The Resident Evil series may have gotten its start on the PlayStation back in 1996, but with the series rising to such immense popularity over the years, it has since branched to other systems, including handhelds. Admittedly though, these Resident Evil entries tend to be seen as b-sides or spin-offs which often don't have big implications on the mainline story, but despite this, they will still usually feature some of the franchises' most beloved characters who get the chance to experience a bit of their own personal journey through the respective story.

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Not being part of the mainline series also means that Capcom can get a little creative with its handheld games, allowing it to incorporate unique gameplay mechanics and quirks that can help to freshen up the traditional gameplay formula. When ranking up the handheld Resident Evil games side by side though, these are the ones that most fans agree are among the best of the best. Before jumping in, it should be noted that games that were designed for handhelds but also ported to other systems, like Resident Evil Revelations, will still be counted.

5 Resident Evil: Gaiden

GameFAQs Rating: 3/5 (209 Ratings)

Though most of the Resident Evil spin-off games at least relate to the series' wider world in some way or another, Gaiden's story is entirely non-canon, which makes sense considering how absurd and wacky it is. This top-down first and third-person hybrid sees Leon Kennedy teaming up with Barry Burton as the two try to survive through a zombie outbreak that has infested a gigantic cruise ship.

The pixelated graphics can look quite dated by today's standards, but the unique FPS combat system does still make the whole thing feel like something brand new, and actually pretty intense considering how many zombies can show on-screen at once. As mentioned previously, the story makes little to no sense and therefore isn't all that interesting, but the heart-pounding gameplay and quirky character interactions still make it well worth a playthrough, especially for big fans of the series.

4 Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

Metascore: 65

It seemed as though Capcom had finally managed to perfect the Mercenaries game mode with Resident Evil 5, and due to how popular it would go on to become, they decided to release a standalone version of the mode for the 3DS not long after. Despite a few shortcomings, such as the short draw distance and absence of key characters like Leon, Mercenaries 3D is still an absolute blast to play in short bursts.

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The gameplay also feels much faster this time around due to how aggressive the enemy types are, and the fact that players are able to move and shoot simultaneously, but it also helps that there are heaps of content to get through. New characters and costumes can be unlocked by completing specific objectives, but there are also special Skills that allow players to build a character in any way they would like, making the game even more addictive. It's also nice that Capcom remixed a few of the classic maps, like Public Assembly for example, to include more enemy types and items, meaning even veterans of the mode will find something new to enjoy.

3 Resident Evil: Revelations 2

Metascore: 75

Revelations 2 might not be the first Resident Evil game on a handheld device, but it's by far the best-looking from a visual standpoint. Whether it's the dark and dreary prison of Sein Island, or the creepy atmosphere that surrounds the Monument, each area feels truly unique and immersive thanks to the game's presentation. While the game is nice to look at, it's also a ton of fun to play as well, especially when jumping in with a friend on co-op. Revelations 2 follows Claire Redfield and her new companion Moira as they try to escape a seemingly deserted island after being abducted.

As the story goes on though, it introduces plenty of other memorable characters, including the iconic Barry Burton from the first game, and even Alex Wesker, who fills the shoes of her long-gone "brother" this time around. It's clear that Capcom was trying to harken back to the series' roots with this game by making it a lot more puzzle-heavy rather than being all about action, but this certainly isn't a bad thing, especially since it perfectly suits the game's co-op compatibility. Resident Evil Revelations 2 was released on the PlayStation Vita during its later years, alongside modern consoles at the time.

2 Resident Evil: Deadly Silence

Metascore: 71

The Resident Evil remake released in 2002 is always touted as being the definitive way to experience this survival horror classic, but another standout port that comes with a bunch of new features and modes for players to enjoy is Deadly Silence for the Nintendo DS. Though the game plays more or less identical to the original, it also makes use of the system's touch screen, and even the built-in mic to complete certain puzzles, and to attack enemies with secondary items. Mechanics like the 180 turn and tactical reload, which were seen in mainline games, were also added in to make the gameplay feel a little smoother.

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Capcom also made the smart decision to offer players Classic Mode, which is a one-to-one replica of the first game, and Rebirth Mode, which includes new puzzles and mixes around some enemy placements. This already gives the game a lot of replay value, but on top of all that, there's even a LAN-only multiplayer mode that can be played either competitively or co-op.

1 Resident Evil Revelations

Metascore: 82

When it was announced that Capcom would be developing a Resident Evil spin-off for the 3DS, a lot of fans kept their expectations low, considering that it wouldn't be anywhere near as big or polished as a mainline entry. It's fair to say though that despite this, Resident Evil Revelations blew people away with its visuals, story, and especially the gameplay, which was leaning much more into the survival-horror genre rather than the action-packed style that the series was becoming enthralled in by that point. The Queen Zenobia ship is a genuinely unique and terrifying locale that features plenty of creepy enemies, mysterious files, and dark secrets to uncover.

As players venture through the story, they'll be encouraged to make use of the brand-new Genesis scanner which can make finding key items and resources a little easier and also helps to compensate for the smaller screen of the 3DS. Revelations also introduces a plethora of newcomers to the series, from the effortlessly charismatic Parker to the ever-mysterious Raymond, each of them gets their time to shine and some have even gone on to become fan favorites over time. All in all, Revelations is an incredible game that became so popular on the 3DS that it was eventually ported to a bunch of other popular systems, which gives a good indication of just how beloved this entry really is.

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