Resident Evil PS1 box art

PlayStation · Horror

Resident Evil

Certified classic

SystemPlayStation
Released1996
GenreHorror
DeveloperCapcom Production Studio 4
PublisherCapcom
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesResident Evil
LegacyCertified classic · legacy score 27

Released for the PlayStation in 1996, Resident Evil is a horror game developed by Capcom Production Studio 4 and published by Capcom.

It came out in the PS1's second year on the market. Other notable PS1 releases from 1996 include Resident Evil, Tomb Raider and Crash Bandicoot. Among the 26 PS1 horror games in our database, it ranks #5 by legacy score.

It is part of the Resident Evil series; on the PS1 you can also try Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis. The series also appears on other systems with Resident Evil 2 (N64) and Resident Evil (Saturn).

This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.

Pick it if…

  • you want to be spooked
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you want to experience one of the PS1's defining games

Maybe skip it if…

  • you scare easily or dislike scarce resources
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Resident Evil is like

Horror games build dread through atmosphere, limited resources and enemies you would rather avoid than fight. Survival horror in particular makes every bullet count.

Tip for newcomers: Conserve ammunition and healing items, explore carefully, and play with the lights off for the full effect.

Resident Evil gameplay screenshot on PS1
In-game screenshot (PS1)

Resident Evil walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Resident Evil.

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Playing PS1 games today

PS1 games range from quick arcade racers to 60-hour RPGs. A selection is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, and if you own the discs you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Resident Evil FAQ

When did Resident Evil come out on the PS1?

Resident Evil was released for the PlayStation in 1996.

Who made Resident Evil?

It was developed by Capcom Production Studio 4 and published by Capcom.

Is Resident Evil multiplayer?

No. Resident Evil is a single-player game.

How long does Resident Evil take to play?

As a horror game, Resident Evil typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Resident Evil on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

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