Ever since the first Resident Evil game came out in 1996, the franchise has been seen as one of the biggest names when it comes to horror survival games. Over the years, the series has evolved quite a bit, but a handful of things have stayed the same. For example, the series still features a big cast of beloved characters, many of whom have appeared in multiple games.
Resident Evil: 6 Hardest Endings To Unlock In The Games, Ranked
This list take a look at Resident Evil games, breaking down the hardest endings to unlock across the entire franchise.
While some of the best characters in Resident Evil are women, it's hard not to acknowledge their male counterparts, too. Icons like Leon Kennedy and Chris Redfield have led the series for decades, while other male characters have become fan favorites thanks to their cheesy one-liners and cool character designs. The characters here have been ranked largely based on how memorable they are as well as their wider role in the Resident Evil universe.
10 The Merchant
A Nameless Icon Who Provides Comedy And Ammo
Resident Evil 4
Despite being nameless and only appearing in one entry (and its remake), the Merchant has become a Resident Evil icon. A fan-favorite character in one of the best Resident Evil games, the Merchant is responsible for keeping Leon and the player stocked with weapons and upgrades throughout Resident Evil 4.
6 Resident Evil Games With The Best Combat & Gunplay, Ranked
Resident Evil's combat has changed a lot over the years, with some ageing out quickly, and others reshaping the combat of entire gaming genres.
Fans don't know his real name or his motivations. It's also not entirely clear if he's human. What players do know, however, is that every time they hear the words "Over here, stranger!" Or "Got somethin' that might interest ya," they're in for a treat. With his creepy design, catchy quotes, and mysterious nature, the Merchant has become the ultimate Resident Evil meme template. Without a backstory or name, he can't really be ranked any higher, but the Merchant holds a special place in many Resident Evil fans' hearts.
9 HUNK
A Recurring Character With An Iconic Look
Resident Evil 2
- Released
- January 21, 1998
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- Sega Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, PC, PS1
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
HUNK has appeared in a lot of Resident Evil games, both main entries and spin-offs, yet fans barely know anything about him. All players have been told of his backstory is that he's an Umbrella Security Service operator who led the doomed Alpha Team, and he's a complete badass.
Most of Resident Evil's characters have had fancy redesigns over the years, but HUNK never needed one. Wearing black SWAT-style armor and a gas mask, he's devoted to getting the job done, whatever it may be. He's one of the series' coolest characters, and the less players know about him, the better. Unlocking HUNK as an overpowered playable character is always a treat.
8 Jake Muller
A Character Who Grows To Become Incredibly Likable
Resident Evil 6
Terrible fathers are a bit of a theme in gaming. Albert Wesker might be one of the worst fathers in Resident Evil, but thankfully, his son, Jake Muller, is anything but a chip off the old block. One of the few good things about Resident Evil 6 is Jake Muller and his campaign.
Jake's backstory alone is enough to make him interesting. He grew up not knowing who his father was and ended up working as a mercenary in order to support his mother. While he starts off as a bit of a jerk who's only interested in the pay, he experiences a fair bit of character growth, and by the end of Resident Evil 6, he evolves into a genuinely likable character. He's charismatic, witty, and genuinely wants to help people.
7 Barry Burton
A Good Guy Who Puts His Life On The Line To Protect Others
Resident Evil
- Released
- March 22, 1996
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation (Original), Sega Saturn, Nintendo DS, PC
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
Good old Barry first appeared in the original Resident Evil as Jill's guardian angel. He had a habit of turning up at just the right time to make sure Jill was safe and well-stocked with weapons and ammunition. In his next appearance, Revelations 2, he did the same thing by protecting Natalia.
10 Best Horror Game Protagonists, Ranked
The world of horror gaming is one filled with various stories and incredible heroic (or flawed) characters brought to life.
Barry Burton makes this list for being a good guy who repeatedly risks his life to protect others. It is no small feat when one considers the horrors often faced by Resident Evil's protagonists. He also makes the list because the man is behind some of the franchise's most memorable and quotable lines. Of course, some of his lines from the first game are beyond cringeworthy, but that's half the charm. His ranking is on the lower end because he's not received much in the way of character development, and all things considered, he's a pretty minor character.
6 Ramon Salazar
An Eccentric Villain Who's Hard To Take Seriously
- Resident Evil 4
Resident Evil 4 was a fairly big departure from the earlier games. It had a larger emphasis on action, and at times, Leon felt more like an 80s action hero than a horror game protagonist. That change of tone was reflected in one of the game's main antagonists: Ramon Salazar.
Salazar is a cheesy villain who looks like he'd be more at home in a Saturday morning cartoon. When push came to shove, he wasn't even one of Resident Evil 4's hardest bosses. All this being said, he's one of the reasons the game was so memorable; he added a lot of flavor and was a refreshing change from the serious antagonists the series often featured. The remake tried to make him a little less silly and a bit more intimidating, but there's a limit to how scary a 3-foot-6 Renaissance-era-looking reject can be.
5 Jack Baker
The Jump Scare King
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
- Released
- January 24, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Psychological Horror, First-Person
Jack Baker is the very definition of the father-in-law from hell. He makes the opening hours of Resident Evil 7 a living nightmare for Ethan Winters as he stalks him through the Baker estate, popping up at the worst possible times. His highlight reel includes cutting off his son's hand, chopping a cop's head in half, and smashing through a hallway wall at the exact moment the player first lets their guard down. He is also responsible for several of Resident Evil's scariest jump scares.
13 Hardest Resident Evil Games, Ranked
Throughout the entire Resident Evil franchise, there exist some games in the series that are far harder than others for a multitude of reasons.
He might not sound that different from past enemies like Nemesis or Mr. X, but what made Jack so special was the way he taunted the player. It really felt like the player was being hunted, not just being followed around by some dumb AI. Jack is also one of the franchise's most tragic characters. As evil as he may be in Resident Evil 7, the game slowly reveals that Jack was once a kind and caring family man, twisted into a sadistic monster by the influence of the mold. After his death, he appears in a vision to Ethan, in which he expresses remorse and explains what had happened to his family. It's a surprisingly touching moment that almost makes players feel bad for killing him.
4 Ethan Winters
An Ordinary Man Who Becomes A Hero
- Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Ethan getting the fourth spot is likely to upset some Resident Evil fans. Designed to serve as an everyman character in his first appearance as the protagonist of Resident Evil 7, Ethan can be a little vanilla. Beyond reacting to the multiple terrible things that happen to him throughout that game, Ethan doesn't really respond much.
That said, he's arguably had one of the best character arcs in Resident Evil history. He's killed countless monsters, including a hillbilly mold family, werewolves, and pseudo-witches. In the process, he's lost more than one limb, been attacked by his possessed wife, and stitched back together his dismembered body. That's a lot for one guy to take. Ethan started out as an average Joe thrown into a horror movie and ended Resident Evil 8 as a complete badass who was willing to blow himself up to save the day.
3 Albert Wesker
An Iconic Villain Who Goes To Great Lengths To Achieve His Goals
- Resident Evil
Albert Wesker is Resident Evil's most iconic villain and the kind of bad guy gamers just love to hate. In the original Resident Evil, he was introduced to fans as the founder of S.T.A.R.S. And Alpha Team's captain. He's then revealed to be a traitor and member of the villainous Umbrella Corporation who orchestrated the events at the Spencer mansion so he could see what special forces would do against the BOWs.
Resident Evil: 7 Best Albert Wesker Quotes, Ranked
Every evil mastermind needs to have their fair share of iconic quotes, and Wesker has more than a few very memorable ones from Resident Evil.
From there, Wesker went from being a guy who betrayed his team to a full-on supervillain. Driven by ambition and being one of Resident Evil's most selfish characters, Wesker infected himself with a serum that made him incredibly powerful while retaining his human look. Up until his final transformation, Wesker remained a cool, charming, and deliciously evil antagonist who stole every scene he was in. He's been sorely missed since he met his end inside a volcano in Resident Evil 5.
2 Chris Redfield
A Hero Intent On Saving The World
- Resident Evil
Chris Redfield has been around since the earliest days of Resident Evil. He's gone from being a S.T.A.R.S. Agent betrayed by Wesker to helping found the BSAA, the Bioterroism Security Assessment Alliance. For years, he has led the charge against BOWs and those who dare either produce or try to sell them.
Despite the untold horrors he's faced, Chris has remained a good guy, even if, at times, he's had to cross the line by an inch or two. Following the loss of Ethan, he mourned deeply and took in Rose as if she were a member of his family, becoming her mentor. He's a true hero whose determination and bravery make him one of the best Resident Evil characters.
1 Leon S. Kennedy
A Skilled Special Agent And A Great Source Of Comedy
- Resident Evil 2
Leon first appeared in Resident Evil 2 as a rookie cop having the worst first day ever, and his career hasn't gotten much better. After seeing Raccoon City destroyed, he was coerced into joining the military and becoming a special agent who answered to the president. Rookie to special agent might sound like a promotion, but it wasn't long until Leon found himself fighting infected villagers while searching for the president's kidnapped daughter.
Leon has faced some of Resident Evil's most terrifying threats and repeatedly comes out on top. From rookie to hero, he's gone through a lot of character growth but remains the slightly awkward, cheesy guy fans first fell in love with in Resident Evil 2. If nothing else, he deserves the top spot for the many action-hero style one-liners he delivers throughout both versions of Resident Evil 4 as well as Resident Evil 6.
Resident Evil: Every Version Of Leon, Ranked
Leon Kennedy has had many iterations throughout his appearances in the Resident Evil series, with some being a lot more beloved than others.