Personal Item

Personal Items are a recurring element of the Resident Evil series, beginning with the very first Resident Evil. Personal Items are items attached to the player character that cannot be unequipped (though sometimes change as the story progresses) but do not take up any space in the Inventory. Whether these items are important for progression or simply aesthetic depends on the character.

Overview
Personal Items were originally used for character balance, with Chris and Leon having the Lighter while Jill and Claire had the Lockpick. Following this, games began allowing these items to be switched out for other items or even equipped. Resident Evil 4 was the first game to do away with the concept, and every following game has followed suit.

Personal Items by Game
Resident Evil Zero: Resident Evil: Resident Evil 2: Resident Evil 3 Nemesis: Resident Evil Code Veronica: Resident Evil Outbreak and Outbreak File #2
 * Billy Coen: Lighter
 * Rebecca Chambers: Medical Kit
 * Chris Redfield: Lighter
 * Jill Valentine: Lockpick
 * Rebecca Chambers: n/a
 * Leon S. Kennedy: Lighter/G-Virus
 * Claire Redfield: Lockpick/Vaccine
 * Sherry Birkin: Sherry's Picture
 * Ada Wong: Ada's Picture
 * Jill Valentine: Lockpick
 * Carlos Oliveria: Lighter/Vaccine
 * Claire Redfield: Lighter/Lockpick
 * Steve Burnside: Family Photo
 * Chris Redfield: Lighter
 * Kevin Ryman: .45 Automatic
 * Mark Wilkins: Handgun for Mark
 * George Hamilton: Medical Set
 * Cindy Lennox: Herb Case
 * David King: Tool Box
 * Alyssa Ashcroft: Lockpick
 * Jim Chapman: Coin
 * Yoko Suzuki: Knapsack (backpack)