Jun Takeuchi Says Capcom Skipped Resident Evil 1 for Its Remake Series Because Its Slow-Burning Horror Might Not Appeal to Modern Players

Capcom chose to begin its modern Resident Evil remake series with Resident Evil 2 because the original game’s slower approach to horror might not have connected with contemporary audiences. Jun Takeuchi explained that the company wanted to introduce players to the franchise through the Raccoon City incident rather than start with the 1996 survival horror classic.

His explanation appears in the Biohazard 30th Special anniversary magazine. The decision helps explain why Capcom revisited the second, third, and fourth mainline entries before giving the original game another modern treatment.

Why Capcom Started Its Remake Series With Resident Evil 2?

Takeuchi described the original Resident Evil as a particularly “stoic” experience, with its horror relying heavily on restraint rather than constant action or cinematic sequences. Capcom was concerned that this design philosophy might not resonate with modern players.

“The reason we didn’t choose Resident Evil 1 as the first remake is because it’s such a stoic game,”

Takeuchi explained. He added that the Raccoon City incident was essentially the starting point of the franchise, making Resident Evil 2 a more suitable introduction to its origins.

Capcom subsequently released remakes of Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4, establishing a successful approach to revisiting its older titles without following the original release order.

Despite the success of the remake series, the original Resident Evil has yet to receive a modern remake comparable to the newer releases. Capcom did revisit the game in 2002 with a remake for the Nintendo GameCube, but that version predates the company’s recent RE Engine projects.

The next major remake is Resident Evil Veronica, which Capcom has officially scheduled for 2027. According to the company’s official announcement, the game is being developed with updated graphics and a reimagined story for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Takeuchi’s comments do not confirm when a modern Resident Evil 1 remake might arrive. However, they clarify that Capcom’s decision to begin with Resident Evil 2 was driven by its concerns about introducing the franchise’s distinctive horror style to a newer generation of players.