Critical thinking, independent learning, avoiding plagiarism… These are just some of the academic study skills students need to develop as they move into the last years of school, and on to higher education. Study Skills Success equips ESL learners not just with a range of study skills, but also with the academic English that underpins them. Find out more by reading this brochure.
Dr. Shu Hua Chou, Retired Associate Professor of National Taiwan University, shared the reasons why Study Skills Success is useful for students in Taiwan.
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There are two types of students – those who can study independently and those who can’t. Both need help when they arrive at university.
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Charlotte Kwok speaks to a secondary school teacher about her experience using Study Skills Success – summer use, graded participation and the challenges.
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Why obsess over Resident Evil -USA- -Disc 1- specifically? Because it represents the "hard" difficulty intended for American audiences. Japanese players received a version with auto-aim by default and a lighter save system. The USA disc demanded that you master the tank controls or die.
Furthermore, this specific disc fetches $80-$150 on eBay depending on the condition of the "jewel case" hinges. A sealed copy sold for $4,200 in 2023 precisely because it was the first variant—-USA- -Disc 1- —the one that introduced Western players to the horror of the first zombie looking back over its shoulder.
To complete the story, the player must survive Disc 1 and, upon triggering the guardhouse’s self-destruct sequence, escape back to the mansion. The final prompt—“Please insert Disc 2”—appears just as the plot twist regarding Captain Wesker’s true allegiance is revealed. This disc swap was a physical ritual of 1990s gaming; a moment to take a breath, wipe palm sweat off the controller, and realize the nightmare was only half over.
In 2002, Capcom released the Resident Evil Remake for the GameCube. It is a masterpiece of atmosphere, with stunning pre-rendered backgrounds and the addition of Lisa Trevor. However, the original "Resident Evil -USA- -Disc 1-" has one thing the remake lacks: Cheese.
The remake is somber and terrifying. The original is campy, awkward, and scary by accident. Consider the voice acting on Disc 1:
That corny dialogue is burned into the DNA of the franchise. The "USA" disc preserves that B-movie energy perfectly. The remake polished the diamond but lost the grit. Resident Evil -USA- -Disc 1-
Modern players often mock the original’s tank controls. However, playing "Resident Evil -USA- -Disc 1-" on original hardware (via a CRT television or a Retrotink upscaler) reveals that the awkward controls were a design feature, not a bug.
The fixed camera angles on Disc 1 are deliberately disorienting. The moment you switch from the hallway to the "L-shaped" dining room, the controls rotate 90 degrees. This friction creates the panic that defines the franchise. Later re-releases (like the Nintendo DS port or the PC version) smoothed these edges, ruining the tension. The USA Disc 1 is the "harsh teacher" of video games.
The -USA- tag indicates the NTSC-U/C region. While the core game is the same, the US version is infamous for specific alterations:
Yes—but with context. If you are a zoomer who started with Resident Evil 7, playing "Resident Evil -USA- -Disc 1-" will feel like moving through molasses while fighting the controller. However, if you are a student of game design, retro computing, or horror history, this disc is a time capsule.
Load it up. Choose Jill (for the extra inventory slot). Grab the sword key. And remember: When you hear the dog crashing through the window, don't scream. Smile. You are experiencing history. Why obsess over Resident Evil -USA- -Disc 1- specifically
Have you played the original USA Disc 1? Do you prefer the uncut tank controls or the modern remakes? Let us know in the comments. And don't forget to save your Ink Ribbon—you only get three.
In North America (USA), " Resident Evil - Disc 1 " primarily refers to the first disc of the 2002 GameCube remake
, as the original 1996 PlayStation release was a single-disc game. This remake was a high-profile "rebirth" of the survival horror classic, designed by original director Shinji Mikami. Feature Breakdown: Resident Evil (2002) - Disc 1
The GameCube version was split into two discs due to the higher fidelity of its pre-rendered backgrounds and FMV sequences. Amazon.com Content Coverage
: Disc 1 contains the early-to-mid portions of the game, including the initial exploration of the Spencer Mansion Enhanced Visuals That corny dialogue is burned into the DNA of the franchise
: The game moved from 32-bit to 128-bit graphics, featuring real-time lighting, shadow effects, and swaying grass. New Gameplay Mechanics Self-Defense Items
: A new mechanic allowing players to use daggers, tasers (Jill), or stun grenades (Chris) to counter enemy grabs. Crimson Heads
: Defeated zombies that are not decapitated or burned can eventually mutate into faster, more aggressive "Crimson Heads". Expanded Areas
: Includes new environments not found in the original 1996 version, such as the graveyard and Lisa Trevor's cabin. Comparison: Original 1996 USA Release
While the original 1996 PlayStation version fits on one disc, the USA version had distinct features compared to other regions:
