Capcom’s decision to release a bunch of modern Resident Evil games on the Switch via the cloud was controversial, to say the least. While I personally had a pretty positive experience with Resident Evil 2 – Cloud Version, it wasn’t an ideal solution for RE fans on Switch. Thankfully, with the release of RE2 Deluxe Edition on Switch 2, we finally have a native version of a modern classic, and it’s brilliant.
In case you missed Capcom’s 2026 Switch 2 releases, the company has demonstrated mastery of Nintendo’s hardware, delivering games that look incredible and run well. That’s exactly the case here, too. Resident Evil 2 looks amazing, with sharp, clear visuals in both docked and handheld modes. Really, the only obvious drawback is the slight fuzziness of character hair, which is a lot more noticeable when playing handheld.
Otherwise, this easily looks as good as the original 2019 PS4 release, if not better. It’s lacking the ray-tracing upgrades seen on PS5, but I felt any improvements were negligible at best to begin with. Playing Resident Evil 2 on the go at such astounding visual quality is a revelation, and thankfully the performance pulls its weight, too. You’re looking at a 60fps target throughout, with the briefest of drops — a tiny handful of frames to my eye – during busy moments; certainly not enough to dampen the experience.
In terms of content, the Deluxe Edition brings a bunch of extras to the table, including multiple costumes for Claire and Leon, three ‘Samurai Edge’ bonus handguns, and the ability to switch the soundtrack to the PS1 original. While I’d recommend playing the game as intended the first time around, flipping the soundtrack for a repeat playthrough is a lot of fun if you’re an OG fan.
Of course, alongside the main campaign, you’ve also got a bunch of additional modes, including The 4th Survivor, Ghost Survivors, and The Tofu Survivors. Lots to sink your teeth into, and with A/B scenarios for both campaign characters, there’s plenty of incentive to replay the main story after your first run.
And what a campaign. Plenty has been said about Resident Evil 2 over the years, so I won’t regurgitate it, but it’s comfortably one of the series strongest experiences. The RPD is an iconic location that takes the basis of the original’s Spencer Mansion and amps up the mystery and intrigue ten-fold while introducing a bunch of terrifying new monsters.
The remake thoughtfully and faithfully interprets the original, yet adds a plethora of improvements along the way, extending its best bits while trimming some of the fat (though I still lament the shortened intro sequence as you approach the RPD). Needless to say, if you were soured on the Cloud Version, this native Switch 2 release finally gives a modern classic the treatment it deserves, and it’s a must-play.
- A stunning remake of a horror classic
- Looks incredible both docked and handheld
- Performs well, hitting its 60fps target more often than not
- Campaign is supplemented with additional modes
- Very minor graphical downgrades in handheld mode
- No gyro aiming
Excellent 9/10
Review copy provided by Capcom
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Nintendo Life’s resident horror fanatic, when he’s not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry.