A: Yes, via mods. Natively, it supports DirectInput. Use a wrapper like XInputPlus to map an Xbox/PlayStation controller.
A: Yes. The game reads the text files from the disc. You can swap the Japanese .DAT files for the English ones from the 1997 PC version, or use the Classic REBirth mod which includes a translation toggle.
A: Likely rights issues with the SourceNext middleware and the original audio sequencing code. GOG has the Resident Evil 1 1997 version, which is vastly inferior.
If you can find a copy, or if you are willing to explore the archival depths of the internet, this version will reward you with the definitive retro experience of the game that started it all. Just remember: "You have once again entered the world of survival horror... SourceNext edition."
A: Yes. Unlike the Western PS1 cuts, the SourceNext version retains the full live-action intro with the blood and the "itchy tasty" diary fully readable.
Enter . Part 2: Who is SourceNext? SourceNext is not a developer; it is a Japanese publishing label owned by Capcom (specifically, a restructuring of their subsidiary, SourceNext). In the mid-2000s, Capcom Japan embarked on a project to re-release their classic PC back-catalog optimized for Windows XP.
Note to readers: We cannot provide direct download links, but preservation communities have archived the SourceNext ISO. If you own a legitimate physical copy, using tools like Alcohol 120% to image it is legal in most jurisdictions for personal backup. To turn Biohazard 1 SourceNext into the ultimate version of the game, you combine it with the Classic REBirth patch.