Resident Evil 4

If you missed Resident Evil 4 over the last fifteen years, don’t wait any longer to play this gem. Even in 2019, I find myself engrossed by RE4’s dark, uneasy setting, its addicting gun progression, and incredible action-horror gameplay. It’s a game that changed the action-adventure genre forever, and for the most part, has stood the test of time.

A wonderfully cheesy narrative, brilliant level and character design, stunning art direction, and some of the best shooting mechanics ever made all coalesce into a legend of the video game industry. Resident Evil 4 HD absolutely needs to be in everyone’s Switch library.

A great range of strategies and mechanics never used in the saga turned Resident Evil 4 into a key piece in the history of Capcom. Now, it is also playable in portable mode.

No matter if it is your first time dealing with the plagas or you know RE4‘s map like the back of your hand, this is a worthwhile version that should be replayed. Even in 2019, this is still Capcom’s crowning achievement and a master class in game design.

It’s astonishing just how well RE4 has held up after nearly fifteen years, but it still managed to draw me in and keep me playing no matter what intermittent problems I ran into. There’s a reason this game has been so celebrated over the years, and if you’re like me and have been ignoring it for over a decade, then there’s no better time to see what the big deal is than right now.

The best way to play Resident Evil 4 requires taking a time machine back to its time and place in 2005. A myriad of ports, especially on the Switch, continue to provide a more practical method. From a historical standpoint or modern approach, Resident Evil 4 remains one of the finest ways to survive horror.

Price is a sticky issue, too. It’s simply too much for a game that, despite its status, is showing its age visually and mechanically.

Still one of the best action games ever made, but while this is a competent port/remaster the absurdly high price makes it an expensive novelty.

Even with some mechanics feeling outdated or anachronistic, this still is a milestone in its genre.

The lack of Wii-like motion controls hurts this release, as it means this isn’t the best way to play the game. However, the fact you can play it on the go for the first time is probably the next best thing. If you have somehow managed to miss playing this title in the past 15 years, then go ahead and add another point to the score, as those that have played the many re-releases over the years won’t be quite as impressed as they once were. Having said that, Resident Evil 4 is and forever will be, one of the greatest video games ever made.

Resident Evil 4 is still as timeless as ever, but due to its high price-point on Switch, we suggest waiting for a sale before pulling the trigger on this one.

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.

Resident Evil 4 is one of the best and most influential games ever made, but this version feels a little bit lazy. Capcom could’ve improved the performance or include new controls to make the most of the hardware, but it hasn’t. This won’t prevent you from enjoying the game, of course, but such a masterpiece deserved better.

Make no mistake: Resident Evil 4 is still worth experiencing on Switch, especially if you are new to the game or the series. The thrilling story and immersive atmosphere still hold up today, even if the cumbersome controls and finicky gunplay do not. However, those spoiled by the phenomenal Wii version of RE4 — or even some of the more modern entries in the series — will find admittedly less to love when looking back on Leon's chilling escapades.

Resident Evil 4 is still a legend in its own way, but these regular new versions never bring anything new to the table. Even worse, this Switch is showing how old is the the game, on a technical standpoint.

If it had motion controls, we would be talking about one of the best versions of one of the best games ever made. Without them, this is just a portable Resident Evil 4 (and honestly, that is pretty good).

Resident Evil 4 is entertaining throughout - this review has focussed on negative missteps that have been taken while concocting the Nintendo Switch version. It is more expensive than PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions, with no actual differences between them. However, it is undeniable that it is a standout title despite these somewhat ageing issues. To help compensate for this, it does run at a stable 60 frame-rate, and of course, is now fully portable. It may not be the definitive version of Resident Evil 4, but it is still a fun one nonetheless.

A timeless classic not worth the extra price just for portability.

Not your ordinary “Resi” experience, but RE4 is still one of the best action-horror ever made... and now you can play it anywhere with your Switch.

Despite being a masterpiece, Resident Evil 4 on Switch suffers from medium resolution and inconsistent framerate. Capcom could've handle things a little better.