-end system because the games are old.
For a standard Windows 11 gaming PC, Steam is the straightforward choice if library integration matters and Enigma is acceptable. For buyers who prioritize offline installation and DRM-free ownership, GOG is the more natural storefront to investigate. Steam Deck owners should compare the current compatibility reports and decide whether library convenience or avoiding Enigma matters more to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these the Resident Evil remakes?
No. The Steam releases are the original Resident Evil from 1996, Resident Evil 2 from 1998, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis from 1999. They are distinct from the 2002, 2019, and 2020 remakes.
Do the Steam versions contain DRM?
Yes. The Steam listings examined for the trilogy identify The Enigma Protector as third-party DRM and require agreement to a third-party EULA.
Are the Resident Evil classics playable on Steam Deck?
Early third-party testing found launch, registry, control, and configuration problems, but also reported that the games could run after workarounds involving Proton GE, Protontricks, and manual registry changes. Compatibility may change with SteamOS, Proton, and game updates.
Are the GOG versions identical to the Steam versions?
They cover the same original games, but buyers should not assume technical parity. GOG advertises its editions as DRM-free, with offline installers and no required activation or online connection, while the Steam editions disclose Enigma DRM and offer Steam ecosystem integration.
The Bottom Line
Capcom’s Steam trilogy is worthwhile for players who want the original Resident Evil games with modern Windows conveniences, but it is not a remake collection and it is not a friction-free retro release. Check the current PC requirements, understand the Enigma DRM disclosure, and be especially cautious if you plan to play on Steam Deck. Choose Steam for ecosystem convenience; investigate GOG if DRM-free offline access is the deciding factor.
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