The Resident Evil series is all the rage nowadays since Capcom's showcase event that unveiled a ton of new information on the upcoming Resident Evil 8. With Resident Evil 8 hype at an all-time high and its vampire lady meme perhaps making even more people aware of the game, some may be interested in jumping into the Resident Evil franchise. And what better way to jump into the Resident Evil franchise than with the first game in the series.

However, there are numerous versions of the original Resident Evil game that have released over the years, not to mention remakes, remastered ports, and much more. For someone who may be new to the Resident Evil franchise, it can be a bit confusing and they may not know where to start.

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Here are all the versions of the original Resident Evil game, and which one players should check out first.

Resident Evil and the Director's Cut

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The original Resident Evil in 1996 is a survival-horror classic, establishing many of the tropes used in other games in the genre. While many would argue that the original version of Resident Evil still holds up to this day, numerous versions of it have been released over time. So those willing to seek out these old games and the hardware necessary to play them will still have to narrow down which version they want to play.

Besides the original Resident Evil, there's also the Director's Cut, which launched in 1997 as Capcom's way of tiding fans over while they waited for Resident Evil 2. The Director's Cut included a Resident Evil 2 demo as well as a Director's Cut version of the game that changes enemy and item placement. Players can still play the original Resident Evil in the Director's Cut, and they can also check out the Beginner mode as well if they are having trouble with the game. Considering this, anyone interested in the original Resident Evil will definitely want to spring for the Director's Cut over the actual original release.

However, there's an additional version of the Director's Cut that is really the best way to experience the original Resident Evil. This Dual Shock Ver. is the version of Resident Evil that players can download from the PlayStation Network as a PS1 Classic, and so it's one of the most easily accessible out of the bunch.

Other versions of the original Resident Evil game exist as well, including a Sega Saturn port that adds some more content, in addition to a PC version. However, the extra content is not worthwhile enough to try to find a Sega Saturn to play it on, so the best bet is to stick with Resident Evil: Director's Cut Dual Shock Ver., either with the physical disc or through the PlayStation Store on PSP, PS3, or PS Vita.

Resident Evil REmake and the HD Remaster

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Remakes have long been part of the Resident Evil franchise's DNA, with Capcom releasing one merely six years into the franchise's existence. Originally released as a GameCube exclusive, the Resident Evil REmake (as it's affectionally referred to as friends) is a completely remade version of the original game, with new areas, enemy types, puzzles, and vastly improved graphics. It's not literally the same game as the PS1 original, though, it's widely considered to be a superior, scarier, more content-rich experience.

A version of the Resident Evil REmake was released for the Nintendo Wii as well with an updated control scheme, but the best version of the game is the HD remaster that's available on modern consoles. Resident Evil HD Remaster is the same experience that fans of the GameCube original will remember, but with even better graphics and a revamped control scheme that makes it infinitely more playable. Purists can still go for the old-school tank controls if they want, though.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence

resident evil versions

Another notable version of the first Resident Evil game is Resident Evil: Deadly Silence on the Nintendo DS. While technically a re-done version of the PS1 game, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence plays differently enough and adds enough new content that it really deserves to be considered on its own merits.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence includes the original Resident Evil experience from 1996, but with touch screen controls, as well as a Rebirth Mode that adds DS-specific touch screen and ups the enemy count. Resident Evil: Deadly Silence makes great use of the Nintendo DS system's unique capabilities. It also takes advantage of the DS console's superior hardware when compared to the 90s systems, allowing players to skip door opening cut-scenes, allowing for a more user-friendly experience.

Resident Evil: Deadly Silence even supports multiplayer game modes, with support for both competitive and cooperative play. While some may write off the touch screen controls as a gimmick, there's no denying the value that Resident Evil: Deadly Silence brings to the table otherwise.

Which One Should You Play?

The version of the original Resident Evil that fans should play is probably the Resident Evil REmake, and more specifically, the HD remaster of it. This provides players with the most user-friendly Resident Evil experience, with the best graphics, improved controls, and the ability to play it without digging old consoles out of the closet. It also expands on the franchise's canon in meaningful ways, like with the inclusion of the terrifying Lisa Trevor character.

That being said, it's hard to go wrong with the original Resident Evil game, and those who are really into the series may want to try out all of them. They all bring something new to the table, and it can be fun to experience the differences between the games.

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