Resident Evil games in order: By release date and timeline

RESIDENT Evil is a long running horror video game which has expanded into film, tv and even comic books.

Starting in 1996, Resident Evil was called Biohazard in Japan where the game originated from.

AlamyResident Evil 4 was released on Nintendo GameCube in 2005[/caption]

Resident Evil games in order by release date

Resident Evil (1996)

Japanese game developer Capcom launched Resident Evil initially under the name of Biohazard in Japan.

Resident Evil is a survival horror game with third person play and is credited with returning zombies to popular culture.

It takes place on the outskirts of Raccoon City, where the player encounters members of the Bravo and Alpha teams.

There are multiple different outcomes depending on the player’s decisions throughout the game.

Resident Evil 2 (1998)

Taking place two months after the original gameplay, Resident Evil 2 follows Claire Redfield, the sister of Chris from the first game.

You can explore the labs of the Umbrella Corporation and discover the secrets of the G-Virus hidden within.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)

This Resident Evil outing happens 24 hours before Resident Evil 2 and runs concurrently with those events.

The population of Raccoon City have been turned into zombies by the T-virus, a biological weapon.

As with all the games, the actions chosen by the player impacts the outcome of the plot.

Resident Evil Survivor (2000)

This is the first of the series spin-off games, it is a first-person light fun shooter game rather than third person like the previous three.

It takes place after the destruction of Raccoon City, where a pilot crashes on an island.

The player must escape the island and the Hypnos Tyrant chasing them.

Resident Evil: Code Veronica (2000)

Code Veronica takes place between the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3.

It returns to Claire and Chris Redfield as the player switches between the characters, escaping the Umbrella Corporation’s Antarctic facility.

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X (2001)

The original Code Veronica game was on Dreamcast’s platform, so an expanded version of the game was released on PlayStation.

There is around 10 minutes more cinematic sequences that reveal Wesker’s involvement with Umbrella.

Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica (2001)

A non-canon game which you can skip if you’re solely interested in the main lore of the franchise.

This was another light gun shooter game in which the player, as Claire, escapes the Umbrella prison.

It is non-canon as -spoiler warning – it is revealed to be a dream sequence at the end.

Resident Evil Gaiden (2001)

Another non-canon game that came to Nintendo’s Gameboy Color, which brings some characters from the main games on to a luxury ship.

Once again the player must defeat the Umbrella Corporation in their quest to make bio-organic weapons.

Resident Evil Remake (2002)

This is the remake of the original PlayStation game, it came exclusively to Nintendo GameCube.

Resident Evil (2002) features new gameplay such as revised puzzles, additional areas and new story details.

Resident Evil Zero (2002)

Stylised with both ‘Zero’ and ‘0’ this game is a prequel to Resident Evil (1996).

It reveals the origins of the biological weapon T-virus and involves a man with the ability to control leeches.

Resident Evil: Dead Aim (2003)

Dead Aim is the first game to switch between third person and first person gameplay.

It takes place four years after the Raccoon City incident on an island with an Umbrella Facility.

Resident Evil Outbreak (2003)

An episodic game where players can control eight different characters in the zombie-infested Raccoon City but the scenarios are not chronological.

It was the first game in the franchise to feature online multiplayer support.

Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2 (2004)

The sequel to Outbreak, this features the same eight characters in the same zombie-run Raccoon City.

There are some scenarios which can have a good ending, while others have a bad one.

Resident Evil 4 (2005)

Originally release on GameCube, this allows players to control US government agent Leon S. Kennedy – a regular in the franchise.

It won multiple Game of the Year awards on its release and is often called one of the best video games ever made.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (2007)

The first Resident Evil game released on Wii and uses Albert Wesker’s narration.

Wesker is a former scientist for the Umbrella Corporation and the game retells the first 4 games plus the prequel through his eyes.

Resident Evil: Genesis (2008)

This is a mobile phone version of the original game.

It omits original character Chris Redfield and deviates from the canon storyline.

Resident Evil 5 (2009)

The fifth instalment of the series brings back Chris Redfield and Albert Wesker.

It was the first game to feature two player cooperative gameplay.

Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (2009)

The Darkside Chronicles serves as a prequel to the events of Resident Evil 4.

It focuses on retelling Resident Evil 2 and Code Veronica and the personal stories involved in them.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (2011)

Released on Nintendo 3DS this game was a combination of minigames featured in Resident Evil 4 and 5.

Players can choose to aim from first person but the play is in third person.

Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)

Set shortly after the events of Resident Evil 4, this follows Chris Redfield as he tries to uncover the truth behind Umbrella.

Players can complete episodes which have puzzles and shooter aspects as well as a multiplayer mode.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (2012)

Taking the series back to Resident Evil 2 and 3, this is a non-canon game.

It uses Umbrella mercenaries to fight the Raccoon City zombie outbreak.

Resident Evil 6 (2012)

This was a big release for the games, bringing back Chris Redfield and Leon S. Kennedy.

The interwoven campaigns, with unique styles and graphics made for mixed critical reception.

Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)

A follow up to both Resident Evil Revelations and Resident Evil 5, it marks the return of Claire Redfield.

The story is in four episodes divided between the past and the present and features Raid Mode from the first Revelations game.

Resident Evil 0 (Remaster) (2016)

This is a remaster of the original Resident Evil Zero game, quality and textures were improved.

There was little changed plot-wise and some fans preferred the original graphics.

Umbrella Corps (2016)

Another non-canon game, but the first in the franchise to receive overwhelming negative reviews.

It is a spin-off from the core story.

Resident Evil 7 (2017)

The seventh instalment of the franchise sees you play as Ethan Winters while he searches for his missing wife.

Often known as Resident Evil: Biohazard, and emphasises horror and exploration over action.

Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)

A remake of the 1998 game, returning to Leon and Claire as they escape zombies in Raccoon City.

The game has varying difficulties and remade minigames from the original version too.

Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)

Another remake of an early game in the franchise, which used third person perspective for controlling Jill Valentine.

There are computer-controlled monsters to hinder the players progress and you can unlock extra difficulty levels.

Resident Evil: Resistance (2020)

This involves four players competing against a mastermind player, who lays traps.

The game takes place at the same time as the Raccoon City incident.

Resident Evil Village (2021)

Play as Ethan Winters as he searches for his daughter in a mutant overrun town.

Like some of its predecessors, this Resident Evil game won Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards.

Resident Evil RE:Verse (2022)

This is a multiplayer video game featuring short battles for players to get stuck into.

It was announced in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the franchise.

Resident Evil games in order by timeline

The order of these games can be a little confusing with many side stories connected to the main run.

Some are not canon, as explained above, but have still been included in the list.

If you want the whole Resident Evil story there are also films and manga which are canon for you to watch or read.

Resident Evil 0 (2016)Resident Evil Remake (2002)Resident Evil 2 (1998)Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)Resident Evil 3 (1999)Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020)Resident Evil: Outbreak (2003)Resident Evil: Outbreak File #2 (2004) Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (2012)Resident Evil Survivor (2000)Resident Evil: Code Veronica X (2001) Resident Evil: Survivor 2 – Code Veronica (2001)Resident Evil Gaiden (2001)Resident Evil: Dead Aim (2003)Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles (2009)Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles (2007)Resident Evil 4 (2005)Resident Evil Revelations (2012)Resident Evil 6 (2012)Umbrella Corps (2016) Resident Evil 7 (2017)Resident Evil Village (2021) Resident Evil RE:Verse (2022)