Capcom has recently addressed the canonicity of events portrayed in Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles . Since the series' inception in 1996, numerous Resident Evil games have been launched, spanning mainline entries, enhanced ports, and spin-offs across diverse platforms. The franchise was extended to the Nintendo Wii, encompassing a range of Resident Evil titles.
While the Wii missed out on the new main series entries during its era, it did receive rail shooter spin-offs such as Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles. Both games retell established events in the Resident Evil universe, prompting ongoing debates about their canonicity. The discussion resurfaced when the Resident Evil 4 remake referenced Operation Javier, a military operation depicted in The Darkside Chronicles.
In an interview with IGN, Resident Evil 4 remake producer Yoshiaki Hirabayashi confirmed that 'Operation Javier' is indeed part of the current Resident Evil main story. However, he clarified that the depiction of this mission in The Darkside Chronicles differs from its portrayal in the RE4 remake. Essentially, while elements of The Darkside Chronicles are canon, not all aspects of the game or its depiction of Operation Javier are.
Adhering to established canon is not a priority for the Resident Evil franchise, known for regularly reshaping, retconning, and expanding its lore. Capcom's stance on the Wii Chronicles games provides intriguing insight, considering the series' history of evolving character portrayals and narrative alterations.
Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles Operation Javier
Consistency in character portrayal is notably absent in Resident Evil, with Chris Redfield's appearance undergoing significant changes across titles. From Resident Evil 7 to Resident Evil Village, the disparity in Chris Redfield's appearance is striking. While Capcom appears relatively unconcerned about maintaining strict canon in the Resident Evil games, the company's position on the Wii Chronicles games is noteworthy.