Back in 2005, once I was youthful, Resident Evil 4 appeared so cool. Then I discovered that it could solely be launched on the Nintendo Gamecube, which I didn’t personal. My desires have been shattered as a result of I used to be a dumb child and didn’t understand that sooner or later it could come to extra consoles. Since that unhappy second in my life, RE4 has been launched on almost each platform attainable. And each time a brand new port is launched, I can’t cease myself from shopping for it time and again.

(This publish was initially revealed on January 19, 2019. It’s been up to date to incorporate extra data on the current port and upcoming remake.)

Resident Evil 4 is an excellent survival horror recreation. It stars Resident Evil veteran Leon Kennedy on a mission to avoid wasting the President’s daughter after she is captured by a bizarre cult hiding out in a non-specific a part of Eastern Europe. This scary recreation is without doubt one of the finest ever made and it’s grow to be one of the crucial in style horror video games of all time, endlessly showing on varied lists of the very best scary video games to play in October.

At the time of its launch, it was a giant deal. It shook up the Resident Evil franchise, ditching the static digicam and tank controls of the older video games for an modern behind-the-shoulder view that helped make the motion really feel extra thrilling and in-your-face. The recreation ended up reviving the Resident Evil franchise and increasing its fanbase. And as one in all my favourite video games of all time, I can’t cease shopping for and enjoying all of the ports Capcom pumps out to appease the seemingly unending demand surrounding RE4.

For instance, when it was introduced in 2018 that RE4 was coming to the Switch, I bear in mind getting actually excited. I may need even pumped my fist within the air upon studying the information. Then I had a second of realization. Was I actually cheering the information {that a} recreation I’ve purchased many instances earlier than and completed a number of instances prior to now was getting ported but once more? What was incorrect with me, I puzzled to myself after getting excited concerning the Switch port. Yet, contemplating that Capcom retains releasing the improbable Resident Evil 4 on each new console able to operating it, it appears I’m not alone in my Resident Evil 4 obsession. So truly, the query is: What’s incorrect with all of us?

When it was introduced final yr that Resident Evil 4 can be ported to the Meta Quest 2, I instantly opened up Amazon and ordered the VR headset. I had already been fascinated by getting it, however the information of a brand new RE4 port pushed me over the sting. I entered some form of fugue state and earlier than I knew it I had bought a VR headset. Luckily for me, that current port ended up being wonderful and it could be one of the simplest ways to play the sport, assuming you’ve the area and abdomen for digital actuality.

As of October 2022, I at the moment personal Resident Evil 4 on (deep breath…): Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4, PS2, Wii, PC, and Meta Quest. I even performed that terrible Android port that no person remembers. Did you realize that RE4 was launched on a console known as the Zeebo? This console was solely obtainable in Mexico & Brazil and I spent method an excessive amount of time truly attempting to purchase one. I ask once more, what’s incorrect with me?

It’s arduous for me to get bored with Resident Evil 4. It has the proper opening phase, improbable pacing, the Autumn-like environment that makes it good for taking part in round Halloween, and intense motion all mix to create one thing that I nonetheless can’t recover from almost 20 years after its launch.

One motive I maintain coming again and enjoying every new port is that they typically change the expertise in varied methods. For instance, on the Wii, you utilize movement controls to intention, and it’s truly an efficient and enjoyable strategy to play. Meanwhile, the newer console ports improved the sport’s efficiency and controls. And the VR model added extra interactivity with objects and weapons. None of those modifications destroy or detract from what makes RE4 so good, however do provide but one more reason to come back again and play yet one more time.

At this level, I’ve made my peace with the truth that I’ll by no means cease shopping for Resident Evil 4 in any and each kind that reveals up. Yes, I’m excited concerning the newly introduced remake. Even worse, I’ll be there in 10 years when that remake will get ported to some new technology of consoles or VR headsets, able to as soon as once more assist Leon Kennedy save the day and kill some Las Plagas. Again. (Again.)