Capcom and Bandai Namco surprise fans with a fresh arcade take on the classic RE2 — Dead Shot.
Capcom and Bandai Namco did something no one really saw coming. They went back to RESIDENT EVIL 2, but not with another remake, not with another HD port, and not with some open-world twist. Instead, they dropped an arcade shooter. Yes, really. It’s called Dead Shot, and it looks like it came straight from a ’90s arcade, except it’s running on the Resident Evil 2 remake engine and lets you blast zombie heads in style.
There’s no worldwide release and no global event, just one unit standing quietly at Namco Funscape in Romford, UK. That’s it. Players are relying on IGN’s footage and a healthy dose of envy.
Old-School Vibe With a Modern Face
The gameplay is exactly what you’d expect: on-rails shooting. Aim the pistol-shaped controller at the screen, fire, reload by pointing off-screen. There is auto-reload, but it’s slower. Anyone who played House of the Dead knows what’s up. No turrets, no joysticks, just a solid pistol grip that feels right.
It works way better than you’d think. The pacing is tight, the aiming feels sharp, and the intensity ramps up quick. It’s the kind of game that hits you with instant nostalgia. It’s a focused, adrenaline-pumping experience that makes you remember why people used to crowd around arcade cabinets and fight over who gets the next round.
Quick Plot, All Action
The game is split into five episodes, but only two are playable right now: the Prologue and something called Hunted. The Prologue is not really a tutorial because it has seven stages and a boss fight to cap it off. You play as Leon or Claire, dropped right into the chaos of Raccoon City trying to reach the police station. Classic setup. Along the way, you face zombies, dogs, infected cops and yes, even Marvin Branagh shows up briefly before things go sideways again.
This is shooting stripped down to the bone. You’re not stopping to combine herbs, solve symbols, or piece together a key from two halves. You move, you shoot, you survive. You’re in the loop: moving, shooting, surviving. Nothing fancy, but for fans of the genre, that’s the core.
Familiar Graphics, Different Feel
Visually, Capcom reused assets from the 2019 remake. Same models, same places, same level of detail. But the pacing is different, because you’re not exploring. There’s no downtime, only tension, reflexes and nonstop danger.
The visuals hit hard. Every shot has impact. Flashlights cut through darkness. Zombie heads explode in slow motion. Even if you’ve seen this world before, this version feels alive in a new way.
The Machine Screams “Play Me”
The cabinet itself looks great. Red neon glow, massive images of Leon, Claire and Ada. It shines, pulses and dares you to step up. Only one of these exists right now, and it feels more like a demo than a finished product. But if this gets a proper rollout, it could be a hit in every arcade that still matters.
First look at Resident Evil 2: Dead Shot, a seemingly new RE arcade game from Capcom/Bandai Namco currently in closed location testing.
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Not Just a One-Off but Smart Timing
Waiting in the wings is Resident Evil Requiem, set for February 2026. That’s the next major title and it marks 30 years of Resident Evil. The trailer already teased the destroyed Raccoon City police department. No official word on Leon yet, but fans are confident he’ll be back.
And there’s more. Capcom also announced Resident Evil Survival Unit, a multiplayer RTS expected in 2025. Leon, Claire and Jill are all confirmed. The franchise is expanding fast, and somehow, it’s still working.
Dead Shot Arcade: Small Game, Big Impact
Dead Shot isn’t trying to be deep. It’s fast, arcade action with a laser focus. It reminds us that not every release needs to be a 60-hour sandbox epic. Sometimes, all you want is to blast through waves of zombies, sweat a little, laugh at how close that last round got, and walk away grinning.
And if this ever gets a home version or VR port? You can bet plenty of people will be lining up to try it.