Resident Evil: Director’s Cut – DualShock Version is an updated release of Capcom’s landmark survival horror title. It includes all content from the 1997 Director’s Cut, with added support for the PlayStation’s DualShock controller (analog stick movement and vibration feedback). The game allows players to relive the nightmare in the Spencer Mansion through the eyes of Chris Redfield or Jill Valentine, surviving zombies, traps, and bio-organic weapons while uncovering the sinister Umbrella Corporation’s secrets.
This version stands out for its infamous re-arranged soundtrack, composed by Mamoru Samuragochi (later revealed to be ghostwritten by Takashi Niigaki), which drastically altered the game’s atmosphere with more dramatic but often criticized tracks.
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Platform: Sony PlayStation
Release Dates:
- Japan: August 6, 1998
- North America: September 1998
- Europe: 1998
Genre: Survival Horror
Mode: Single-player
Composer: Mamoru Samuragochi (Re-arranged Soundtrack)
Importance in Survival Horror History
The DualShock Version is historically significant for introducing analog control and vibration support, enhancing immersion in ways that would become standard in future survival horror titles. Although its new soundtrack was controversial, this release reflects Capcom’s experimentation in modernizing controls and atmosphere for evolving PlayStation technology. It also preserved the additional replayability modes (Arranged and Advanced) from the 1997 Director’s Cut, offering new item and enemy placements, as well as tougher challenges for veteran players
Availability and Collectibility
The DualShock Version was widely released in all regions, unlike the 1997 Director’s Cut which had censorship inconsistencies. Today, physical copies are moderately collectible, with pricing depending on condition and region. While not as rare as the original 1996 release, it is notable for collectors due to its controversial soundtrack and place in Resident Evil history.
Reception vs. Historical Value
Upon release, reception was mixed. Critics praised the added DualShock functionality, which made gameplay smoother and more immersive. However, the re-arranged soundtrack was widely panned, with some tracks considered ill-fitting or even comical. Despite this, the game retains strong historical value as it showcases Capcom’s experimentation with replayability, control schemes, and presentation in survival horror.
Death Scene Changes & Censorship
- Original (1996): Featured all uncensored death FMVs.
- Director’s Cut (1997): Some FMVs censored (blood and gore toned down, certain deaths cut shorter).
- DualShock Version (1998): Restored some of the original uncensored FMVs depending on region, making it closer to the 1996 release.
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