MYSTERY, horror, gore, and a rewarding storyline are just a few of the factors that make Resident Evil one of the greatest games of all time.

When the Resident Evil remake was first released, hard core fans of the series flocked to the shops in thousands to invest in a GameCube, purely for Capcom's freshest offering from Racoon City.

Now, however, with a price tag of a mere £20 or less it is essential that any self-respecting gamer should purchase this game immediately.

Although it may be a year or so old now, graphically it remains one of the best games ever and boasts a fear evoking orchestral soundtrack.

Gamers play as either Jill Valentine, with the assistance of Barry Burton or Chris Redfield with the assistance of Rebecca Chambers.

Set in the Spencer Mansion, gamers must battle hordes of zombies and other ghoulish creatures affected by the deadly T-virus. Resident Evil features betrayal, misery, despair, and action.

Despite a few old problems such as the door opening screens as gamers progress from one room to another there are many benefits in Resident Evil for the GameCube not available in any other Resi title.

Take, for example, crimson heads. These are fast zombies that move at lightning like pace and will only die when their head has been fully dismembered from their shoulders.

With Resident Evil as fresh as ever to this day, fans of the series will be positively drooling at the thought of Resident Evil: Outbreak and Resident Evil 4 just around the corner.

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £19.99

PLAYERS: 1

AGE RATING: 15+

GENRE: Survival horror

FORMAT: GameCube

GRAPHICS: 19/20

SOUND: 20/20

GAMEPLAY: 23/25

LIFESPAN: 20/25

ORIGINALITY: 7/10

OVERALL: 89%

TOP 10

1 Conflict: Vietnam

2 Shellshock: Nam '67

3 Spider-man 2

4 Athens 2004

5 Driv3r

6 Second Sight

7 Doom 3

8 Shrek 2

9 Formula 1 04

10 America's 10 Most Wanted

UPCOMING

Crisis Zone; Dynasty Warriors 4: Empires; Final Fantasy XI; Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone; Madden NFL 2005; Mario Golf: Advance Tour.