What a lovely position for the Switch to be in, hmm? The eShop is bulging with quality games – ported, brand new, indie, AAA – and every week there’s a fresh delivery. It says something that one of the very best video games of all time is slipping out on a Tuesday as a digital-only release. And Resident Evil 4 still is one of the best. We won’t waste time going into details everyone knows already – after all, this game has been re-released across multiple platforms since its 2005 GameCube debut (including Wii, which we’ll come back to in a moment) and the base game remains unchanged.
The sun-bleached, drained colours of rural Spain (or rather rural ‘unnamed European country’ where they speak a Mexican Spanish, of sorts) are as subdued as they ever were. The muted colour palette chosen for this third numbered sequel (fourth, if we count Zero) is incredibly restrained and contributes enormously to the oppressive environment Leon S. Kennedy encounters while tracking the President’s kidnapped daughter. Riddled with the Las Plagas parasite, the pallid villagers, cultists and henchmen are a refreshing change to the shambling zombies of previous entries. Resident Evil 4 always required a period of adjustment, and it still takes time to not go for that instinctual headshot, but these days that period is extended by other factors.
The game represented a big departure for the series; director Shinji Mikami took the B-movie shlock of the first three Biohazard games and injected A-grade action and production values, with an over-the-shoulder camera replacing the unsettling, fixed angles of the prior games and pushing the series in an action-orientated direction. Surviving a horrifying onslaught of gruesome enemies was still the goal, but the focus on meaty combat foreshadowed a new generation of cinematic third-person shooters, influencing action games for the following decade and sending the series down a path of diminishing returns that it’s only recently escaped from. This first venture, though, remains a treasure; a masterclass in pacing, escalation and restraint.
And, all told, Resident Evil 4 still works very well, particularly in portable mode on Switch. The foundation of the game that we first experienced on a 32” Sony Trinitron is alive and well, although after all the third-person action shooters we’ve played in the intervening years, for both new and returning players alike it takes a while to adjust to its way of doing things. Once ahead of its time, it now feels very much a relic of a different era, Quick Time Events, inventory management and all.
Beyond the ability to play the game on a portable with proper controls, there are no new features in this release. This is essentially the same HD game which we’ve been playing since 2011 when it released for the 360/PS3, including the Separate Ways epilogue and Mercenaries, plus online leaderboards and a small selection of unlockable achievements. More disappointingly, the pointer controls of the Wii version are absent and there are no gyro control options either. As with every other shooter nowadays that omits motion assisted-aiming, it's disorientating at first and the fact that Resident Evil 4 was designed around a single analogue stick doesn’t make the transition any easier. We had to constantly remind ourselves to just leave the right stick alone. Holding ‘ZL’ roots you to the spot and there’s no strafing, so we found it easier to switch to the control type II which puts aiming under your left thumb, GoldenEye 007-style, and not touch the right stick at all.
It’s an odd sensation because this scheme once felt like such a leap forward from the previous games, but now feels very much of that ‘tank’ control lineage. The right stick can still be used for limited camera movement, but it’s skittish and doesn’t prove useful. Ultimately, these old-school controls preserve tension and work with the game's careful design – something the pointer controls of the Wii version arguably broke by making dispatching Los Ganados a little too easy – but optional gyro-assisted aiming is a notable omission.
The fact is Resident Evil 4 was designed for a different age: a standard definition age. The whole experience was tailored meticulously around the restrictions of a 4:3 SD screen and a GameCube controller (which you can still use), and with that in mind, it still works beautifully. However, in HD with twin sticks and a huge 16:9 display, the original design is constantly at odds with the expanded technological palette.
The muddy brown textures once worked in conjunction with your buzzing CRT to construct an impressionist atmosphere, but HD brings Resident Evil 4’s ageing visuals into sharp focus. The worn leather (or was it moleskin?) of Leon’s jacket, for example, looked as such in standard definition; you didn’t think twice about it. Now the same up-rezzed asset becomes a spotty texture stretched over obvious polygons. The muted colours still work, but constant visual reminders of the game’s vintage draw attention to its artifice and prevent the atmosphere from getting under your skin; they put distance between you and a game that once wrapped itself around you like a blood-spattered, funky-smelling, fur-lined jacket.
In fact, it’s in the context of handheld mode that the Switch version works best. The visual experience scales down better to the smaller 720p screen and something about having it contained between your hands arguably better suits the constraints of the game’s design – it 'feels' more natural. The framerate is generally a smooth 60-ish FPS, although it can stutter in either mode, and not only in action-heavy situations. In terms of convenience, this version is certainly the easiest way to play Resident Evil 4.
Is it the 'best', though? Probably not. As odd as this may be, the Wii Edition is still arguably the pick of the bunch. Not only is the game’s art better suited to a sub-HD console, but a Wii remote and nunchuck was a good match for the original design, with optional pointer controls dovetailing nicely, too. The omission of (optional) gyro aiming here sticks out in a modern context, and feels hard to swallow, especially considering the price point of this release. We’d certainly welcome the option in a patch.
Fortunately, the mechanics beneath the surface still hold up remarkably well, even with all the caveats and slight disappointments this version throws up. Although QTEs and inventory management fell by the wayside to a certain extent, Resident Evil 4 uses both very effectively, combining them with all its other systems to deliver a meaty, visceral experience. It’s still a brilliant game, and anybody who’s never played it should add another point to the score below. Veterans, though, may find that while the ability to take the full Resident Evil 4 experience on-the-go is a boon, it can’t quite measure up to the game we played on our hulking great Trinitron back in 2005.
Conclusion
Resident Evil 4 is one of the best video games of all time, and if you’ve somehow managed to avoid it all these years, the Switch edition is a decent, convenient way to catch up – but the fact that the Wii Edition still has a legitimate claim as the 'definitive' version proves irksome. Handheld mode is the biggest draw here and that’s not only where the game’s ageing visuals work best, but also where its control scheme makes the most sense. The lack of optional gyro aiming is disappointing and high definition arguably works against it in many ways, highlighting cracks which simply didn’t show up fourteen years ago, but the genius of the underlying game still shines through and anybody who’s still got it sitting on their bucket list is in for a treat. It will likely take a Resident Evil 2-style remake in a few years if it's ever going to truly sing on HD hardware – and goodness knows the game deserves it – but if you haven’t played it in the last decade, the Switch version is a very solid one, even if it doesn’t feel as special as it once did. So, what’ll it be, stranger?
Comments 96
Resident Evil 4 is a 10 out of 10 and will always be a 10 out of 10. Best game ever.
Wow, a RE2 remake style remake Does sound tempting, now you mention it. But it’ll probably be closer to a decade before we see one of those, there’s still a a few other games to remake.
“Not enough cash”.......cuz it’s too expensive.
I played the PC version which was incredible. Solid 10/10.
@SBandy
Yes, but this sounds like an 8 out of 10 port of a 10 out of 10 game.
@subpopz honestly play it. The game is phenomenal just not worth 30 quid at this point when you can pick it up much cheaper. The game is fantastic though.
I bought this and a GameCube and honestly, at the time, I had never played anything like it in my life. What an experience, it will always be one of the best games ever. Bought it again on Wii and loved it but I can’t buy it again for a third time on a third Nintendo platform, sorry Capcom. Anyone playing it for the first time? I hope you love it as much as I did!
@RupeeClock
It is basically the PS4 / Xbox One port which were 10 out of 10 ports so I am more than happy.
Gyro controls are a missed opportunity but that doesn't take away from an already perfect game.
I have RE4 on Wii and the controls are great but it looks extermely rough on modern TVs.
I now get RE4 at 60fps on the go. I could not be happier.
Played that game back on the PS2 (got the steelbook case) until you get the daughter or whatever she was following you and I kept on shooting her, and it annoyed me so much I stopped playing, and havent played it since.
Sorry, I like the original 3 the best
One of my favorite action games of all time, it's so good.
@subpopz it’s really quality. The controls may have aged a bit but the actual game is just brilliant. Right mix of everything. Tension, fear, action and camp ness.
From what i've read i've understanded that it's still better played to the wii/gamecube. It's graphics show their limits and age in an hd display.
The only reason i would buy it for, is the mobility of the switch. Having re4 on the road it's a dream that came true. But at 30euro, it's more a nightmare than a dream.
What an exaggeration of price for a game of 15 years ago...
I've never played the Wii version, so even though I do love gyro-aiming, the exclusion of it isn't a dealbreaker. But I still own the Gamecube original and play it to this day, so I'm in no hurry to get the Switch version
I want it so bad. I skipped the Wii U version because I could not play on the GamePad exclusively. I still have my GCN and Wii versions, but what I really want is the handheld experience. But not at $30.00 USD. Am certainly hoping for a Halloween Sale....
My GC original is still hooked up ready to go. 10/10/10/10 all day long.
I own the Wii version which I am yet to play, so I might just play that someday instead.
If Capcom had issued a physical release with motion controls, it would have been an instant, full price buy.
I never played this one, ill try changing that after im done with RE (played the ps1 version back in the day when i was tiny). Thanks for the review its good, insightful, honest and fair.
I've only ever played RE 1,2,3, & Code Veronica (which was my favorite of the four, but I really liked all of them a lot & played them all to death). I tried the demo of Revelations but just couldn't get into it.
I won't buy it at a high price
Yeah, one of the best games of all time! I have purchased it on GameCube, when it was first released in USA and I was using Freeloader to play it in PAL GC ! I couldn't wait for months to be released here in Europe...
Also, no one mentions that Wii version surely had gyro controls BUT it was too easy with these controls AND it didn't had HD graphics! So, this Switch port at 60 fps is a very good port!
Not worth triple-dipping for a lazy, $30 port.
Shoddy port of a good game. They had the chance to really make the Switch version something special if they took the effort to actually utilise the hardware available to them (like they did with the Revelations games) but instead they took the laziest route possible which results in a worse version of the game that I played 10+ years ago. I have zero reason to buy this as it stands, especially as an overpriced digital exclusive with a large file size.
@kostasfil the price is absurd. Switch owners will pay for things that surprise me, so we will see.
I have this on the PS4 but still play the Wii version ahead of that, even with the lower resolution it arguably looks better and when combined with the vastly superior Wii controls I just cant play any other version. A fantastic game for anyone who hasn't tried it yet and one of the best in the series behind only the 2 Resident Evil 2 games for me
I want it, I really really do, one of my top 5 best games ever, and having the choice to play it on the go is just amazing. But I wouldn't pay that much for a lazy port that is even worse than the Wii one... No way, I'll wait for a sale.
I am a coward, and find zombies especially upsetting (context: Sean of the Dead proved too much for me), so I have never played a Resident Evil game. This is probably the only one I'd consider picking up, but I'd probably just as well opt for the Wii or GC versions from a bargain bin. At any rate, too many other games (that won't scare the bajeezus out of me) that I need to play first.
Ahhh back in the day I had a record... Professional mode speed run 1hr 57mins extremely fast hehe I have done this game Hundreds of times
This review should be a 7/10 for the score at most because a previous review factored in the price difference between Deponia on Switch and Deponia on other platforms. There is no reason for the game to be charged $10 more with no additions or QOL fixes. The Ada mission videos are still 480P and still super compressed on top of that.
My favorite game until I played Resident Evil revelations 2. Definitley buying it at 12:00. Just two hours and three minutes!
It's funny to see people "double dipping" games that they already have in PC/PS4 on Switch because "portable", but at the same time they complain about the price of this version.
To buy the same game twice is waste of money and I don't see people here complaining.
A bunch of cry babies, of course.
This price is nice.
@subpopz Wait, if that is the case then why haven't you played the game already? It's been on PC for several years and on consoles for quite some time now. Sounds to me like your not really ever going to play the game but just want to get your little punch in against Nintendo and the pricing. Which I agree the prices are ridiculous but at least be genuine about it.
I pre-purchased the original game. Far better game IMHO. Haven't played REMake 1 since the cube so quite looking forward to playing it in bed tonight
A score of 8. A top score. Shameful.
No way would this old game now score 10 and everything would have to be 100% for it to get a 9. But even with a bucket load of faults and criticisms like price, graphics, controls or lack of them it still manages a healthy 8.
The negativity in the review as I read down had me believing that we are looking at a 6 here.
I've already double dipped on this so I'll skip a trip dip. I still need to play the Wii version so I would better off getting my fix from that.
ive never played it! and I really want to but I do think £30 is steep. Im sure it will be on sale at some point and at that stage I will purchase
No motion controls and too expensive. Sad but I'll skip it for now.
So I got this game on Switch. I wasn’t going to but...I bit anyway. Playing it even now, it’s amazing how much fun they made shooting stuff. I remember it was a revelation when I first played it at a GameStop which had the early GameCube demo. It was one of the first games I preordered and bought day 1. The story about something, something, president’s daughter is still hoakier than ever but that’s alright.
No physical, no buy
No motion controls, will stick to Wii version. Must try and complete last boss stage on hard mode somehow lol.
Capcom loves to ruin every good thing about their game releases for the Switch even going as far as taking out good features while still asking for a bigger buy price. Such fools indeed. The only few releases they got right are Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen, Mega Man 11, and the Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Edition. Everything else are either digital only or half and half of both physical and digital. Seems like every game releases from NES to PS2/GameCube era will get the digital re-releases treatment on Switch rather than physical re-releases.
Remember: play this game while you can before it becomes an "old clunky mess" by the futures standards.
@Tirza This price should be complained about. Capcom has slapped an extra ten on to the price and done nothing to justify it.
Portability is the only thing this version has going for it but that's not enough for me to forgive Capcom's greed.
I'll get this by the end of the month. Maybe, they'll patch the game at some point to add motion controllers, but it's not a deal breaker. This was a fantastic game back in the day, probably the best of its generation. The look it had on Gamecube, with that widescreen and the filter they used, it was a truly incredible experience.
@retro_player_22 Split physical/digital for SOME of their collections and for some of the digital only stuff is justified by the cost of game carts. Particularly in the case of the Revelations Collection. Okami and Onimusha are also too big for the standard Switch cart and would be too expensive to justify.
Is there any "Overtime" in this version?
I think I've 100% this game like... three times now? Oh well may as well go for a fourth...
The frame rate takes a noticeable dip in some action heavy parts, but overall is a solid port of a classic. I think this game has been ported to just about everything now.
Kind a hard to get excited about a Survival horror game - that you already know how to survive and all the plot points. For more thn a decade now
I have no need to spend hrs of my life to end up back at the rocket launcher nonsense. Ps4, Switch, PC?... nop, I am good.
You can have my 30 bucks when you add back in the motion aiming
I was disappointed by Resident Evil 4 back then. I'm sure I still will be. I never liked this new take on the series. The survival horror genre died with this game. IMO Resident Evil: Code Veronica was the best in the series. For those who didn't know, Code Veronica was original supposed to be RE3.
Before you go apeshit. This is my opinion. You are entitled to a different one
I will buy it at a high price because Capcom gives me no other choice.
no motion control no deal
I have never played this game myself, but I will someday. I just don't know if it will be this version unless it goes on a deep discount.
No gyro no buy, simple.
Good review. It’s not easy to evaluate such a classic game in light of the huge technology shift that’s occurred since its release. I’ll always cherish my first SD GameCube playthrough. I agree that a full RE2 style remaster is needed to really do it justice.
Played it on Wii.
I will not buy it again..
Neeeeext please.
Finally, the Switch can now be considered a proper console, as at last it got its obligatory Resi4 port - like any other proper post 2005 console.
@Panopticon underrated comment
no physical no purchase for me.
I encourage everyone to call Nintendo directly and give feedback about how overpriced these games are. Here in Canada they are priced at $39.99 individually and $79.99 for the Origins physical. Not only is this blatantly overpriced, the conversion from US to Canadian isn’t even correct. They inflated a few more dollars beyond the already ridiculous pricing structure. Shame on you capcom.
This game was a step in the wrong direction for the series, IMHO.
Not a bad game, but just not what I wanted a Resident Evil game to be like.
Nah, I’ll skip this one. Played it before, no reason to do iT again. Overpriced
@subpopz Well if that was true you certainly wouldn't respond to my reply at all. I was only pointing the inconsistency in what you said. Not my fault it triggered you.
I only pointed out the inconsistency, your the one replying and caring about it. Like I said, didn't mean to trigger you.
I loved this game on the Wii. I think i’ll leave the memories alone for now. RE4 100% sold me on motion controlled shooters. I even played RE5 from start to finish with the Move controller on the harder difficulty. Shame that outside of VR this control scheme is pretty much dead.
I originally had this on PS2 (steelbook), then on Wii, then a few months ago on PS4. Loved it every time, but think the Wii version stood out the most because of the motion controls. I really hope they do patch this version to give us the option. It gives me a reason to wait until the price comes down a little.
Will probably get this game eventually as I have never played it before, but I'm kinda bummed it doesn't get a physical release.
Original had a widescreen mode fyi, it’s not something they’ve retro fitted
I have played RE but never bought the games. I was looking forward to playing it on Switch but without a physical release I will have to pass.
This will be on sale like any other Capcom/RE game.
Maybe I'll pay €15 for it. Although I never finish RE games for some reason.
Playing the game once on the Gamecube was more than enough for me. I enjoyed the first half or so of the game, but thought it fell off after a certain point. And I learned to hate QTEs after this game. After I played through it, I could never go back to it due to how the game unfolds. So this is one of those games that is widely well regarded that just doesn't work for me. Nowhere near a masterpiece, in my view. With that said, it obviously works for many people.
@Tirza Maybe because double dipping is a case by case thing? Like, I don't think paying full price for FF12 HD is a bad deal considering it's a port of a rather recent release. Likewise, I already own 3 copies of FFX HD Remaster so there is no way I can justify paying 50 bucks for such an old game. Also, RE 4 not only costs more on the Switch but they couldn't even be bothered to fix bugs like the accelerated aiming. Double dipping or not, I don't think Capcom deserves money for increasing the price for a version they put barely any effort in other than making the game run on Switch. I'll double dip once it's 50% off .... and costs as much as the other versions
Merchant: Got somethin’ that might interest ya, stranger.
Leon: Is it gyro controls?
Merchant: Uhm, no... it’s a PS4 port with no improvements.
Leon: I’ll give you £10.
Merchant: Not enough cash, stranger!
I can't wait to play this, but first I need to play 0, REmake, and Remake 2.
@SBandy Yeah, it's thrilling to have it at 60 fps and portable!
While I'd love to buy this version for the sheer aspect of having it portable, two things stop me from doing so. 1) I'm too used to the Wii controls (and somehow I still haven't finished this game), and 2) the asking price of $30 is a little steep for what's basically the same game I got for $8 at GameStop, just with a higher resolution and frame rate. But for those who've never played this, do yourself a favor and pick this up. It's such a great game.
Too bad I been playing to Much AC Odyssey lately (PS4) now jumping back to RE4 on Switch almost made it feel like a clunky first generation 3d PSX game...
Is it really 60fps ? I dont remember aiming & looking around was so hard on PS3, Wii a few years ago.
I’m not touching this without gyro controls at full price. I’ll easily wait on a sale of at least 40% off.
No chainsaw controller i'm mad
$40. Yup, $40. Did I say $40?
This is ridiculous.
You can get this for around $20 more or less, on every other platform. But then again, this is the Switch. And people don't seem to mind paying more on that platform, so companies like Capcom are just trying to capitalize on this... If people weren't buying $2 mobile ports for $10 on the Switch, maybe the situation would've been different. Maybe.
@sdelfin Agreed. There’s a point when you’re fighting the robed guys it gets to be a slog. Really good up until then!
Giving a must play game of all time an 8? Seriously Nintendolife?
Can’t beat wii version
@Rpg-lover Old glory, but it should be judged by today's standards. Without at least optional gyro/motion aiming, which made the Wii version surpass the Gamecube original by a lot, way overpriced, kind of aged by now, and download only, this game deserved a lot more love from Capcom, even a full remake. Without their love, it's hard to recommend I'd say. I'd still recommend the Wii version wholeheartedly though.
RE: Revelations for Switch featured gyro and it worked very well. RE4 is the same type of game. I'll probably not buy it unless they patch gyro in (or they put it on a very deep sale). I have enough versions of this game (GC, Wii, PS4), and all physically at that!
Capcom got lazy on this with no modifications, and only doing a digital version at 30 bucks. More than likely a lot of people will be waiting on a sale on this.
Played the game on Wii, I still believe the Wii version is the superior one (or the PC if you can aim with the mouse) because of the aiming, even if some people believe that it makes the game too easy, I just hate joystick aiming so hard ...
10/10 game, the best game of the Gamecube, slightly under Metroid Prime tho
Great gsme still. But the visuals look very dark and muddy on the screen. Playable but definitely showing it's age. The base game is still amazing however
@kostasfil At least in Gamecube there was fog. It was all gone in other releases. Not sure about the WII version
How about weight in gb? Thanks
The Wii version is the definitive edition then?
One of my favourite all time games.
10 out of 10. Set my Wii up and played again . The gunplay is absolutely fantastic xxx
As much as I’ve always enjoyed every version of this game, I’m surprised nobody else hated the aiming reticle on the Wii version.
That alone made me prefer the Gamecube’s version.
Wii version of anything is, for me, always the worst option. I'm glad we got over the motion control period in gaming.
This was a thrill to play through for the first time on Gamecube.
I believe this is the fourth time I've bought this - Gamecube - new/Xbox 360 - HD update/Wii - Wiimote /Switch - it's RE4 on a handheld and that's a valid reason to buy this again.
"Welcome!"
"Not enough cash!...stranger..."
"Stranga! Stranga! Now that's a weapon!"
"Whut are ya buyin'?"
"Whut are ya sellin'?"
"Hehehe...thank you"
"Ahhhhh....I'll buy it at a high price!"
"Come back any time!"
@ChessboardMan you won’t have to wait long
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