Resident Evil Zero is one of the earliest games in the Resident Evil (RE) franchise and acts as a prequel to the original game. Capcom released the original Resident Evil Zero (also known as Resident Evil 0) in November 2002. Originally, this game was designed for Nintendo’s GameCube. Unfortunately, Resident Evil Zero has not received a full-fledged remake like some other games in the franchise. Resident Evil 2, 3, and 4 have all received modern remakes over the last four years. Much like the original Resident Evil, RE Zero received an HD remaster instead. Resident Evil 0: HD Remaster launched on January 19, 2016, for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii. This game can also be played on next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Resident Evil 0: HD Remaster Premise
For the most part, the Resident Evil games are told in chronological order. Resident Evil starts the franchise. RE2 takes place directly after that, and so on. Even the side games and spin-off games that are considered canon are typically released in chronological order. It’s not unheard of, but the franchise doesn’t jump around in its main timeline very often. That said, Resident Evil Zero is a direct prequel to the original game, and like the original, it’s also a third-person survival horror game. RE Zero allows players to control two separate characters, Rebecca Chambers and Billy Coen. The player can control them together or separately. Each character has unique abilities and they can be separated to explore different areas.
The first three games take place within the span of a few days of each other. RE Zero is much the same because it takes place directly before and during the events of the main game. S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team dispatches to investigate a series of cannibalistic incidents tied to the Spencer Mansion Incident from the original game. On the way, their helicopter crashes. While searching the area, Rebecca Chambers, a member of the Bravo Team, comes across a stopped train owned by the Umbrella company. The train has been overrun with strange leeches, which are responsible for distributing the T-virus to the passengers. During her investigation, she realizes the crew and passengers aboard the train have become zombies.
Resident Evil 0: HD Remaster Main Characters
RE Zero was designed with the idea of fleshing out the world state and characters involved in the original incident. Some of the characters that show up in RE Zero are extremely important figures in other games, like William Birkin. Other story elements of the game reference characters like Albert Wesker, the main antagonist of the franchise up to his death in Resident Evil 5. Rebecca is also familiar with all of the members of the S.T.A.R.S. unit, like Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine.
- Rebecca Chambers: Rebecca Chambers is a recognizable face because she was a supporting character in the original Resident Evil. She’s a member of the Raccoon Police Department’s Special Tactics And Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) unit. Rebecca is a field medic who can be easily identified by the medical pack she carries on her belt. In comparison to the other S.T.A.R.S. members, Rebecca is quite young. She’s already extremely petite, making it easy to underestimate her capabilities. After the Raccoon City incident, Rebecca becomes a professor who helps create cures for viruses. She’s also an advisor for the B.S.A.A., an organization created by Chris and Jill to fight bioterrorism. Rebecca commonly makes appearances throughout the franchise and is generally loved by the fandom. Rebecca is one of two playable characters in Resident Evil Zero.
- Billy Coen: Billy Coen is a former Force Reconnaissance Officer turned convict. Billy is actually referenced in a police report that can be found in Resident Evil 2, which helps set up his game debut. After a shady mission in Africa where Billy killed 23 people, the military sentenced him to death. Through Billy’s memory, players are led to believe that Billy didn’t commit these crimes. He’s being used as a cover-up. During the Raccoon City outbreak, Billy escapes on way to his execution and hides in the train. This is where he meets Rebecca, who agrees to form an alliance with him for survival. Billy is the second playable character in the game. In the end, Rebecca lets him go, believing him to be an innocent man. She even covers for him.
- Albert Wesker: Albert Wesker is a name that continuously pops up in the Resident Evil franchise. Wesker acts as the main antagonist until his alleged death in RE5, so he is constantly pulling strings behind the scenes. In RE Zero, Wesker sends two Umbrella soldiers to destroy the train. He’s also part of the S.T.A.R.S. team investigating the Spencer Mansion in the original game. Wesker infects himself with the T-virus and mutates into a superhuman. The HD Remaster features a mode called Wesker Mode. In this mode, players can play Wesker instead of Billy and gain some of Wesker’s superhuman abilities.
- William Birkin: William Birkin is a virologist working for the Umbrella Corporation. Birkin is one of the lead scientists responsible for the creation of the T-virus. He also develops the G-virus, which he inevitably infects himself with, and becomes a monstrous boss in RE2. Wesker and Birkin have a long-term relationship that pits them against one another but also shows them working closely together in many instances. Birkin and Wesker send soldiers to the train together, but when Wesker decides to abandon Umbrella, Birkin refuses to go with him.
- James Marcus: James Marcus co-founded Umbrella alongside Oswell E. Spencer. Although Marcus helped build Umbrella and was a huge part of the T-virus creation, he became a threat to the company. In 1988, he was assassinated under Spencer’s orders. Unfortunately, after his death, Marcus’ final experiment infected his body. The Queen Leech reanimated his body and merged with his DNA, which allowed the experiment to assimilate Marcus’ memories. The Queen Leech is the main boss of Resident Evil Zero.
Resident Evil Titles in the Series
Resident Evil is one of Capcom’s most popular series since its debut in 1996. The original game is one of the most influential games of all time. As one of the earliest games to help shape modern survival horror, the genre wouldn’t be where it is today without Resident Evil. Because of the franchise’s monumental success, there are a lot of games in the series. In total, there are almost 60 games in the franchise. Many of these games aren’t considered canon because they’re spin-offs or outliers. This count also includes remakes, mobile games, and pachinko games.
The list of console and PC-based Resident Evil games that Capcom considers canon is still impressive, though. The running total sits just under 20 games:
- Resident Evil (1996) – This game has two remasters, but no remakes. The newest remaster came out in 2015.
- Resident Evil 2 (1998)
- Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019) – Capcom considers the remake to be the canon events of the timeline. Since the remake added and changed some things, it’s replaced the original.
- Resident Evil 3 (1999)
- Resident Evil 3 Remake (2020) – Much like the Resident Evil 2 remake, Capcom considers the RE3 remake to be canon.
- Resident Evil: Survivor (2000)
- Resident Evil — Code: Veronica (2000)
- Resident Evil Zero (2002) – This game received an HD remaster in January 2016, but hasn’t received a full-fledged remake.
- Resident Evil 4 (2005)
- Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023) – Like the RE2 and RE3 remakes, Capcom considers the RE4 remake to be canon.
- Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (2007)
- Resident Evil 5 (2009) – This game is likely the next on Capcom’s list to receive a remake.
- Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (2009)
- Resident Evil 6 (2012)
- Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
- Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
- Umbrella Corps (2016)
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard (2017) – This game features a teaser prequel called Beginning Hour.
- Resident Evil Village (2021) – This game is commonly referred to as Resident Evil 8. Resident Evil Village received the DLC Shadows of Rose in October 2022.
Resident Evil 0: HD Remaster Cheat Codes
Capcom created Resident Evil Zero: HD Remaster with the idea of allowing modern fans to experience this Resident Evil classic. The remaster is available on some older consoles, like the Wii, the PlayStation 3, and the Xbox 360, but even next-gen owners can enjoy this remaster. Many modern games completely forgo the implementation of cheat codes. Instead of cheats, the game builds in rewards that players can work towards. This means the player will experience the game authentically. It also promotes replayability to earn bonus rewards and unlocks.
In this regard, Resident Evil Zero: HD Remaster contains many rewards for players to work toward. These rewards include new game modes, secret weapons, and powerful upgrades like infinite ammo.
Main Game Unlockables
By completing the main game on any difficulty, players will instantly unlock a few things:
- Leech Hunter: The Leech Hunter minigame allows players to hunt down the leeches responsible for the zombie outbreak on the train. The more leeches the player destroys, the better their rewards will be.
- Wesker Mode: Wesker Mode allows players to play as Albert Wesker instead of Billy. When playing as Wesker, players unlock some of his mutant abilities. This includes the Shadow Dash and the Death Stare. Shadow Dash is one of Wesker’s most infamous moves throughout the franchise. It lets him move at inhuman speeds with a quick burst forward. Death Stare is a powerful attack that Wesker has to charge and unleash. Wesker can also mix herbs, which Billy can’t do. Wesker Mode is unique to the remaster of RE Zero.
Players can earn additional rewards by completing the campaign in a certain amount of time:
- Rocket Launcher: In order to receive this reward, players must complete the main game in under 3 hours and 30 minutes.
- Submachine Gun: Players need to complete the main game in under 5 hours.
- Rebecca Chamber’s “Team Wesker” Basketball Uniform: To unlock this extra outfit for Rebecca, players need to complete Wesker Mode.
Leech Hunter Unlockables
Leech Hunter is more than just a fun minigame. Playing Leech Hunter and performing well will earn players even more rewards. It’s important to keep in mind that Leech Hunter’s rewards will only work on the save file it corresponds to. Players can’t unlock all of the Leech Hunter rewards on Normal mode and expect them to carry over to a new, Hard mode playthrough.
- Leech Hunter Rank E (0-29 leeches): More Submachine Gun Ammo appears in the main game and Rebecca has an additional clip in her inventory
- Leech Hunter Rank D (30-59 leeches): Infinite ammo for Handgun in the main game
- Leech Hunter Rank C (60-89 leeches): Infinite ammo for the Shotgun in the main game
- Leech Hunter Rank B (90-99 leeches): Magnum Revolver appears in the main game in Second Class private room B
- Leech Hunter Rank A (all 100 leeches): Infinite ammo for all weapons in the main game and infinite use of the Molotov Cocktail (also found in room B where the Magnum was)
Resident Evil 0: HD Remaster Cheat Codes FAQs
How do you get infinite ammo in Resident Evil 0?
There is no cheat that will grant the player infinite ammo. The only way to unlock infinite ammo for every single game is to beat Leech Hunter with 100 leeches. This means they have to collect every single leech token in the mode. This will only work for the save file associated with that specific run of Leech Hunter. If the player starts a new game on a different difficulty, they’ll have to unlock all of the Leech Hunter rewards again.
What is the combination code in Resident Evil 0?
This FAQ refers to the laboratory section of the game. After using the Breeding Room Key, Billy will enter a room with two hunters in it. A few shotgun blasts should clear them out easily enough. He’ll find a Dial in the back corner of the room. Take the Dial and then go back to the service lift. From there, Billy can send the Dial up to Rebecca. Once Rebecca has the Dial, she can complete the door lock puzzle. The Dial will take a four-digit combination: 4-8-6-3. Players will find these numbers in the population notes on the Leech Growth Records document.
How do you stop the train in Resident Evil 0?
Transport the Magnetic Card to the rear of the train. Activate the break in the rear first then switch to the other character. The second character needs to activate the break in the front of the train. The train won’t stop if the player messes up these steps.
How long is Resident Evil 0?
To beat the main game, players are probably looking at about 11 and a half hours. A more completionist run will likely take 15 hours.
Is there an item box in Resident Evil 0?
Technically, yes, there is an item box, but players can only access it through the save typewriter. In some games, like Resident Evil 2, there is a physical box in which players can store items. This item box usually sits in safe rooms alongside the typewriters. Other games, like RE Zero, chose to eliminate the physical box, but still kept the mechanic.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Shirrako / Capcom.