Since the original Resident Evil, the franchise has done well at keeping new and old players engaged with older content thanks to consistent ports for almost every console generation since a title's released. This has also allowed developers to improve the game in various ways like gameplay, lighting and texture. No Resident Evil title knows this better than the game-changing entry, Resident Evil 4.

When Resident Evil 4 was released, fans were introduced to a world where zombies weren't the only threat, with Leon Kennedy was caught in the middle of a village infected by an even deadlier parasite. Since its initial release in 2005, the game has celebrated various entries that are all unique in their own way. This list will see how they rank, according to critics, thanks to an average tally from Metacritic and the Internet Game Database. By the end, it'll be easier to decide which version is the best to experience for first-time players.

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10. Resident Evil 4: PLATINUM (iOS, 2009) - N/A

As mobile phones become more advanced, their ability to handle full video games becomes even more accessible. As a result, full games from the PlayStation 2 and GameCube era can be experienced with mild adjustments to accommodate a smartphone. Resident Evil 4: Platinum is a perfect example of this. The game lets players control Leon through three buttons and a control stick emulated via touchscreen controls. There is a bit of a learning curve, but the real issues come from the ports less than stellar graphics. That being said, players who can overcome the controls and poor graphics will find the same great story.

9. Resident Evil 4 Ultimate HD Edition (PC, 2014) - 79/100

Los Illuminados attacking Leon Kennedy in Resident Evil 4 remaster

Resident Evil 4 Ultimate HD Edition was the second PC port of the fourth game. However, unlike the one that came before, the graphics were updated to better match the era of computers it was in. As a result, the overall experience was more crisp and smooth and allowed PC players to experience the game at its best capabilities, making it the ideal PC version. There was also the possibility of more mods to create new experiences for players that dared to be different. However, since there were no narrative or gameplay changes, the updated edition didn't offer much else than an even better look at an already great game.

8. Resident Evil 4 (PC, 2007) - 80.5/100

The original PC port of Resident Evil 4 was released in 2007 and offered exactly what the original version of the GameCube did, but with a different button layout to better match the PC player base. As a result, this version still has the same graphics as the original game and its own share of porting issues. Some problems include issues with the keyboard controls' responsiveness and an overall sense that the game is just a rehash of previous versions. Nevertheless, since Resident Evil 4 is such a well-crafted game, even when it's not at its best, it's still a fun experience.

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7. Resident Evil 4 (Switch, 2019) - 82.5/100

The most recent port of the game, aside from the upcoming Resident Evil 4 VR, was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2019. The game is the most polished-looking game on the list and runs at an output of 1080p. While the HD look is enough to make any fan instantly get it, the Switch's accessibility makes the game even more unique. Now players can play the game at home or take it on the go. But unlike the mobile version, this port is guaranteed t have the best in terms of gameplay and graphics. The only true loss comes from the lack of motion control integration that would've been great to separate this version from the pack.

6. Resident Evil 4 (PS4, Xbox One, 2016)

The last-gen version of Resident Evil 4 may not look like anything drastically different compared to more recent ports like the Switch, but what makes this version so special is the consoles that run it. When running on the PlayStation 4 Pro, the game features much faster speeds and a vastly improved framerate. While it can't run on 4K, the improvement in the graphics is still noticeable. On the other hand, the Xbox One X may be the best way to play this version, as its hardware allows for wildly fast load times on top of the already stellar visuals.

5. Resident Evil 4 (PS3, X360, 2011) - 84.5/100

Each version has its pros and cons when it comes to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Resident Evil 4. For the PS3, the cons include a game that doesn't have the best in terms of lighting. However, it more than makes up for it with its textures, creating a more natural environment. The 360 version suffers from the unreliability of the earlier versions of the console (Red Ring of Death). However, with newer console revisions, players can enjoy RE4 without any risk of the console suddenly overheating. As a result, players can enjoy this version's impeccable lighting, which is far superior to the PS3's.

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4. Resident Evil VR (Oculus Quest, 2021) - 85/100

16 years later, and Resident Evil 4 is still charting new territory. The game was completely redone for the Oculus Quest 2, allowing players to literally step into the shoes of Leon Kennedy to face Salazar and the Las Plagas virus in terrifying virtual reality. While IGDb doesn't have enough scores for a final verdict, Metacritic gives RE4VR a solid 85. Many reviewers loved the updated VR take on the classic survival horror title, though some elements did feel clunky and the theater screen used for cutscenes was a bit jarring. Still, no one can deny that the game is a hell of a lot of fun, and something any RE4 fan should pick up.

3. Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition (Wii, 2007) - 87/100

Resident Evil 4 Nintendo Wii

Resident Evil 4 is a kinetic game by nature. Plus, the third-person camera controls and the stand-and-shoot method make players feel like they are fully in control of Leon Kennedy. These features are expanded even more in the Wii version of the title. Because the system has motion controls, players can use them to swing a knife or aim a gun at the enemy. Each shake of the hand is then shown on the screen showing how its scariest scenes affect a player's nerves. While it doesn't have the best graphics, the Wii version of Resident Evil 4 is easily the most immersive.

2. Resident Evil 4 (GameCube, 2005) - 89/100

Games Resident Evil 4 GameCube

The GameCube was the first console to introduce fans to the world of Resident Evil 4. As a result, there's a degree of nostalgia that can't easily be lost when experiencing the game in its purest form. This is the title that showed players that Resident Evil could be something more than a survival horror game. It allowed RE to evolve into an action-shooter that expands the franchise's lore in directions that players would never have guessed. It isn't the best looking in terms of graphics and doesn't run as well as later ports, but what it lacks in those areas it makes up for by being a piece of history that can still be played today.

1. Resident Evil 4 (PS2, 2005) - 96/100

Of all versions of Resident Evil 4, few can compare to the impression that the PlayStation 2 version left on its players. It may not have the best graphics or the most polished gameplay, but it succeeds at delivering a memorable title to another console as its first port. Plus, because the PlayStation 2 was able to reach out to a much wider audience, even more fans could enjoy the game, which soon became one of the most beloved of the series. Ultimately, while the PS2 version wasn't the first, it helped reach a larger audience and contributed significantly to making it one of the most ported entries in the series.

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