"Take the PSone version, change a voice, and you have this game."

So why am I scoring this game somewhat high? Well, it's because the game is exactly the same as the PSone game that as released in 1999. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (or BioHazard 3: Last Escape in Japan) is definitely, as many put it, the most thrilling episode of the series yes. You have to stay on thought and keep your mind set to the goal of beating the game. It's also much faster paced than Resident Evil 2, or Resident Evil Zero.

Gameplay (10)
As with the other versions of this game, the game is very fun from the starting point to the ending point. It's fun how you have to kill zombies with different types of guns which are completely customizable from the ammo you use to the type of gun.

Controls (10)
The GameCube controller was somehow fitted for Resident Evil games, strangely. Moving the characters are much easier in RE3 than they were in Zero or the REmake. The shooting, dodging, map accessing, etc. are also very easily done on the GameCube's controller, and the comfort of the controller also hands this game points. Another strength point is the control stick, which allows for easier avoiding of confrontations with zombies.

Story (10)
Exactly the same as in the other versions. The story is a good one and fits into the story of Resident Evil 2 2 very well. It takes place 24 hours before AND 24 hours AFTER the 2nd chapter, though this is really, at heart, the third chapter. If you read the files in the game, you find out how. Anyway, Jill valentine is caught up in Raccoon City after the T- Virus spill depicted in Resident Evil 2. The T- Virus creates humans into zombies. She tries to escape Raccoon City. If you never played REmake or Resident Evil 2, then you'll definitely be lost.

NOTES: To fully know the story, Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3 must be played to full extent.

Audio (10)
And as with all other versions, the music in Resident Evil 3 fits the mood of a zombie game. There is scary music, especially when the Nemesis enters, inserting fear into your head as you figure out what to do next. The Nemesis is the antagonist of the game, a monster after Jill.

Graphics (7)
The graphics in this GameCube port don't utilize the graphical powers of the Nintendo GameCube, but they graphics are great nonetheless. However, it is disappointing how the GameCube version looks worse than the Dreamcast version released in 2000. The character models in the GameCube version are better than the PSone versions, but they lack compared to the smooth and slightly better ones in the Dreamcast version. The backgrounds are exactly the same as the PlayStation version, unfortunately, as that means the higher resolution backgrounds from the Dreamcast version are absent (along with the brand new features).

Replayability (10)
This game has 4 different endings, 2 of them ending the same but in game actions differ. There are also events that can be changed around. A good example is that if you complete one puzzle before the next puzzle the first time through, you can do the second puzzle first this time which affects the game. Great replay value.

To buy or to rent?
I'm definitely not sure right now. You can probably find this for $40, but the much better Dreamcast version can be found for as low as $10 as of 1/18/02. If you have a PSone/Dreamcast, get this game for those systems on a price basis. If you have a GameCube only, then get the GameCube version.

CLOSING: I'm definitely disappointed at how a version released in 2000 can be infinitely better than the newest 2003 version. Capcom announced this game 1.5 years ago for the GameCube; plenty of time to at least use the best version they had for the system they wanted the series to stay on.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/19/03, Updated 01/19/03