Biohazard Almost Named ‘Hazard’ or ‘Call of Death’ Before Becoming Resident Evil
Before Resident Evil became the globally recognized name, the original Japanese release started with the title Biohazard, which remains in use today. Japanese fans even affectionately refer to it as “Bio.” Recently, new details emerged revealing that the game almost had several other titles before Capcom finalized the iconic name.
According to Genki_JPN, an NHK documentary on Resident Evil interviewed key developers including Shinji Mikami and Hideki Kamiya, who were both still working at Capcom at the time. Documents from the development process revealed that the game was initially considered for names such as ‘Hazard,’ alongside other unexpected options like Be Afraid, Bloody Fear, Bio Slaughter, and Call of Death. Additional candidates included Death Guide and Scream, but the team ultimately settled on Biohazard, a decision made by producer Tokuro Fujiwara. Fans have wondered how different the series might have been if one of these other names had been chosen, and whether it would still have required renaming to Resident Evil for Western markets.
About Resident Evil
The original 1996 survival horror classic focused on Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine as they investigated the disappearance of the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo team. Their search led them to a mansion overrun by zombies and horrors that marked the start of an unforgettable nightmare. Today, the series continues with remakes and modern PC ports, preserving the legacy of the franchise that nearly had a very different name.
Biohazard’s naming journey shows how much thought went into crafting the identity of one of the most iconic horror franchises, proving that even a game’s title can shape its global legacy.
