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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor the story, use the chronology below; for a first playthrough, release order and story order answer different questions. This guide gives a practical sequence for selected major story entries—not a verified list of every Resident Evil spin-off, mobile game, regional release, or discontinued title. The available sources do not establish a complete release-date catalog, so this guide does not present one as exhaustive.
What order should you play the Resident Evil games in?
If you want the main story in event order, the sequence below is a useful starting point. It includes selected major entries and uses remakes for some earlier stories. It is a play recommendation, not a definitive ruling on every continuity detail or campaign overlap.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Resident Evil Origins Collection - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition | $19.70 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Resident Evil Triple Pack - Nintendo Switch | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Resident Evil Origins Collection - Nintendo Switch | $37.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Resident Evil Origins Collection (PS4) | $22.05 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Resident Evil 4 - PS5 | $15.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Resident Evil Zero
- Resident Evil — the 2002 remake is a modernized way to experience the original game’s story.
- The opening portion of Resident Evil 3 (2020)
- Resident Evil 2 (2019)
- The rest of Resident Evil 3 (2020)
- Resident Evil – Code: Veronica
- Resident Evil 4 (2023)
- Resident Evil: Revelations
- Resident Evil 5
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2
- Resident Evil 6
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Resident Evil Village
- Resident Evil Requiem
Why split Resident Evil 3 around Resident Evil 2?
The Raccoon City events in Resident Evil 3 overlap those in Resident Evil 2. GamesRadar’s 2026 suggested play sequence places the opening of the 2020 Resident Evil 3 before Resident Evil 2, then returns to Resident Evil 3 afterward. This is a practical way to sequence the overlapping games, not a separate release order. You can also play each game from beginning to end without splitting it.
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Which versions stand in for earlier games?
This sequence uses the 2002 remake of Resident Evil, the 2019 remake of Resident Evil 2, the 2020 remake of Resident Evil 3, and the 2023 remake of Resident Evil 4. Each is a distinct release retelling earlier story material. The list does not include both the original and remake for every game; play an original as well if you want to compare versions.
#1 Best Overall
- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind what led to the horrors at the Mansion in Resident Evil in this fan-favorite and popular prequel title to the series.
- Completely enhanced visuals - New high-resolution textures have been created from scratch, including 1080p support on next-gen consoles, while still preserving the classic appearance of the original release.
- Fan-favorite Resident Evil characters - Rookie S.T.A.R.S. member Rebecca Chambers and wanted criminal Billy Coen combine skills and buddy up to survive the undead and infected nightmares that await them.
- All original difficulty levels plus new Very Easy Mode for novice players
Release order: what this guide can and cannot establish
Release order means the order games first became publicly available, regardless of where their events fit in the story. It is not the same as the chronology above, and remakes count as later releases even when they revisit earlier events.
The available sources establish a selected story-order sequence, but not a verified date-by-date catalog of every game. They do not support an exhaustive release list spanning all main games, spin-offs, mobile and regional releases, online-only titles, ports, and discontinued games. For that reason, this guide does not label a partial chronology as “all games by release date.”
Rank #2
- Play anywhere: play Resident Evil Triple Pack on the go using the Nintendo Switch system's handheld or at home in tabletop mode.
- Two-player local and online co-op: experience Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 locally or online with a friend.
- Game enhancements: includes a variety of game improvements for both Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6.
- Includes map packs, special costumes, plus the game modes from Resident Evil 4, 5, and 6.
When checking a release list elsewhere, look for whether it includes original games and remakes separately, whether dates refer to the first release or a later platform launch, and whether spin-offs are in scope. Those choices can change the list substantially.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesWhere Resident Evil Requiem fits
Capcom announced Resident Evil Requiem as the ninth main installment, with a February 27, 2026 release date. The announcement named PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC; a later Capcom announcement added a Nintendo Switch 2 launch version. The selected chronology places it after Resident Evil Village. Capcom’s October 2024 “Where to Play” guide also offers newcomer suggestions, including starting with the 2019 Resident Evil 2; those are recommendations, not chronology rules.
Rank #3
- Return to the series origins - Discover the truth behind the horrors in the Resident Evil mansion, as well as what led up to them, in these titles which mark the beginning of the Resident Evil timeline.
- Relive the classic horror in either its original settings or modified to modern-day standards
- Play as Albert Wesker in Resident Evil 0 - After completing the main campaign, players will be able to take control of the fan-favorite series antagonist, complete with his Uroboros powers from Resident Evil 5, to wreak havoc in the all new Wesker Mode
- Play Anywhere: Play Resident Evil Origins Collection on the go using the Nintendo Switch system's handheld or tabletop mode
Are VR editions and spin-offs part of the same order?
Not necessarily. A VR edition is a version of a game rather than another main story entry. Capcom’s October 2024 guide lists VR versions of Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 7 biohazard, and Resident Evil Village; it does not make those versions additional points in the chronology. Spin-offs and side stories may add context, but the sequence here is deliberately limited to selected major entries.
Quick Recap
Best 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.
Rank #4
- Return to the series' origins
- Enhanced visuals
- remastered sound effects
- Wesker mode
How to choose between the two orders
- Choose story chronology if you want the listed events in a practical in-universe sequence and are comfortable with the split around Resident Evil 2.
- Choose release order if you want to follow how the series and its mechanics developed. Use a complete, date-checked catalog if you need every release, including spin-offs and regional or platform-specific versions.
- Choose a newcomer starting point if playing the entire series feels like too much. Capcom’s 2024 guide includes staff recommendations; one suggestion is Resident Evil 2 (2019).
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.
