Capcom has released the first three Resident Evil games on Steam, making the classic horror trilogy more accessible to PC players. All three titles—the 1996 original, 1998's Resident Evil 2, and 1999's Resident Evil 3: Nemesis—launched today at $9.99 each, currently discounted 50% to around $5 per game.
The move marks the first time these foundational entries have appeared on Valve's platform. Each game remains faithful to its original premise: the first follows the Bravo Team of Raccoon City's Special Tactics and Rescue Service as they explore Spencer Mansion hunting for their missing Alpha Team; the sequel introduces Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield months later as the city faces biological catastrophe; the third reunites players with Jill Valentine against the relentless bioweapon Nemesis.
The announcement has been tempered by technical issues, however. Multiple reports indicate the Steam versions include restrictive DRM protections and fail to run on Steam Deck—a significant problem given the handheld's popularity with PC gamers. The problem echoes Capcom's misstep last year when it added controversial anti-tampering software to Resident Evil 4 Remake before removing it following community backlash.
Community Pushback Over DRM Implementation
Players and modders have voiced frustration with Capcom's approach. One community member noted that the Steam versions appear identical to existing GOG releases, suggesting Capcom's only meaningful addition was the DRM layer itself. The Steam Deck incompatibility stands in sharp contrast to the GOG editions, which function without issue on the handheld device.
Complaints also highlight missing quality-of-life features: the Steam releases lack cloud save support and achievements, while forcing downloads of all language packs rather than allowing players to select a single language option.
"I'm grateful for releasing classics on Steam, Capcom, but you need to remove DRM," one fan posted. "These games have survived for years thanks to the community and modding."
The friction underscores a broader tension in the gaming industry between publisher anti-piracy measures and player expectations, particularly for older titles that have already proven their longevity through decades of community support. For potential buyers weighing their options, the GOG versions appear to offer a smoother experience across both traditional PCs and Steam Deck systems.
Those interested in the trilogy now have a window to purchase at the discount rate, though the technical limitations may steer some users toward alternative platforms.
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