Resident Evil defined survival horror and keeps evolving across decades of entries. Ranking them pits classic tension against modern action and remakes that refresh the formula. Vote to refine the order based on what you value most.
What counts: Best balances critical acclaim, innovation, replayability and sales impact; figures are approximate round numbers from public data.
Resident Evil 2 (2019)▲ Rising
The 2019 remake rebuilt Raccoon City with modern controls and deeper storytelling while preserving the dual-campaign structure. Its Leon and Claire paths delivered the series' signature moment of the licker encounter in the police station. It earns the top spot by perfectly updating the 1998 classic without losing its horror soul.
Release Year: 2019Metacritic Score: 93/10Sales (millions): 12 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: ✓
added by IJRin 3 rankings
Resident Evil Village (2021)▲ Rising
Village expanded RE7's first-person style into a larger world with gothic horror and Ethan Winters' family story. The Dimitrescu castle sequence became an instant standout moment. It earns its place by blending open exploration with intense set-piece horror.
Release Year: 2021Metacritic Score: 84/10Sales (millions): 10 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Resident Evil (2002)▲ Rising
The GameCube remake of the original game rebuilt Spencer Mansion with pre-rendered backgrounds and tank controls that still hold up. Its crimson-head zombies and improved puzzles set a new standard for remakes. It earns this ranking by proving how timeless the first game's structure remains.
Release Year: 2002Metacritic Score: 91/10Sales (millions): 4 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: ✓
added by IJR
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)▲ Rising
RE7 returned the series to first-person survival horror and introduced the Baker family in a derelict Louisiana mansion. Its moldy corridors and chainsaw duels marked a bold reset after action-heavy entries. It ranks high for revitalizing core tension and atmosphere.
Release Year: 2017Metacritic Score: 86/10Sales (millions): 12 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Resident Evil 4 (2005)▲ Rising
RE4 shifted the series toward over-the-shoulder action and set the template for modern third-person shooters. Its village siege and castle sections remain iconic benchmarks for pacing. It ranks high because it reinvented survival horror while staying true to the franchise's roots.
Release Year: 2005Metacritic Score: 96/10Sales (millions): 8 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Resident Evil 4 (2023)▲ Rising
The 2023 remake refined RE4's action with modern graphics and smoother controls while keeping the core loop intact. Its castle and island sections feel fresh again. It earns this spot by successfully updating a legendary game without losing its identity.
Release Year: 2023Metacritic Score: 87/10Sales (millions): 7 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: ✓
added by IJRin 2 rankings
Resident Evil: Survivor▼ Falling
Survivor brought first-person shooter gameplay to the series with Ark Thompson on Sheena Island. Its rail-shooter style and light-gun support offered a new perspective. It ranks here for experimenting with the format despite mixed results.
Release Year: 2000Metacritic Score: 58/10Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJR
RE6 went full action with four campaigns and global conspiracies involving Leon, Chris, Jake and Ada. Its massive scale and co-op focus aimed for blockbuster status. It ranks lower for drifting too far from horror roots.
Release Year: 2012Metacritic Score: 74/10Sales (millions): 8 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJRin 2 rankingsResident Evil 6
Resident Evil 3 (2020)▲ Rising
The 2020 remake streamlined Jill's escape from Raccoon City with faster pacing and Nemesis chases that still terrify. It modernized the 1999 original but trimmed some exploration. It sits here for delivering intense action-horror moments despite its shorter length.
Release Year: 2020Metacritic Score: 77/10Sales (millions): 5 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: ✓
added by IJR
Resident Evil 2 (1998)
The original RE2 introduced dual protagonists and the G-virus threat in a zombie-filled Raccoon City. Its police station exploration became the blueprint for many later entries. It ranks high for establishing the series' modern identity.
Release Year: 1998Metacritic Score: 89/10Sales (millions): 5 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Resident Evil Code: Veronica X▲ Rising
Code Veronica followed Claire and Chris across Rockfort Island and Antarctica with a stronger story and tougher puzzles. Its Antarctic base and final boss remain standout moments. It earns its place as the last pure classic-style entry before the action shift.
Release Year: 2000Metacritic Score: 84/10Sales (millions): 2 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Resident Evil 0
RE0 introduced the partner system with Rebecca and Billy on a train and in the woods, adding item-dropping mechanics. Its prequel story and mansion connections appealed to fans. It ranks here for experimenting with the formula while staying close to classic horror.
Release Year: 2002Metacritic Score: 83/10Sales (millions): 2 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Revelations 2 paired Claire with Moira and Barry with Natalia in a story-driven episodic tale. Its raid mode and co-op focus added replay value. It ranks here for delivering solid narrative and mechanics on a budget release.
Release Year: 2015Metacritic Score: 75/10Sales (millions): 2 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil: Revelations 2
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
Darkside Chronicles continued the rail-shooter format covering RE2 and Code Veronica stories. Its improved controls and dual-wielding added polish. It earns this ranking for refining the Chronicles formula.
Release Year: 2009Metacritic Score: 70/10Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles
RE5 took the series co-op and into Africa with Chris and Sheva fighting against Las Plagas. Its co-op mechanics and boss fights became highlights despite the shift to action. It ranks here for expanding the audience while delivering memorable set pieces.
Release Year: 2009Metacritic Score: 86/10Sales (millions): 9 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil 5
Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles▼ Falling
Umbrella Chronicles retold early RE events through on-rails shooting with Wii controls. Its story recap and boss fights appealed to fans wanting quick action. It ranks here for providing accessible entry to classic lore.
Release Year: 2007Metacritic Score: 67/10Sales (millions): 2 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles
Resident Evil: Outbreak
Outbreak introduced online co-op with multiple scenarios in Raccoon City before the outbreak. Its four-player scenarios and character variety were ahead of their time. It earns this ranking for pioneering multiplayer in the series.
Release Year: 2003Metacritic Score: 71/10Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Dead Aim continued the light-gun rail-shooter style aboard a cruise ship with new protagonist Bruce. Its on-rails action and zombie hordes delivered arcade thrills. It earns this spot for staying true to its niche format.
Release Year: 2003Metacritic Score: 62/10Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil: Dead Aim
Resident Evil: Gun Survivor
Gun Survivor launched the rail-shooter sub-series with Ark Thompson fighting on Sheena Island. Its first-person view and light-gun focus marked an early departure. It ranks here for starting the experimental spin-off line.
Release Year: 2000Metacritic Score: —Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)▼ Falling
The original RE3 introduced Nemesis as a relentless pursuer and added branching paths in Raccoon City. Its clock tower and hospital sections delivered classic tension. It earns this ranking for pioneering the stalker enemy concept still used today.
Release Year: 1999Metacritic Score: 87/10Sales (millions): 4 MMainline Game: ✓Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Gaiden brought RE to the Game Boy Color with top-down exploration and turn-based elements on a submarine. Its portable attempt at the formula was ambitious for the hardware. It ranks here for being a curious early experiment.
Release Year: 2001Metacritic Score: —Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil Gaiden
Resident Evil: Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica▼ Falling
Survivor 2 continued the rail-shooter style with Code Veronica characters and locations. Its light-gun action offered another arcade take on the series. It earns this ranking as a niche follow-up with limited reach.
Release Year: 2001Metacritic Score: —Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJR
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City▲ Rising
Operation Raccoon City placed players as Umbrella soldiers during the RE2 events in a third-person shooter. Its multiplayer focus and alternate timeline stood out. It ranks here for trying a unique perspective despite mixed execution.
Release Year: 2012Metacritic Score: 60/10Sales (millions): 2 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
Resident Evil: Revelations▼ Falling
Revelations brought Jill back in a cruise ship setting with episodic structure and scan mechanics. Its episodic format and tense underwater sections stood out. It earns this spot for bridging classic and modern styles effectively.
Release Year: 2012Metacritic Score: 80/10Sales (millions): 3 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil: Revelations
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D▼ Falling
Mercenaries 3D brought the popular mode to 3DS with classic characters and score-chasing gameplay. Its portable format and mission variety offered quick sessions. It earns this spot for expanding the Mercenaries experience.
Release Year: 2011Metacritic Score: 68/10Sales (millions): 1 MMainline Game: —Is Remake: —
added by IJRResident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
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Resident Evil 2 (2019) at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
Voted, but this order is going to look very different in a month once more people find it.
Came for the argument, stayed for the comparison grid. The numbers settle half the fights here.
The criteria line matters here. Read it before you vote or you're arguing about a different list.