Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is a survival horror game by Capcom, released for the PlayStation in Japan on September 22, 1999, then in North America on November 11, 1999, and Europe on February 21, 2000. Kazuhiro Aoyama directed it, Shinji Mikami produced it and Yasuhisa Kawamura wrote the scenario.
It started as a spin-off with a new hero. After Capcom cancelled a planned cruise-ship entry following the PlayStation 2 announcement, the project was promoted to the third main game, starring Jill Valentine. It reuses the engine of its predecessors and, unlike the two-disc Resident Evil 2, fits on a single CD. The relentless Nemesis was inspired by the T-1000 from Terminator 2.
Ports followed for Windows and Dreamcast in 2000 and GameCube in 2003; the PC and Dreamcast versions unlock The Mercenaries and extra costumes from the start. GOG.com re-released the PC version on September 25, 2024, with improved character models, followed by PS4/PS5 in 2025 and Steam in 2026.12
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | Resident Evil 3: NemesisIncluded a Dino Crisis demo | PlayStation | Nov 11, 1999 | Capcom | 2 |
| NA | Resident Evil 3: NemesisDreamcast; Japan 16 November 2000, Europe 21 December 2000 (Virgin Interactive) | Other | Nov 15, 2000 | Capcom | 2 |
| NA | Resident Evil 3: Nemesis | Windows | Apr 4, 2001 | Capcom | 2 |
| NA | Resident Evil 3: NemesisGameCube; Japan 23 January 2003, Europe 30 May 2003 | Other | Jan 15, 2003 | Capcom | 2 |
| JP | バイオハザード3 LAST ESCAPEBaiohazādo Surī Rasuto Esukēpu | PlayStation | Sep 22, 1999 | Capcom | 1 |
| EU | Resident Evil 3: Nemesis | PlayStation | Feb 21, 2000 | Capcom | 2 |
| JP | バイオハザード3 LAST ESCAPEBaiohazādo Surī Rasuto EsukēpuWindows 95/98; budget version for Windows 2000/XP on 28 April 2006 | Windows | Jun 16, 2000 | Capcom | 1 |
| EU | Resident Evil 3: Nemesis | Windows | Nov 24, 2000 | Eidos Interactive | 2 |
| JP | バイオハザード3 LAST ESCAPEBaiohazādo Surī Rasuto EsukēpuPlayStation version on Game Archives (PS3/PSP); North America followed in 2009 | PlayStation 3 | Dec 24, 2008 | Capcom | 1 |
| WW | Resident Evil 3GOG release with enhanced 3D character models and higher-resolution graphics | Windows | Sep 25, 2024 | Capcom | 3 |
| WW | Resident Evil 3: NemesisAlso on PlayStation 5 | PlayStation 4 | Aug 19, 2025 | Capcom | 2 |
| WW | Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (1999)Steam; English Wikipedia gives 2 April 2026 | Windows | Apr 1, 2026 | Capcom | 4 |
Also known as: バイオハザード3 LAST ESCAPE JP1Biohazard 3: Last Escape JP2Biohazard 1.5 JP2Biohazard 1.9 JP2Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (1999) WW4
Box art by region
NA Resident Evil 3: Nemesis 
EU Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: libretro-thumbnails.
Version differences
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GameplayPS1
On PlayStation, The Mercenaries mini-game unlocks after you finish the game, and alternate costumes and epilogue files depend on your rank and difficulty.2
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GameplayWindowsDreamcast
The Windows and Dreamcast versions offer The Mercenaries and Jill's alternate costumes from the start, and each port has its own extra hidden costumes.2
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DifficultyWindows (JP)Dreamcast (JP)
The Japanese Windows and Dreamcast releases add an arranged mode with the overseas difficulty balance, alongside the original Japanese mode.1
Where to play legally today
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GOG Purchase
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Steam Purchase
Resident Evil 3 Nemesis (1999)
PC version re-release (GOG.com build)
Checked: 2026-10-134store.steampowered.com
How to run it today
Buy the GOG or Steam edition: it is the PC version prepared by GOG.com for modern Windows, with enhanced character models and higher-resolution graphics.2
Reception
The PlayStation original scored 91/100 on Metacritic. Critics praised the graphics, the setting and Nemesis himself, but found the game short and its story simple. It passed 1 million copies by early October 1999, and Capcom later reported 3.5 million PlayStation copies; the Windows, Dreamcast and GameCube ports were received less warmly.2
In lists
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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