If you’ve ever tried to play the Resident Evil games in order, you know how tricky it can be. The timeline jumps all over the place, there are spin-offs that may or may not be as important, and Capcom loves a good remake. But as one of the most iconic survival horror franchises of all time, Resident Evil is worth the effort. It helped define survival horror with its tense atmosphere and limited resources, then flipped the genre on its head with Resident Evil 4’s action-packed over-the-shoulder gameplay.
So, how to play Resident Evil games in order? Let’s break it down.
The Resident Evil series is huge. If you count spin-offs, mobile games, and even weird Japan-only pachinko machines, there are nearly 60 titles. But if we’re talking about the mainline games, there are 10 core entries:
For this guide, we’re focusing on the main games and the key spin-offs that actually contribute to the story.
Resident Evil’s story is all over the place. The games weren’t released in chronological order; some spin-offs fill in crucial gaps, and remakes occasionally change things up. Plus, Capcom has retconned parts of the lore more than once.
The good news? Each game is designed to be playable on its own. But if you want the full picture, here’s how to play them in the proper Resident Evil timeline.
Here are the Resident Evil games in chronological order:
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: GameCube, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Before the nightmare at Spencer Mansion, rookie medic Rebecca Chambers and ex-Marine convict Billy Coen find themselves aboard the doomed Ecliptic Express. This prequel dives deep into the origins of the T-Virus and introduces a unique partner system that lets you switch between Rebecca and Billy on the fly. Say goodbye to item boxes-this game forces you to drop items on the ground, which some players loved for the added challenge, while others found downright infuriating.
Fun Fact: The game was originally planned for the Nintendo 64 before being moved to the GameCube due to hardware limitations.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS1, PSP, Sega Saturn, GameCube, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Switch
The game that started it all! Follow Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as they navigate the eerie, zombie-infested Spencer Mansion. Puzzles, limited ammo, and those infamous tank controls made it a genre-defining experience. The 2002 remake upped the ante with horrifying Crimson Head zombies-if you don’t burn them, they come back stronger. Terrifying!
Fun Fact: The original 1996 release started as a 3D remake of Sweet Home (1989), a Japanese horror RPG. Elements like mansion exploration, puzzles, and door animations carried over, creating RE’s survival horror formula.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS1, Nintendo 64, GameCube, Dreamcast, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC (Resident Evil 2 released for iOS also, since December 2024)
Welcome to Raccoon City! Rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield arrive at the worst possible time-a full-blown zombie outbreak. The 1998 version delivered a cinematic story with branching paths, while the 2019 remake transformed it into a modern horror masterpiece, complete with a relentless Mr. X stomping after you.
Fun Fact: The original Resident Evil 2 had a scrapped version known as “Resident Evil 1.5,” which featured a different storyline and characters.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS1, GameCube, Dreamcast, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Jill Valentine is back, and she’s trying to escape Raccoon City while being hunted by the nightmare known as Nemesis. The 1999 version had multiple endings and a live selection system, while the 2020 remake streamlined things for a more cinematic, action-packed experience-though some fans felt it was a little too rushed.
Fun Fact: RE3 was originally supposed to be a spin-off, but Capcom promoted it to a main entry late in development.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: Dreamcast, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360 (No modern remaster)
Code: Veronica is an important spinoff that bridges the gap between RE stories.
Claire and Chris Redfield reunite in this overlooked gem, which introduced fully 3D environments and one of the most disturbing villains in the series, Alfred Ashford. Despite being a fan favorite, we’re still waiting on a proper remake.
Fun Fact: This was the first Resident Evil game to use full 3D environments instead of pre-rendered backgrounds.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS2, GameCube, Wii, Android, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, iOS
Six years after RE 2, Leon Kennedy is sent to a rural Spanish village to rescue the U.S. president’s daughter. He faces a mind-controlling parasite and crosses paths with Ada Wong and Wesker. Resident Evil 4 is often considered by fans as the best Resident Evil game.
Leon Kennedy is back, but this time, he’s dealing with a creepy Spanish village, cultists, and a parasite called Las Plagas. The 2005 version reinvented third-person action games forever, and the 2023 remake refined it into survival horror perfection.
It doesn’t matter what you play, the original 2005 or the remake; this is PEAK Resident Evil. If you don’t want to play all the Resident Evil games in order, we recommend at least trying this classic.
Fun Fact: The original Resident Evil 4 was almost an entirely different game, with an early version featuring a more supernatural theme.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Another major spinoff title, Resident Evil: Revelations, took place between RE4 and RE5. The game brought Jill and Chris back into a more traditional survival horror setting aboard a ghostly cruise ship.
Fun Fact: This game was initially a Nintendo 3DS exclusive before being ported to other platforms.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Chris Redfield teams up with Sheva Alomar to fight a bioterror crisis in Africa. This was the first game in the series to fully embrace co-op gameplay, making it a great experience to play with a friend-though its shift toward action over horror divided fans.
Fun Fact: RE5 was the first game in the series to feature online co-op, making it one of the best scary-games to play with friends.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Revelations 2 is the final major spinoff that directly ties into the main storyline (at least for now) before Capcom shifted focus to the modern RE saga (RE 7 & Village).
Claire Redfield and Moira Burton (Barry Burton’s daughter!) get caught in yet another bioterror nightmare. The game had an episodic format, which made each chapter feel like a survival horror TV show.
Fun Fact: Revelations 2 introduced a cooperative gameplay mechanic where one player controls a combat character, and the other plays as a support character.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Resident Evil 6? More like Resident Evil: Call of Duty! Four linked campaigns featuring Leon, Chris, Jake Muller, and Ada Wong offered a mix of survival horror, action, and… well, explosions. Lots of explosions. It had its flaws, but it’s one of Capcom’s best-selling games.
Fun Fact: Resident Evil 6 has the longest campaign in the series, with all four storylines combined taking around 25–30 hours to complete.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch (Cloud)
New protagonist, new perspective. RE7 flipped the script by introducing a first-person view, a terrifying Louisiana mansion, and the horrifying Baker family. It was a much-needed return to pure horror. One of the best horror games ever. Same as RE4; if you’re not planning on playing all Resident Evil games in order, don’t you dare skipping this one.
Fun Fact: The developers took heavy inspiration from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Evil Dead to craft RE7’s chilling atmosphere.
Image Credit: Capcom
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Switch (Cloud)
Ethan Winters’ nightmare isn’t over. This time, he finds himself trapped in a gothic European village filled with werewolf-like monsters and one very, very tall vampire lady.
A mix of tense horror, action-packed combat, and classic RE elements, Village proves that Resident Evil can evolve without losing its identity.
Fun Fact: Lady Dimitrescu became an internet sensation before the game even launched, with fans obsessing over her towering presence!
Resident Evil didn’t just shape survival horror-it evolved with the industry. It influenced many other popular games like, like The Last of Us, one of the best post-apocalyptic games, and even introduced mechanics that became staples in action games. Sure, it’s had its ups and downs (looking at you, RE6), but the series always finds a way to reinvent itself and stay relevant.
Nope! Each game tells a mostly self-contained story, playing Resident Evil games in order is not a must, you can jump in anywhere. If you’re new to the series, Resident Evil 7 and Village are great starting points. They work as soft reboots and bring the horror back to its roots.
But if you’re a lore junkie and want to see how everything connects, playing in timeline order is worth it. Either way, you’re in for a wild, terrifying ride.
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