Resident Evil 2 - Version Differences

                Resident Evil 2: Version Changes FAQ
       For the Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo 64 
                 PC, Sega Dreamcast, Tiger game.com
                        Written by: cvxfreak
                  Copyright 2002-2011 by cvxfreak
                           Version  3.1
                        February 11, 2011
               E-mail: cvxguides[at]gmail[dot]com

Table of Contents

1.  Introduction
2.  Version Updates
3.  Resident Evil 2
4.  Original PlayStation Version
5.  PlayStation Version (Dual Shock)
6.  Nintendo 64 Version
7.  Dreamcast Version
8.  PC Version
9.  GameCube Version
10. Game.com Version
11. Comparison of Versions
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Future of Resident Evil
14. Conclusion

1. Introduction

Resident Evil is the survival horror series by Capcom. Launched in 1996
for the original PlayStation, the series quickly became Capcom's most 
popular series, spanning multiple games on multiple systems from the
original PlayStation to the Nintendo GameCube. The second game in the
series, Resident Evil 2, was originally released on the PlayStation in
1998, and its popularity surpassed the original's thanks to the presence
of ports on many subsequent platforms. 

Specifically, two versions exist on the PlayStation, two on Windows PCs,
and one each on the Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube. 
No two versions are exactly the same, as there are some differences in
all of them. In a way, there is no definitive version of Resident Evil
2; which version is the best is down to personal preference. However,
this FAQ will help outline the differences between versions to help
the reader make a choice. 

The most up-to-date version of this FAQ may be found at www.gamefaqs.com
and its sister websites. If you have a question that hasn't been 
answered in this FAQ that is related to Resident Evil 2, please e-mail
me at fireemblempride[at]gmail[dot]com. I will try to answer your 
questions as soon as possible. This FAQ is copyright 2002-2007 by
cvxfreak, however Capcom holds all rights to the Resident Evil brand
that I do not own. 

2. Version Updates

February 12, 2011
Version 3.1
Updated my e-mail address and added any information missing from the
previous version.

May 14, 2007
Version 3.0
I remade the FAQ to reflect better writing skills, improved formatting,
more up-to-date information and more accurate information. I've also
changed my e-mail address since 2003, so this FAQ sorely needed an 
update. Enjoy it. 

3. Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil goes by the name "Biohazard" in Japan. Whenever this guide
mentions Resident Evil, it is referring to the games as released in
North America. Biohazard refers to versions released in Japan. Usually,
they are identical, but occasionally there are differences.

Resident Evil 2 is the second installment of the Resident Evil saga. It
features Claire Redfield, who is searching for her missing brother and 
Leon S. Kennedy, a cop who happened to stumble onto Raccoon City during 
the T-Virus outbreak, on his first day on the RPD force. Together they
investigate the origins of the viral outbreak, meet friends and enemies,
and slay zombies, while avoiding some of the more sinister creatures
roaming around Raccoon City. 

Here is a timeline of a majority of Resident Evil 2 versions released so

- Trial Version is released with Biohazard: Director's Cut. [JPN]

- Trial Version is released with Resident Evil: Director's Cut. [NA]

- Biohazard 2 is released for the PlayStation. [JPN]
- Biohazard 2 Dual Shock Version is released for the
  PlayStation. [JPN]

- Resident Evil 2 is released for the PlayStation. [NA]
- Resident Evil 2 Dual Shock Version is released for the
  PlayStation. [NA]

- Resident Evil 2 Platinum is released for the PC. [NA]
- Resident Evil 2 is released for the Nintendo 64. [NA]

- Biohazard 2 Value Plus is released for the Dreamcast. [JPN] 

- Biohazard 2 is released for the Nintendo 64. [JPN]

- Resident Evil 2 is released for the Dreamcast. [NA] 

- Biohazard 2 is released for the Nintendo GameCube. [JPN]

- Resident Evil 2 is released for the Nintendo GameCube. [NA]

- Biohazard 2 PC is released for Windows PCs. [JPN]

- Biohazard 2 is released for the PlayStation Network, which allows the
  game to be played on a PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Portable handheld
  (PSP). [JPN]

- Resident Evil 2 Dual Shock Version is released for the PlayStation
  Network, which allows the game to be played on a PlayStation 3 or
  PlayStation Portable handheld (PSP). [JPN]

4. Original PlayStation Version

This is the very first Resident Evil 2 to be released. It was incomplete 
in terms of what the other versions had to offer. It came on two 
CD-ROMs. For comparisons on content, please view the appropriate section

The Japanese version of this game is also downloadable on the
PlayStation Network, allowing it to be played on a PlayStation 3 or
PlayStation Portable (PSP) without the actual game disc. 

5. PlayStation Version (Dual Shock)

This version was a re-release for the PlayStation in the same year 
(1998). It added support for Sony's Dual Shock controller, allowing the
game rumble feedback and analog stick control movement. As an extra,
the Dual Shock Version contained the new Extreme Battle minigame. This 
version also came on two CD-ROMs. 

The North American version of this game is also downloadable on the
PlayStation Portable (PSP) without the actual game disc. 

6. Nintendo 64 Version

The Nintendo 64 version was released in North America in late 1999 and 
in Japan in January 2000. This port had some drastic changes:

Using an N64 Expansion Pak, the increased RAM capacity allowed for the
graphics to be displayed at a higher resolution than the PlayStation
original. Without the Expansion Pak, the game looked closer to the
original PlayStation version, although it still looked a bit better. 

The Nintendo 64's sound capabilities are obviously below that of the
PlayStation due to the capacity of the Nintendo 64's cartridges. In
order to cram all the data of Resident Evil 2 onto the Nintendo 64,
tons of data compression techniques were employed to reduce the game's
overall data size. The audio suffered as a result, as it sounds 
muffled compared to the other versions.

Almost all CG made it to the Nintendo 64 version with the exception of
Ada's cutscene with Annette, which was replaced with Claire's in Leon's
adventure to save space (the developers were probably hoping that no one
would notice!). All CG cutscenes are noticeably compressed and less
detailed, but are still largely intact, which ended up being quite a
milestone for the Nintendo 64, a system that rarely used CG cutscenes.

Extra Features
The Nintendo 64 version allowed, after a scenario was beaten, for an
item randomizer (non-quest items such as keys would not change location,
only items such as ammo and health), a violence control meter (to adjust
the amount of blood and gore displayed), a blood color option (change
the blood from red to blue, black, green etc.) and the Ex Files, a 
series of files that ties Nintendo 64-only Resident Evil owners to non-
Nintendo 64 versions of the series such as Zero (after it was moved to
GameCube), Nemesis and CODE: Veronica. 

One Cartridge
The game comes on one cartridge, and either Claire or Leon's scenarios
may be chosen from the main menu when selecting "New Game" or "Load

7. Dreamcast Version

The Dreamcast version was released in 1999 in Japan under the name
"Biohazard 2 Value Plus." It was almost exactly the same as the PC port
in terms of content. 

VMU Extras
The Dreamcast's VMU screen was utilized to provide ammo and health
information without having to go into the item screen. 

Biohazard CODE: Veronica Trial Edition (Japan)
The Japanese version contained a trial version of Biohazard CODE: 
Veronica as well as music tracks from prior Biohazard games (orchestral,
game-ripped, drama.) This extra disc was not included in the North
American or PAL region versions. 

8. PC Version

The PC version was an upgraded port of the PlayStation Dual Shock
Version. It ran on Windows 98 PCs, and contained all the mini games
from the Dual Shock Version, unlocked from the beginning (4th Survivor,
the Tofu Survivor and the Extreme Battle). It came on two CD-ROMs. 

In 2006 in Japan, an upgraded, Windows XP-compatible version was
released in Japan. It came on a single DVD with uncompressed CG
cutscenes, and with Leon and Claire's games combined into one story,
but it was otherwise unchanged from the previous PC port. The official
title of this release is "Biohazard 2 PC". 

Thanks to "renvi" at the NeoGAF forums for impressions on the 2006 PC 

9. GameCube Version

Here is all the information on Resident Evil 2 for the Nintendo 
GameCube. In general, the GameCube version is ported directly from the
PlayStation Dual Shock Version with some minor changes. 

In-game cutscenes may now be skipped
After neglecting to add this feature in previous ports, the GameCube
finally allows for both CG and in-game cut-scenes to be skipped by
pressing the Start Button. This allows the game to progress much
faster than ever before. 

The Resident Evil/Biohazard voice in the Title Screen is different
The developers have replaced the "Resident Evil" / "Biohazard" voices in
the GameCube port with new ones that sound very different from all other

The graphics are marginally improved
The character models are no longer displaying PlayStation-like angled
joints or blurry visuals. The overall game looks slightly cleaner than
the PlayStation versions. However, the background resolution is still
lower than the Dreamcast version. 

No Nintendo 64 extras
It's somewhat ironic, but the N64 version extras did not make it to
the GameCube port. It's ironic because the N64 version had the Ex Files
that would have provided a link to the rest of the GameCube series,
especially Biohazard 0, but Capcom (or Tose) clearly did not want to
or have the means of reincorporating those extras into what was
supposed to be a PlayStation port.

One Minidisc
Unlike the PlayStation and Dreamcast versions, the GameCube version
comes on a single minidisc. However, the way in which shifting between
Claire and Leon's games is different from the Nintendo 64 version, 
which was also on one media. The game is split into two parts; the
introduction, randomly chosen between Leon and Claire, plays and
then a screen is prompted, with the options "Leon's Story" and 
"Claire's Story". Pick one and the title screen will appear with
the Leon's Story/Claire's Story subtitle below the main logo (if
you played the Dual Shock Version, the Leon's Story/Claire's Story
subtitle will be in the same position). From the Load Game Screen,
you can only load a save file of the scenario of the character you
chose; you'll have to switch to the other story from the menu
screen and use that story's Load Game menu. 

Control Options
The game controls exactly the same as the other games in the series
(remake, Zero, 3, CODE: Veronica). Exclusive to this version and
to the GameCube platform is Type C control.

Sound Quality
The sound quality is about the same as all the other versions, with
no notable differences.  

There might be new copies of the GameCube around as of 2011, but
expect to pay quite a bit of money to get one. 

B Ending Credits
Another exclusive to the GameCube version is the playback of CG
cutscenes from the given character's game during the B game credits. 
The ending music is the same, as are the actual credits. 

Wii Compatibility
Like all GameCube titles, Resident Evil 2 on the GameCube will function
perfectly on a Nintendo Wii, provided you have a GameCube controller and
Memory Card to go with it. 

10. Game.com Version

The Game.com version of Resident Evil 2 only covers Leon's A scenario,
and features the general scenario, but with graphics akin to that of
the original version. This game isn't impossible to find, but most will
find playing it a frustrating, worthless experience. 

11. Comparison of Versions

Here is a chart that compares the various versions of Resident Evil 2,
broken down by feature:

|      Feature           | PS1 | Dual Shock |  DC  |  GC  | N64 |  PC  |
| Blood Color            | No  |     No     |  No  |  No  | Yes |  No  |
| Ex Files               | No  |     No     |  No  |  No  | Yes |  No  |
| Extreme Battle Mode    | No  |     Yes    |  Yes |  Yes | No  |  Yes |
| EBM Default-Unlocked   | No  |     No     |  Yes |  No  | No  |  Yes |
| Character Art          | No  |     No     |  Yes |  No  | No  |  Yes |
| Violence Control       | No  |     No     |  No  |  No  | Yes |  No  |
| Arrange Mode           | No  |     Yes    |  Yes |  Yes | No  |  Yes |
| Media Type             | CD  |     CD     |  GD  |  MD  | ROM |CD/DVD|
| Number of Discs/Carts  | 2   |     2      |  2   |  1   |  1  |  2/1 |
| Memory Card/VMU Needed | Yes |     Yes    |  Yes |  Yes | No  |  No  |

12. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which is the best version?
A: In general, any version is fine to play, given how old the game is. 

Q: What are the differences?
A: Please refer to the above sections for the differences. 

Q: Which version has the best graphics?
A: The PC and Dreamcast versions look slightly better than the other
   ports. In 2011, that hardly matters, but it's still notable.

Q: When did the GameCube version come out?
A: It was released on January 12, 2003.

Q: Which version was the GameCube version be ported from?
A: With minor changes, it was ported from the PlayStation Dual Shock

Q: Why were all these different versions released?
A: While first associated with the PlayStation, the Resident Evil
   series has always been a multiplatform series. Since the release of
   the Saturn port of the original in 1997, Capcom sought to bring the
   series to all possible platforms and maximize sales. Resident Evil
   2 in particular was actually meant to come to the Saturn, but it
   couldn't quite handle the game and live long enough to host it. 
   The Nintendo 64 received a port to coincide with the then-planned
   Resident Evil Zero; the Dreamcast received a port to go along with
   CODE: Veronica; the GameCube received a port to have the complete
   main series on the GameCube. The Dual Shock Version was released to
   take advantage of Sony's Dual Shock controller. 

Q: Which version is your favorite?
A: The GameCube version seems, overall, the best rounded. While the
   Dreamcast version has more features, its controller is quite 
   difficult to play Resident Evil 2 with; the Nintendo 64's audio
   shortcomings also are a distraction, and the PlayStation versions
   were made irrelevant with the GameCube port. 

Q: Which version is the cheapest?
A: The prices change once in awhile, but the PlayStation Network version
   is the least expensive version while being the easiest to purchase.

Q: Why didn't they remake Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3?
A: The original Resident Evil was remade because it was lacking in plot
   details that were crucial to tying it with other games in the series.
   These details included the Lisa Trevor plotline and Albert Wesker's
   survival. Resident Evil 2 and especially Resident Evil 3: Nemesis are
   not particularly lacking in the plot front, so remakes for those are
   not as necessary. They might happen one day, and there are reimagined
   versions in Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (RE3) and Resident
   Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (RE2), but as of right now, nothing has
   been released or hinted at.

13. Future of Resident Evil

As of February 12, 2011, the upcoming games in the Biohazard series are
for Nintendo's new 3DS handheld system, which will receive Biohazard:
The Mercenaries 3D and Biohazard Revelations. Visit your favorite gaming
news website for the latest up to date information 
(such as "Biohaze" http://www.biohaze.com).

14. Conclusion

Thank you for reading this guide. It was a pleasure writing it for you.

Please visit my GameFAQs Contributor Recognition page:

I'd live to give thanks to:

- Friends and family
- renvi for information on the 2006 PC port
- Capcom for creating the Resident Evil series