Returning to the Horror Classic on the N64
As the season of fear approaches, I’m kicking off the Gamer’s Nightmare series with a look at Resident Evil 2—specifically, the Nintendo 64 version. I’ve discussed this iconic horror game before, known for defining the survival horror genre, but that reflection covered the title as a whole. This time, I want to focus on the overlooked N64 version and give it the attention it deserves.
Sandwiched between the original PlayStation version and the improved Dreamcast / GameCube ports, its a title that deserves credit for what it achieved. Not just for compressing a two disc game into one cartridge, but also for introducing Resident Evil to a new audience. Gamers Nightmare will start the 2025 season of fear by looking back at the N64 version of Resident Evil 2.
One Night in Raccon City
Even though the story is well known by now, it helps to summarize it for those unaware of Resident Evil 2.
In the aftermath of the Arklay Incident, S.T.A.R.S. has been disbanded and the surviving members begin their own investigation into the Umbrella Corporation. Two months later, rookie cop Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield, Chris’s sister, arrive in a dark, quiet Raccoon City shrouded in an eerie atmosphere. Almost immediately, they face a T-Virus outbreak that has turned the population into zombies. Seeking safety, they rush to the police station, hoping to find survivors and a means to escape. There, Leon meets the mysterious Ada Wong, Claire protects young Sherry Burkin from her mutated father, and Umbrella deploys the relentless T-00 Tyrant to eliminate any remaining witnesses.
Bringing the Terror to the N64
Bringing Resident Evil 2 to the Nintendo 64 was a major challenge for Angel Studios, a developer experienced with the console and known for supporting other teams. Capcom provided assistance from its internal studios to ensure a faithful port. Despite hardware limitations, Angel Studios successfully fit a two disc PlayStation game onto a single cartridge. This was accomplished by uniquely compressing the graphics without greatly reducing visual quality. Although texture detail was slightly lower, the team preserved the full voice acting and soundtrack, showcasing an impressive technical achievement for its time.
For Nintendo players, many of the lost visual details could be restored by using the Expansion Pak. This hardware add-on enabled the game to run at a higher resolution while also providing a more stable frame rate.
Given the hardware limitations, one might assume the N64 port of Resident Evil 2 was inferior, but that wasn’t the case. In fact, it offered several advantages over the PlayStation version. Most notably, players could save their progress directly to the cartridge instead of needing a memory card. At the same time, the game featured faster load times and smoother transitions between areas, making the overall experience feel more seamless and responsive.
Overall, Angel Studios did an impressive job bringing Resident Evil 2 to the N64. This would not be their last foray into zombie-themed games, however. The studio later evolved into Rockstar San Diego and revisited the genre on a much larger scale with Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare.
My First Trip to Raccon City
I first heard about Resident Evil 2 from a classmate who spoke highly of it and encouraged me to try it. At the time, it wasn’t possible since I only had a Nintendo 64—until the game was finally released on that console. I rented it for a weekend from Hollywood Video, excited to play the game everyone had been talking about. Going in, I started playing as Leon and expected a straightforward third-person shooter with zombies. If you are wondering why, I was thirteen and didn’t know any better. I’ll admit the first few hours were frustrating, as I wasn’t used to tank controls or conserving ammo.
Eventually, I became familiar with the mechanics and began to embrace the challenge. During that weekend, I managed to navigate most of the police station with help from a Nintendo Power issue I found at the library. I made it all the way to the first battle against William Birkin before it was time to return the rental. It wouldn’t be until Christmas that I could start over from scratch and finally finish the game. I probably replayed the entire game, both A/B scenarios, over 20 times while unlocking everything I could.
After that, I moved on to other entries in the series as it continued to evolve over the years. I wouldn’t revisit Resident Evil 2 until the 2010s, when I found a PlayStation copy at a game vendor during SacAnime. From then on, I’d replay it occasionally on my PS2, as using a PlayStation controller felt far more comfortable than the N64’s. Still, I never forgot about that version; it’s currently boxed away with my old Nintendo 64. I’ll always cherish the weekends I spent playing it, and there’s something special about meeting another fan who first experienced Resident Evil 2 on the N64.
A Legend is Born
For many fans, Resident Evil 2 served as their introduction to both the series and the survival horror genre. Its wide release on PlayStation, PC, and later the Nintendo 64 helped it reach a broader audience. Those of us who played the N64 version still hold fond memories of it and share a special bond with others who experienced it the same way. It also stands as a remarkable technical achievement, crafted by a studio that would later go on to create even more acclaimed classics.
Did you ever play Resident Evil 2 on the N64 and what are your thoughts on it? Let us know in the comments section.
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Stan Rezaee is the founder and Editor of 8Bit/Digi. He is a journalist and gamer from the Bay Area who has been writing about the medium for over five years.
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