Resident Evil (1996 VG)

Resident Evil (1996)

Resident Evil is the 1996 horror survival video game that launched the successful Resident Evil franchise. The game was first released for the original PlayStation console and has since been remade with updated graphics for the Nintendo GameCube (and then to modern generation consoles and PC) in 2002. The game also received a Japan-only port to Windows PCs later in 1996 which introduced two exclusive weapons that are unlocked after finishing the game with the best endings with either character.

A slightly less updated version was released for the Nintendo DS in 2006 to commemorate the series' 10th Anniversary; titled Resident Evil: Deadly Silence (Resident Evil: DS), the game is graphically similar to the original's Director's Cut release for the most part -- the Beretta/Magnum were given new models based on the remake's version of these weapons, with only moderate control changes to reflect mechanics introduced in Resident Evil 3 and 4 with the ability to quick-turn as well as finally the option to skip cutscenes/door animations, and is otherwise mostly identical (though characters have new animations and models) on a mechanical level though the game does include a "Rebirth" mode which further remixes the game with changed puzzles (to make us of the DS touchscreen and microphone) and enemy locations.
The following weapons appear in the video game Resident Evil (1996 VG):

Handguns

Beretta 92FS

The Beretta 92FS is the standard S.T.A.R.S. sidearm (incorrectly referred to as the "Beretta M92FS" in-game) and used by most characters. This weapon is actually one of the prototypes of the Samurai Edge (in the REmake, the S.T.A.R.S. officers use the final product). Chris Redfield somehow loses his gun as he, Jill Valentine, Barry Burton, and Albert Wesker are chased into the mansion. Should the player choose to play as Chris, he is able to pick up Jill's Beretta after she and Wesker disappear in the main hall. Should the player choose to play as Jill, she will start with her Beretta in her inventory. This weapon can be used if the player chooses either the Beginner or Original difficulty in the Director's Cut version.

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

The Beretta in the inventory menu.

A Beretta 92FS as seen on the character selection screen.

Jill holds her Beretta as she peeks around the corner.

Beretta 92FS Inox

In the "Director's Cut" edition, the Beretta 92FS Inox with wood grips can be used should the player choose the Arrange difficulty. It is more powerful than the regular 92FS and is more likely to land critical hits. As it is an Arrange difficulty exclusive in the Director's Cut version, it does not appear in Deadly Silence. This weapon is also a prototype of the Samurai Edge.

Beretta 92FS Inox with wood grips - 9x19mm Parabellum

The Beretta 92FS Inox as seen in the Director's Cut.

Jill aims the Inox at nothing in particular. Here, the limitations of PS1 graphics are apparent.

Beretta 92FS "Samurai Edge"

The S.T.A.R.S (Special Tactics And Rescue Service) standard-issue "Samurai Edge" custom Beretta 92FS Brigadier from the Remake replaces the inventory model of the Beretta in Deadly Silence though the gameplay model is identical. It has two different textures depending on if the player is playing "Classic" or "Rebirth" mode. The examine text was also changed to just say "Automatic utilizing 9mm piercing rounds."

Airsoft Replica of the Beretta 92FS "Samurai Edge" standard model made by Tokyo Marui with close up on the engravings. Note the yellow medallion.

The icons of both the Rebirth (left) and Classic (Right) Samurai Edge pistols.

Both sides of the Deadly Silence Samurai Edge with "Rebirth" textures.

Both sides of the Deadly Silence Samurai Edge with "Classic" textures.

Beretta 92FS Airsoft/"Non-Gun"

In the live-action intro sequence, the S.T.A.R.S. officers use either airsoft or Beretta 92F Non-Gun props.

Beretta 92F Non Gun

A panicked Jill turns to look to her left, faux Beretta in hand.

Inezh, the actress who plays Jill Valentine in this sequence, runs from a pack of Cerberi in the opening video. Note the actress' good trigger discipline.

S.T.A.R.S Alpha team member Joseph Frost finds a Beretta still attached to a colleague's severed hand.

Run for that house! Chris (Charlie Kraslavsky) holds his Beretta as the S.T.A.R.S retreat.

Jill holds up her Beretta in the faux cast intro.

Colt Python

Barry Burton's primary weapon throughout the game is a nickel-plated Colt Python revolver. A special round type exists in the game's files called "Dum Dum"s (an antiquated term for soft-nose or hollow-point bullets) which increase the weapon's already ludicrous damage even further against the standard zombie enemy. These are a hold over from very early versions of the game where the Colt Python's normal ammunition was much weaker and took 2-3 shots to kill one zombie with the instant-kill headshot instead being randomized but the final game instead just buffed the Python's damage with basic ammo and removed the "Dum Dum" rounds (though there is a cutscene where Barry takes 3 shots to kill one zombie at the start of the game with chest shots).

Either character can acquire this weapon during the game on any difficulty setting and should the player finish the game on the Arrange difficulty, the weapon will be unlocked to use for the game on that difficulty, but with infinite ammo. Barry (Gregory Smith) can be seen with a blued Python 'modelgun' in the live-action intro as well as the best ending cutscene on Jill's route.

Nickel plated Colt Python with 4" barrel - .357 Magnum

The Python in Jill's inventory menu.

Wesker and Barry hold Jill at gunpoint during a standoff in the Umbrella labs toward the end of the game.

Jill aims the Python down at a pane of very dangerous glass.

Colt Python with 4" Barrel and wood grips - .357 Magnum

Barry holds his Python up in a pose oft-referenced in later games.

Free from the nightmare, Barry checks the condition of his Colt Python.

Silver Serpent

Barry Burton's custom "Silver Serpent" revolver from the remake replaces the inventory model of the Colt Python in Deadly Silence as the second (and last) changed model for a weapon in Deadly Silence though the regular gameplay model is unchanged. The Colt Python's examine text was also edited to remove identifying the weapon as a Colt Python saying "Powerful gun that utilizes .357 caliber bullets." as opposed to "Colt Python. Powerful gun that can be loaded with .357 magnum rounds."

Fan-made airsoft replica of Barry Burton's .44 Magnum Silver Serpent from Resident Evil (2002).

The Silver Serpent's icon.

Both sides of the Silver Serpent, while hard to read in-game, the text on the weapon says "SILVER SERPENT".

Shotguns

Remington 870

The Remington 870 is the only shotgun available in-game. The weapon is hooked to a booby trap, which causes the ceiling of the room to collapse when the shotgun is removed. The weapon in-game appears to have custom sights. In Chris's scenario, he must replace the shotgun with a broken one to prevent the trap from being triggered. In Jill's scenario, Barry will rescue Jill from the trap, prompting a running joke about a "Jill Sandwich" which continues to persist throughout the franchise. Despite being trained police officers, both Chris and Jill aim the weapon from the hip.

Remington 870 Police Magnum customized with extended magazine tube - 12 gauge

The Remington 870 in the inventory menu.

The inventory screen for the broken Remington 870. The cryptic description hints at the solution to the ceiling trap puzzle.

An 870 sits in a suspicious-looking setup on the wall.

Jill aims the 870, ignoring the ceiling descending on her.

Chris stares at the Remington 870, pondering what to do...

...before the answer comes to him.

Bizarrely, the shotgun texture is darker when wearing Chris's alternate PC costume, giving us a good look at the wood grain.

Remington Model 31

A shotgun that resembles the MGC Remington Model 31 is used in the live-action intro by S.T.A.R.S omni-man Joseph Frost. He fires it erratically at several Cereberus bio-organic weapons before being killed and dropping it. It cannot be used in-game.

MGC Replica Remington Model 31

Joseph with the shotgun in the first shot of Alpha team.

Panicking, he shoots wildly at the attacking dogs.

Submachine Guns

Ingram MAC-10

In the PC version, beating the game with Jill under certain conditions unlocks a 9mm MAC-10 submachine gun. Both PC-exclusive weapons are untextured besides flat colors for mysterious reasons.

Ingram MAC-10

The MAC-10 in Jill's inventory.

She takes aim from the hip; given the choice of weapon, guaranteeing she won't hit anything she's trying to shoot.

Shell casings fly as Jill fires the MAC-10 into the air.

Machine Guns

FN Minimi

Like the Ingram MAC-10, a FN Minimi can be unlocked for the PC version by beating the game with Chris under certain conditions. It does surprisingly little damage - each shot equivalent to a basic handgun round - but is useful for keeping fast-moving enemies at bay.

FN Minimi - 5.56x45mm

The Minimi in the inventory.

Chris holds the machine gun.

Launchers

M202 FLASH

The most powerful weapon in the game is a M202 FLASH that is given to the player during the final boss battle. It can also be unlocked for use with infinite ammo which will be in the inventory from the start of the game should the player choose any difficulty setting and play as either character and complete the game within specific conditions.

M202 FLASH - 66mm

Chris uses the launcher. It is incorrectly depicted as firing conventional explosive rockets; the actual FLASH could only fire incendiary rockets.

ARWEN 37

The ARWEN 37 grenade launcher is available to the player should the player choose Jill Valentine. It can use a variety of shells, but has poor range. It is the primary weapon of Bravo team member Forest Speyer. While a 37mm launcher is a reasonable weapon for a special police unit to carry, it makes somewhat less sense to be found in the cold, dead hands of the team's marksman. Barry gives the weapon to Jill a quarter of the way through the game, helpfully explaining that "It's a weapon. It's very effective, especially against living things!"

Arwen 37 - 37mm

The ARWEN in the inventory menu. Note the text; while the real launcher can only fire less-lethal rounds (e.g. tear gas canisters), the one in-game can choose between explosive rounds, incendiary rounds, and acid rounds. Also note the lack of a foregrip.

Jill criticizes the interior decoration with the muzzle of the ARWEN.

Other

Flamethrower

A flamethrower modeled after the M240 from Aliens (sans M16 carry handle) is available ingame, but only for Chris; in Resident Evil 2, Leon Kennedy can acquire an identical one in another Umbrella lab, suggesting the weapon is of Umbrella manufacture.

M240 Flamethrower prop from the movie Aliens.

Chris holds the flamethrower.

Cover Art Frankengun

The game's boxart depicts a meshing of an AR-15 type rifle and shotgun.