New Game+ & Post-Game Content

Congratulations on completing your first playthrough of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis! The nightmare in Raccoon City doesn't end there, however. New Game+ and the various post-game unlocks offer significant replayability, allowing you to tackle the game with new advantages, face greater challenges, and uncover all of its secrets. This section will detail everything you need to know to maximize your post-game experience.

Unlocking New Game+

Upon successfully completing the game for the first time, regardless of your rank or difficulty, you will automatically unlock New Game+. When you start a "New Game" from the main menu, you'll be prompted to choose between a standard playthrough or a New Game+ run. Selecting New Game+ allows you to carry over certain elements from your previous save, making subsequent runs both easier and more rewarding.

What Carries Over in New Game+?

New Game+ in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis is fairly generous with what it allows you to retain:

Acquired Weapons: All weapons you collected and had in your inventory or item box at the end of your previous playthrough will be available from the start. This includes powerful firearms like the Magnum, Grenade Launcher, and Shotgun.
Ammunition: Any ammunition for your carried weapons will also transfer over. This can give you a significant head start in dealing with early threats.
Healing Items: All healing items (First Aid Sprays, Herbs) you possessed will be available.
Item Box Contents: Crucially, everything stored in your Item Box at the end of your last game will be accessible from the very first Item Box you encounter in New Game+. This means you can strategically store powerful weapons and ammo before the final boss to have them ready for your next run.
Mercenary Mode Unlocked: Completing the main story also unlocks the "The Mercenaries: Operation Mad Jackal" mini-game, which is a significant part of the post-game content.

Strategies for New Game+

New Game+ isn't just about making the game easier; it's an opportunity to experiment, achieve better ranks, and explore areas you might have rushed through before.

Speedrunning and Ranking

One of the primary goals for many players in New Game+ is to achieve higher ranks, particularly the coveted A Rank. This requires a combination of speed, efficiency, and minimal saves/healing. Here's how to approach it:

Weapon Selection: With all weapons available, prioritize high-damage firearms like the Magnum and Grenade Launcher for boss encounters (especially Nemesis). For regular zombies, the Shotgun or even the Handgun with upgraded parts can conserve more powerful ammo.
Ammo Conservation: Even with carried ammo, it's wise to conserve. Learn enemy patterns to avoid unnecessary shots. Headshots are key for zombies.
Route Optimization: Having played through once, you'll have a better understanding of the most efficient paths. Minimize backtracking and know exactly where key items are located.
Nemesis Encounters: Decide whether to fight or flee. Fleeing saves time and ammo, but defeating Nemesis yields valuable weapon parts and items. In a speedrun, often fleeing is the better option unless you need a specific item for a later segment.
Save Management: For A Rank, aim for 5 saves or fewer. This requires confidence and careful planning. Consider saving before major boss fights or complex puzzle sequences.
Healing Management: Minimize the use of First Aid Sprays. Rely on mixed herbs (Green + Green, Green + Red, Green + Blue) for efficient healing.

Collecting All Files and Secrets

New Game+ is the perfect time to go back and find any files or hidden items you missed. With powerful weapons at your disposal, you can take your time exploring without as much fear of being overwhelmed.

File Locations: Refer to a comprehensive file guide (like this one!) to pinpoint any documents you haven't yet collected. Many files provide crucial lore and background information.
Weapon Parts: Ensure you've collected all weapon parts for the Handgun, Shotgun, and Magnum. These significantly boost weapon performance. Remember that Nemesis drops specific parts upon defeat in certain encounters.
Hidden Items: Keep an eye out for obscure items or hidden nooks you might have overlooked in your first frantic playthrough.

The Mercenaries: Operation Mad Jackal

This challenging mini-game is unlocked upon completing the main story. It's a time-attack mode where you play as either Carlos, Mikhail, or Nikolai, each with unique starting equipment, and must race through a section of Raccoon City, rescuing civilians and reaching an exit point before time runs out. The goal is to accumulate a high score and earn money to purchase powerful weapons and upgrades for the main game.

Mercenaries Characters & Loadouts:

Carlos: Starts with a M4A1 Assault Rifle, Handgun, and First Aid Spray. Good all-rounder.
Mikhail: Starts with a Shotgun, Grenade Launcher (Flame Rounds), and First Aid Spray. Excellent for close-quarters combat and dealing with groups.
Nikolai: Starts with a Handgun, Combat Knife, and First Aid Spray. The most challenging character due to his limited firepower, but he earns the most bonus time for kills.

Mercenaries Strategies:

Time Management: Every second counts. Prioritize killing enemies that drop bonus time extensions.
Civilian Rescue: Rescuing civilians adds significant bonus time to your clock. They are often found in predictable locations.
Enemy Prioritization: Focus on high-threat enemies first, especially Hunters and Lickers, as they can quickly deplete your health and time.
Item Box Usage: There are Item Boxes scattered throughout the Mercenaries map. Use them to manage your inventory and pick up powerful weapons or healing items you find.
Money Accumulation: Your final score in Mercenaries translates into money. This money can be spent in the main game's "Shop" (accessible from the main menu after unlocking it) to purchase infinite ammo weapons, powerful healing items, and other useful gear.

Mercenaries Rewards (Shop Unlocks):

The money earned in Mercenaries is crucial for unlocking the most powerful items in the game. These items are purchased from the "Shop" menu, which becomes available once you've earned some money in Mercenaries. Here are some key unlocks:

Infinite Ammo Weapons: These are the ultimate reward. Purchasing an infinite ammo version of a weapon (e.g., Infinite Rocket Launcher, Infinite Gatling Gun, Infinite Assault Rifle) makes subsequent New Game+ runs significantly easier and allows for pure destructive fun.
Special Items: You can also purchase First Aid Sprays, powerful custom parts, and other useful consumables.

By mastering New Game+ and excelling in The Mercenaries, you'll truly experience everything Resident Evil 3: Nemesis has to offer, from challenging speedruns to absolute chaotic destruction with infinite ammo!