Originally released as a GameCube exclusive in 2002, Resident Evil HD Remaster is an HD update to the Resident Evil remake arriving on modern consoles. After initially coming to the PC and PS4, Resident Evil HD Remaster would also then released on PC via Steam and Xbox One. Currently, the title is available on all modern consoles as a digital purchase, with a physical release available on Nintendo Switch as part of the Resident Evil Origins collection. Despite the change in its name, the Resident Evil HD Remaster is the same ground-up reimagining of the original Resident Evil that was released on GameCube in 2002.
Both the remake of the original game and Resident Evil Zero were developed as part of a partnership between Capcom and Nintendo to bring system exclusives to the GameCube, and both titles would see release in 2002. Interestingly, the remake of the original Resident Evil establishes the tonality of the current remakes in the series, utilizing a darker, more horror-leaning aesthetic and ratcheting up the tension of the original. In addition to completely overhauling the visuals and presentation, Resident Evil HD Remaster also reintroduces content cut from the original PlayStation game and adds in new enemies and boss encounters.
Both critical and commercial reception for Resident Evil would be unanimously positive, with the game standing on its own merits as well as showcasing how remakes of classic games should be. Though it would take some time before the game would leave its exclusivity on the GameCube, its release on other platforms as the Resident Evil HD Remaster would see it perform similarly well.
Resident Evil HD Remaster Premise
Gameplay in Resident Evil HD Remaster is nearly identical to that of the original game in the series, which makes sense considering the game is a ground-up remake of that iconic survival-horror title. Players assume the role of either Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield, both members of the Raccoon City Police Department’s S.T.A.R.S. unit. After dispatching to the nearby Arklay Mountains to investigate a series of grisly murders, the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team goes missing, prompting Alpha Team to head out in search of them and continue the investigation.
Like the original, the HD Remaster utilizes pre-rendered backgrounds and fixed camera angles to present some truly impressive environments, while character models are full-3D renders. Thanks to the affordances of modern technology, though, these environments receive a complete overhaul to their visuals and lighting. Contrary to the original Resident Evil, the HD Remaster has dynamic lighting and shadows, as well as a darker tone overall, helping it to earn the distinction of being a “gothic” survival horror game.
Far from giving the first game in the series a visual facelift and calling it a day, the HD Remaster introduces several new wrinkles to the classic gameplay. Primary among these is the ability for the rank-and-file zombies to reanimate as the faster, more aggressive Crimson Heads. To prevent making backtracking more challenging, players must destroy the heads of zombies or burn their corpses using the Lighter item and a refillable canteen of lamp oil.
Resident Evil HD Remaster Main Characters
In addition to playable characters Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield, Resident Evil HD Remaster includes the return of several prominent characters receiving their introduction in the series’ first game. Many of these heroes and villains would go on to become recurring forces throughout the series, some even getting the chance to star as the playable protagonists of their own adventures or spin-offs. Main characters in the HD Remaster include:
- Jill Valentine: A member of the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team and its demolitions and lock vulnerability expert, Jill is both a capable operative and an expert at bypassing locks. She has an advantage of having more inventory space than Chris.
- Chris Redfield: Chris is a fellow member of the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team and serves as Jill’s partner and friend on several missions prior to the Arklay Mountain Incident. Playing as Chris offers a slightly different take on the game’s campaign, including a subtle difficulty increase.
- Barry Burton: Barry Burton is another member of the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team and acts as somewhat of a mentor to Jill and partner to Chris, having served with Redfield in the United States Air Force. In addition to having an extensive career in law enforcement, Barry is a father and husband.
- Rebecca Chambers: Rebecca is the newest member of the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team and its medic. She gets separated from the Bravo Team when they head out to investigate the Arklay Mountains, leading to an adventure of her own before regrouping with Chris and the members of Alpha Team.
- Albert Wesker: Albert Wesker is the commander of the S.T.A.R.S. unit. After mysteriously going missing at the outset of Alpha Team’s mission to the Arklay Mountains, Wesker ends up being the game’s primary antagonist and a double agent.
Games in the Resident Evil Series
The Resident Evil series continues to be the most successful and prominent series in the survival-horror genre, having helped define it more than 25 years ago. Since that first game on the PlayStation, the franchise has gone on to spawn numerous sequels, 4 remakes, and nearly a dozen spin-offs. Additionally, the Resident Evil mythos has been adapted into a successful movie franchise, a television series, and other multimedia projects. Games in the Resident Evil series include:
- Resident Evil (1996)
- Resident Evil 2 (1998)
- Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
- Resident Evil: Survivor (2000)
- Resident Evil – Code: Veronica (2000)
- Resident Evil Survivor 2 – Code: Veronica (2001)
- Resident Evil Gaiden (2001)
- Resident Evil (2002)
- Resident Evil Zero (2002)
- Resident Evil: Dead Aim (2003)
- Resident Evil Outbreak (2003)
- Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2 (2004)
- Resident Evil 4 (2005)
- Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (2007)
- Resident Evil 5 (2009)
- Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (2009)
- Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (2011)
- Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
- Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City (2012)
- Resident Evil 6 (2012)
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
- Umbrella Corps (2016)
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017)
- Resident Evil 2 (2019)
- Resident Evil 3 (2020)
- Resident Evil: REsistance (2020)
- Resident Evil 8: Village (2021)
- Resident Evil Re:Verse (2022)
- Resident Evil 4 (2023)
Resident Evil HD Remaster Cheats and Cheat Codes
Though there aren’t any official cheats that the game supports, Resident Evil HD Remaster has plenty of secret unlockables available for players who complete specific challenges. Additionally, the PC version of the game is compatible with third-party Cheat Engines and has several Cheat Trainer files available.
Alternate Costumes
Beating the game once will unlock the Closet Key that players can use to access a special room within the mansion. To earn the alternate costumes, players simply need to beat the game a certain amount of times with their respective characters.
| Costume | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Chris’ B.S.A.A. Uniform (Resident Evil 5) | Beat the game with Chris once (any difficulty) |
| Chris’ Resident Evil – Code: Veronica Outfit | Beat the game with Chris twice (any difficulty) |
| Jill’s B.S.A.A. Uniform (Resident Evil 5) | Beat the game with Jill once (any difficulty) |
| Jill’s Resident Evil 3: Nemesis Outfit | Beat the game with Jill twice (any difficulty) |
Alternate Modes
Unlike the original Resident Evil, the HD Remaster offers a difficulty selection at the beginning of the game. In addition to those modes, new modes become available after meeting certain conditions within the game.
| Mode | Effect | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Invisible Enemy Mode | All enemies are invisible | Complete the game on Real Survival Mode |
| One Dangerous Zombie Mode | A Crimson Head will follow Jill and Chris around the mansion with an explosive embedded in it. Shooting this zombie will end the game, requiring players to avoid it. | Complete the game at least once with both Chris and Jill (any difficulty) |
| Real Survival Mode | Same as choosing Hard difficulty, except Item Boxes do not connect | Beat Once Again Mode on Normal difficulty or higher |
Unlockable Weapons
Two unique weapons are available for skilled players that quickly beat Resident Evil HD Remaster, and they come with infinite ammo.
| Weapon | How to Unlock |
|---|---|
| Samurai Edge (Handgun) | Beat the game in under 5 hours on Normal or Hard |
| Rocket Launcher | Beat the game in under 3 hours on Normal or Hard |
PC Cheats Using Cheat Engine Software
A variety of third-party Cheat Engines are available to run cheat scripts and/or mods in the Steam version of Resident Evil HD Remaster. The WeMod cheat engine has the following cheats available (and others) through its cheat trainer file available here.
- Infinite Ammo
- One-Hit Kills
- Infinite Health
- Freeze Enemies
- Infinite Defense Items
Resident Evil HD Remaster Cheats FAQ
How do you get infinite ammo in Resident Evil HD Remaster?
There are two ways to get infinite ammo depending on platform of choice. PC players can utilize a third-party cheat engine to apply an infinite ammo cheat/mod. For console players, the only way to earn infinite ammo is to beat the game under 5 or under 3 hours and unlock the infinite ammo weapons that the game rewards for completing that challenge.
Does Resident Evil HD Remaster have cheat codes?
While it doesn’t have official cheats, there are several unlockables and secrets for players to discover. However, the PC version of the game is compatible with third-party cheat engines and has unofficial cheats supported.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©eShop artwork.