Most gamers are aware that Resident Evil 2 for the Nintendo 64 was a port of the earlier PlayStation incarnation. It was also one of the big hits of 1999. For those Nintendo gamers wishing for a little more killing action, Capcom has responded with a Nintendo 64 exclusive. In terms of presentation, Resident Evil Zero follows in the footsteps of its 64-bit predecessor. Expect the same pre-rendered backgrounds, static character movement, and freakishly designed monsters.

Resident Evil Zero will take place prior to the events of the original PlayStation classic, hence the "zero" in the title. Rebecca Chambers is the star of the game. She was a prominent character in the original, as she played a part in the destruction of the first zombie outbreak. In the prequel, she's the main focus of the action. Along the way, you'll also take control of a few other characters. Through Rebecca's quest, Resident Evil Zero hopes to shine some light on the origins of the nefarious Umbrella Corporation.

Recently, the identity of the newest member of the Resident Evil team was revealed. The man is a military officer named Billy Coen. Apparently, old Billy hasn't been playing well with others: a court of law sentenced him to death for murder. At the beginning of Resident Evil Zero, he is being transported to his execution via train. On the way, a little problem with zombies puts an end to the trip. Billy is the other main playable character in Resident Evil Zero.

In the previous Resident Evil games, the two characters each had a separate quest, and the interaction between the two zombie-slayers was minimal. In Resident Evil Zero, the multi-quest system is no longer in place. Instead, the two characters will be traveling side-by-side. As a result, the mechanics of the game will be altered a little, and you'll be able to switch between the two characters at any time. If Rebecca is having a problem with a monster, you can send in her partner to finish the job.

One of the main changes in the game is the item storage. Basically, the item system is getting a long-needed overhaul. All you old-school Resident Evil survivors can say goodbye to the item boxes; Capcom has decided to remove them from the game. As a result, the backtracking nature of the gameplay may be revised. In Resident Evil Zero, you will be able to exchange items between the characters and drop any unnecessary items. The discarded item will remain in the same spot until you return to retrieve it.

As with others in the series, Resident Evil Zero is a single-player game. It will utilize the Expansion Pak for improved visuals. ~ Bryan Melville, All Game Guide