3DS graphical advances made Resident Evil: Revelations possible

Hardware advances in the portable field have finally given Capcom confidence in bringing classic Resident Evil gameplay to handhelds.

Previously, all handheld Resident Evil releases have been spin-offs, but Resident Evil: Revelations is a full, console-style Resident Evil experience. Speaking at GDC 2012, as reported by Siliconera, producer Masachika Kawata said Capcom had three reasons to bring its formula to the 3DS.

The first and perhaps most important reason is that new portable hardware makes it possible; Kawata said the graphical capabilities of the 3DS made a real Resident Evil game possible. He made specific mention of the portable's support for lighting features, pixel shading, and shaders.

Secondly, Capcom wants to leverage the Resident Evil brand with new markets, and hopes to find them in new formats. Kawata also mentioned the possibility of new genres.

And finally, the 3DS offers ways to create new kinds of entertainment, powered by its stereoscopic 3D and Street Pass functionality, as well as a dual screen set up.

Resident Evil: Revelations is out now on 3DS and has won critical praise.