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Capcom
took everybody by surprise with Biohazard.
By taking the standard PC-style 'graphical adventure'
formula and blending it with precise and responsive gameplay
they succeeded in creating an unbelievably potent mix:
a tense, eerie and atmospheric action adventure game
that took the world by storm, and created a whole new
genre unto itself: the 'Survival Horror'.
The original Biohazard
(1996) attracted a phenomenal amount of attention the
world over. The game courted praise and controversy in
equal measure, and sequel Biohazard 2 (1998) saw
the series become one of the most lucrative brands
the industry has ever seen, spawning a near endless
stream of comics, novels, soundtrack CDs, books, toys,
and even three full-length Hollywood feature films.
The series has come full circle: its creator, Shinji
Mikami, has often stated that Biohazard was
a direct result of his fondness for cult horror cinema,
citing George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead
(1968) and Dawn of the Dead (1978) as primary
influences. Needless to say, the end product is remarkably
faithful to its source material: exciting, creepy, nonsensical,
and very, very tongue-in-cheek. Original promotional flyers for
Biohazard were deliberate mock-ups of classic horror movie posters (left).
Capcom either timed things perfectly, or were damn lucky: the PlayStation era was the perfect opportunity
to start exploring new ways of merging accurate console
gameplay with traditionally PC-style 'cinematic' environments.
In the end they got themselves a sure-fire winner, that bore them more financial and critical
fruit than Street
Fighter and Rockman
combined, with over 40 million units sold to date. |
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Biohazard (1996) |
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Biohazard 5 (2009) |
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The Series
The
Biohazard series is arguably more popular
in Western territories than it is in Japan. Outside of Asia the game was renamed 'Resident
Evil', supposedly for trademark issues. An interesting and unfortunate name change, since the
entire storyline revolves around a deadly biohazard - a lethal bio-weapon accidentally released by the sinister
'Umbrella Corporation'.
This 'T-Virus' turns its victims into your archetypal B-movie
zombie: ragged clothing, arms aloft, dragging
feet, mumbling 'uuuurrrgh' and lunging to snack
on the neck veins of the closest punter with a
pulse.
The stage is set: cue lots of scary alleyways and zombie head shots. |
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The
protagonists of the series are usually members
of the 'S.T.A.R.S.' team, a 'special tactics and
rescue squad'. In the first game they are sent to investigate the bizarre
happenings surrounding of a secret laboratory,
which happens to be hidden in the bowels of a
very suspicious-looking mansion. It goes without
saying that the characters (and player) are completely
oblivious to what is really going on,
paving the way for a typically 90s 'conspiracy
within a conspiracy' -style whirlwind plot line,
that evolves and U-turns relentlessly as the series
progresses. |
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Each
episode uncovers further layer of the lurid dealings
of the Umbrella Corporation - this outrageous
B-movie serial style plotlines works as a great
accompaniment to the tense gameplay,
which mostly consists of accurate shooting &
dodging, the odd puzzle or riddle, and a lot of
meticulous item management.
At this point it is worth mentioning that it is the gameplay that emerges is definitely the series'
greatest appeal, because in truth the storyline
is really nothing special. In fact it strikes
as a bit dumb, under-worked and even amateurish at times. In truth, like always in games the human side of the drama is wooden, robotic
and atypical.
Oh well. Video games seem to be cursed, forever
lumbered with imbecilic narratives, voiced by
the most talentless orators this side of the Queen. In fact the Biohazard games
break every record there is in terms of bad voice
acting, but the irony is that the dialogue is
so bad and the one-liners are so kitsch that it
becomes... funny, quotable, and even iconic in
a way.
So it's back once again to the cult B-movie
genre, in which various inept and typecast teenagers / townsfolk
/ cops get eaten by lamentably slow moving monsters,
but only after delivering a quality line like
"No! Don't come this way!"
In all, the Biohazard games are a great
experience, with plenty of tightrope gameplay,
narrow escapes, and the odd 'BOO!' moment. Best
enjoyed at night, in a old wooden shack in a dark
forest, with the lights switched off. |
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The Games
The first 3 games of the series involve guiding
a 3D character around fixed single screen backgrounds.
This layout allowed for plenty of high-strung
action, achieved through the use of fixed 'camera
angles'. This technique works well, and Biohazard 3 (1999) uses it to perfection.
Later titles moved further into
the 3D realm, with Biohazard
Code: Veronica (2000) a stop-gap between the first 3 chapters and the
still current 'Rebirth' look, spearheaded by the Game Cube Biohazard
(2002): fully 3D environments and a 'over the shoulder' viewpoint.
The spin-off 'Gun Survivor' games are arcade-style
gun games (that require a light-gun accessory)
while the two PS2 'Outbreak' titles are online team
games - really great fun but online only (the servers closed long ago).
There are of course various incarnations
of every title, each with its own advantages over
the next. All are featured on the site on their
own dedicated pages. |
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If you are unfamiliar with the series, the best way of getting around the selection process
is just to go for the original Biohazard
and
take it from the top. Or, if money isn't too much
of an object, take the plunge with one of the
luxurious all-inclusive box sets.
There's plenty more to come: Biohazard
5 (2009) was a success, and the series recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a high-definition 'Biohazard Revival Selection' re-issue pack for both the Xbox 360 and PS3 featuring Biohazard 4 and Biohazard Code: Veronica.
Looks like the series is
far from dead... |
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Biohazard
Senyō Controller
バイオハザード
専用コントローラ
PLAYSTATION |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation |
| Released |
7
Mar 1998 |
| Publisher |
Ascii |
| Product
ID |
SLPH-00060 |
| Size
(cm) |
20
x 15 x 7.5 (box) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.34 |
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Official
Biohazard 'Private Controller'
by Ascii, available shortly
after the release of Biohazard
2 (1998).
The left grip is shaped
like a knife handle, and
the right is shaped like
a gun, complete with a trigger
as fire button (image).
Complete in box w/ instruction sheet,
memory card stickers, and
set of 3 bags of herbal
tea (!!!).
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Biohazard
5th Anniversary
Special Package [Tokubetsu Kinen Box]
～Nightmare Returns～
バイオハザード 5thアニバーサリー
スペシャルパッケージ [特別記念BOX] ～ナイトメア リターンズ～ |
DETAILS
| Format |
Box
Set |
| Released |
22
Mar 2001 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
SLPM-86770 |
| Size
(cm) |
? |
| Weight
(kg) |
? |
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Luxury
'Special Commemoration Box'
limited to 10,000 units
only, presented inside an
aluminum briefcase.
Includes:
- Biohazard [PS]
- Biohazard 2 Dual Shock
Ver. [PS]
- Biohazard 3 [PS]
- Code: Veronica Kanzenban
[PS2]
- 'Wesker's Report' [DVD]
(cover)
- Metal pen
- Dogtag (stamped with serial
#)
- Key chain
- Silver skull ring
Click here
for contents image.
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Biohazard
Collector's Box
バイオハザード
コレクターズボックス
GAMECUBE |
DETAILS
| Format |
GameCube |
| Released |
7
Aug 2003 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
CPCS-01006 |
| Size
(cm) |
? |
| Weight
(kg) |
? |
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Biohazard
Double Feature
バイオハザード
ダブルフィーチャー
GAMECUBE |
DETAILS
| Format |
GameCube |
| Released |
22
Dec 2004 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
CPCS-01013 |
| Size
(cm) |
15
x 22 x 2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.25 |
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Celebrational
2-in-1 Capcom
Box Set that combines
the two GC Biohazard
games in a hard plastic briefcase.
Includes:
- biohazard
(2002)
- biohazard
0 (2002)
and a bonus playable preview
of
- biohazard
4 (2005)
The 'biohazard 4 体験版' trial
disc is the same demo featured
in the September 2004 'Capcom
Special' issue of Famitsu
magazine. |
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Biohazard
Archives
バイオハザード
アーカイブス
BOOK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Book |
| Released |
31
Mar 2005 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-906582-31-1 |
| Size
(cm) |
25.7
x 18.2 x 2.7 (B5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
1.02 |
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King-size
Biohazard tribute
book featuring no less than
352 pages of official art,
character & enemy data,
story boards, weapon &
item galleries.
Covers the series chronologically,
from biohazard 0
all the way through to Code:
Veronica.
The Biohazard bible!
352
pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Biohazard
DVD Book The Catalysis
バイオハザード
ＤＶＤブック ザ・カタリシス
BOOK + DVD |
DETAILS
| Format |
Book
+ DVD |
| Released |
30
June 2005 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-906582-60-5 |
| Size
(cm) |
30.4
x 22 x 1.2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.64 |
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Large
hardback 'Art and Graphics'
collection that features a
selection of full-page 3D
renderings, and includes a
'Special DVD' featuring 107
minutes of footage of all
the games' movies, shown in
chronological order.
48
pages, full colour, DVD disc. |
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Biohazard
Ad Arts Collection
バイオハザード
アド アーツ コレクション
BOOK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Book |
| Released |
30
Mar 2006 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
ISBN4-86233-029-0 |
| Size
(cm) |
30.4
x 22 x 1.2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.74 |
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King-size
'poster book' that presents
a large selection of full-page
promotional posters, adverts
and point-of-sale materials
for the entire Biohazard series,
presented in a large hardback
coffee-table format.
114
pages, full colour. |
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Biohazard
Umbrella Aluminium Box
バイオハザード
アンブレラ アルミボックス
BOX |
DETAILS
| Format |
Accessory |
| Released |
31
May 2007 |
| Publisher |
? |
| Product
ID |
? |
| Size
(cm) |
36
x 21 x 19 |
| Weight
(kg) |
? |
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Official
Biohazard 'DVD Storage Box',
made available on the same
day as Biohazard 4 Wii
Edition.
Sold in very limited
numbers exclusively through
the e-Capcom and Tsutaya
websites.
Stores 20 standard-size
DVDs, and comes with set
of stickers.
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Biohazard
Degeneration Collectors Edition
バイオハザード ディジェネレーション
コレクターズ・エディション
DVD |
DETAILS
| Format |
DVD |
| Released |
26
Dec 2008 |
| Publisher |
Sony
Pictures |
| Product
ID |
JDD-55777 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 1.3 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.17 |
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DVD
release of the admittedly average
Biohazard Degeneration
CG movie.
Not so much a film as a 95-minute
game intro, the story follows
Leon S. Kennedy and Claire
Redfield in an adventure
set 7 years after the events
of Biohazard
2 (1998).
Jewel DVD case, DVD disc,
inlay. |
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Biohazard
Degeneration
バイオハザード ディジェネレーション
UMD VIDEO |
DETAILS
| Format |
UMD |
| Released |
26
Dec 2008 |
| Publisher |
Sony
Pictures |
| Product
ID |
UMS-55777 |
| Size
(cm) |
17.7
x 10.5 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.09 |
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UMD
version of the CG Biohazard
Degeneration movie.
Standard PSP / UMD packaging,
UMD disc, inlay. |
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Biohazard
Degeneration
バイオハザード ディジェネレーション
BLU-RAY |
DETAILS
| Format |
Blu-ray |
| Released |
26
Dec 2008 |
| Publisher |
Sony
Pictures |
| Product
ID |
BJS-55777 |
| Size
(cm) |
17
x 13.5 x 1.5 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.12 |
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Blu-ray
version of the CG Biohazard
Degeneration movie.
Blu-ray case, Blu-ray disc,
inlay. |
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Biohazard
Degeneration Figure Duke Blu-ray Box
バイオハザード ディジェネレーション
フィギュア付 Blu-ray BOX
BLU-RAY |
DETAILS
| Format |
Blu-ray |
| Released |
26
Dec 2008 |
| Publisher |
Sony
Pictures |
| Product
ID |
BP-473 |
| Size
(cm) |
? |
| Weight
(kg) |
? |
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Luxury
box set presentation of the
Blu-ray version.
Box set includes Blu-ray version
(in case), 'Curtis' monster
figure, original picture duplicate
and bonus tribute book. |
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Biohazard 15th Anniversary Box
バイオハザード15周年記念BOX
PLAYSTATION 3 |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation 3 |
| Released |
8 Sep 2011 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
BLJM-61015 |
| Size
(cm) |
? |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.98 |
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Deluxe box set celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Biohazard series, sold exclusively through the e-Capcom website. Includes:
- Biohazard Directors Cut (PS1)
- Biohazard 2 (PS1)
- Biohazard 3 (PS1)
- Biohazard Revival Selection (PS3)
- Code Veronica Soundtrack (CD)
- Biohazard 4 Soundtrack (CD)
- 2 Pins (STARS & Umbrella)
-
2 Stickers (STARS & Umbrella)
(View contents image) |
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Biohazard
Revival Selection
バイオハザード リバイバルセレクション
XB360 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Xbox
360 |
| Released |
8 Sep 2011 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
JES1-00157 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 1.4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.17 |
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The Biohazard series celebrates its 15th anniversary with this superb 2-in-1 re-issue pack!
Includes high definition versions of:
- Biohazard Code: Veronica (2000)
- Biohazard 4 (2005)
Xbox case, Xbox 360 DVD-ROM disc, colour
booklet. |
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Biohazard
Revival Selection
バイオハザード リバイバルセレクション
PLAYSTATION 3 |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation
3 |
| Released |
8 Sep 2011 |
| Publisher |
Capcom |
| Product
ID |
BLJM-60372 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.5 x 1.4 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.12 |
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Stand-alone release of the Biohazard 15th Anniversary 'Revival Selection'.
Classic stuff, hi-def visuals, nice one!
Includes:
- Biohazard Code: Veronica (2000)
- Biohazard 4 (2005)
PS3 case, PS3 Blu-ray disc,
colour booklet. |
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BIOHAZARD
RELEASE HISTORY
Here is a quick reference
list of every Biohazard release from
the PS Biohazard (1996) through to the DS Deadly Silence (2006).
Click on the blue marker on the left to view each item. |
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BIOHAZARD |
PS |
22
Mar 1996 |
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BIOHAZARD |
SS |
25
July 1997 |
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BIOHAZARD DIRECTOR'S CUT |
PS |
25
Sep 1997 |
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BIOHAZARD 2 |
PS |
27
Jan 1998 |
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BIOHAZARD DIRECTOR'S CUT DUAL SHOCK
Ver. |
PS |
6
Aug 1998 |
| -- |
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BIOHAZARD 2 DUAL SHOCK Ver. |
PS |
6
Aug 1998 |
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BIOHAZARD 3 LAST ESCAPE |
PS |
22
Sep 1999 |
| -- |
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BIOHAZARD 2 Value Plus |
DC |
22
Dec 1999 |
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BIOHAZARD GUN SURVIVOR |
PS |
27
Jan 2000 |
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BIOHAZARD 2 |
N64 |
28
Jan 2000 |
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BIOHAZARD -CODE: Veronica- |
DC |
3
Feb 2000 |
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BIOHAZARD 3 LAST ESCAPE |
DC |
16
Nov 2000 |
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BIOHAZARD -CODE: Veronica- Kanzenban |
DC |
22
Mar 2001 |
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BIOHAZARD -CODE: Veronica- Kanzenban |
PS2 |
22
Mar 2001 |
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BIOHAZARD 5th Anniversary NIGHTMARE
RETURNS |
PS/PS2 |
22
Mar 2001 |
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BIOHAZARD GUN SURVIVOR 2 -CODE:
Veronica- |
PS2 |
8
Nov 2001 |
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biohazard |
GC |
22
Mar 2002 |
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BIOHAZARD GAIDEN |
GBC |
29
Mar 2002 |
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biohazard 0 |
GC |
21
Nov 2002 |
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BIOHAZARD 2 |
GC |
23
Jan 2003 |
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BIOHAZARD 3 LAST ESCAPE |
GC |
23
Jan 2003 |
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BIOHAZARD GUN SURVIVOR 4 HEROES
NEVER DIE |
PS2 |
13
Feb 2003 |
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BIOHAZARD -CODE: Veronica- Kanzenban |
GC |
7
Aug 2003 |
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BIOHAZARD COLLECTOR'S BOX |
GC |
7
Aug 2003 |
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BIOHAZARD OUTBREAK |
PS2 |
11
Dec 2003 |
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BIOHAZARD OUTBREAK FILE 2 |
PS2 |
9
Sep 2004 |
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biohazard DOUBLE FEATURE |
GC |
22
Dec 2004 |
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biohazard 4 |
GC |
27
Jan 2005 |
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biohazard 4 |
PS2 |
1
Dec 2005 |
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BIOHAZARD Deadly Silence |
DS |
19
Jan 2006 |
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'Biohazard'
and 'Capcom' are registered trademarks of Capcom Co., Ltd.
Biohazard TM & © 1996 Capcom All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2008 www.jap-sai.com |
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