Capcom releases a suite of new 3DS screens for Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

With the Japanese launch of Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D just a week away, Capcom has been busy with its screengrabber, releasing three-dozen new pics of the score-chasing shooter.

Our gallery contains 36 fresh shots, featuring Albert Wesker, Barry Burton, Rebecca Chambers, Jill Valentine, Jack Krauser, Hunk, and Chris and Claire Redfield tackling ganados, monks, and other assorted enemies.

Dr. Salvador and his double-bladed chainsaw make a welcome (if that’s the right word) appearance, while other snaps reveal Resident Evil 5’s giant bat and axe-dragging executioner.

Also featured – and we believe this is something that hadn’t previously been confirmed – are the terrifying claw-handed Garradors from Resident Evil 4. As if it wasn’t intense enough already.

For those unfamiliar with the series, The Mercenaries began life as a bonus mode available upon finishing Resi 4. The objective is to defeat as many enemies within the time limit as possible, with the waves escalating in number and difficulty.

It has been expanded significantly for this 3DS title, featuring a larger cast of characters, and more levels. Earlier this week, Japanese magazine Famitsu claimed that clearing the game would take eight hours with a single character, or 80 with the entire cast.

Of course, the keen mathematicians among you might note that figure would suggest a further two characters for the roster who haven’t yet been revealed.

Despite producer Masachika Kawata denying that the floppy-fringed hero of Resident Evils 2 and 4 Leon S. Kennedy would appear, perhaps this means he’s available as an unlockable character? Could we see the return of Luis Sera or Sheva Alomar? Or is Famitsu just really bad at multiplication?

Either way, it sounds like a substantial shooter, and our hours spent with the equivalent mode on the console releases suggest this could take up residence in your 3DS’s cart slot throughout the summer months.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D will be available across Europe from July 1st.