Resident Evil Archives Hands On

By Luke Anderson, GameSpot UKPosted Apr 29, 2009 9:36 am PT

The title that launched a thousand zombie games is heading to the Wii with all-new controls.

It's sometimes hard to believe that the game that kicked off the whole franchise is 13 years old and yet Resident Evil is still finding new consoles to call a home, including yet another Nintendo platform. The Wii has already welcomed several Resident Evil titles to its stable, including the definitive version of Resident Evil 4 in addition to the decent Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and the upcoming Darkside Chronicles on-rails shooter.

Resident Evil is as scary as ever.

In 2002 Capcom released a Resident Evil remake for the Nintendo GameCube, complete with a huge graphics overhaul, new controls, and new content in the way of added rooms, areas, items, defensive weapons, and creatures that weren't in the original. It's this version that will be ported to the Wii later in June, and it will be on a disc rather than available through the console's Virtual Console digital distribution channel. Given that the GameCube version was received as a brilliant re-creation of the original, fans of the series and those who never played the original may find that the Wii edition is the perfect excuse to give it a go.

In case you're unfamiliar with the original storyline, Resident Evil puts you in the shoes of two of the franchise's best-known characters, STARS (Special Tactics and Rescue Service) agents Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine (both recently seen in Resident Evil 5). The game's story takes place shortly after the first T-Virus outbreak in Raccoon City in 1998 at a presumably abandoned mansion outside the city. Playing as either Chris or Jill, you'll uncover the plot that the nefarious Umbrella Corporation has set in motion.

The game was originally planned only as a Japanese release, but Capcom is bringing its Wii port of Resident Evil to Western markets, complete with Wii-specific controls. The setup allows you to use a Wii Remote and Nunchuk or a Wii Remote by itself, and there's added support for the GameCube and Classic controllers. For better or worse, the remake has remained faithful to the original, and movement is mapped to forward/backward and turning, rather than simply moving in whichever direction you point in. You have to turn using the left or right buttons on the D pad and then walk forward or backward along your current axis using up or down, which definitely now feels clunky and counterintuitive. If you use the remote and nunchuk together, the A button is used to attack or examine, B readies your weapon, and C adjusts your weapon sight or uses your defensive weapon--an addition for the GameCube remake. Jill gets a taser while Chris has grenades he can stuff into a zombie's mouth and shoot. Additionally, hitting down on the analog stick with Z executes a quick 180-degree turn, which is handy when you're snuck up on.

Welcome to the freak show!

The graphics in Resident Evil Archive remain largely unchanged, and the dark, eerie mansion has as much atmosphere as it always did. Detailed paintings, chandeliers, busts, and statues stand out against the dank old household and the miserable weather outside. Character models and animations look solid, and there are some cool effects in there despite this being a game that's seven years old. The underworldly setting is accented by the moody background music, and those familiar with the series will be familiar with the solid voice acting. Resident Evil Archives is set for a June release in Europe and the US.

47 Comments

  • CrystalEdgen

    Posted Oct 23, 2009 10:10 pm PT

    I wish they have a flexible control system (being able to chose between classic control and the RE Tank Retard control)

  • masterds64

    Posted Aug 25, 2009 7:20 am PT

    @Indescrimi
    This game uses very old gameplay mechanics-and because of how the fans are they kept the original control sceme.
    The only resident evil I can think of that changes the controls a tad is code veronica-and that still has hints of it laying about.

    Not only that-but this game relies on those clunky controls to make it scarier-you would be forced to run away from a zombie that's too close-just because you stood there too long.

    Trust me-it's essential to the game-play-I was once a skeptic of this game until I got the gamecube version-now I can't go wrong

  • Indiscrimi

    Posted Aug 19, 2009 12:38 pm PT

    When I told a friend of mine that I didn't like the RE controls, he said, "it's realistic. You have to aim your gun before you shoot it." I replied, "yeah, but in real life you can walk sideways." I stand by that assessment. A game with frustrating controls on a console that is renowned for having an unreliable controller will be unbearable, despite cool graphics and soundtrack.

  • hi-buzz

    Posted Jun 29, 2009 9:05 pm PT

    this game( the gamecube remake of the original RE) was freakin' AWESOME with its creepy soundtrack, haunting atmosphere, and addictive gameplay. it was also much more SCARIER than the recent installments which was more action-oriented but still great fun. I m gettin' this ...

  • fighterguard

    Posted Jun 23, 2009 4:59 pm PT

    It's pretty obvious why are we seeing so many GC ports to the Wii: The GC had poor reception, in stark contrast with the worldwide success of the Wii.
    Publishers are just trying to recoup those excellent games that nobody played, and put them on a new stage where everyone will see them. Of course, they add motion controls to justify the transition (since the Wii can run GC games natively). But it's not bad at all to me. the Metroid Primes, Resident Evil 1 & 4, both Pikmins, were all excellent games that a lot of people never got to play (not even me!!!). So this Wii reprisal of good GC games is definitely a great idea.

  • 12qazx

    Posted Jun 19, 2009 12:53 pm PT

    I would like to get this but will it be in widescreen or the 4:3 ratio?

  • raw153

    Posted Jun 16, 2009 10:51 pm PT

    Sweet, I was kind of worried this was going to be a rail-shooter like UC and DC. Now I can finally play the original game in one of my favorite franchises.

  • kevinruitenberg

    Posted Jun 4, 2009 2:19 pm PT

    i would buy this but the controls are original and they were terrbile

  • Cainsworld

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 10:05 pm PT

    I would've been down for getting this if it was reworked to play like RE4 and RE5. I bought the remake on Gamecube shortly after it came out and I came to the realization that I can't stand the controls on the original Resident Evil games anymore. That control setup (no matter how much you work on it) is just too outdated and clunky. I think that a lot of the fear generated in the first RE games comes from knowing that when you have to get away from something, you are going to have to run via the control system of a retarded robot. 4 managed to be creepy and fun, 5 wasn't very creepy, but was way fun, and both of those had great control setups (especially 4 on the Wii).

  • damaster101

    Posted Jun 2, 2009 3:31 pm PT

    Been waiting so long for this.

  • oneEnigma

    Posted May 27, 2009 10:56 am PT

    IS the Wii version of Resident Evil Zero coming to Europe/US, any1 know? I would really like Code Veronica X aswell as i havent played these 2 plus the Remake

  • leandrobraga

    Posted May 25, 2009 7:17 pm PT

    the wii version, will have a widescreen support?

  • Newsted_22

    Posted May 8, 2009 4:01 am PT

    hope this widescreen version will not be as pixelated as the wii version of RE4 which is totally aweful on an LCD. Even Zelda is wayyyy better graphic wise and it's also a gamecube port.

  • VivaRevolucion

    Posted May 6, 2009 2:41 pm PT

    Might have to pick it up, seemed to has misplaced my GC version. My favorite RE game, even over the original. I thought this was one of those very rare times when a remake out does its original. This is the real Resident Evil right here.

  • JERMINITIS

    Posted May 2, 2009 6:46 am PT

    Another game i'll be buying in June

  • jessmaster13

    Posted May 1, 2009 6:21 pm PT

    definitely a rental

  • wiiwiiwii22

    Posted May 1, 2009 10:59 am PT

    wow a super game!!!!

  • Zelda_89

    Posted May 1, 2009 1:45 am PT

    I'll be getting it

  • kirby2198

    Posted Apr 30, 2009 1:39 pm PT

    I'll probably get this, why not? it looks good. I don't have a GC memory card and I never played this game. So might as well ^^. 30 bucks wont kill anyone.

    CAPCOM has gone a little cucu for Remakes RE1... RE0 (well more like Re-release) ... RE5 should also go to the wii, but have you ever seen those types of graphics on the wii? either way the game is still good no matter what consol its on :3 (I'm more of 1st person shooter...) and its "Rescue Squad" not "Rescue Service" (I felt the need to point that out) ^^;

  • squall_83 posted Apr 30, 2009 9:41 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    squall_83

    Posted Apr 30, 2009 9:41 am PT (hide)

    I agree with blutiger_engel.
    Screw Resident Evil... Soul Reaver Remake ftw!!!

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