Top Resident Evil Trailers That Shocked Fans Forever

The “Resident Evil” series originated in 1996, although it wasn’t the first survival horror game, it served as a blueprint for the genre for numerous imitators. Ranging from main installments to subseries, more than twenty games have been produced and it appears that Capcom continues to fuel the franchise with no signs of slowing down.

Speaking of it, it’s been quite some time since we last saw a new Resident Evil title, specifically the remake of Resident Evil 4. Any word on when we might get a trailer for the next game? Also, any chance there will be an announcement for the Nintendo Switch 2 during the upcoming Nintendo Direct? In the meantime, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some memorable Resident Evil trailers, ranked by their impact.

6. Resident Evil Portable

A Promise Unfulfilled

Instead of a conventional trailer, Resident Evil Portable didn’t get one, but it’s an iconic game within the series that deserves attention. At Sony’s E3 2009 press conference, the then CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America, Jack Tretton, appeared on stage with a backdrop displaying key art for a PSP game featuring the title Resident Evil Portable. Tretton enthusiastically shared that Resident Evil has a significant connection to PlayStation and this game would be exclusive to the PSP, with a release scheduled for the following year.

As of now, during the PSP’s developmental stage, the handheld device was having a tough time gaining traction in the American market, with only hardcore enthusiasts adopting it. Given the popularity of a massive franchise like Resident Evil, it seemed logical to develop such a game for the system. However, no evidence or visuals from this potential project have ever surfaced, leading us to wonder if it progressed beyond the idea stage. This is one of those tantalizing secrets that fans are eager to learn more about. Regardless of how many times they rewatch this “presentation,” no new details will be revealed. The excitement around the prospect back in 2009 leaves us curious about how the series might have evolved if it had been released.

5. Resident Evil 4

A Game With Many Versions

Back in 2002, during a Capcom presentation introducing their Capcom Five project for the GameCube, Resident Evil 4 was initially revealed. Later, what is now known as the “Fog” version of the game, featuring Leon S. Kennedy walking through an airship, house, and potentially a castle, was first shown in a trailer. Although it only showed Leon running, shooting at mist, and ending with that, it sparked enthusiasm among fans due to limited online coverage back then. The subsequent trailer displayed Leon running around a house resembling the one from the previous trailer.

The primary distinction lies in the fact that he was chased by a personified mist brandishing a hook, hence it’s known as the “Hook” variant of the game. Fan enthusiasm for these trailers is high because they were never officially released, and you can find more about them on Unseen64. The development process of these versions is extensively documented, and both visually matched what Resident Evil 4 would eventually look like in 2005, even featuring Leon’s jacket.

4. Resident Evil 5

Co-Op Has Arrived

In 2005, just following the launch of Resident Evil 4, it was announced that a new game, Resident Evil 5, would be coming. However, it wasn’t until E3 2007 that we got a trailer for this upcoming title. This trailer featured Chris Redfield discussing the situation with Umbrella, and showed him battling against what appeared to be cursed inhabitants of an African country, much like Leon encountered in Resident Evil 4.

Apart from being visually impressive, the trailer for this game didn’t leave a particularly strong impression. At Tokyo Game Show 2008, they unveiled Chris and his new partner Sheva, who was introduced then. It was also announced at that event that the game could be played cooperatively, which was a significant development for the series. Although the finished product has been somewhat controversial, this TGS trailer hinted at some exciting possibilities. Additionally, it marked the reappearance of Wesker in a prominent role, something we hadn’t seen since the 2000 game “Resident Evil – Code: Veronica”.

3. Resident Evil Village

It’s Just A Local Tale

Back when Sony showcased their PS5 lineup, I was thrilled to catch a glimpse of Resident Evil Village. The trailer started off as a chilling tale set in a winter-bound village, where villagers were seen battling some monstrous entity. As the story unfolded, it turned out that this creature was none other than a werewolf!

Intriguingly, my eyes also caught Chris, a familiar face from the RE universe, carrying out a heinous act: executing Ethan Winters’ wife and abducting their daughter. Quite a shocking twist to say the least!

It’s clear that Ethan is the protagonist hailing from the game Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. The enigmatic character Chris, the werewolf, and the village reminiscent of Resident Evil 4, all contributed to generating excitement among fans. Nevertheless, what really ignited discussions online was Lady Dimitrescu and her dominating characteristics, often humorously referred to as “dommy mommy”. Just remember to enable Google Safe Search when exploring related memes.

2. Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

Go Tell Aunt Rhody

At E3 2015, Capcom unveiled a demo for an enigmatic game titled simply “Kitchen.” This was a first-person horror demonstration, taking place inside a run-down residence. A year later, at E3 2016, there was a trailer that appeared to be promoting the full version of Kitchen. Once more in first-person perspective, it showcased disturbing visuals of decomposing animals and a character attempting to decipher puzzles within the house, all while an eerie tune played ominously in the background.

At the end of the trailer, a car’s headlights illuminated a house and the number “VII” appeared, later transforming into “Resident Evil VII: Biohazard“. This unexpected addition to the franchise caught many off guard. What made it more exciting was its imminent release, scheduled for January 2017, shortly after its unveiling. This swift move from reveal to release date set a trend for Capcom in future productions.

1. Resident Evil 2 (2019)

It Finally Happened

In 1998, “Resident Evil 2” made its debut, introducing characters Leon, Chris, and his sister Clair Redfield. Since then, it’s been adapted for various gaming platforms but never updated. In 2015, Capcom hinted at a potential remake, although the details were unclear and no visuals were provided. Fast forward to E3 2018 during Sony’s live presentation, where the rumors about a remake seemed to be confirmed.

The trailer opens with a rat scurrying around inside a storage room as noisy activity occurs outside. Suddenly, that ruckus invades the room, exposing Leon engaged in combat with a zombie. The anticipated remake of Resident Evil 2 was unveiled, but the trailer didn’t stop there. It showcased a heartfelt recreation of the original game in high-definition graphics that left fans with tears of joy. Thanks to this remake’s popularity, Capcom decided to re-make games three and four as well. So, what comes next?

2025-04-01 16:43