In the 1998 original Resident Evil 2, start an A scenario on Normal or Hard and reach the police station without picking up any items. Then go into the underpass beneath the station’s front entrance, defeat zombified Brad Vickers, and search his body for the Special Key. Use it on the locker in the station’s Dark Room.
Which version of Resident Evil 2 has this Special Key?
This route is for the 1998 original, not the 2019 remake. The remake has different key items and routes, so Brad’s underpass encounter and this Special Key method do not apply there. The original game and the Special Key reference describe the original-game secret.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Resident Evil 2 - PlayStation 5 | $15.19 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil 2 Remake PS4 | $23.49 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil Requiem Amazon Exclusive Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil: Revelations 2 - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $19.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Resident Evil 2 Remake - PS5 - UK PAL | $24.75 | Buy on Amazon |
How to get the Special Key
- Start an A scenario on Normal or Hard. The described condition is tied to this scenario and difficulty; the available references do not establish whether regional or platform variations affect it.
- Reach the police station without picking up anything. Do not collect items or weapons on the way, including optional pickups.
- Go to the underpass beneath the station’s front entrance. Look for zombified Brad Vickers there, outside the station proper.
- Defeat Brad and search his body. The Special Key is on him.
- Take the key to the Dark Room. Use it on the locker to unlock its contents.
What the Special Key unlocks
The Dark Room locker contains alternate costumes. If you are playing as Claire, it also contains the Colt S.A.A. The front-entrance reference describes the key’s use and these rewards.
Why the no-pickup condition matters
The key depends on reaching the station without collecting any items. Picking up an optional item along the way breaks the stated condition, so if Brad does not appear in the underpass, check whether you collected anything before arriving. The references specify the A-scenario route and Normal or Hard difficulty; they do not confirm the same encounter in other scenario contexts.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- UK PSN account may be required for any online features
Rank #4
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Rank #3
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Rank #2
- Based on the release of 1998 but completely rebuilt for a deeper narrative experience
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- a more modern take on the survival horror experience
- RE engine, Resident Evil 2 delivers breathtakingly photorealistic visuals in 4K
- zombies are brought to life with a horrifyingly realistic wet gore Effect.zombies react in real time taking instant visible damage, making every bullet count.engage in frenzied combat with enemies, explore dark menacing corridors & solve puzzles.a terrifying constant fight for survival.enjoy separately playable campaigns for both Leon and Claire
#1 Best Overall
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