How Resident Evil 2 Helped Spark the Origins of the Red Dead Franchise

A Surprising Link Between Two Iconic Franchises

Fans recently pointed to Resident Evil 2 as an unexpected origin point for the Red Dead franchise. At first glance, survival horror and Western action share little in common. However, a rare collaboration during the Nintendo 64 era connected these two worlds in a meaningful way.

Before Red Dead Became a Giant

Long before Red Dead Redemption 2 set new standards for open-world design, the franchise began with Red Dead Revolver. At that time, the project started as a small-scale action game. Without early backing, it may never have reached release.

The Nintendo 64 Partnership That Started It All

Video game creator Synth Potato explained that CAPCOM played a key role in the project’s early days. During the Nintendo 64 era, CAPCOM assigned Angel Studios to port Resident Evil 2 to the platform. Angel Studios later became part of Rockstar Games.

This collaboration helped build trust between the two companies. As a result, CAPCOM later funded the early development of Red Dead Revolver and supported its release in Japan.

A Technical Achievement That Earned Trust

The Nintendo 64 version of Resident Evil 2 impressed many players and developers. The team compressed a game that required two PlayStation discs into a single cartridge. Players could experience both Leon and Claire scenarios without swapping media.

Although the team reduced audio quality and cut certain modes, the port retained strong visuals. In some areas, animations even appeared smoother due to the hardware.

From Horror Roots to Western Action

After completing the port, Angel Studios gained the opportunity to work on an original project. CAPCOM provided funding, which allowed Red Dead Revolver to move forward. The game launched in 2004 as a Western-themed action adventure.

While Red Dead Revolver does not share story continuity with later entries, it established the setting and tone. These ideas later evolved into the modern Red Dead franchise.

Why Resident Evil 2 Still Matters

Red Dead Revolver introduced players to the late 1800s American frontier through the story of bounty hunter Red Harlow. The gameplay leaned toward arcade-style action rather than open-world exploration. Even so, it marked the true beginning of the series.

Without the Resident Evil 2 port and its success on Nintendo 64, this path might never have opened. That unlikely connection helped shape one of gaming’s most celebrated franchises.