Capcom has unveiled a remastered edition of the original Dead Rising game, marking a significant return for the franchise after a near-decade hiatus. The last main entry, Dead Rising 4 (2016), received mixed reception, potentially contributing to the series' prolonged dormancy following successful installments on the Xbox 360. While the original 2006 title was initially an Xbox 360 exclusive, an enhanced version later appeared on other platforms ahead of Dead Rising 4's release.
Meanwhile, Capcom's sister zombie franchise, Resident Evil, enjoyed considerable success with numerous acclaimed remakes (Resident Evil 2, 4) and new first-person entries (Resident Evil Village). This disparity in success likely explains Dead Rising's extended absence from the spotlight.
Now, eight years after the last Dead Rising game, Capcom has announced "Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster," previewed in a brief YouTube trailer showcasing protagonist Frank West's iconic helicopter jump. While platform and release date specifics remain unannounced, a 2024 release is anticipated.
Though a prior enhanced version existed for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 (2016), this remaster promises improved visuals and performance. This raises the question of whether subsequent Dead Rising titles will receive similar treatment, given their age. However, Capcom’s focus on the proven success of Resident Evil remakes suggests that full-scale remakes for Dead Rising are unlikely, prioritizing instead the less resource-intensive remaster approach. The possibility of a Dead Rising 5 remains, however.
2024 has already seen a surge in popular remasters and remakes, including Persona 3 Reload, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and others. Should Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster launch this year, it would join other Xbox 360-era remasters like Epic Mickey: Rebrushed and Lollipop Chainsaw: RePOP, adding to the current wave of retro gaming revitalization.
