The latest trailer for Resident Evil Requiem shows experienced agent Leon S. Kennedy whiffing every one of his shots — and fans think Nintendo is to blame.
Yesterday’s Nintendo Partner Direct featured a fresh look at the highly-anticipated survival horror title, which features newbie agent Grace Ashcroft alongside veteran zombie fighter Leon S. Kennedy. But watch yesterday’s trailer and you’d think Leon was fresh out of the academy, as he is unable to land a single bullet.
The Nintendo showcase included new footage of Leon kicking zombies to the ground, but then firing over their shoulder. At one point he picks up a rifle, then fires at a tree. Leon’s even able to miss with a chainsaw, spinning at a zombie only to graze some furniture.
Nintendo making Leon miss every shot and attack to keep the show PG is so funny pic.twitter.com/fknXycULvQ
— Nin10doland (@nin10doland) February 5, 2026
Online, Leon’s sudden lack of fighting prowess has not gone unnoticed, with Nintendo itself believed as being to blame.
“Nintendo making Leon miss every shot and attack to keep the show PG is so funny,” wrote nin10doland in a long thread on social media. “I can feel the frustration from the guy who was recording this game footage,” replied NikTek. “How many years of service does Leon have exactly?” added HuhShalien.
The Partner Direct broadcast was rated as being for an 18+/Mature audience, though some fans have suggested the footage used here was likely the same seen in the stream’s separate Japanese version. In Japan, Resident Evil games are frequently censored, and Nintendo may feel a particular need to keep gore and violence unseen.
Others, meanwhile, noted that this was nothing new for a Nintendo Direct.
“They did the same thing with The Great Circle during the boat action shot, where they were shooting the water in front of the enemy boat instead of the actual boat,” wrote Donnyboi.
“Reminds me of the Hitman trailer when they’d cut right before he’d kill anyone,” added RileyEatsGood.
“This is also why the initial reveal for The Duskbloods from FromSoftware looked super underwhelming,” concluded VBandit47. “They couldn’t show literally ANYTHING that is core to the Soulsborne experience cause they couldn’t show any blood. Watch it back, you’ll see what I mean lmao.”
But it wasn’t just Leon’s aim that came under fire during the Nintendo Direct. The beloved character’s new amiibo figurine also took flak for its facial design — “hot uncle” it is not.
“Honestly, they look like the hot chocolate chocolates you put in a cup of hot milk to dissolve,” wrote Iv0ry_Falcon on reddit in a thread dissecting the look of both Leon and Grace’s amiibo.
“This 20$ Leon is on 20$ shrooms judging by his look,” claimed PhysicalKick3812. “Grace looks good.”
Added High_Flyin_Bird: “Fake Temu Amiibo.”
Last month, Resident Evil Requiem’s director said that the game’s female staff members in particular had worked hard to ensure hero Leon S. Kennedy “would make anyone’s heart throb.” Resident Evil Requiem launches on February 27 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
