Review: Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition (Nintendo Switch 2)

Resident Evil is having a renaissance in 2026, especially for Nintendo players. In February, we were treated to the Switch 2 release of the latest entry, Requiem, alongside other consoles. The previous two titles, Biohazard and Village, were released alongside Requiem in all their HD glory. Now, Capcom is bringing the modern remakes of Resident Evil (Evils?) 2, 3, and 4 to the Switch 2 as well. Let’s just say it’s a welcome addition.

I’m a relative newcomer to the series. I jumped in with the seventh entry, Resident Evil Biohazard. You can even check out my review. It was enough to convince me to play the eighth and ninth games – and the bundle was a great price. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to play and review Resident Evil 2, a classic entry remade for modern consoles. 

The original remake was first released in 2019. A cloud-based version exists on the original Nintendo Switch, letting players experience the game without downloading the large package. Of course, a stable internet connection is also required, and fans have been clamouring for a proper release. The Switch 2’s more powerful processor makes this more than possible. Everything looks and runs terrifically here.

Resident Evil 2 follows the events of the original Raccoon City disaster. A manufactured virus has leaked from an Umbrella Corporation laboratory, causing widespread contamination. By the time this game rolls around, things are looking dire, with most of the city’s population dead or infected.

The series is known for using multiple characters. In the case of Resident Evil 2, you choose between two different paths right at the beginning: Leon S. Kennedy or Claire Redfield. The two initially run into each other at a gas station overrun by zombies. They escape together only to be separated by a giant explosion. It’s a tense way to kick things off. 

It’s also a brilliant way to create two distinct runthroughs. Once you’re finished with one character’s arc, play as the other to see their side of the story. Not only that, but completing their stories unlocks a second run that changes the puzzles and makes things harder. 

Let’s start with Leon S. Kennedy. Leon is one of the main recurring protagonists of the series. He’s instantly recognizable as a good cop, a man trying to help in an impossibly bad situation. This outing marks his debut – both in the series and as a police officer. Leon is a rookie in Raccoon City, on his way to sign in for his first day on the job. What a time to find yourself as a newbie on the force! The terrible virus that’s broken out is causing people to become violent, and it’s spreading rapidly. Leon sets about trying to survive and escape, helping others along the way.

One of the things I love about Leon is that he feels like a real person. He might be a cop, but he’s new at his job; he’s no expert. He often mutters an expletive while he’s in danger, something most rational people would do when caught in such a horrific situation. It adds to the tension. And oh boy, is there tension aplenty.

Leon must traverse several areas throughout his adventure, including a police station and the sewers. Not only does he have to deal with the potential for zombies to pop out from behind every corner, but he also has to face a stronger monster known as Mr. X. This unstoppable, trench-coat-wearing bioweapon is deployed by the Umbrella Corporation to eliminate survivors within the Raccoon City Police Department. One thing that this remake does is allow for a more dynamic and chilling experience while being chased by Mr. X. In the original, he would spawn at specific points and disappear once you lost him. Now, he dynamically stalks you through the hallways, reacting to the sound of your footsteps and gunshots. Talk about creepy!

Along the way, Leon also runs into Ada Wong. This cool cat poses as an FBI agent. She’s another recurring character throughout the Resident Evil series, appearing again in 4 and 6. You even play as Ada for a short stint during Resident Evil 2. I enjoyed her nonchalant demeanor, shrouded in mystery. She’s an interesting character, and provides a welcome break from those pesky monsters when Leon first stumbles upon her.

Next up is Claire Redfield. If her surname sounds familiar, that’s because her older brother, Chris, was the protagonist of the original Resident Evil. In this sequel, Claire is a college student on her way to Raccoon City to find her missing brother.

After being separated from Leon early in the game, Claire has to find her own way through the city to meet him again. Her story actually takes place in parts of the same police station Leon is in, though it’s a different area. Here she finds a lost child named Sherry Birkin. Sherry is actually the daughter of two Umbrella scientists. Interesting. Claire’s adventure also takes her through the sewers as she works to find a vaccine.

Visually, everything looks stunning. It’s on par with the modern titles like Biohazard and Requiem. I don’t know what Capcom’s secret is, but the Resident Evil engine is terrific. Cutscenes look polished and detailed, and gameplay is smooth. It’s an enjoyable experience (despite the many scares).

For now, I just can’t wait for Resident Evil Veronica to drop next year.

Overall, Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition is a fantastic trip down memory lane for fans and a wonderfully terrifying experience for newcomers. This is the second entry in the long-running, classic horror series, bringing us right back to the early days of the Raccoon City outbreak. This remastered version, now available properly on a Nintendo system for the first time, brings us back to Leon and Claire’s origins. It’s creepy, tense, and a must-play for anyone remotely interested in horror titles. 

Overall Score: 9.5/10