Summary
Among characters in theResident Evilfranchise,Ada Wonghas origins so mysterious that no one almost knows anything about her. First serving as one of Leon Kennedy’s love interests, the revelation of her true nature as a secret agent has transformed her into one of the most compelling characters to grace the series. Compared to hard-headed Claire Redfield, resilient Jill Valentine, and optimistic Rebecca Chambers, it’s Ada Wong’s sheer confidence in what she does that sets her apart from the rest of the protagonists.
It’s also this mysterious nature that makes Ada Wong the best in what she does. Her appearance inResident Evilgames is often tied to companies hiring her to do a variety of missions, often having her cross paths with the series’ main cast. However, with Ada Wong’s appearances and objectives differing whenever players encounter her, some might wonder just which of Ada’s iterations is the best in the series.
10Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
WhileLeon Kennedy is stopping a country from using BOWs to fight a civil warinResident Evil: Damnation, Ada is traveling under the guise of a BSAA Agent to steal a rogue sample of the Las Plagas virus. As she’s there “for business,” Ada’s attire consists of a black blazer and pencil skirt with a red inner shirt and a pair of red heels.
This “toned down” appearance was a departure from her iconic red dress, although this does signify her capability to dress for the occasion. However, considering the film released within a month afterRE6(and the events occurring a year prior to the game’s events), this corporate style Ada didn’t have that “pizzazz” often associated with her character designs.
9Assignment Ada (2005)
When players complete the main story ofRE4, they unlock a minigame calledAssignment Adathat walks through Ada’s journey toacquire Las Plagas samplesfor antagonist Albert Wesker. This iteration of the character also comes dressed for the occasion, sporting a black shirt and black leggings topped with heeled combat boots, a bulletproof vest, tactical gloves, and an assortment of weapon belts.
While her tacticool concept comes close to the visual designs ofRE4’s Leon Kennedy and Jack Krauser, the lack of reds defeats this version of Ada’s style philosophy. This Ada iteration focusing on gunning down zombies instead of an ulterior agenda seems out of character.
8As Carla, Resident Evil 6 (2012)
Trailers forResident Evil 6back then teased Ada as the mastermind of the recent bioterror attacks in New York and China, withprotagonists Leon and Chris Redfield putting each other at gunpointto discuss her future. However, as players soon find out, this blue-clad Ada is Carla Radames, a researcher-turned-clone. Opposing the fashionista Ada with the red blouse and black pants was Ada-Carla with a blue corporate-style dress, high-heeled boots, and an imposing red scarf.
This outfit choice seems to reference herRE4appearance, as both feature long dresses with left-side slits that reveal a gun holster. The large red scarf of Ada-Carla seems to call back to her character’s color scheme, although the predominant blues should’ve given it away that this Ada was fake and, in real Ada’s words in the game,“a cheap knockoff, at best.”
7Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (2009)
The “Memories of a Lost City” scenario in 2009’sResident Evil: The Darkside ChroniclesabridgesRE2for the on-rails shooter, this time giving fans anopportunity to see Ada fight zombies with Claire Redfield. While Ada still sports her signature red dress, stockings, and heels, she’s now more tactically “dressed” for the occasion. Completing her look is a chest belt that accommodates two handguns, a bullet strap over her right arm, a pair of tactical gloves, and a belt.
While this outfit allows her to sport a more combat-ready attire like the other characters, this approach might be too “on the nose” for her style. Ada’s design concept seems to resonate more with the “show not tell” adage in terms of details, with the belts just screaming her nature as a firearms expert, hence betraying her air of mystery.
6Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (2007)
AfterAda’s presumed “death” inRE2, events inResident Evil: The Umbrella Chroniclesreveal she’s survived her ordeal. Being the in-story continuation ofDSC, Ada sports a damaged version of her combat-ready outfit. However, she loses the chest belt as her partially tattered dress is also adorned with bandages.
The addition of white visuals to her heavy reds makes her more vibrant compared to other characters in the title. Moreover, whereas theDSCoutfit may have over-equipped her, Ada surviving Raccoon City despite her implied injuries is visual proof of her adaptability as a spy.
5Resident Evil 2 Remake (2019)
Being a modernized version of the 1998 classic, it’s no surprise that Ada Wong’s design in 2019’sResident Evil 2 Remakewas more of a graphical update. This modernized classic outfit affirms that she wore a form-fitting red dress as well as reveals that she wore black stockings instead of leggings. Remaked Ada comes with a pistol holster, reflecting her skill with the handgun.
What makes Remaked Ada more worthwhile is the inclusion of Ada in a brown coat depicted in one of herolderRE2concept art. Ada was wearing this coat when she introduced herself as an FBI Agent to Leon, retconning her original entrance with her spy narrative. This also makes Ada giving her coat to Leon a more memorable scene as this shows her finally opening up to the protagonist.
4Resident Evil 4 Remake (2023)
As though in a bid to revamp Ada’s appearance with a more reasonable outfit evolution,Resident Evil 4 Remakefeatures a wildly different take on the character. Compared to her iconic flowy dress, Ada’s familiarRE2 Remakeattire is given a breathable upgrade. In place of a red dress is a red sweater that still ends above the knees, and outside her black stockings are a pair of thigh-high-heeled black boots. Completing this outfit is a pair of black gloves and a chest holster with room for two handguns.
At first glance, this “covered-up”take onRE4 RemakeAdamight seem like an attempt to make her a more “conservative” character. However, the design makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint, especially if players useRE4 Remakeas the transitory point towards Ada’s red blouse and black pants design inRE6.
3As Ada, Resident Evil 6 (2012)
With theRE4’s red dress practically becoming synonymous with Ada, it’s evident that her return to a major title needs a new design that helps her stand out. Fashion Ada does this inRE6by directly opposing thecorporate garb of Ada-Carla.RE6Ada boasts form-fitting pants and an imposing red flared shirt that calls back to her originalRE2design. Completing her sleek look is a Crossbow, her new signature weapon that accompanies her classic Hook Gun.
This design leans away from the red dress’s sensual physicality and instead culminates all previous appearances into a bold scarlet that acts as an official character color. Compared to the more “realist” appearances of other characters, Ada’s emphasis on style rather than armor maintains her “adaptable agent” concept.
2Resident Evil 4 (2005)
While Ada Wong already appeared inRE2, it was her reappearance inResident Evil 4that was her claim to fame. AsRE4steered towards action horror, so too did Ada have the room to show her charm and prowess as an agent. Whereas Leon and Jack Krauser wowed fans with their knife play, Ada straight up astonishes the player base with her acrobatics showcase and her rather revealing attire.
The butterfly adornment on her flowy red dress may represent the character’s metamorphosis into a full-fledged femme fatale, taking inspiration from 1990’sLa Femme Nikita. The red dress establishes a design philosophy attached to Ada’s most notable appearances: being “under-equipped” to fight zombies means they were never her first objective, and that she’s always in a game for her agenda.
1Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Red becomes the color tied to the partner of Leon’s police blue color scheme inResident Evil 2, which explains why alternate player Claire Redfield wears a prominent red jacket and why thedebuting Ada Wonghas a predominant red top. Despite her brief stint in the game, Ada made a mark in player’s hearts for being an alluring spy that directly clashes with the franchise’s current female protagonists.
Ada’s mysterious identity became a driving force in her original design. The choice of a stylish outfit positions her as more noticeable than other characters. Moreover, the implied impracticality of a red dress makes her survival all the more impressive. This design’s emphasis on sleekness makes Ada “not belong” in the context of appearances, perfectly encapsulating her nature as an agent.
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