The Resident Evil 2 remake has become the best-selling game in the Resident Evil series, according to sales data from Capcom.
This shift marks the first time in 15 years that a different title has held the top spot. The milestone demonstrates the commercial viability of modernizing classic titles for new audiences while maintaining the franchise's global appeal.
Capcom said that the Resident Evil 2 remake has sold around 19.75 million units [2]. This figure pushes the title past Resident Evil 5, which previously held the record with a little over 19 million copies sold [1].
The Resident Evil series has seen massive growth across its entire catalog. Total worldwide sales for the franchise now exceed 213 million copies [3].
The success of the remake highlights a broader trend in the gaming industry where high-fidelity reimagining of older stories can outperform original releases from previous console generations. By updating the mechanics and visuals of the 1998 original, Capcom expanded the reach of the story to a wider demographic, spanning both nostalgic longtime fans and new players.
Resident Evil 5 maintained its lead for over a decade, but the updated sales figures confirm the remake's dominance in the current market. The data reflects the strong performance of the series across multiple platforms and regions globally [1], [2].
“The Resident Evil 2 remake has become the best-selling game in the Resident Evil series”
The ascent of the Resident Evil 2 remake suggests that Capcom's strategy of 'remaking' its legacy titles is more than a creative exercise; it is a primary revenue driver. By surpassing the original Resident Evil 5, the remake proves that modern audiences prioritize updated gameplay and visual fidelity over the original's historical sales momentum, potentially signaling more remakes of early series entries.
