Best Resident Evil Games, Ranked By You 1
Image: Damien McFerran / Time Extension

With over 154 million copies sold worldwide as of 2023, Resident Evil is Capcom's best-selling video game franchise and has generated a host of spin-off projects, including movies, comics, toys and other related merchandise.

Blending survival horror elements with tense action, the series has become famous for its ability to scare the player witless and has graced pretty much every major gaming system since its debut on the PS1 way back in 1996.

With eight numbered sequels and a whole host of spin-offs, side-stories and related games, it's easy to see why Resident Evil has become such a commercially successful property for Capcom – but which entry is best?

We've compiled user votes to generate the ranking below, and this is a dynamic list – so if you feel a certain title has been hard done too (or if you feel a particular game is ranked too highly), make sure you case your own rating as this will change the running order of the list.

31. Resident Evil Survivor 2 Code: Veronica (PS2)

Initially released for Sega's NAOMI arcade board without light gun support, Resident Evil Survivor 2 Code: Veronica (Gun Survivor 2 – Biohazard – Code: Veronica in Japan) gives you the option to play as either Claire Redfield or Steve Burnside as they work their way through the events of Resident Evil - Code: Veronica, albeit from a different perspective. Like the other Resi light gun efforts, this is average at best.

30. Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2 (PS2)

Picking up where Resident Evil: Outbreak left off, Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2 retains the same eight characters and places them in a selection of new episodic missions. This time around, though, Europe got to join the action.

29. Umbrella Corps (PS4)

Umbrella Corps is a brain-dead mess of good ideas gone wrong. It partially hides its flaws underneath a veneer of pretty graphics and promising gameplay concepts, but it can't hold up under its own weight in execution. Conflicting mechanics, dumb level design choices, balancing issues, technical problems, and shallow content plague this shambling title to the core, ensuring a quick burial with single-player missions that are a mere afterthought. This isn't just a bad Resident Evil game, but a disappointing multiplayer shooter; a spin-off that feels like little more than a lazy cash grab.

28. Resident Evil Resistance (PS4)

Developed by NeoBards Entertainment as the online component for the Resident Evil 3 remake, Resident Evil Resistance pits four players against an evil mastermind (also controlled by a player) who is trying to kill them. It's a nice premise, but the whole thing is undone by technical issues – including the lack of dedicated servers, so all of the players have to rely on the mastermind (who acts as the host) having a stable connection.

27. Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (PS3)

Unless you're going to play with others, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City isn't worth your time. Single player is infected with poor artificial intelligence, lack of useful feedback and abusive enemies. Rope in a couple of friends — or open your game up for anybody to join — and ORC improves, still beholden to many of its problems but better for the replacement of its inadequate AI with human players to help deal with its viruses. The versus multiplayer modes are the highlight, though they do nothing outstanding – they're mainly Resident Evil-themed versions of game types found in any number of shooters already out there. Most disappointingly, there just isn't enough bite to Operation Raccoon City's curious scenario; it doesn't take full advantage of and adds nothing to the franchise's lore, even as a 'what if?' side-story.

26. Resident Evil: Survivor (PS1)

Some people might lead you to assume that Resident Evil 7 was taking a bold new step for the franchise by going first-person in 2017, but this PS1 offering actually did that back in the year 2000. A light gun shooter developed by Tose rather than Capcom, Resident Evil: Survivor isn't particularly noteworthy beyond that, however; the visuals are poor for such a late-generation PS1 title, and the action isn't all that exciting. To make matters worse, the North American version of the game removed the ability to use a light gun, rendering the whole thing pretty much redundant.

25. Resident Evil 6 (PS3)

Resident Evil 6 steers Capcom’s survival-horror series in an even more action-oriented direction – and comes up short in some places as a result. This new entry in the franchise is far more action-oriented than any previous title in the series. The blend of violent gunplay, blockbuster cutscenes, and limited ammunition provide an exhilarating experience – but it won't appeal to everyone. However, if you can forgive the troublesome camera and woeful partner AI, there’s still a lot to like about this third-person shooter.

24. Resident Evil Gaiden (GBC)

The most devisive game in Resident Evil history? Quite possibly. Developed by M4, Resident Evil Gaiden gives the player a top-down view of the world, with battles switching to a first-person perspective. While the game features Leon S. Kennedy and Barry Burton in the lead roles, it's not considered to be canon – and the reviews at the time of release were decidedly negative. Over time, however, the game has undergone something of a critical reappraisal and offers something genuinely unique within the Resident Evil family.

23. Resident Evil: Outbreak (PS2)

Notable for being the first entry in the Resident Evil series to feature cooperative gameplay and online multiplayer (unless you lived in Europe, where the online mode wasn't included), Resident Evil: Outbreak is an episodic adventure in which players can select one of eight different characters, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Despite the promise of the setup, the game doesn't quite click in the way it should.

22. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (3DS)

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D entertains with its brand of fast-flowing action, constant stream of unlockables and captivating co-op gameplay. It’s far from a perfect package though, with occasionally rough visuals and a save system that is destined to ensure that second-hand copies are, to some, practically worthless. It’s also worth noting that unless you’re keen on repeatedly playing levels to boost your overall rating, you may tire of the game quite swiftly.

21. Resident Evil: Dead Aim (PS2)

Known as Gun Survivor 4: Biohazard: Heroes Never Die in Japan, Resident Evil: Dead Aim is another attempt to fuse light fun mechanics with the core Resident Evil series. Developed by Cavia, it's moderately more successful than previous efforts, but there's still the feeling that it doesn't really do the concept justice. Not an essential entry in the franchise, it has to be said.

20. Resident Evil 5 (PS3)

Something of a controversial entry in the series due to its African setting, Resident Evil 5 had a tough act to follow. Resident Evil 4 had effectively rebooted the franchise, and much was expected of this, the first all-new HD entry in the series. The game's co-op mechanics remain interesting even today, but those who claimed it was closer to an action game than a survival horror title do perhaps have a point. However, nothing could prepare them for Resident Evil 6, which would move further into the 'action game' direction.

19. Resident Evil 3 (PS4)

Resident Evil 3 had the potential to better its classic predecessor, but a disappointing amount of cut content and the let down that is Nemesis hold it back from greatness. It's still an experience very much worth revisiting, with Raccoon City and the hospital receiving a lot of love and attention, however, it only makes us question what could have been that little bit more.

18. Resident Evil Re:Verse (PS4)

This online third-person shooter was supposed to be bundled with Resident Evil Village, but it slipped to 2022. Developed by NeoBards Entertainment – which also handled the production of Resident Evil Resistance – Re:Verse stars famous faces from the series, with the twist being that, when killed in battle, your character respawns as a mutated monster.

17. Resident Evil Revelations 2 (Switch eShop)

A certain sense of porting laziness aside, this is a fine entry that stands proud in a storied franchise. Revelations 2 is a full-fat Resident Evil experience with a neat partner system and some terrifyingly tense set pieces. There's a strong case to be made that you should ignore the original (especially if you've played it already) and simply purchase this prime slab of survival horror, but completionists won't be disappointed either way.

16. Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Wii)

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles is a worthy sequel to Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. It nicely fills in the story gaps of the first collection and presents a very good-looking and deep light-gun experience. There are some interesting trade-offs in terms of the controls and some of the story lines are overly long (especially true of the Resident Evil 2 sections), but better visuals and more dynamic camera action keep the game fresh and exciting even hours into it.

15. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Wii)

An unexpected and refreshingly different addition to the genre, Umbrella Chronicles is a well executed on-rails arcade-shooter that is host to a huge amount of Resident Evil content that will please most fans of the series. Shooter fans will also be happy with the good range of weapons and 22 levels on offer here, well worth a purchase. I would, however, advise against getting a Wii Zapper for this particular title. It seems Capcom finally get a Resident Evil spin-off right, although far from perfect, but great fun nevertheless, bring on the sequel.

14. Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (DS)

A Nintendo DS-exclusive enhanced version of the game that started it all – complete with dual-screen mechanics and touch-based controls – Resident Evil: Deadly Silence does some interesting things with its "Rebirth Mode", which contains new puzzles based around the DS' technical innovations, such as a mini-game where you must administer CPR by blowing into the console's microphone.

13. Resident Evil 0 (GCN)

Initially conceived as a side-story for Nintendo's N64 console, Resident Evil Zero / 0 boasts a partner system which was unique for the time; you can switch between the two lead characters – police officer Rebecca Chambers and tattooed convict Billy Coen – in order to solve puzzles and take down enemies. Despite sales of four million copies, some critics felt that the game's innovations didn't go far enough to keep the format feeling fresh.

12. Resident Evil Revelations (3DS)

Resident Evil Revelations is a truly impressive achievement and the definitive ‘mature’ title on the 3DS. With production values worthy of a home console release, a significant volume of content, a blend of the series’ different game styles and a subtly evolved control system, this title feels like a tribute to and progression of the franchise. There are some downsides though, including spikes in difficulty and drops in frame rate that are occasionally jarring in contrast to the rest of the title. All the same, Revelations has something to offer Resi fans old and new – there are few experiences on the 3DS more engrossing or exciting.

11. Resident Evil - Code: Veronica (Dreamcast)

Capcom's support of the Sega Dreamcast was significant; a vital vote of confidence when the console needed it the most. The resultant game, Code: Veronica, remains a superb title and the first to use full-3D visuals for backgrounds, rather than CGI. Hailed as one of the best instalments in the series at the time of release, it would later make its way to the PS2 and GameCube following relatively low sales on Dreamcast – an unfortunate consequence of the console's low install base.

10. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (PS1)

Famously divisive at the time of release, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was criticised for being too short, but it has one ace up its sleeve which ensures it is fondly remembered, even today: the titular Nemesis, a fearsome beast which appears throughout the game to stalk the player, ratcheting up the already impressive degree of tension to insane levels. This one would be remade in 2020 as plain old Resident Evil 3.

9. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (PS4)

At its very best, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a barnstorming survival horror with some truly brilliant boss fights. Granted, the game isn't always able to maintain its own high standards, but it eclipses its abysmal predecessor with ease. While it borrows ideas from a variety of different sources, it manages to feel both original and old-school all at the same time. And even though fans are likely to be divided by the release's direction, make no mistake: this is the change that the series has needed for quite some time.

8. Resident Evil (PS1)

The game that started it all. Released at a time when the PS1's talent for 3D was becoming readily apparent, Resident Evil (or Biohazard as it was known in Japan) took the core mechanics of Alone in the Dark and introduced detailed CGI backgrounds, live-action FMV sequences and some of the most intricate 3D character models seen up to that point. The end result was a game which thrilled and shocked in equal measure; few can forget that iconic opening sequence where the CGI zombie turns its head to gaze at the player, even though it's halfway through its lunch. Sure, the series has evolved almost beyond comprehension since its debut, but this remains a seminal entry in the franchise.

7. Resident Evil (GCN)

One of the games to play alone, this Resident Evil remake lived up to and exceeded all expectations. The amount of backtracking is actually a pleasure at times, and the possibility of encountering new monsters prevents things from becoming too repetitive. The updated photorealistic visuals and extra content make it worth revisiting for old fans as well. If you are one of the few to have not played Resident Evil games before, buy this game. If you are one of the lucky many to have played Resident Evil games already, buy this game.

6. Resident Evil Village (PS5)

While the Resident Evil series has been on a high for a number of years now, Resident Evil Village sets an entirely new standard. Its cast of villains is up there with the very best, memorable sequences and gameplay sections beg to be played over and over again, and a sense of constant dread created by the atmosphere and soundtrack keeps you on the edge of your seat. Even the combat is solid this time around and the lengths Capcom has gone to take advantage of the PS5 pays off with impressive Ray-Tracing. Does it better Resident Evil 4? Maybe not, but it's damn close. Real damn close. Resident Evil Village is an essential playthrough for anyone with even a passing interest in the franchise.

5. Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition (Wii)

The controls in Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition are spectacular (to a degree where we'd say the game was made for them) and the graphics are engrossing. Tie in an incredible (if not somewhat clichéd) storyline and atmosphere you could slice with a knife and you have one of the games of the year on your hands. Seriously – clear your mind that you've completed this before and just play it all over again. You won't regret it.

4. Resident Evil 2 (PS1)

How could you possibly top the original Resident Evil, a game which had sold millions and created a legion of dedicated fans? Simple, you multiply everything by two! Resident Evil 2 not only came on two discs (for one each playable character) but also massively expanded the game world, allowing you to explore the streets of Racoon City in the middle of a zombie crisis. Considered by some to be the apex of the 'classic' Resi series, this is a gem in the PS1's library and well worth playing, even if the superior modern-day remake exists.

3. Resident Evil 2 (PS4)

Resident Evil 2 might be one of the most accomplished remakes of the generation. A number of mechanics have been updated and introduced in order to bring the game into the modern era, but this is still very much the classic experience you remember – inventory management, limited ammunition, and all. Capcom has lovingly recreated every historic location and moment you remember from 1998, and you owe it to yourself to witness that spectacle first-hand.

2. Resident Evil 4 (PS5)

Nearly 20 years later, Resident Evil 4 is just as much of a masterpiece today as it was in 2005. Capcom has faithfully remade a genuine classic by bringing it into the modern age and kitting it out with new content, tremendous combat, and striking visuals. What was there before was already enough to consider Resident Evil 4 one of the best games of all time, but now it earns that title in 2023 off the back of better environments and sublime action. This is Resident Evil at its absolute pinnacle; an utterly outstanding experience that will live long in the hearts of longtime fans while inducting a whole new generation of supporters.

1. Resident Evil 4 (GCN)

Bad sequels are usually little more than lazy rehashes, with little more than a lick of paint to try and hide the fact the developer has done nothing to warrant the purchase of the latest update. Good sequels are an evolution of a series – improving on everything the previous incarnation did yet keeping what made it enjoyable in the first place. Resident Evil 4 was even more than this. It was a revolution. It not only completely revitalized Capcom’s ageing series, but gave a rocket up the backside of everyone making a sequel in the gaming world.