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Survival horror · Action

Resident Evil

Thirty years of outbreaks, three generations of heroes. Here is the timeline that makes sense of it.

Games on Switch
12
Story complexity
Detailed
Consoles
Switch · Switch 2 · Cloud versions
Start with Resident Evil 7 biohazardSee the playing order

The story, simply explained

What is it?

A horror series about surviving outbreaks of bioweapons created by a corrupt pharmaceutical company.

What is the story about?

It begins in 1998 when the Umbrella Corporation's virus turns Raccoon City into a nightmare, and follows the survivors' fight against bioterrorism for decades.

Who are the main characters?

First generation: Chris and Claire Redfield, Jill Valentine, Leon Kennedy. Second: Ethan Winters. Newest: Grace Ashcroft.

Why play it?

Tense resource management — every bullet and healing item matters — mixed with puzzles and big set pieces.

Is the story connected?

Yes. The numbered games follow one timeline. The Revelations games are optional side stories.

How many games should I play?

For the main story: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, then 7, Village and Requiem. Or start fresh with 7 and Village.

Choose your playing order

Start with the self-contained Ethan Winters story, then go back to the classics. Switch-only owners can begin with Resident Evil 4.

Story order or beginner order — what's the difference?

Story order lists games by when their events happen inside the story. Beginner order is the order we recommend playing them, which is often closer to release order because later games are written assuming you played earlier ones. Playing in story order can spoil twists or start you on an older, harder game.

  1. 17 biohazard
    Start here

    Resident Evil 7 biohazard

    20172017 · Louisiana

    Native on Switch 2Cloud version on Switch 1

    Ethan searches for his missing wife at a decaying plantation house in Louisiana.

  2. 2Village

    Resident Evil Village

    20212021 · a European village

    Native on Switch 2Cloud version on Switch 1

    Ethan's new life is torn apart and he is drawn to a snowy village ruled by monstrous lords.

  3. 3Requiem

    Resident Evil Requiem

    20262026 · Raccoon City, 28 years later

    Switch 2 only

    FBI analyst Grace Ashcroft investigates mysterious deaths among survivors of the Raccoon City disaster — and Leon is on the same case.

  4. 42

    Resident Evil 2

    2019Late September 1998 · Raccoon City

    Cloud version

    A rookie cop and a college student arrive in Raccoon City on the worst night in its history.

  5. 53

    Resident Evil 3

    2020Late September 1998 · Raccoon City

    Cloud version

    Jill tries to escape Raccoon City while a relentless creature hunts her.

  6. 64
    Latest chapter

    Resident Evil 4

    20052004 · rural Spain

    Switch 1Switch 2: check compatibility

    Leon, now a government agent, is sent to rescue the president's daughter from a strange cult.

  7. 75
    Optional

    Resident Evil 5

    20092009 · Africa

    Switch 1Switch 2: check compatibility

    Chris and partner Sheva investigate a bioweapon deal that leads them to the people behind Umbrella.

  8. 86
    Optional

    Resident Evil 6

    20122012–2013 · worldwide

    Switch 1Switch 2: check compatibility

    A global bioterror attack, told through four linked campaigns.

Missing chapters

  • Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, the 2023 Resident Evil 4 remake — Not on Switch or Switch 2 as of this check. Code: Veronica appears greyed out in the story order.

What to buy

Switch 2 owners get native versions of 7, Village and Requiem. On the original Switch, 2, 3, 7 and Village are cloud versions — they stream over the internet, so check your connection before buying. Resident Evil 4 on Switch is the original 2005 game, not the 2023 remake.

Switch 2 runs most Switch games, but not all. Check Nintendo's compatibility information for older titles. Availability on the Malaysian eShop is not yet verified for every game.

Gear for the journey

Storage, cases, controllers and headsets that suit long story games.

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Sources · last checked 2 Nov 2026
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