Capcom has officially revealed why it plans to release Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, Resident Evil Village, and the upcoming Resident Evil Requiem on Nintendo Switch 2 all on the same day—February 27, 2026. According to producer Masato Kumazawa, this bold strategy is designed to welcome newcomers into the franchise by giving them full flexibility in how they experience the story arc.
Context: A Rare Move in the Gaming Landscape
It’s uncommon for game publishers to launch multiple major titles from the same series simultaneously, especially across one platform. Usually, developers stagger such releases to manage risk, marketing, and technical workloads.
In this case, Capcom’s approach stands out. The company wants to reduce friction for players who are unfamiliar with Resident Evil. By making three of its most significant entries available at once, Capcom removes the question of “where to start.” Players can begin at RE7, proceed to Village, and conclude with Requiem, or they can dive straight into the newest release.
Kumazawa explained that this philosophy is central to the launch decision: players should not feel pressured to follow a specific order to enjoy the franchise fully.
Key Developments: Why and How
Smooth Porting Gave Confidence
One major reason for this synchronized launch is the ease with which Capcom ported earlier titles to the Switch 2 hardware. Village was the first game the team prototyped on the new system. Its performance impressed developers enough that Capcom moved forward with ports of Requiem and RE7.
Kumazawa said that when Village ran smoothly on the dev kits, the team gained confidence. The porting process for Requiem similarly went well, which made adding RE7 a logical extension to the plan.
Interestingly, Capcom had prior experience working with RE7 on Nintendo hardware through its cloud version on the original Switch. That existing baseline gave the developers familiarity with Nintendo’s platform and likely smoothed the transition to native ports.
A Launch to Strengthen the Switch 2 Lineup
From a strategic standpoint, Capcom’s triple launch boosts the early appeal of Switch 2. New consoles benefit most when their launch lineup is strong. By offering three heavyweight horror-titles from day one, Nintendo and Capcom aim to attract both horror fans and those curious about the Resident Evil universe.
This offering also suits new players who might otherwise skip titles because of uncertainty about continuity. Rather than waiting or hunting down older versions, newcomers get immediate access to a trilogy of content.
Kumazawa highlighted that this approach maximizes choice. Players can either follow a classic chronological path or jump directly into the newest narrative thread, without feeling lost.
Expert Insight: Risks, Rewards & Player Experience
While Capcom’s move is ambitious, it carries both risks and rewards.
Risk of Cannibalization
Releasing three titles at once may split sales across them instead of focusing demand. Some fans might choose one title and skip the others, especially if they are casual players. Yet, Capcom seems confident that bundling will drive interest across all titles.
Enhanced Accessibility
On the other hand, this strategy lowers the barrier to entry. Without needing to hunt for previous titles or figure out which to start with, new or returning players can access the trilogy seamlessly.
Developer Efficiency
Because the dev team already streamlined Village’s adaptation process, it makes financial and technical sense to bundle in Requiem and RE7. The incremental cost of porting additional titles becomes more manageable.
Storytelling Flexibility
Offering multiple entry points promotes narrative flexibility. Some players love knowing the backstory before playing the latest game. Others prefer to start with the newest and backtrack. Capcom essentially hands both groups that power.
Impact & Takeaway
Capcom’s decision to launch Resident Evil 7, Village, and Requiem simultaneously on Switch 2 is as much about strategy as it is about storytelling. The move aims to:
- Invite new players without confusion
- Leverage porting efficiencies
- Strengthen Switch 2’s launch library
- Offer narrative flexibility in how the trilogy is consumed
If well executed, this launch could set a new precedent for how franchises approach console migrations and legacy content. With ground rules redefined, players on Switch 2 may experience the Resident Evil saga in a more unified, flexible, and accessible way than ever.
