Barry Burton

Overview

Barry Burton is a major recurring character in the Resident Evil survival horror series, serving as a protagonist in Resident Evil: Revelations 2. Originally introduced as the firearms specialist and Backup Man for the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team during the 1998 Mansion Incident, he survived the tragic outbreak in the Arklay Mountains and later became a respected consultant for the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance (BSAA). A veteran of both the United States Air Force and SWAT, Barry combines formidable combat expertise and deep mechanical knowledge of weaponry with a warm, fiercely protective devotion to his family.

Appearance

Barry Burton is a tall, muscular man with brown hair and brown eyes. In his original appearance, he featured a prominent black mustache, though subsequent remake versions updated his facial design to a clean-shaved look. As a S.T.A.R.S. operative, his signature attire includes a tactical vest worn over combat equipment. He is frequently pictured armed with handguns, particularly a .44 Magnum revolver, as well as heavier gear such as flamethrowers. By the time of his expedition to the isolated island at age 51, he sports the weathered appearance of a seasoned veteran soldier.

Personality

Barry Burton possesses a deeply compassionate nature coupled with an unyielding sense of justice, though his passion can occasionally lead him to act impetuously. To relieve stress among his squad members during tense missions, he often delivers lighthearted humor. Above all else, Barry is a devoted husband and father who deeply cherishes his wife and two daughters, carrying their photograph with him wherever he goes. Outside of his military duties, he is an avid gun collector who enjoys customizing weaponry as a hobby and relaxes by going fishing during his free time.

Abilities

With over sixteen years of service across the United States Air Force and SWAT, Barry Burton is a seasoned combat veteran. He possesses elite proficiency with a wide range of firearms, handling regular weapons maintenance, supply logistics, and custom armaments tuning for the S.T.A.R.S. unit. In combat, he demonstrates exceptional skill with high-caliber sidearms like the .44 Magnum, as well as heavy equipment including flamethrowers and rocket launchers. Additionally, Barry is a qualified helicopter pilot capable of executing complex extraction missions under intense pressure.

Background

After serving in the US Air Force alongside Chris Redfield and later joining SWAT, Barry Burton was recruited into S.T.A.R.S. During the 1998 Mansion Incident, Albert Wesker blackmailed Barry using his family as leverage, but Barry ultimately turned on Wesker to help his teammates escape. He subsequently relocated his family to Canada, yet personally returned to pilot an extraction helicopter to rescue Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira during the destruction of Raccoon City. Remaining low-profile while keeping contact with Chris and Claire Redfield, Barry joined the BSAA as an advisor in 2010. Six months after his daughter Moira Burton went missing during a TerraSave incident, Barry traveled alone to a remote island, partnering with young Natalia Korda to locate Moira and confront Alex Wesker.

Relationships

Barry Burton shares a long-standing bond with Chris Redfield, whom he originally recruited into S.T.A.R.S. after serving together in the Air Force. He developed deep mutual trust with his S.T.A.R.S. partner Jill Valentine, who forgave his coerced betrayal in the mansion and whom he later rescued. He is a devoted father to Moira Burton, traveling across the globe to save her despite past friction over her decision to join TerraSave. During his search, he protects the young Natalia Korda. Barry also maintains a close friendship with gun shop owner Robert Kendo, sharing hobbies like fishing and arms collecting.

Trivia

Barry Burton is widely remembered for memorable lines in the original Resident Evil, notably warning Jill after rescuing her from a falling ceiling trap that she was nearly flattened into a sandwich, as well as proudly boasting about his high-powered magnum revolver. In addition to his canonical roles, Barry served as a co-protagonist alongside Leon S. Kennedy in BIOHAZARD GAIDEN, a Game Boy Color title occupying an alternate timeline. Furthermore, realistic airsoft replicas of his iconic customized handguns have been officially manufactured and released by Tokyo Marui.