The Resident Evil 4 remake, available for the iPhone 15 Pro, comes at a cost of $60, which aligns with the price of standard console editions. Justifying this expense on the App Store, where pre-orders for RE4 are currently available, can be approached from various angles.
One perspective is to view it as an investment in experiencing a high-quality survival horror game on a compact yet purportedly powerful console that also facilitates activities such as viewing TikToks. The iPhone 15 Pro boasts impressive hardware with a five-core GPU and the “fastest mobile” six-core CPU, as per Apple’s claims. Notably, this device can also manage mundane tasks like displaying the multitude of unread text messages and, according to Tom’s Guide, offers a battery life of just under 11 hours.
For those who are skeptical about playing an intense shooter on a handheld device that might be occupied with a myriad of other functions, there’s an alternative. You can opt to download a free version of the game to get a feel for it. The App Store listing clarifies that “Resident Evil 4 is free to download and play, or you can get the full version with a single [$60] in-app purchase and sync your game progress across [iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPads containing an M1 or later chip].”
The game’s App Store description adds that you have control over the onscreen touch controller’s button size, intensity, and display time. If you prefer a physical game controller, you can use one compatible with the iPhone or iPad. The iPhone 15 Pro, priced at $999, conveniently includes a USB-C port, and Apple offers cables for it at $70.
Comparatively, many mobile games and ports are free to play, like the popular Marvel Snap or Fortnite. Given this context, the $60 price tag of Resident Evil 4 might seem surprising, although it’s important to note that the game’s microtransactions are far less pervasive than those in free-to-play titles like Genshin Impact.
However, Apple’s intention seems to be transforming their latest devices into all-in-one solutions for communication, entertainment, and more. From this perspective, the $60 price point aligns with Apple’s strategy, and it won’t be surprising to see future iPhone ports, including the one for the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Mirage, carrying similar price tags. Apple envisions its devices as serious gaming consoles.
It’s worth noting that Capcom’s 2021 game Resident Evil Village is also set to arrive on iPhone and iPad later this year, on October 30, and is currently available for $30 on Mac. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, an alternative gaming option, is available for $15 on PlayStation 2, offering consumers various choices within their gaming preferences.