Resident Evil#Biohazard 4 Original Soundtrack

{{Timeline of release years

| range1 = 1996

| range1_color = #df260a #ccc

| 1996 = Resident Evil

| 1998 = Resident Evil 2

| 1999 = Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

| 2000a = Resident Evil Survivor

| 2000b = Resident Evil – Code: Veronica

| 2001a = Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica

| 2001b = Resident Evil Gaiden

| 2002a = Resident Evil (remake)

| 2002b = Resident Evil Zero

| 2003a = Resident Evil: Dead Aim

| 2003b = Resident Evil Outbreak

| 2004 = Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2

| 2005 = Resident Evil 4

| 2006 = Resident Evil: Deadly Silence

| 2007 = Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles

| 2009a = Resident Evil 5

| 2009b = Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles

| 2011 = Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

| 2012a = Resident Evil: Revelations

| 2012b = Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City

| 2012c = Resident Evil 6

| 2015 = Resident Evil: Revelations 2

| 2016 = Umbrella Corps

| 2017 = Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

| 2019 = Resident Evil 2 (remake)

| 2020a = Resident Evil 3 (remake)

| 2020b = Resident Evil: Resistance

| 2021 = Resident Evil Village

| 2022 = Resident Evil Re:Verse

| 2023 = Resident Evil 4 (remake)

}}

The development of the first Resident Evil, released as Biohazard in Japan, began in 1993 when Capcom's Tokuro Fujiwara told Shinji Mikami and other co-workers to create a game using elements from Fujiwara's 1989 game Sweet Home on the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan.{{cite magazine |last=Reeves |first=Ben |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/12/04/resident-evil-was-originally-in-development-for-the-snes.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204220314/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/12/04/resident-evil-was-originally-in-development-for-the-snes.aspx |url-status=live |archive-date=December 4, 2017 |title=Resident Evil Was Originally In Development For The SNES |magazine=Game Informer |date=2017-12-04 |access-date=2023-04-16 }}{{Cite web |last=Butterworth |first=Scott |date=March 22, 2016 |title=Resident Evil Creator Shinji Mikami Reflects on the Series' Roots |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-creator-shinji-mikami-reflects-on-th/1100-6435918/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} When in late 1994 marketing executives were setting up to release Biohazard in the United States, it was pointed out that securing the rights to the name Biohazard would be very difficult as a DOS game had been registered under that name, as well as a New York hardcore punk band called Biohazard. A contest was held among company personnel to choose a new name; this competition turned up Resident Evil, the name under which it was released in the west.{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/gr-asks-why-was-biohazard-renamed-resident-evil/|title=GR Asks: Why was Biohazard renamed Resident Evil?|website=GamesRadar+|date=April 8, 2009}} Resident Evil made its debut on the PlayStation in 1996 and was later ported to the Sega Saturn.

The first entry in the series was the first game to be dubbed a "survival horror", a term coined for the new genre it initiated,{{cite web | url = http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/res_evil/index.html | title = The History of Resident Evil | author = Justin Speer and Cliff O'Neill | website = GameSpot | access-date = 2009-04-17 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080906213420/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/res_evil/index.html | archive-date = September 6, 2008 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }} and its critical and commercial success{{cite magazine|quote=The "multi-million dollar franchise... Evil Capcom's largest" and "the original Resident Evil" is "one of the most important games of all time." |magazine=Game Informer |issue=174 |date=October 2007|page=132|title=Enter The Survival Horror... A Resident Evil Retrospective}} led to the production of two sequels, Resident Evil 2 in 1998 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in 1999, both for the PlayStation. A port of Resident Evil 2 was released for the Nintendo 64. In addition, ports of all three were released for Windows. The fourth game in the series, Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, was developed for the Dreamcast and released in 2000, followed by ports of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. Resident Evil – Code: Veronica was later re-released for Dreamcast in Japan in an updated form as Code: Veronica Complete, which included slight changes, many of which revolved around story cutscenes. This updated version was later ported to the PlayStation 2 and GameCube as Code: Veronica X.

Despite earlier announcements that the next game in the series would be released for the PlayStation 2, which resulted in the creation of an unrelated game, Devil May Cry, Mikami decided to make the series exclusively for the GameCube.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/residentevil/review.html |title=Resident Evil for GameCube Review |website=GameSpot |date=April 29, 2002}} The next three games in the series—a remake of the original Resident Evil and the prequel Resident Evil Zero, both released in 2002, as well as Resident Evil 4 (2005)—were all released initially as GameCube exclusives. Resident Evil 4 was later released for Windows, PlayStation 2, and Wii.

A trilogy of GunCon-compatible light gun games known as the Gun Survivor series featured first-person gameplay. The first, Resident Evil Survivor, was released in 2000 for the PlayStation and PC but received mediocre reviews.{{cite web |website=IGN |url=http://psx.ign.com/articles/163/163923p1.html |title=Resident Evil Survivor Review |date=September 14, 2000 |access-date=January 27, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201220752/http://psx.ign.com/articles/163/163923p1.html |archive-date=December 1, 2011 |url-status=dead }} The subsequent games, Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica and Resident Evil: Dead Aim, fared somewhat better.{{cite web |website=GameSpot |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/residentevildeadaim |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050208233247/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/residentevildeadaim/ |archive-date=February 8, 2005 |title=Resident Evil: Dead Aim Review |date=June 16, 2003 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Dead Aim is the fourth Gun Survivor game in Japan, with Gun Survivor 3 being the Dino Crisis spin-off Dino Stalker. In a similar vein, the Chronicles series features first-person gameplay, albeit on an on-rails path. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles was released in 2007 for the Wii, with a sequel, Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles released in 2009 (both were later ported to the PlayStation 3 in 2012).{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/resident-evil-chronicles-hd-collection/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3|title=Resident Evil: Chronicles HD Collection|work=metacritic.com}}

Resident Evil Outbreak is an online game for the PlayStation 2, released in 2003, depicting a series of episodic storylines in Raccoon City set during the same period as Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. It was the first in the series and the first survival horror game to feature cooperative gameplay.{{cite magazine|last=Reeves|first=Ben|title=Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition Preview|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/12/30/guinness-world-records-2012-gamer-s-edition-preview.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106132501/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/12/30/guinness-world-records-2012-gamer-s-edition-preview.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=January 6, 2012|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=December 31, 2011|date=December 30, 2011}} It was followed by a sequel, Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2. Raccoon City is a metropolis located in the Arklay Mountains of the Midwestern United States that succumbed to the deadly T-virus outbreak and was consequently destroyed via a nuclear missile attack issued by the United States government. The town served as a critical junction for the series' progression as one of the main catalysts to Umbrella's downfall and the entry point for some of the series' most notable characters.

{{anchor|Resident Evil Portable}}

Resident Evil Gaiden is an action-adventure game for the Game Boy Color featuring a role-playing-style combat system. There have been several downloadable mobile games based on the Resident Evil series in Japan. Some of these mobile games have been released in North America and Europe through T-Mobile. At the Sony press conference during E3 2009, Resident Evil Portable was announced for the PlayStation Portable,{{cite web |url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/989/989522p1.html |title=E3 2009: Resident Evil PSP Announced |date=June 2, 2009 |author=Thomas, Lucas M. |work=IGN |access-date=July 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123061600/http://psp.ign.com/articles/989/989522p1.html |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3174532 |title=PSP Gets Resident Evil Portable in 2010 |publisher=1up.com |date=June 2, 2009 |access-date=April 7, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105223653/http://www.1up.com/news/psp-resident-evil-portable-2010 |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web| url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/zombies-infecting-psp-in-resident-evil-portable/ |title=Zombies infecting PSP in Resident Evil Portable |publisher=Joystiq |date=June 2, 2009 |access-date=April 7, 2010}} described as a new game being developed with "the PSP Go in mind" and "totally different for a Resident Evil game". No further announcements have been made, and the game is considered to have been canceled.{{cite web | author=Reilly, Jim | date=June 9, 2009 | title=New Resident Evil PSP Details Emerge | url=http://psp.ign.com/articles/992/992945p1.html | work=IGN.com | access-date=April 7, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100316042805/http://psp.ign.com/articles/992/992945p1.html | archive-date=March 16, 2010 | url-status=dead }}{{cite web | author=Spencer | date=June 8, 2009 | title=Resident Evil Portable "Totally Different For A Resident Evil Game" | url=http://www.siliconera.com/2009/06/08/resident-evil-portable-totally-different-for-a-resident-evil-game/ | work=Siliconera.com | access-date=April 7, 2010}}

In 2009, Resident Evil 5 was released for PlayStation 3, Windows and Xbox 360, becoming the best selling game of the franchise despite mixed fan reception. Capcom revealed the third-person shooter Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, which was developed by Slant Six Games for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows and released in March 2012. A survival horror game for the Nintendo 3DS, Resident Evil: Revelations, was released in February 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/296595/news/resident-evil-revelations-out-2012-new-concept-art/ |title=Resident Evil: Revelations out 2012, new concept art |date=April 3, 2011 |author=Jackson, Mike |work=ComputerAndVideoGames.com |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |access-date=April 21, 2011}} In October of the same year, the next numbered entry in the main series, Resident Evil 6, was released to mixed reviews,{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/10/01/resident-evil-6-review|title=IGN Review: Resident Evil 6|author=Richard George|website=IGN|date=October 1, 2012|access-date=October 1, 2012}} but enthusiastic pre-order sales.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/10/03/resident-evil-6-ships-4-5-million-copies-worldwide/|title=Resident Evil 6 Ships 4.5 Million Copies Worldwide|publisher=Siliconera|date=October 3, 2012|access-date=October 4, 2012}}

In 2013, producer Masachika Kawata said the Resident Evil franchise would return to focus on elements of horror and suspense over action, adding that "survival horror as a genre is never going to be on the same level, financially, as shooters and much more popular, mainstream games. At the same time, I think we need to have the confidence to put money behind these projects, and it doesn't mean we can't focus on what we need to do as a survival horror game to meet fan's needs."{{cite news | first = Daniel | last = Krupa | title = Resident Evil Will Return To Its Roots | date = January 31, 2013 | publisher = IGN | url = http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/31/resident-evil-will-return-to-its-roots | work = ign.com | access-date = July 10, 2013}} Resident Evil: Revelations 2, an episodic game set between Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6, was released in March 2015. A series of team-based multiplayer games were developed beginning with the poorly received Umbrella Corps, which was released in June 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/91287/tgs-2015-resident-evil-umbrella-corps-will-help-usher-in-series-20th-anniversary|title=TGS 2015: Resident Evil: Umbrella Corps will help usher in series' 20th anniversary|first=Ozzie|last=Mejia|date=September 15, 2015|access-date=September 20, 2015|work=Shacknews}} Resident Evil: Resistance was released in April 2020, followed by Resident Evil Re:Verse in October 2022, with both being available for free to those who bought Resident Evil 3 and Village respectively.{{cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=September 16, 2019 |title=Capcom producer says Project Resistance is 'survival horror at its core' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/capcom-producer-says-project-resistance-is-survival-horror-at-its-core/ |access-date=September 29, 2019 |publisher=PC Gamer}}{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Tanner |date=2022-10-21 |title=Resident Evil Re:Verse Teases Ambitious Post-Launch Plans |url=https://gamerant.com/resident-evil-reverse-post-launch-plans/ |access-date=2022-10-28 |website=Game Rant |language=en-US}}

Using the new RE Engine, which would develop the next generation of Resident Evil games, the series continued to shift back towards more horror elements. The next mainline game, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard was released for Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in January 2017.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=October 13, 2016 |title=Capcom begins 'The World of Resident Evil 7' short video series |url=http://gematsu.com/2016/10/capcom-begins-world-resident-evil-7-short-video-series |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016234522/http://gematsu.com/2016/10/capcom-begins-world-resident-evil-7-short-video-series |archive-date=October 16, 2016 |website=Gematsu}}{{cite web |date=June 14, 2016 |title=FEAR COMES HOME AS CAPCOM ANNOUNCES RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard |url=https://www.turnleft.net.au/news/fear-comes-home-as-capcom-announces-resident-evil-7-biohazard/ |website=Turn Left Distribution |access-date=May 15, 2018 |archive-date=April 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421134000/https://www.turnleft.net.au/news/fear-comes-home-as-capcom-announces-resident-evil-7-biohazard/ |url-status=dead }} Set in a dilapidated mansion in Louisiana, the game uses a first-person perspective and emphasizes horror and exploration over action, unlike previous installments.{{cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=June 15, 2016 |title=Resident Evil 7's demo content won't be in the main game, but a new hero will |url=http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/15/11940734/resident-evil-7-biohazard-e3-2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615063922/http://www.polygon.com/e3/2016/6/15/11940734/resident-evil-7-biohazard-e3-2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2016 |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media}}{{cite web |last=Nunneley |first=Stephany |date=March 23, 2017 |title=Resident Evil 7 cut content: zombies who reacted to breathing, the Baker's pet dog Diane |url=https://www.vg247.com/2017/03/23/resident-evil-7-cut-content-had-zombies-who-reacted-to-breathing-and-the-bakers-had-a-dog-named-diane/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170531022323/https://www.vg247.com/2017/03/23/resident-evil-7-cut-content-had-zombies-who-reacted-to-breathing-and-the-bakers-had-a-dog-named-diane/ |archive-date=May 31, 2017 |website=VG247}}{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=June 15, 2016 |title=If you like lots of guns in Resident Evil, 7 isn't for you |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-15-if-you-like-lots-of-guns-in-resident-evil-7-isnt-for-you |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616051742/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-06-15-if-you-like-lots-of-guns-in-resident-evil-7-isnt-for-you |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network}}{{cite web |last=Osborn |first=Alex |date=June 15, 2016 |title=E3 2016: Resident Evil 7 Teaser Demo Not Part of the Main Game |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/15/e3-2016-resident-evil-7-teaser-demo-not-part-of-the-main-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615205248/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/15/e3-2016-resident-evil-7-teaser-demo-not-part-of-the-main-game |archive-date=June 15, 2016 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}} The first-person perspective continued in the eighth mainline game Resident Evil Village. Released in May 2021, the game, set in a mysterious European village, is a direct sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard although it incorporates more action elements inspired from Resident Evil 4.{{cite web |last1=McWhertor |first1=Michael |date=June 11, 2020 |title=Resident Evil 8 announced at PS5 reveal event |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/11/21286852/resident-evil-8-village-trailer-release-date-capcom |website=Polygon}}{{cite web |last1=Mercante |first1=Alyssa |date=June 11, 2020 |title=Resident Evil 8: Village revealed and we're screaming |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/resident-evil-8-reveal/ |website=GamesRadar+}} The game also marked the franchise's debut on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S{{cite news |last=Webb |first=Kevin |date=2021-05-05 |title='Resident Evil Village' is the most visually stunning game of the PlayStation 5 era so far |work=Business Insider |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/resident-evil-village-review-ps5-xbox |access-date=2021-12-19}}

A new generation of remakes of older entries began in 2019 with a remake of Resident Evil 2, being released for the PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. The remake outsold the original game within a year, selling over five million copies.{{cite web |last1=Kerr |first1=Chris |date=December 11, 2019 |title=Resident Evil 2 remake has passed 5 million sales |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/355522/Resident_Evil_2_remake_has_passed_5_million_sales.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211214652/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/355522/Resident_Evil_2_remake_has_passed_5_million_sales.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 11, 2019 |access-date=11 December 2019 |website=Gamasutra}} Following in the success of the Resident Evil 2 remake, Capcom revealed a remake of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis in December 2019, known as Resident Evil 3. It was released in April 2020.{{cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=December 10, 2019 |title=Resident Evil 3 remake announced: watch the first trailer |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/12/10/21003545/resident-evil-3-remake-announcement-trailer-release-date |access-date=September 10, 2019 |publisher=Polygon}} In June 2022, a remake of Resident Evil 4 was announced, and released on March 24, 2023, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.{{Cite web |title=Resident Evil 4 Remake Revealed, Releases In March 2023 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-4-remake-revealed-releases-in-march-2023/1100-6504090/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}

{{See also|List of Resident Evil characters}}

File:Umbrella Corporation logo.svg, a prominent antagonistic faction in the franchise]]

The early Resident Evil games focused on the Umbrella Corporation, an international pharmaceutical company that secretly develops mutagenic viruses to further their "bio-organic weapons" (BOW) research. The company's viruses can transform humans into mindless zombies while also mutating plants and animals into horrifying monstrosities. The Umbrella Corporation uses its vast resources to effectively control Raccoon City, a fictional midwestern American city. In the original Resident Evil, members of an elite police task force, Special Tactics and Rescue Service (STARS), are lured to a derelict mansion on the outskirts of Raccoon City. The STARS team is mostly decimated by zombies and other BOWs, leaving only a handful of survivors, including Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Albert Wesker. Chris and Jill explore the zombie-infested mansion and uncover a secret underground Umbrella research facility. Wesker reveals himself to be a double agent for Umbrella and betrays his comrades. However, Wesker is seemingly murdered by a Tyrant, a special BOW that is the culmination of the Umbrella Corporation's research.{{cite news |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-story-synopsis-plot-summary-lore-explained |title=Resident Evil: The Story So Far |work=IGN |date=2021-06-23 |accessdate=2023-02-11 }}{{cite news |last=Hashimoto |first=Kazuma |url=https://www.polygon.com/22444608/resident-evil-horror-eugenics-military-government-themes |title=Resident Evil's most unsettling theme isn't zombies — it's eugenics |work=Polygon |date=2021-05-22 |accessdate=2023-02-11 }}

Chris and Jill escape the mansion, but their testimony is ridiculed by Raccoon City's officials due to Umbrella's influence. Meanwhile, a separate viral outbreak occurs in another Umbrella research facility underneath Raccoon City. Most of the city's residents are infected and become zombies. Resident Evil 2 introduces two new protagonists, Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie police officer and Claire Redfield, the younger sister of Chris. Leon and Claire arrive in Raccoon City amidst the chaos of the viral outbreak. Leon is aided by Ada Wong, a spy posing as an FBI agent, while Claire rescues Sherry Birkin, the daughter of two prominent Umbrella researchers. At the same time, Jill makes her escape from the city in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. She is relentlessly pursued by a new Tyrant, Nemesis, who is deployed by Umbrella to eliminate all surviving STARS members. The U.S. Government destroys Raccoon City with a missile strike to sterilize the viral outbreak.{{cite book |author=Damien Waples |title=Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles Official Game Guide |publisher=Prima Games |location=California, United States |isbn=978-0-761-55845-3 |pages=58–73 |date=2007-11-13 }} Leon, Claire, Sherry, Ada, and Jill escape the city before its eradication. Claire continues to look for Chris, whereas Leon is recruited to work for the U.S. Government. Resident Evil – Code: Veronica follows Claire as she escapes from a prison camp in the Southern Ocean and later reunites with Chris at an Umbrella research facility in Antarctica. Resident Evil 4 is set six years after the Raccoon City incident and focuses on Leon as he tries to rescue the U.S. President's daughter from a cult in Spain.

A government investigation into the Umbrella Corporation reveals its involvement in the Raccoon City disaster and leads to the company's dissolution. Despite the downfall of the Umbrella Corporation, the company's research and BOWs proliferate across the black market and lead to the rise of bioterrorism. Chris and Jill establish the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA) to combat these ever-growing threats on a global scale. Wesker is revealed to be alive and involved in the development of new potent viral agents and BOWs. In Resident Evil 5, Wesker seeks to unleash a highly mutagenic virus that will infect all of humanity. Chris and the BSAA confront and kill Wesker in Africa before he can fulfill his mission.{{cite web|title=S DCC 09: Resident Evil's Wesker gone for good |url=http://ign.com/articles/2009/07/23/sdcc-09-resident-evils-wesker-gone-for-good |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508150915/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/23/sdcc-09-resident-evils-wesker-gone-for-good |archive-date=2016-05-08 |url-status=live |date=2009-07-23 |access-date=2023-02-11 |first=Hilary |last=Goldstein |work=IGN}} Resident Evil 6 features Leon and Chris meeting for the first time in the video game series.{{cite news |last=Pitts |first=Russ |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/4/10/2924622/resident-evil-6-preview-leon-and-chris-together-at-last |title='Resident Evil 6' preview: Leon and Chris, together at last |work=Polygon |date=2012-04-10 |accessdate=2023-02-18 }} The two work separately to triage bioterrorist attacks in the United States, Eastern Europe, and China. They are assisted by Sherry, Wesker's illegitimate son Jake Muller, Ada, and many members of the BSAA and U.S. government.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village introduce a new protagonist, Ethan Winters, who becomes entangled in a bioterrorism incident while searching for his missing wife. He encounters Chris and the BSAA, who help him rescue his wife and defeat Eveline, a powerful BOW. Ethan, Mia, and their newborn daughter, Rosemary, are relocated to Eastern Europe but are abducted by a cult. Ethan ultimately sacrifices himself to destroy a fungal colony being weaponized by bioterrorists and save his family.{{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Oscar |last2=Keane |first2=Sean |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/resident-evil-village-synopsis-ending-and-post-credit-scene-explained/ |title=Resident Evil Village synopsis, ending, post-credit scene explained |work=CNET |date=2021-05-11 |accessdate=2023-02-18 }}

The Resident Evil franchise has had a variety of control schemes and gameplay mechanics throughout its history. Puzzle-solving has figured prominently throughout the series.{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3332740/whats-memorable-resident-evil-puzzle/|title=What's the Most Memorable 'Resident Evil' Puzzle?|publisher=Bloody Disgusting|first1=Adam|last1=Dodd|date=February 24, 2015|access-date=December 19, 2018}}

The first game introduced a control scheme that the player community has come to refer to as "tank controls" to the series. In a game with tank controls, players control movement relative to the position of the player character, rather than relative to the fixed virtual camera from which the player views the current scene.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/a-eulogy-for-tank-controls/|title=A eulogy for tank controls|date=20 February 2015|work=PC Gamer|access-date=5 March 2018|language=en}} Pressing up (for example on a D-pad, analog stick, or cursor movement keys) on the game controller moves the character in the direction being faced, pressing down backpedals, and left and right rotates the character. This can feel counter-intuitive when the character is facing the camera, as the controls are essentially reversed in this state. This differs from many 3D games, in which characters move in the direction the player pushes the controls from the perspective of the camera. Some critics have posited that the control scheme is intentionally clumsy, meant to enhance stress and exacerbate difficulty.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjkr-8lrK2w| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/Xjkr-8lrK2w| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|title=The History of Resident Evil|website=GameSpot|date=August 13, 2016|access-date=December 6, 2018}}{{cbignore}}

While the first three entries in the series featured this control scheme, the third, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, saw some action-oriented additions. These included a 180 degree turn and dodge command that, according to GameSpot, "hinted at a new direction that the series would go in." Later games in the series, like Resident Evil 4, would feature a more fluid over-the-shoulder third-person camera instead of a fixed camera for each room, while Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village are played from the first-person perspective.

Resident Evil 4 saw significant changes to the established gameplay, including switching from fixed camera perspectives to a tracking camera, and more action-oriented gameplay and mechanics. This was complemented by an abundance of ammunition and revised aiming and melee mechanics. Some critics claimed that this overhauled control scheme "made the game less scary." The next two games in the franchise furthered the action-oriented mechanics: Resident Evil 5 featured cooperative play and added strafing, while Resident Evil 6 allowed players to move while aiming and shooting for the first time, fully abandoning the series' signature tank controls.

Resident Evil 7 is the first main Resident Evil game to use the first-person perspective and to use virtual reality. It drew comparisons to modern survival horror games such as Outlast and PT. The eighth main-series game, Resident Evil Village, also features a first-person perspective.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2021/1/21/22243195/resident-evil-village-first-gameplay-details-capcom |title=Resident Evil Village has a Resident Evil 4-style inventory and merchant |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=January 21, 2021 |website=TheVerge.com |publisher=The Verge |access-date=January 22, 2021}} A VR version of Resident Evil 4 was released on the Oculus Quest 2 on October 21, 2021.{{cite news|last=Robertson|first=Adi|date=September 27, 2021|title=Resident Evil 4 VR is launching October 21st, but only on Oculus Quest 2|work=The Verge|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/27/22692268/resident-evil-4-vr-capcom-oculus-quest-2-release-date|access-date=November 5, 2021}}

{{See also|List of Resident Evil media}}

The Resident Evil franchise features video games and tie-in merchandise and products, including various live-action and animated films, comic books, and novels.

{{Main|Resident Evil (film series)}}

File:Resident Evil (Movie logo).svg

From 2002 to 2016, six live-action Resident Evil films were produced, all written and produced by Paul W. S. Anderson. The films do not follow the games' premise but feature some game characters. The series' protagonist is Alice, an original character created for the films portrayed by Milla Jovovich. Despite a negative reaction from critics, the live-action film series has made over $1 billion worldwide.{{cite web| title= Box Office History for Resident Evil Movies|work=The Numbers| url= http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/series/ResidentEvil.php | access-date=October 25, 2010}} They are, to date, the only video game adaptations to increase the amount of money made with each successive film.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=residentevil.htm |title=Resident Evil |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=August 15, 2013}} The series holds the record for the "Most Live-Action Film Adaptations of a Video Game" in the 2012 Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, which also described it as "the most successful movie series to be based on a video game."

A reboot, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, was released on November 24, 2021, with Johannes Roberts as writer/director.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sony-delays-resident-evil-release-date-1234941945/ |title=Sony Delays 'Resident Evil' Release Date |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |website=Variety |date=March 31, 2021 |access-date=March 31, 2021}}

{{Main|Resident Evil: Degeneration|Resident Evil: Damnation|Resident Evil: Vendetta|Resident Evil: Death Island}}

The first computer animated film for the franchise was Biohazard 4D-Executer. It was a short 3D film produced for Japanese theme parks and did not feature any characters from the game.{{cite web |date=October 19, 2000 |script-title=ja:バイオハザードの映像アトラクションがお披露目 |url=http://www.zdnet.co.jp/gamespot/gsnews/0010/19/news03.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030212073536/http://www.zdnet.co.jp/gamespot/gsnews/0010/19/news03.html |archive-date=February 12, 2003 |work=GameSpot Japan |publisher=Softbank Publishing Inc |language=ja}}

Starting in 2008, a series of feature-length computer-animated films have been released. These films take place in the same continuity with the games of the series, and feature characters such as Leon Kennedy, Claire Redfield, Ada Wong, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Rebecca Chambers.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2458539/resident-evil-degeneration-re5-connection/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627161633/http://www.mtv.com/news/2458539/resident-evil-degeneration-re5-connection/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 27, 2016 |title=How 'Resident Evil: Degeneration' Movie Connects to 'Resident Evil 5' |date=January 23, 2009 |publisher=MTV |access-date=May 5, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/resident-evil-damnation-takes-place-right-before-resident-evil-6/ |title=Resident Evil: Damnation Takes Place Right Before Resident Evil 6 |date=August 3, 2012 |publisher=Siliconera |access-date=May 5, 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/mansion-monsters-thirst-blood-operatic-new-resident-evil-vendetta-trailer |title=Mansion monsters thirst for blood in operatic new Resident Evil: Vendetta trailer |date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=SyFy Wire |access-date=May 5, 2020 |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125053758/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/mansion-monsters-thirst-blood-operatic-new-resident-evil-vendetta-trailer |url-status=dead }}

{{Main||Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness|Resident Evil (TV series)}}

Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness, a four-part CG anime series, premiered on July 8, 2021, on Netflix. Starring the Resident Evil 2 protagonists Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, the series features both uncovering a worldwide plot. The series released on July 8, 2021{{cite web |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title=Netflix Debuts New Trailer For 'Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness' Animated Series Premiering This Summer |url=https://deadline.com/video/resident-evil-infinite-darkness-trailer-premiere-date-netflix-anime/ |website=Deadline |access-date=2021-06-21 |date=2021-05-19}} on Netflix.{{Cite news |last=Doolan |first=Liam |date=2020-09-27 |title=Capcom Reveals Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness - A New Netflix Series Arriving In 2021 |website=Nintendo Life |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/capcom_reveals_resident_evil_infinite_darkness_-_a_new_netflix_series_arriving_in_2021 |access-date=2020-09-27}}

Resident Evil premiered on July 14, 2022, on Netflix. An eight episode live-action series, two plotlines set in 2022 and 2036 follow Albert Wesker and his daughters navigating Umbrella's experiments in New Raccoon City.{{Cite web|last=Patches|first=Matt|date=2020-08-27|title=Resident Evil live-action series confirmed by Netflix with first details|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/8/27/21403542/resident-evil-netflix-show-plot-characters-wesker|access-date=2020-08-27|website=Polygon|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Phillips|first=Tom|date=2020-08-27|title=Netflix's Resident Evil series will star the Wesker kids|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-08-27-netflixs-resident-evil-series-will-star-the-wesker-kids|access-date=2020-08-27|website=Eurogamer|language=en}}

File:Resident Evil Bar.jpg

Over the years, various toy companies have acquired the Resident Evil license, with each producing their own unique line of Resident Evil action figures or models.{{cite magazine|title=Enter The Survival Horror... A Resident Evil Retrospective |magazine=Game Informer |issue=174 |date=October 2007 |pages=132–133}} These include, but are not limited to, Toy Biz,{{cite magazine |title=Go Figure|magazine=GamePro|issue=111 |publisher=IDG|date=December 1997 |page=30 |quote=Toy Biz will also see its Resident Evil toys slither into stores around March. The first assortment will feature two-packs of a hero or a villain and one of the game's creepy creatures.}}{{cite magazine|title=It's Never Too Late |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=106|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=May 1998 |page=114}} Palisades Toys, NECA, and Hot Toys.

Tokyo Marui also produced replicas of the guns used in the Resident Evil series in the form of gas blow-back airsoft guns. Some models included the STARS Beretta featured in Resident Evil 3, and the Desert Eagle in a limited edition that came with other memorabilia in a wooden case, along with the Gold Lugers from Code: Veronica and the "Samurai Edge" pistol from the Resident Evil remake. Other merchandise includes an energy drink called "T-virus Antidote".

Resident Evil Archives is a reference guide of the Resident Evil series written by staff members of Capcom. It was translated into English and published by BradyGames. The guide describes and summarizes all of the key events that occur in Resident Evil Zero, Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, and Code: Veronica. The main plot analysis also contains character relationship charts, artwork, item descriptions, and file transcripts for all five games. A second Archives book was later released in December 2011 and covers Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, the new scenarios detailed in Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, and the 2008 CGI movie, Resident Evil: Degeneration. The second Archives volume was also translated by Capcom and published by BradyGames.

A Resident Evil theme restaurant called Biohazard Cafe & Grill S.T.A.R.S. opened in Tokyo in 2012.Brian Ashcraft, [http://kotaku.com/5925710/japans-resident-evil-restaurant-has-more-hot-pants-than-zombies/gallery/1 Japan’s Resident Evil Restaurant Has More Hot Pants Than Zombies], Kotaku, July 13, 2012 Halloween Horror Nights 2013, held at Universal Orlando, featured a haunted house titled Resident Evil: Escape from Raccoon City, based on Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.{{cite web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/09/23/racoon-city-takes-up-residence-at-universal-studios.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925195124/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/09/23/racoon-city-takes-up-residence-at-universal-studios.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=September 25, 2013|title=Capcom And Universal Studios Talk Real Life Resident Evil|work=Game Informer}}

The first Resident Evil novel was Hiroyuki Ariga's novella Biohazard: The Beginning, published in 1997 as a portion of the book The True Story of Biohazard, which was given away as a pre-order bonus with the Sega Saturn version of Biohazard. The story serves as a prelude to the original Resident Evil, in which Chris investigates the disappearance of his missing friend, Billy Rabbitson.

S. D. Perry has written novelizations of the first five games, as well as two original novels taking place between games. The novels often take liberties with the games' plot by exploring events occurring outside and beyond the games. This often meant that the games would later contradict the books on a few occasions.For example, the novel Underworld suggested that Raccoon City was destroyed during an accidental fire after the events of City of the Dead, whereas in Resident Evil 3 it is revealed that the city was destroyed by a nuclear missile launched by the government. One notable addition from the novels is the original character Trent, who often served as a mysterious behind-the-scenes string-puller who aided the main characters. Perry's novels were translated and released in Japan with new cover arts by Wolfina.{{cite web |url=http://wolfina.com/snake-heart/ |title=Snake Heart |language=ja |access-date=July 2, 2009 |archive-date=February 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215011439/http://wolfina.com/snake-heart/ |url-status=dead }} Perry's novels, particularly The Umbrella Conspiracy, also alluded to events in Biohazard: The Beginning, such as the disappearance of Billy Rabbitson and Brian Irons' bid to run for Mayor. A reprinting of Perry's novels with new cover artwork began in 2012 to coincide with the release of Resident Evil: Retribution and its respective novelization.

There are a trilogy of original Biohazard novels in Japan. {{Nihongo| Hokkai no Yōjū|北海の妖獣||lit. "The Strange Beast of the North Sea"}} was published in 1998 and was written by Kyū Asakura and the staff of Flagship. Two additional novels were published in 2002, To the Liberty by Sudan Kimura and Rose Blank by Tadashi Aizawa. While no official English translation of these novels has been published yet, the last two books were translated into German and published in 2006.

Novelizations of the films Genesis, Apocalypse, and Extinction were written by Keith DeCandido. Afterlife did not receive a novelization due to Capcom's decision to discontinue working with Pocket Books, who had been their primary source of publishing books up to that point, Capcom would later make Titan Books their primary publisher going forth. Retribution was written by John Shirley, while The Final Chapter was written by Tim Waggoner. Genesis was published over two years after that film's release and coincided with the publication of Apocalypse, Genesis being marketed as a prequel to Apocalypse, while the Extinction novel was released in late July 2007, two months before the film's release. The Final Chapter was published in December 2016 alongside the film's theatrical release. There was also a Japanese novelization of the first film, unrelated to DeCandido's version, written by Osamu Makino. Makino also wrote two novels based on the game Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. The books are a two-part direct novelization of the game and are published in Japanese and German only. The first novel, titled Biohazard: The Umbrella Chronicles Side A in Japan and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles 1 in Germany, was released on December 22, 2007. The second novel, titled Biohazard: The Umbrella Chronicles Side B in Japan and Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles 2 in Germany, was published in January 2008.

In 1997, Marvel Comics published a single-issue prologue comic based on the original Resident Evil, released through a promotional giveaway alongside the original PlayStation game.

In 1998, WildStorm began producing a monthly comic book series based on the first two games, Resident Evil: The Official Comic Magazine, which lasted five issues. The first four issues were published by Image, while Wildstorm themselves published the fifth and final issue. Each issue was a compilation of short stories that were both adaptations of events from the games and related side stories. Like the Perry novels, the comics also explored events occurring beyond Resident Evil 2 (the latest game during the series' publication) and thus were contradicted by later games. Wildstorm also published a four-issue miniseries, Resident Evil: Fire & Ice, which depicted the ordeal of Charlie Team, a third STARS team created specifically for the comic. In 2009, Wildstorm reprinted Fire & Ice in a trade paperback collection.{{cite news|date=February 7, 2009|title=NYCC '09 – Wildstorm Panel with Jim Lee|work=Newsarama|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/090207-nycc09-widlstorm.html}}

In Hong Kong, there has been officially licensed Biohazard manhua adaptations of Biohazard 0 by publisher Yulang Group, Biohazard 2 by Kings Fountain, Biohazard 3 Supplemental Edition by Cao Zhihao and, Biohazard 3 The Last Escape, and Biohazard Code: Veronica by Lee Chung Hing published by Tinhangse Publishing. The Code: Veronica manhua was translated into English, formatted to look like an American comic and distributed by WildStorm as a series of four graphic novel collections.

In 2009, Wildstorm began publishing a Resident Evil comic book prequel to Resident Evil 5, which centers on two original members of the BSAA, Mina Gere and Holiday Sugarman. Written by Ricardo Sanchez and illustrated by Kevin Sharpe and Jim Clark, the first issue was published on March 11, 2009. On November 11, 2009, the third issue was released, and the fourth was released March 24, 2010. The sixth and final book was finally published in February 2011.{{cite web|title=Resident Evil solicitations at DC Comics website.|url=http://www.dccomics.com/wildstorm/comics/?cm=11359|access-date=June 9, 2009|archive-date=July 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722101318/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/resident-evil-2009/resident-evil-1|url-status=dead}}

In the summer of 2000, Bioroid: Year Zero was performed in Japan. It was a musical horror-comedy but took the perspective of the infected. Super Eccentric Theater put on the production under the direction of Osamu Yagihashi. The stage play was performed from early July to late August.{{Cite web|title=BIOHAZARD対策室/BIOHAZARD/S･E･Tバイオロイド零年|url=http://www.biohazard.gr.jp/setzeronen/info.html|access-date=2021-06-25|website=www.biohazard.gr.jp}}

Biohazard The Stage was released in Japan in 2015. The play focused on iconic characters, Chris Redfield and Rebecca Chambers, as Philosophy University in Australia is experiencing a bioterrorist attack. The production was handled by Avex Live Creative and Ace Crew Entertainment, under supervision from Capcom.{{Citation|last=Yoriko|first=Jun|title=Biohazard the Stage|date=2015-10-22|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10236090/|type=Thriller|others=Rin Asuka, Shin'ichi Chiba, Atsushi Kimura, Yûji Kishi|publisher=Capcom Company|access-date=2021-06-25}}

The following year, Musical Biohazard ~Voice of Gaia~ was released in September. It was produced by Umeda Arts Theater by director G2 and composer, Shunsuke Wada.{{Cite web|date=2018-10-14|title=CAST&STAFF│『ミュージカル バイオハザード ～ヴォイス・オブ・ガイア～』特設サイト 梅田芸術劇場|url=http://www.umegei.com/biohazard/cast.html|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014172251/http://www.umegei.com/biohazard/cast.html|archive-date=October 14, 2018}}

Biohazard the Experience was the second Resident Evil play produced by Avex Live Creative and Ace Crew Entertainment. The story is set in 2015 and follows a cast of thirteen survivors who were abducted and woke up in a mansion during an outbreak.{{Cite web|title=バイオハザード ザ エクスペリエンス ｜ 公式ホームページ｜チケット情報や出演キャスト紹介など 2017年公演|url=http://www.biohazard-stage.com/|access-date=2021-06-25|website=www.biohazard-stage.com|archive-date=August 31, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831003232/http://www.biohazard-stage.com/|url-status=dead}}

Most of the games in the prominent Resident Evil series have been released to positive reviews. Some of the games, most notably Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4, have been bestowed with multiple Game of the Year honors and often placed on lists of the best video games ever made.

In 1999, Next Generation listed the Resident Evil series as number 13 on their "Top 50 Games of All Time", commenting that, "Flawless graphics, excellent music, and a top-notch storyline all combined to make a game of unparalleled atmosphere and suspense."{{cite magazine|title=Top 50 Games of All Time |magazine=Next Generation|issue=50 |date=February 1999|page=79}} In 2012, Complex ranked Resident Evil at number 22 on the list of the best video game franchises.{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/resident-evil|title=Resident Evil – The 50 Best Video Game Franchises – Complex|author=Elton Jones|work=Complex|access-date=September 26, 2012|archive-date=June 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630151854/http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/09/the-50-best-video-game-franchises/resident-evil|url-status=dead}} That same year, G4tv called it "one of the most successful series in gaming history."{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/videos/59175/top-100-video-games-of-all-time-81-resident-evil/ |title=Top 100 Video Games of All Time #81 – Resident Evil – |publisher=G4TV.com |date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=August 15, 2013}}

By December 2022, around 135 million Resident Evil games had been sold.{{Cite web |last=Yaden |first=Joseph |date=7 April 2023 |title=Resident Evil 4 surpasses 4 million copies sold in two weeks |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-4-surpasses-4-million-copies-sold-in-two-weeks/1100-6513061/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} The first two Resident Evil games had collectively sold approximately {{nowrap|11 million}} units worldwide by March 1999.{{cite web |title=Annual Report 1999 |url=https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/Annual1999.pdf#page=5 |publisher=Capcom |year=1999 |page=8 |access-date=13 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130310044242/https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/data/pdf/Annual1999.pdf |archive-date=10 March 2013 |url-status=live }} By early 2001, the series had sold {{nowrap|17 million}} units worldwide, earning more than {{US$|600 million|long=no}}.{{cite news |last1=Dunkley |first1=Cathy |title=Col TriStar giving 'Evil' the eye |url=https://variety.com/2001/film/awards/col-tristar-giving-evil-the-eye-1117798958/ |access-date=15 February 2021 |work=Variety |date=9 May 2001}} By 2011, it had sold about {{nowrap|46 million}} copies and was estimated to have grossed at least {{US$|1.3 billion|long=no}}.{{cite news |last=Ogg |first=Jon |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna45079546 |title=Zombies worth over $5 billion to economy |work=NBC News |date=2011-10-30 |accessdate=2023-09-17 }}{{cite magazine |title=America's $5 billion zombie industry: By the numbers |url=https://theweek.com/articles/480679/americas-5-billion-zombie-industry-by-numbers |access-date=30 January 2021 |magazine=The Week |date=27 October 2011}} It is recognized by Guinness World Records as the best-selling survival horror series, with Resident Evil 2 remake being the best-selling survival horror game {{as of|2023|lc=y}}.{{cite book |title=Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2016 |publisher=Guinness World Records |isbn=978-1-910561-10-2 |chapter=Resident Evil: Best-selling survival horror series |date=September 10, 2015 |page=138 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7s96CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA138}}{{cite news |last=Wood |first=Anthony |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/resident-evil-2-remake-now-the-best-selling-resident-evil-game-ever |title=Resident Evil 2 Remake Now the Best-Selling Resident Evil Game Ever |work=IGN |date=2023-08-03 |accessdate=2023-09-17 }} Seven of the top ten best-selling horror games in North America are Resident Evil games.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Landon |title=Resident Evil Franchise Dominates Top 10 Best-Selling Horror Games Via NPD |url=https://gamingbolt.com/resident-evil-franchise-dominates-top-10-best-selling-horror-games-via-npd |access-date=1 February 2021 |work=GamingBolt |date=2 August 2019}}

The 2023 Resident Evil 4 remake sold more than three million copies in its first two days of release.{{cite web |last1=Nightingale |first1=Ed |date=March 29, 2023 |title=Resident Evil 4 Remake has already sold over 3m copies |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/resident-evil-4-remake-has-already-sold-over-3m-copies |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=Eurogamer}} It sold four million copies in its first two weeks, making it one of the fastest-selling Resident Evil games. In Japan, it was the best-selling retail game in its first week, selling 89,662 copies on PlayStation 5 and 85,371 on PlayStation 4.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=March 30, 2023 |title=Famitsu Sales: 3/20/23 – 3/26/23 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/03/famitsu-sales-3-20-23-3-26-23 |access-date=March 30, 2023 |publisher=Gematsu}}

The Resident Evil film series was the highest-grossing film series based on video games by 2012.{{cite magazine|last=Reeves|first=Ben|title=Guinness World Records 2012 Gamer's Edition Preview|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/12/30/guinness-world-records-2012-gamer-s-edition-preview.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106132501/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2011/12/30/guinness-world-records-2012-gamer-s-edition-preview.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=January 6, 2012|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=December 31, 2011|date=December 30, 2011}} By 2011, the films had grossed over {{US$|600 million|long=no}} at the box office, bringing the franchise's estimated revenue to at least more than {{US$|1.9 billion|long=no}} in combined video game sales and box office gross up until then. {{As of|2020}}, the films have grossed more than {{US$|1.3 billion|long=no}} in box office and home video sales.{{cite web |title=Resident Evil Franchise Box Office History |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Resident-Evil |website=The Numbers |access-date=15 February 2021}} The success of the video games and films have made Resident Evil the highest-grossing franchise in the horror{{cite news |last1=Mendelson |first1=Scott |title=How 'Resident Evil' Became The Most Successful Video Game-Based Franchise Ever |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/01/23/why-resident-evil-became-the-most-successful-video-game-based-franchise-ever/ |access-date=1 February 2021 |work=Forbes |date=January 23, 2017}} and zombie genres.

GameSpot listed the original Resident Evil as one of the fifteen most influential video games of all time. It is credited with defining and popularizing the survival horror genre of games. It is also credited with taking video games in a cinematic direction with its B-movie style cut-scenes, including live-action full-motion video (FMV) footage. Its live-action opening, however, was controversial; it became one of the first action games to receive the "Mature 17+" (M) rating from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), despite the opening cutscene being censored in North America.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |title=15 Most Influential Video Games of All Time |website=GameSpot |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=August 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415183542/http://www.gamespot.com:80/gamespot/features/video/15influential/p14_01.html |archive-date=April 15, 2010}}

The Resident Evil franchise is credited with sparking a revival of the zombie genre in popular culture, leading to a renewed interest in zombie films during the 2000s.{{cite web |last1=Barber |first1=Nicholas |title=Why are zombies still so popular? |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20131025-zombie-nation |website=BBC |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=21 October 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/zaki-hasan/interview-director-alex-g_b_7038618.html|title=INTERVIEW: Director Alex Garland on Ex Machina|work=Huffington Post|first1=Zaki|last1=Hasan|date=April 10, 2015|access-date=June 21, 2018}} Resident Evil also helped redefine the zombie genre,{{cite journal |last1=Stewart |first1=Kevin |title=The Zombie Aesthetics and the Post-Apocalyptic Franchise |journal=Kinema: A Journal for Film and Audiovisual Media |date=Spring 2007 |publisher=University of Waterloo |doi=10.15353/kinema.vi.1170 |url=https://openjournals.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/kinema/article/download/1170/1430 |access-date=15 February 2021|doi-access=free |issn = 1192-6252 }} playing an important role in its shift from supernatural themes to scientific themes by using science to explain the origins of zombies.{{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Tanya Carinae Pell |chapter=From Necromancy to the Necrotrophic: Resident Evil's Influence on the Zombie Origin Shift from Supernatural to Science |editor-last1=Farghaly |editor-first1=Nadine |title=Unraveling Resident Evil: Essays on the Complex Universe of the Games and Films |date=April 15, 2014 |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=978-0-7864-7291-8 |pages=7–18 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XENXAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA7}} According to Kim Newman in the book Nightmare Movies (2011), "the zombie revival began in the Far East" mainly due to the 1996 Japanese zombie games Resident Evil and The House of the Dead.{{cite book |last1=Newman |first1=Kim |title=Nightmare Movies: Horror on Screen Since the 1960s |date=2011 |publisher=A&C Black |isbn=9781408805039 |page=559 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fNMz3tGZVvAC&pg=PA559}} George A. Romero, in 2013, said it was the video games Resident Evil and House of the Dead "more than anything else" that popularised his zombie concept in early 21st-century popular culture.{{cite web |last1=Weedon |first1=Paul |title=George A. Romero (interview) |url=http://paulweedon.co.uk/george-romero-transcript/ |website=Paul Weedon |date=17 July 2017 |access-date=2 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602105122/http://paulweedon.co.uk/george-romero-transcript/ |archive-date=June 2, 2019 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |last1=Diver |first1=Mike |title=Gaming's Greatest, Romero-Worthy Zombies |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/gamings-greatest-romero-worthy-zombies/ |access-date=2 June 2019 |work=Vice |date=17 July 2017}} In a 2015 interview with Huffington Post, screenwriter-director Alex Garland credited the Resident Evil series as a primary influence on his script for the horror film 28 Days Later (2002), and credited the first Resident Evil game for revitalizing the zombie genre. Screenwriter Edgar Wright cited Resident Evil 2 as a primary influence on his zombie comedy film Shaun of the Dead (2004),{{cite web |title=12 Killer Facts About Shaun of the Dead |url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/74230/12-killer-facts-about-shaun-dead |website=Mental Floss |access-date=31 May 2019 |date=23 January 2016}} with the film's star and co-writer Simon Pegg also crediting the first game with starting the zombie revival in popular culture. The Walking Dead comic book creator Robert Kirkman cited Resident Evil as his favorite zombie game,{{cite news |last1=Shuman |first1=Sid |title=Robert Kirkman speaks: The Walking Dead creator talks video games and zombies |url=https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/272932/robert_kirkman_speaks_walking_dead_creator_talks_video_games_zombies/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=PC World |date=13 January 2009 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020111234/https://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/272932/robert_kirkman_speaks_walking_dead_creator_talks_video_games_zombies/ |url-status=dead }} while The Walking Dead television series director Greg Nicotero credited Resident Evil and The House of the Dead with introducing the zombie genre "to a whole generation of younger people who didn't grow up watching Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead."{{cite news |last1=Hocking |first1=Scott |title=Interview with Greg Nicotero – The Walking Dead |url=https://stack.com.au/film-tv/film-tv-interview/interview-with-greg-nicotero-the-walking-dead/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=STACK |date=24 September 2018 |language=en-AU}}

The Resident Evil Apocalypse zombies were conceptualized and choreographed by Sharon B. Moore and Derek Aasland. Through script analysis and movement research a "scientific logic" was devised for the T-virus accounting for each Zombie behaviour envisioned in Paul W. S. Anderson's script. Sharon B. Moore and Derek Aasland then wrote the so-called Undead Bible - a Handbook for the Undead - used as the guide for the nearly 1000 cast under the choreographic department (stunt performers, actors, dancers, extras) to ensure the Undead physicality was performed in a unified way across the picture.  The Stunt and Core teams participated in the "Undead Bootcamp".  See also 2007 Documentary Undead Bootcamp starring producer Jeremy Bolt, director Alexander Witt, and choreographers Sharon B. Moore and Derek Aasland.

On the DVD Featurette {{'}}Resident Evil; Game Over{{'}} Apocalypse director Alexander Witt said the zombies needed to be "more aggressive and more dangerous" than the original film, so they were created by the film's choreographers Sharon B. Moore and Derek Aasland as "liquid zombie[s]' in terms of their relentless forward motion: unstoppable, flowing around any kind of resistance, and then rushing in on the final attack. This is also detailed in the University of Liverpool book Biopunk Dystopias Genetic Engineering, Society, and Science Fiction (Lars Schmeink, 2016, p. 214).{{Cite book |last=Schmeink |first=Lars |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1256592985 |title=Biopunk dystopias : genetic engineering, society, and science fiction |date=2016 |isbn=978-1-78138-332-2 |location=Liverpool |oclc=1256592985}} 

Additionally, the first Resident Evil film adaptation also contributed to the revival of zombie films, with the success of the film and the games resulting in zombies achieving greater mainstream prominence and several zombie films being greenlit, such as the video game film adaptation House of the Dead (2003), the remake Dawn of the Dead (2004) and Romero's Land of the Dead (2005).{{cite book |last1=Russell |first1=Jamie |chapter=The Resident Evil Effect |title=Book of the Dead: The Complete History of Zombie Cinema |date=2005 |publisher=FAB Press / Titan Books |isbn=978-1-903254-33-2 |pages=171–178 (178) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOJkAAAAMAAJ |quote=Whatever criticism one might want to level against the first Resident Evil movie, it had an undeniably positive effect on the zombie's fortunes. Dragged into the mainstream by the videogame franchise and Anderson's blockbuster, the living dead suddenly achieved a degree of respectability they'd never had before. It was as if, after seventy-odd years of being ignored, they'd finally received their invite to the Hollywood party. Within mere weeks of Resident Evil{{'}}s opening came a series of press releases and announcements suggesting that the zombie had finally broken free of its marginal roots: a remake of Dawn of the Dead had received the greenlight, a big-screen adaptation of arcade game The House of the Dead was going into production; and, perhaps most exciting of all, George Romero announced at Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors Convention in August 2002 that he was in serious talks with Twentieth Century Fox to complete the fourth and final installment of his “trilogy” - provisionally dubbed "Land of the Dead," with a {{US$|10 million|long=no}} budget and a planned R-rated release.}} The Resident Evil films, 28 Days Later and the Dawn of the Dead remake all set box office records for the zombie genre, reaching levels of commercial success not seen since the original Dawn of the Dead (1978).{{cite book |last1=Booker |first1=M. Keith |title=Encyclopedia of Comic Books and Graphic Novels [2 volumes]: [Two Volumes] |date=2010 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9780313357473 |page=662 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YbkJ0QJrEZ8C&pg=PA662}} They were followed by other zombie films such as 28 Weeks Later (2007), Zombieland (2009), Cockneys vs Zombies (2012), and World War Z (2013), as well as zombie-themed graphic novels and television shows such as The Walking Dead and The Returned, and books such as World War Z (2006), Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2009) and Warm Bodies (2010).{{cite news |title=How '28 Days Later' Changed the Horror Genre |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/have-get-a-quiet-place-killed-zombie-genre-1121491 |access-date=31 May 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=29 June 2018}} The zombie revival trend was popular across different media up until the mid-2010s. Since then, zombie films have declined in popularity during the late 2010s, but zombie video games have remained popular, as seen with the commercial success of the Resident Evil 2 remake and Days Gone in 2019.{{cite news |title=A Discussion of Zombies and the Apocalypse in Video Games |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/days-gone-resident-evil-a-discussion-zombies-apocalypse-video-games-1205253 |access-date=31 May 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=27 April 2019}}

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{{Portal|Video games|Horror|}}

• Genetic engineering in fiction
• List of fictional diseases
• List of zombie video games
• Dino Crisis, another horror series by Capcom
• Dead Rising, another zombie-themed series by Capcom
• Devil May Cry, another series by Capcom, initially conceived as a Resident Evil game
• Onimusha, another series by Capcom with similar gameplay, initially conceived as a Resident Evil game
• The Evil Within, other horror game made by Shinji Mikami

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{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Resident Evil}}

• {{Official website|http://www.residentevil.com/}}
• {{Mobygames|-group/biohazard-resident-evil-series| BioHazard / Resident Evil series}}
• [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127722/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cl_sm Undead Bootcamp - Resident Evil Apocalypse - (2007 - Documentary)]

{{Resident Evil series}}

{{Franchises by Capcom}}

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