Resident Evil's Shooting Galleries: From RE4 Remake to Future Possibilities in RE9

The survival horror landscape in 2026 is still profoundly shaped by the Resident Evil franchise's remarkable resurgence. After a period of divisive entries that strayed from the series' roots, Capcom executed a masterful course correction, culminating in the critically and commercially triumphant Resident Evil 4 remake in 2023. This wasn't just a simple graphical overhaul; it was a meticulous reimagining that preserved the original 2005 game's groundbreaking DNA while refining its mechanics for a contemporary audience. Among the many beloved features that made the journey from the classic to the remake were the iconic shooting galleries—optional but addictive side activities that tested a player's precision and tactical thinking.

🔫 The Merchant's Challenge: RE4's Signature Side Activity

Scattered throughout Leon S. Kennedy and Ashley Graham's harrowing journey in the Spanish countryside, the enigmatic, cloaked Merchant offers more than just weapons and upgrades. At specific, safe locations, he invites players to test their mettle in his shooting gallery setups. What begins as a seemingly simple target practice quickly evolves into a series of complex, time-sensitive trials. These challenges demand more than just a steady hand; they require strategic weapon selection, quick target prioritization, and mastery over the game's varied arsenal. For many players, the galleries became a welcome respite from the tense exploration and combat, a controlled environment to experiment with firearms they might otherwise neglect in the heat of survival.

The appeal wasn't purely for bragging rights or personal satisfaction. Success in these trials yielded tangible, valuable rewards:

• Challenge Tokens: Achieving specific score tiers granted special tokens.

• Charms for the Attaché Case: These tokens could be exchanged for unique charm upgrades for Leon's signature briefcase.

• Gameplay Buffs: Each charm provided distinct bonuses, from increased recovery item effectiveness to higher critical hit chances, offering a significant edge in the campaign's most brutal encounters.

This reward system brilliantly tied the optional content to the core progression, making every perfect run feel worthwhile. It added layers of replayability and depth, encouraging players to return and master each course.

🎯 A Missed Opportunity? The Curious Case of Resident Evil Village

It's interesting to contrast RE4's approach with its direct predecessor, 2021's Resident Evil Village. While Village featured its own suite of side content, including the resource-managing Duke's Kitchen and the challenging Mercenaries mode, it notably lacked any dedicated, stationary shooting ranges. This feels like a curious omission, especially given the thematic parallels between the two games' merchants.

Resident Evil Village's jovial purveyor, The Duke, shares a similarly quirky and larger-than-life personality with RE4's mysterious salesman. Lore even hints they are acquainted! Imagine if The Duke, in between selling shotgun upgrades and cooking Dimitrescu's remains, had set up a shooting gallery in his carriage. It would have been a fantastic way to:

• Strengthen the connective tissue between the two titles.

• Provide another engaging money and resource sink for players.

• Offer a low-stakes space to practice with Village's diverse weapon set, from the classic LEMI handgun to the powerful STAKE magnum.

Its absence leaves one wondering about the design choices and highlights just how integral these mini-games felt to RE4's identity.

🔮 Looking Ahead: The Potential for Shooting Ranges in Resident Evil 9

As of 2026, concrete details on Resident Evil 9 remain shrouded in the same mystery that envelops the series' viruses. However, fan speculation is rampant regarding its setting, characters, and gameplay evolution. Given the monumental success of the RE4 remake—which proved Capcom can not only faithfully recreate but meaningfully enhance a classic—the studio has a golden opportunity to learn from all its recent hits.

Incorporating a new, evolved form of shooting gallery or tactical range in RE9 would be a brilliant strategic move. Here’s why it makes sense for the franchise's future:

1. Continuity of Excellence: It builds upon a proven, popular mechanic from one of the series' most acclaimed entries.

2. Skill-Based Diversion: In an era where players crave engaging side content beyond fetch quests, these challenges offer pure, skill-based gameplay.

3. Weapon Mastery & Experimentation: Modern RE games feature deep weapon customization. A shooting range is the perfect sandbox for players to test different attachments and loadouts without wasting precious ammo in the field.

4. Reward Loops: A well-designed reward system (like charms, unique weapon parts, or cosmetic items) can drive engagement and exploration.

Capcom could innovate far beyond static targets. Imagine:

• Narrative-Integrated Ranges: Challenges that simulate past memorable encounters or test skills needed for upcoming boss fights.

• Dynamic Environments: Ranges with moving platforms, changing light conditions (night vision practice!), or environmental hazards.

• Co-op or Leaderboard Challenges: For a potential multiplayer component or asynchronous competition.

💎 Conclusion: More Than Just Target Practice

The shooting galleries in Resident Evil 4 (both original and remake) transcended their simple premise. They became memorable vignettes, skill-check milestones, and rewarding subsystems that enriched the overall experience. They demonstrated how optional content can feel essential when it's well-designed and meaningfully tied to progression. As the Resident Evil series continues to evolve, balancing bone-chilling horror with satisfying, replayable gameplay mechanics will be key. Bringing back and innovating on the concept of the shooting range is not about nostalgia; it's about recognizing a formula that enhances player agency, mastery, and fun. For veterans and newcomers alike, the hopeful click-clack of the Merchant's gallery bell could be a welcome sound in the terrifying, uncertain world of Resident Evil 9.