As Capcom's survival horror franchise turns 30, and with more games arriving on Nintendo Switch 2, a full ranking of every mainline Resident Evil title from 1996 to 2026 has been compiled. The list places 2012's Resident Evil 6 at the bottom and 2005's Resident Evil 4 at the top, with the original 1996 game and the 2026 anniversary title Resident Evil Requiem also featuring highly.
While not the first horror game, Resident Evil coined the term survival horror, and unlike many franchises that have faded, Capcom's series is currently performing strongly. After losing its way in the 2010s, the franchise has been reinvigorated for the modern era, and its recent remakes have inspired other studios, with Konami reviving Silent Hill and EA bringing back Dead Space.
Worst to best: from Resident Evil 6 to Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 6 is described as the only genuinely bad mainline entry, with shallow combat and an overreliance on action. Resident Evil Zero is praised for its opening train sequence but criticised as a shallow retread of the first remake. Resident Evil 5 is best played in co-op, though its action-heavy focus and depiction of a white man fighting native Africans have raised questions about a potential remake.
Code: Veronica, originally intended as Resident Evil 3, remains atmospheric but has aged poorly due to tank controls, making it the most deserving of a modern remake, which Capcom is delivering in 2027. The 2020 Resident Evil 3 remake is deemed a brief re-run of the Resident Evil 2 remake, while Resident Evil Village is a commercial hit but the most disappointing of the modern games, despite highlights like Lady Dimitrescu's castle.
The top five: 7, the original, Requiem, 2 and 4
Resident Evil 7 biohazard is credited with revitalising the franchise, offering one of the scariest experiences with its first-person perspective and menacing Baker family. The original 1996 Resident Evil remains a classic, easily accessible for under a tenner, with the 2002 remake a worthy alternative. Resident Evil Requiem, launched for the 30th anniversary, blends the tension of 7 with the action of 4 through dual protagonists Grace Ashcroft and Leon S. Kennedy.
Resident Evil 2 takes silver, praised as a gold standard for remakes with excellent level design and strategy around Mr X, though its second half is a downgrade. Resident Evil 4 tops the list as a hugely influential third-person shooter, with the 2023 remake modernising gameplay while retaining the original's cheesy tone and Leon's one-liners. The remakes of Resident Evil 2, 3 and 4 launch for Nintendo Switch 2 this week.
