Resident Evil 1.5, also known as Biohazard 1.5, is a prototype of the game that eventually became Resident Evil 2. Developed by Capcom, this version dates back to late 1996 but was scrapped in early 1997 due to dissatisfaction with the final product. The development team, including director Hideki Kamiya and producer Shinji Mikami, chose to start over, leading to the Resident Evil 2 that fans know today.

Originally, Resident Evil 1.5 was intended to conclude the series. The game featured a different storyline and characters compared to the final release of Resident Evil 2. The main protagonists included Leon S. Kennedy, who remained in the final version, and Elza Walker, a motorcyclist who was eventually replaced by Claire Redfield. Other characters in the prototype included Ada, Marvin, Sherry, John, Roy, William, Irons, and Annette. The setting was also notably different, with environments such as a more modern-looking Raccoon Police Department and a factory.

Despite being canceled, Resident Evil 1.5 has become a legendary piece of gaming history. Various builds of the prototype were used to promote the game at trade shows and demos throughout 1997. Although Capcom never officially released the game, leaked builds began circulating among fans. A notable version known as the "40 percent build" was acquired by fans in 2011, leading to ongoing efforts to reconstruct and improve the game.

Resident Evil 1.5 holds a unique place in the Resident Evil franchise's legacy. Capcom acknowledged its existence in the deluxe edition of the Resident Evil 2 remake by including a costume for Claire Redfield based on Elza Walker's original design. The prototype continues to intrigue fans, with ongoing modding efforts to restore and play what could have been a significant chapter in the Resident Evil series.

Based on the latest patch from May 2, 2024.

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