You want S.T.A.R.S.? Well, it looks like Capcom is finally giving them to us. As the Resident Evil series approaches its massive 30th anniversary milestone, the developers have decided to open the vault. Today, the three games that started it all — Resident Evil, Resident Evil 2, and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis — have officially landed on Steam.

But the drop didn’t stop at survival horror. For the folks who prefer turn-based magic over managing shotgun shells, the legendary RPG Breath of Fire IV joined the party as well. All four titles are currently sitting at an MSRP of $9.99, but there is a launch window discount of 50% running through April 15. If you have been waiting to see how Leon S. Kennedy or Jill Valentine looked before the era of photorealistic textures, now is the time to find out.

The technical leap to modern hardware

One of the biggest concerns with porting games from the mid-nineties is whether they will actually run on a modern Windows 11 machine without crashing every five minutes. These aren’t just raw files dumped onto a server. Capcom has included several quality of life improvements to ensure compatibility with modern operating systems.

The Steam versions include support for modern controllers, which is a massive relief for anyone who has tried to map old DirectInput commands to an Xbox or PlayStation controller in the past. Beyond just working, the games preserve the original “tank controls” and fixed camera angles that made them famous. It is a purist approach that respects the source material while smoothing out the rough edges of 30 year old software.

Why the original Resident Evil trilogy still matters

To understand why people are excited about these Steam ports, you have to look at the numbers. The Resident Evil franchise has moved over 183 million units worldwide. It is a juggernaut that redefined how we think about tension in digital spaces.

In the first game, you are trapped in the Spencer Mansion as Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine. It is a masterclass in resource management. You aren’t a superhero; you are a person with six inventory slots and a handgun with three bullets. By the time the sequel moved the action to Raccoon City, we were introduced to Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield. This entry expanded the scope, showing a city in collapse and introducing the terrifying “Mr. X,” a persistent pursuer that made players feel like they were never truly safe.

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis took that anxiety even further. The titular monster, Nemesis, could follow you through doors, a feat that was technologically staggering for the hardware of the time. These games rely on puzzles and atmosphere rather than just jump scares. Seeing them back on a modern platform allows a new generation to see the DNA of the series before the high budget remakes changed the formula.

Shifting gears with Breath of Fire IV

While the zombies take the spotlight, the inclusion of Breath of Fire IV is a significant win for RPG fans. This was the fourth entry in a series that stood toe-to-toe with the giants of the genre during the late nineties.

The story follows Ryu, a young man with the ability to transform into dragons, as he travels with a group of warriors to stop an immortal emperor. What makes this game stand out even today is the visual style. It uses a mix of beautifully animated 2D character sprites on 30 degree rotatable 3D backgrounds. It has a distinctive look that has aged much better than many fully 3D games from the same period. On Steam, those sprites look crisp, and the gameplay remains a deep, rewarding experience for anyone who misses the golden age of Japanese role-playing games.

Frequently asked questions about the Steam versions

Will these games support 4K resolution?

While you can run these on a 4K monitor, remember that these are based on the original assets. The “enhancements” mentioned by Capcom focus on compatibility and stability rather than a full graphical overhaul. Expect the original pixel art and pre-rendered backgrounds, which have a nostalgic charm all their own.

Can I use my DualSense or Xbox Series controller?

Yes. One of the main points of this release was adding support for modern controllers. You should be able to plug and play without needing third party mapping software.

Is there a bundle available?

Currently, each game is listed at $9.99 individually. However, with the 50% introductory discount, you can grab the entire collection for roughly the price of a single indie game.

How do these differ from the “Remake” versions already on Steam?

These are the original “classic” versions. The Remakes are entirely different games built from the ground up on the RE Engine. These new Steam ports are for players who want the original 1990s experience.

It is rare to see a publisher treat its legacy titles with this kind of accessibility. Often, these older games get lost to “license hell” or are only available on overpriced retro consoles. Bringing them to Steam with modern OS support is a pro-consumer move that preserves history. Whether you are a veteran returning to the Spencer Mansion or a newcomer wondering why everyone is afraid of a guy in a trench coat named Mr. X, these ports are a functional and affordable way to play.