Just because it’s on the ESRB doesn’t mean a full remake is coming—here’s what Capcom is really cooking for 2026.
As we get closer to the 30th anniversary of Resident Evil, rumors about a remake of Resident Evil 5 have hit a fever pitch for the first time. However, the evidence points to something very different from what many fans expect. A lot of wild guesses have been made about what the ESRB has been doing lately, but the facts show that this is probably more about next-generation support than a full-on remake.
Early in 2026, a new ESRB rating for Resident Evil 5 came out, this time making it clear that there were versions that worked best with Xbox Series X|S hardware. At first glance, these kinds of listings usually give the impression that a game is almost finished, which could mean a new release.
Because of this, fans started to put together the pieces right away that pointed to news of a remake, especially during the anniversary hype. But if you look at the new listing next to one that came out in early 2025 and is almost exactly the same, it seems more like an updated grade for newer ports than proof that the game was rebuilt from scratch.
Looking back, a number of older Resident Evil games, such as Resident Evil 6, Resident Evil: Revelations, and its follow-up, Resident Evil: Revelations 2, have also been rated by the ESRB for the Series X|S platform in the past year. A lot of people saw those scores as early signs of remasters or remakes.
In fact, the language used in these listings is very similar—sometimes they sound exactly like descriptions from decades ago when the PS3 was released. This makes it seem like Capcom may just be updating these older games to work with current hardware and performance standards.
That reading fits with what we know for sure: both Resident Evil 7: Biohazard and Resident Evil Village are set to come out in the next generation, including on the Nintendo Switch 2, around the time that Resident Evil Requiem comes out in early 2026. Resident Evil 7 already has native ports for the Series X|S and PS5, but Resident Evil 5 and its older brothers have only ever been playable through backward compatibility.
A new ESRB listing only hints that Capcom might be bringing these old games back in a form that works better on modern systems.
More specific information comes from well-known leakers and sources in the industry, who say that a remake of Resident Evil 5 is not currently being made. A person who has a lot of inside information about the series recently said that Resident Evil – Code: Veronica, not Resident Evil 5, is likely to be the next remake. Code: Veronica is said to be well underway in development and should come out in the first half of 2027. This could give Capcom a plan for anniversary-era games after Requiem.
Well-sourced leakers have been talking about Capcom’s plans to remake the game for almost two years, which backs up that claim. Some news sources say that both Code: Veronica and a remake of Resident Evil Zero are currently being made, with early work starting as early as 2022. Some information, like correct early leaks of Resident Evil 9 character information, supports the idea that Resident Evil 5 is not the next big remake project.
The ESRB description doesn’t show any specific visuals, mechanics, or features that would point to a remake. The descriptions in the rating text are very similar to those in earlier versions. If there aren’t any major changes, a listing can’t be taken as proof of new progress. It is also common for developers to prepare performance remasters or re-releases of older games, which is why review boards often list them.
But that doesn’t mean Capcom doesn’t care about Resident Evil 5. In fact, the anniversary year might lead to new versions of some older games being released on newer systems with higher resolutions, unlocked frame rates, and other improvements that come with newer hardware. These kinds of releases can be a celebration of the series’ history and make it easy for both old and new fans to get to older games.
Recently, rumors and excitement in the community grew after a mysterious message from the voice actor of one of Resident Evil 5’s characters showed up on social media. The message included hashtags that mentioned Resident Evil 5 and the 30th anniversary. Even though these posts are interesting, they don’t prove that there will be a version on their own.
In the days before a big event, marketers often use cryptic teasers that can be easily misunderstood as proof before the official word comes out.
The new proof makes the picture clearer when looked at as a whole. The fact that Resident Evil 5 is on the ESRB list probably means that Capcom is getting ready for next-gen support or remastering, not the release of a remake.
Insiders say that Code: Veronica and Resident Evil Zero are the next big remake projects, and early work on them is already well underway. In 2026, the anniversary will likely be celebrated with a mix of new games like Resident Evil Requiem, improved ports of older games, and hints at future remakes, but not a Resident Evil 5 remake.
In a wider sense, it means balance. Capcom seems to be able to balance keeping the tradition alive with moving forward, letting fans play older games while also promoting new stories and rebuilds. Whether players want a remake of Resident Evil 5 or want Code Veronica and Zero to come back in a more modern form, 2026 will be a big year for the franchise’s growth and celebration.
Let the year of the occasion go by. If Capcom has any surprises left to show, they will probably come at the same careful time that has defined this age. Resident Evil’s legacy keeps growing and it’s not just through rumors. It’s also thanks to carefully planned events that honor its past while building toward its future.
