Capcom has undoubtedly become the third-party developer that’s shown more support for the Nintendo Switch 2 than any other studio. Major new releases are coming day and date with other platforms, along with high-quality ports, with Resident Evil 2 Remake being one of them.
Releasing this upcoming October 16 alongside RE3 and RE4 Remake, Resident Evil 2 is perhaps my favorite game in the entire franchise, whether that’s the 1998 version or this updated reimagining that originally launched in 2019.
In no world would I imagine we’d get to see it be playable on a handheld, let alone at such quality. Because yes, spoiler alert: Capcom did a stellar job with this port of RE2, just like they did with Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 4.
Listen, RE2 is a game I know like the back of my hand, and chances are, you’re in the same boat. If by some divine miracle you’ve still yet to play it, here’s the bottom line: the Nintendo Switch 2 version is absolutely worth it. You’re of course trading things like crisp animations when compared to PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X editions; it can look a bit blurry at times, and you lose a little bit of detail in the characters' models. But you’re getting a more than capable port that runs at a smooth 60FPS even in handheld mode and one that does look extremely nice when docked.
In fact, docked is pretty much up to snuff when compared to other platforms, but it does make the dips in visual quality when checking it out in handheld mode that much noticeable.
Resident Evil Requiem managed a somewhat wonky 60FPS; that’s not the case with RE2. Since the action is mostly contained to tight spaces, from the early RPD sections to the sewers and the government-mandated Umbrella facilities climax, it’s smooth sailing across the entirety of the game.
As for the game itself, it’s still Resident Evil 2. It’s still a gory, atmospheric, perfectly paced game that doesn’t erase what made the original so good, but rather serves as the perfect complement. You start as either a rookie Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield, both arriving in Raccoon City at quite possibly the worst time they could’ve done so: just as a massive zombie outbreak is decimating the city.
Regardless of who you pick for your first run, Resident Evil 2 is a game of perspective; while they share similar paths, ultimately you’ll experience different story beats with each. I personally prefer Leon’s story more, as it doesn’t involve forced stealth sections and it introduces Ada Wong, a pivotal character in the series, particularly tied to Leon himself.
The RPD section is just a masterclass in pacing, slowly weaving you through its dimly lit corridors and pitch-black rooms, constantly incentivizing you to explore every nook and cranny in hopes of finding that extra bit of gunpowder to craft more ammo, or maybe that one combination to open a safe, which will add some much-needed inventory space to your arsenal.
Then, just as you’re getting cozy navigating the environment, even going as far as leaving a few zombies alive here and there as they pose no threat and would only be a waste of precious ammo, the game throws a massive wrench into your plans: Mr. X.
I still remember how I felt the first time I heard his thumping footsteps echoing through RPD, then seeing that behemoth get into the safe haven I had assumed was the main hall. The sheer panic of knowing I had to keep myself constantly on the move added a sense of urgency just as I was getting complacent.
If I had to discuss a few missed opportunities when it came to the Switch 2 port, gyro aim is a pretty big one. I’m not the biggest fan of it by any means, but I can’t deny that trying to aim using the finicky Joy-Con controllers just doesn’t feel satisfying, so playing on the go feels compromised by the inherent nature of having to use a subpar set of controllers.
Another, more niche thing is not leveraging the mouse controller functionality. It’s not the best in the games I’ve tried, but it would’ve added an extra bit of novelty to the port. Capcom does have a precedent of trying unique things for the Switch 2 port, such as with Street Fighter 6, which has a Switch 2-exclusive motion control mode.
In any case, it’s fascinating to see that Nintendo’s most recent platform can now be described as one of the best places to enjoy Resident Evil as a whole. The Ethan Winters duology is available, you now have access to the remake subset of games, and modern entries like Requiem are perfectly fine on the system as well.
That said, Resident Evil 2 does feel like a perfect entry point into the series if you’re looking for a classic survival horror experience. It’s got tons of replayability with two routes to take, and side content that adds an extra bit of fun, with the particular standout being The Ghost Survivors stories, a series of what-if scenarios that let you explore alternative fates for those not so fortunate to have made it out of Raccoon City in the original timeline.
If you haven’t played a modern survival horror masterpiece, you can’t go wrong with the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Resident Evil 2. It’s up to par with other platforms when docked, and handheld still gives you a solid enough experience if you want to take it on the go.
A review code was provided by the developer.
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