Potential Resident Evil 2 mobile port appears online
We've come a long way from the schlocky cinematics of Resident Evil 6, and while the Resident Evil franchise continues to surprise, we have back-to-basics sequels and new-gen remakes to keep us busy. As we wait for news on Resident Evil 9 and a potential Resident Evil 5 remake, it appears a mobile version of Resident Evil 2 was once in the works.
Following the successes of 1996's cult classic, Capcom left the Spencer Mansion behind to explore the bigger Raccoon City in 1998's Resident Evil 2. The developer delivered a new-gen remake in 2019, and with it being held as one of the best horror games of all time, it's no surprise Capcom might've wanted to explore the idea further.
Resident Evil 2 mobile port appears online
Over on the GamingLeaksandRumours subreddit, eagle-eyed gamers have spotted an apparent Resident Evil 2 Remake mobile port. As well as screenshots showing the RPD, there's a LinkedIn profile for NetEase Concept Artist Yeo Yee Heng.
Heng's profile claims he's been with NetEase since 2019, with a mention of "Resident Evil 2 remake Mobile version (under development)." There's never been any mention of NetEase working on a Resident Evil game, although veteran Resident Evil Producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi did move to NetEase in 2022.
The concept designs look pretty decent, and remember, we have seen more recent releases like Resident Evil Village and the 2023 Resident Evil 4 Remake get ported to mobile. Then again, these were both under Capcom and have faced their own difficulties with graphics and performance.
Resident Evil 2 Mobile port might not be what you think
Players took to the comments to lament what could've been, because by all accounts, this mythical Resident Evil 2 mobile port doesn't exist anymore. It's unclear whether this ever got beyond the concept stage, although we'd love to have been stalked by Mr. X on our morning commute.
One fan wrote, "Probably cancelled because they figured out they can run the actual whole game like RE4 Remake on iOS," while another added, "It looks fixed camera, I wouldn’t mind a mobile version of the remake with fixed camera. They added 3rd person view to Village so..."
Someone else suggested that NetEase might've struggled to figure out how to monetise it, concluding, "Let me guess, cancelled because they couldn’t figure out how to make it a multiplayer live service with a battle pass." Thinking they've cracked the code, one claimed it's concept art for NetEase's LifeAfter x Resident Evil collab.
Whether a mobile Resident Evil 2 port ever existed or not, the hype surrounding the idea should have Capcom throwing its money at one. With some asking for a break between remakes, and no sign of RE9, taking more classic titles on the move could be a major money-spinner.
