The remake of Resident Evil 3 will be expanding on the story of the original game, but it will also be cutting some of its content, as the Mercenaries mode won't be returning. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis had an unlockable mode called "The Mercenaries - Operation: Mad Jackal", where the player took on the role of one of the three mercenaries from the game and had two minutes to reach the exit of the stage before blowing up, but killing foes would win them money and extra time.
The Mercenaries mode in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis was an expanded version of the Hunk/Tofu mission from Resident Evil 2, but it would go on to become a major part of the series. The later Resident Evil games would include their own Mercenaries modes and there was even a game dedicated to the concept on the Nintendo 3DS, called Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D. When the existence of the Resident Evil 3 remake was leaked online, many fans assumed that the Mercenaries mode would also be returning.
Resident Evil 3 was officially announced at the end of 2019, but no mention was made of the Mercenaries mode. New information about the game has been revealed in a feature in PlayStation Official Magazine UK (via. Nibellion on Twitter) and the Mercenaries mode won't be returning in Resident Evil 3. It was also revealed that the game won't include multiple endings, that Nemesis will use an updated version of the Tyrant's A.I. from Resident Evil 2, and that the developers created a lifelike version of Nemesis so that they could scan it.
The reason why the Mercenaries mode was cut from Resident Evil 3 is that it has been replaced. Resident Evil 3 has an online mode called Resident Evil Resistance, where four players have to work together in order to defeat a fifth player, who takes on the role of a Mastermind. The Mastermind has the ability to set traps and unleash powerful monsters against the other players, who need to use the unique skills of each character to survive.
It's surprising that Resident Evil 3 is not updating the Mercenaries mode, as it will have significantly less content than Resident Evil 2. Resident Evil Resistance looks like an interesting multiplayer option, but the Mercenaries mode was meant to add more content for the people who enjoyed playing the game on their own. Capcom wants to expand upon the concept of the original Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, so it's possible that the Mercenaries mode might not be needed, but it's a shame that it won't be returning after been so influential to the rest of the series.
Resident Evil 3 will be released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam on April 3, 2020.
Source: PlayStation Official Magazine UK, Nibellion/Twitter