Lost ‘Resident Evil’ Mobile Game Rescued From Oblivion

A chapter of the Resident Evil saga, long thought to be lost, has been successfully recovered by the efforts of video game preservationists. Biohazard: The Episodes, a game released exclusively for Japanese feature phones, or ‘keitai,’ in 2007, has been found and made playable, offering a unique glimpse into the franchise’s history. The game, based on the events of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, was one of several mobile spin-offs created by Capcom that never saw a release outside of Japan.

The breakthrough was announced on X by the archival developer known as Yuvi, who managed to extract a working version of the game from a second-hand phone. Due to the closed nature of the mobile platforms of the era, many such games were locked to the original hardware and vanished as the services that supported them were shut down. This recovery is a significant victory for the game preservation community, which works to save these titles from being permanently lost.

The recovered version of Biohazard: The Episodes is reportedly the full game, allowing players to experience Jill Valentine's escape from Raccoon City in a new format. While the main story is intact, it has been noted that some extra content, such as unlockable characters, is still missing. Even so, this success has sparked renewed interest in the small but dedicated community of 'keitai' game preservationists, who continue to hunt for other lost titles.

The recovery of Biohazard: The Episodes not only restores a missing piece of the beloved horror franchise, but also highlights the ongoing challenge of preserving our digital heritage. For fans, it’s a rare opportunity to experience a forgotten adventure from a very different era of gaming.