Resident Evil 4 remake devs hint at return of an infamously silly controller
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The Resident Evil 4 remake is just over a month away, but Capcom has hinted it’s interested in bringing back a particularly memorable piece of the game’s history.
Coming to PS5, PS4 and Xbox Series X|S on March 24, Resident Evil 4 is a reimagining of the beloved 2005 classic. But Capcom could also recreate the game’s infamous chainsaw controller if the opportunity arises, as suggested by producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi in a interview with Game Informer (opens in new tab).
“We wanted to do one,” Hirabayashi said in response to whether or not the new chainsaw controller will return. “But we’re already putting everything we have into developing the game. Maybe we can look at that another time if there’s a future opportunity.”
It has been confirmed that they wanted to make a new RE4R Chainsaw controller, but they put all the effort into developing the game. They can see if there’s a future opportunity… LET’S GET VOCAL PEOPLE!#REBHFun pic.twitter. com/q0Dv3snvbJFebruary 15, 2023
And when I say “chainsaw controller,” I mean it. The unwieldy peripheral is lovingly crafted to mimic the chainsaw used by iconic foe Dr. Salvador is carried into play. Albeit with a vague controller layout with analog sticks, face buttons and triggers.
You even hold the thing like you would hold a chainsaw, and there’s a special motor pulley to spin the bar. It’s a ridiculously ambitious controller by design. But infinitely frustrating to play with in practice thanks to the clunky layout of buttons and sticks.
Dr. Salva does not
It’s certainly cute to see that Capcom remembers the oddball chainsaw controller and has even considered developing a new version of it for the Resident Evil 4 remake. However, I doubt that Capcom will indeed make one, and it certainly wouldn’t making it onto the list of the best PS5 controllers or best Xbox controllers.
I’m lucky enough to own the PS2 version of the Resident Evil 4 chainsaw controller. And it’s a thing of beauty, housed in a themed glass box, that’s likely to deter players from actually playing the game with it.
As cool as the chainsaw controller is, the layout of the buttons leaves a lot to be desired. So much so that you are deliberately making games more difficult by using it. It’s certainly a common instance for challenging runs, especially for Resident Evil 4. But it certainly has limited appeal thanks to its open rejection of sensible ergonomics.
Would I like to see the Resident Evil 4 chainsaw controller return for the remake? Naturally. It is undeniably stylish and would make a fantastic collector’s item. Still, I imagine it would be quite expensive and limited in availability. But if Capcom sells, I’ll probably buy.