Resident Evil Requiem Launch Times, Preload, and Early Access Details

Early copies of Resident Evil 9 surfaced online ahead of release, prompting Capcom to address the leak publicly. Despite the situation, the official launch remains on schedule.

According to VICE, Resident Evil Requiem (RE9) officially launches on Friday, February 27, 2026. Due to global time zone differences, some players will gain access as early as February 26.

Capcom confirmed the global rollout plan and shared a regional unlock time map to clarify when players can jump in.

Global unlock times across platforms for Resident Evil Requiem

Resident Evil Requiem will launch simultaneously across major platforms, but exact times vary slightly depending on storefront listings.

• PlayStation 5: 9 PM PT / 12 AM ET (midnight)
• Nintendo Switch 2: 9 PM PT / 12 AM ET (midnight)
• PC (Steam): Conflicting listings between 7 PM PT (10 PM ET) and 9 PM PT / 12 AM ET

Valve’s Steam page currently lists February 26 at 7 PM PT (10 PM ET), while Capcom’s official unlock map shows 9 PM PT / 12 AM ET. The Steam countdown labels the timing as “approximate,” which suggests adjustments could occur closer to release.

Xbox players may once again benefit from the New Zealand time zone trick, which can grant earlier access depending on regional settings.

Preload now available

Preload for Resident Evil Requiem is already live on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam.

Players who pre-ordered can download the full game in advance directly from their library. Preloading helps avoid heavy server traffic during launch hours and ensures immediate access once the game unlocks in their region.

The game will automatically become playable once the official release time hits locally. Here’s the table of expanded launch times across the globe.

In other gaming news, Marvel’s Wolverine recently received an official release date for PlayStation 5, giving fans another major title to look forward to this year.