It’s been a long time coming, but you’re able to finally play as Akuma in the originalResident Evil 2in a “secret” mini-campaign calledAkuma Mode.
It’s normal for readers to wonder why I’m making a fuss about such a thing, so allow me to shine the light of context upon this very important piece of news.
Way back when, a 1998 issue ofElectronic Gaming Monthly featured an April’s Fools jokeclaiming you could unlock Akuma as a secret playable character inRE2.The magazine said you could unlock Akuma simply by typing in the word AKUMA, instead of GUEST, on the laboratory computer. Oh, and beat both scenarios six times with an A ranking, using only the knife and handgun.
Even though today’s speedrunners complete more difficult tasks every day, EGM likely went with a challenge so daunting no ’90s gamer would ever consider wasting time with it. Still, this obvious hoax got alot of traction back in the day, probably because the article shows a bunch of really cool screenshots featuring a3D Akuma model that perfectly fits into the world of RE2.
The hoax becomes reality
As with characters likeErmac fromMortal Kombatbefore him, beginning life as a hoax didn’t implyRE2Akumawould die a hoax.
Twitch streamer and overall Capcom fan Maximilian recently claimed he got in touch with some modders who dove deep into the code ofRE2and finallymanaged to find Akumawithout the whole A-ranked playthroughs ordeal.
IT’S NOT APRIL FOOLS – 26 years later…the rumors were true. AKUMA IS IN RESIDENT EVIL 2! Download for FREE right now on Moddb.pic.twitter.com/ghgYRaSpQ2
This is a joke, another hoax if you will. Max just commissioned modder Snipzu and their team to put Akuma intoRE2and finally realize this long-lost dream of many Capcom fans. The result isAkuma Mode, a neat mini-campaign where you escape Racoon City using only Akuma’s fists, fireballs, uppercuts, and spinning kicks (to push objects, somehow). Akuma’s naturally way stronger than Leon — from the pre-ResidentEvil 4times, at least — so expect to enter a room and be greeted by four Mr. Xs where you expected zombies to be.
You can get Akuma Modehere, and get it to work if you haveResident Evil 2installed with the latest version ofClassic Rebirth.Akuma will also join the roster ofStreet Fighter 6on May 22 —yes, for real.
