Why Capcom Skipped the Original Resident Evil for Remakes

Many fans have wondered why Capcom jumped straight to Resident Evil 2 when it started its wave of modern remakes. In the new Biohazard 30th anniversary magazine, Jun Takeuchi shared that the team felt the original 1996 game might be too slow for current players. Capcom wanted a faster experience to hook people immediately.

By focusing on the Raccoon City incident seen in the second entry, the studio felt it could offer a more engaging entry point for modern audiences. The team believed the classic slow burning horror style of the first game would not have the same impact on today's gamers who are used to faster pacing.

This strategy clearly worked, as the remakes for the second, third, and fourth games have been massive hits. While fans still hold the original 1996 title in high regard, this creative choice helped Capcom successfully introduce the series to an entirely new generation.