On March 22, 1996, Capcom released the original Biohazard in Japan for the PlayStation. Since then, the series has spawned 7 main entries, 7 spin-offs, 1 CG movie and many other entries and other products. Fifteen years later, the series has changed and evolved, but still entertains fans throughout the world. As of today, fans can expect 2 entries on the Nintendo 3DS, a CG movie sequel and of course, Biohazard 6. Wherever the series goes, Biohaze will continue to be there with it.

Join us as we look back at the the games that make up the Biohazard series by clicking here.

Biohazard (バイオハザード), also known as Resident Evil in the West, is a one of a kind survival horror title created by Shinji Mikami, formerly of Capcom, Inc. It is widely agreed upon that the series created the survival horror genre, spawning countless imitations and lending inspiration to many other game series. The series became known for its atmosphere, puzzles, action and purposefully bad B movie voice acting. Originally released on the Sony PlayStation in March of 1996, the series is still going strong 15 years later with planned releases BIOHAZARD Revelations and BIOHAZARD Mercenaries 3D on the horizon. On the wake of it's 15th anniversary, let's take a stroll down memory lane and look at what has transpired in one of the most successful franchises in video gaming history.









1996.03.22 (PS) | 1997.07.25 (Saturn) | 1997.09.25 (Director's Cut) | 1998.08.06 (Dual Shock) | 2006.01.19 (Deadly Silence)


BIOHAZARD - The original BIOHAZARD, released in 1996, began what has since become Capcom's most successful franchise. Players take control of Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine as they explore a seemingly abandoned mansion filled with zombies and other creatures. BIOHAZARD featured highly innovative action adventure gameplay and advanced graphics for its time, as well as memorable moments in its story, reinforced by the game's laughably unrealistic voice acting.









1998.01.29 (PS) | 1998.08.06 (Dual Shock) | 1999.12.22 (DC) | 2000.01.28 (N64) | 2003.01.23 (GC)


BIOHAZARD 2 - Two months after the Mansion Incident, Raccoon City is overrun with zombies. Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield arrive into town at the same time, meet up and cooperate, and explore the Raccoon City Police Department. Along with the mysterious Ada Wong and young Sherry Birkin, Leon and Claire face off against the G-Virus, an improved version of the Tyrant and other creatures. BIOHAZARD 2 features the Zapping System, where Leon and Claire's stories interact at various points in the same and can influence each other. Even the order in which they are chosen changes the game path considerably.









1999.09.22 (PS) | 2000.11.16 (DC) | 2003.01.23 (GC)


BIOHAZARD 3: LAST ESCAPE - Also taking place in Raccoon City, Jill Valentine attempts to make her escape from the zombie-infested city in cooperation with UBCS member Carlos Oliveira. Umbrella has dispatched a Tyrant known as Nemesis, an aggressive creature highly resistant to weapons, to dispose of Jill. An action-oriented entry in the traditional series, BIOHAZARD 3: LAST ESCAPE features live events, multiple game paths, dodging and introduced the 180-degree turn.









2000.02.03 (DC) | 2001.03.22 (CVX DC) | 2001.03.22 (CVX PS2) | 2003.08.07 (GC)


BIOHAZARD CODE: VERONICA - While searching for her brother, Claire Redfield is captured by Umbrella and taken to Rockfort Island. Shortly after arriving, the island is attacked and the T-Virus is leaked. Claire works with another prisoner, Steve Burnside, in getting off the island as Alfred Ashford, a man tied to the origins of Umbrella, attempts to toy with their lives. The setting eventually moves onto an Umbrella base in Antarctica. Later, Chris Redfield arrives onto the island to save Claire, and encounters Albert Wesker again and faces off against Alexia Ashford. CODE: VERONICA is the longest entry in the traditional series and features a modified version of the Zapping System.









2002.03.22 (GC) | 2008.12.25 (Wii)


biohazard - The original game in the series was remade within 6 years of the release of the original, featuring completely redone visuals, altered and improved gameplay elements, and added story information. This game introduced defensive items, and special extra gameplay modes like Real Survival and Invisible Enemy Mode.









2002.11.21 (GC) | 2008.07.10 (Wii)


biohazard 0 - biohazard 0 stars S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team member Rebecca Chambers and ex-Marine and convicted prisoner Billy Coen. Taking place one night in Raccoon Forest before the original Mansion Incident, biohazard 0 exposes the history of Umbrella, the cause of the original biohazard outbreak, the origins of the T-Virus and the fate of one of the original founders of Umbrella, James Marcus. This was the first game in the series to feature two protagonists during gameplay at the same time and no item boxes.

2005.01.27 (GC) | 2005.12.01 (PS2) | 2007.05.31 (Wii) | 2007.06.07 (PC) | 2008.02.01 (iOS)


biohazard 4 - biohazard 4 was the biggest change the series had seen during its release. Abandoning virtually every series staple up to this point, the game stars Leon S. Kennedy 6 years after BIOHAZARD 2, in 2004. Now a U.S. government agent working directly for the President, Leon is dispatched to Europe to save Ashley Graham, the President's daughter. Replacing the zombie-generating viruses was the Las Plagas, which created aggressive, but still humanoid creatures that were faster and smarter than the zombies. Featuring more action-oriented over-the-shoulder shooting gameplay, the game was longer than the entries before it and considerably more action packed.









2009.03.05 (360) | 2009.03.05 (PS3) | 2009.09.17 (PC) | 2010.02.18 (Alternative Edition)


BIOHAZARD 5 - BIOHAZARD 5 brought the series back to the plotline established before biohazard 4, and stars Chris Redfield and newcomer Sheva Alomar. Both now working as agents for the BSAA, they come to an unnamed country in Africa to investigate a smuggling deal. However, the local villagers have been infected with an enhanced form of Las Plagas and another sinister bioweapon, Uroboros. Bringing back the 2-protagonist gameplay from biohazard 0, BIOHAZARD 5 featured an adventure that could be played in single player, in local multiplayer or online multiplayer.









2007.11.15 (Umbrella) | 2010.01.14 (Darkside)


biohazard: THE UMBRELLA CHRONICLES - Featuring first person on-rails shooter gameplay, UMBRELLA CHRONICLES retells the events of biohazard 0, biohazard and BIOHAZARD 3: LAST ESCAPE and uncovers new information, particularly about the participation of Albert Wesker in the series plot. A new scenario taking place in February 2003, stars Wesker, Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as they invade one final Umbrella stronghold in Russia. Ada Wong also makes a guest appearance as she escapes Raccoon City.
BIOHAZARD: THE DARKSIDE CHRONICLES - A sequel to UMBRELLA CHRONICLES, THE DARKSIDE CHRONICLES stars Leon S. Kennedy in 2002. Partnered with Jack Krauser, the two U.S. government agents investigate a T-Virus infested village in South America. Puzzled by what he encounters, Krauser asks Leon to recall his past experiences, leading Leon to recall the events of BIOHAZARD 2 and BIOHAZARD CODE: VERONICA and how they relate to the present situation in South America. The events of this game directly lead into biohazard 4.









2003.12.11 | 2004.09.04 (File 2)


BIOHAZARD OUTBREAK - BIOHAZARD OUTBREAK was the first game in the series enabled for online co-op gameplay. Play through 8 civilian characters that are trapped in an infested Raccoon City across 5 different scenarios.
BIOHAZARD OUTBREAK FILE 2 - An expansion of the original game with some added gameplay elements, FILE 2 features the same 8 characters in 5 new scenarios that take place in Raccoon City.









2000.01.27 (GS) | 2001.07.05 | 2001.11.08 (GS2 PS2) | 2003.02.13 (GS4)


BIOHAZARD GUN SURVIVOR - In November 1998, a man has arrived on an residential island owned by Umbrella, which has been infected by the T-Virus. Having lost his memory, he wanders through the island, fighting zombies and uncovering more secrets about the Umbrella Corporation. This was the first game in the series to take place in first person perspective and was GunCon-compatible in Japan and PAL territories.
GUN SURVIVOR 2: BIOHAZARD: CODE: VERONICA - An arcade-style lightgun first person shooter based on the narrative of CODE: VERONICA. Players could control either Steve or Claire in this short, non-canon adventure.
GUN SURVIVOR 4: BIOHAZARD: HEROES NEVER DIE - U.S. government agent Bruce McGivern infiltrated the Spencer Rain, a luxury boat owned by Umbrella. The T-Virus has leaked and the crew and passengers have become zombies. Chinese government agent Fong Ling has also been dispatched to the ship in order to prevent Morpheus Duvall, a former Umbrella employee, from unleashing the virus onto major world cities. The best of the 3 Biohazard Gun Survivor games, the game contained a mix of third person exploration and first person shooting.









2008.12.26 (Degeneration DVD/BD) | 2009.07.09 (Degeneration iOS) | 2002.03.29 (Gaiden)


BIOHAZARD DEGENERATION - A canonical CG film, DEGENERATION reunites Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield 7 years after Raccoon City in 2005. Harvardville Airport is infected with the T-Virus and passengers and staff become zombies. Leon, along with Marine Angela Miller, is dispatched by the U.S. government to rescue a few people still trapped in the airport, including Claire. Why was the T-Virus spilled, and who caused the outbreak? Also available as an iOS and Japanese mobile game.
BIOHAZARD GAIDEN - Unfortunately, this is the only adventure-based Biohazard starring a playable Barry Burton. Taking place in 1999 on the Starlight Luxury ship, Barry is dispatched to rescue Leon S. Kennedy, who was sent on the mission ahead and has since disappeared.

I'll set up the PS1 hardware and play the original release on disc for this occasion. Really hard to believe it's been 15 years though

Great summary. Makes me nostalgic as all hell. Might be time to fire up the series for a complete timeline playthrough...

15 years and still going strong ♥

TLDR FFS.

haha great read, been in the mood recently to retread old ground so i would guess this is as good a time as any to do it!

Yeah, this definitely got me in the mood for some Zero into Rebirth.

I'll try my best to get a few playthroughs in, for celebration. Can't quite believe its been 15 years. They grow up so fast... (sniff)

Wow 15 years, I didn't even realize it. I still remember the first night I played the game like it was yesterday, it was such a monumental moment in games for me. I really wasn't thinking about this, this thread and awesome post hit me like a ton of bricks. 15 years...