Rumours have been swirling for quite some time regarding a potential remaster for Red Dead Redemption. The game originally launched over twelve years ago on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 and followed the exploits of ex-outlaw John Marston as he hunts down his former gang members. The sequel, launched in 2018, showcased John’s gang during its glory years and ties closely into the events of the first game. As such, fans have been clamouring for a rerelease of Red Dead Redemption to bring it more in line with modern gameplay and visuals.
Back in 2021, our sister site Push Square reported that a remaster of Red Dead Redemption was being planned, but its release could depend on the success of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy: The Definitive Edition. Launched on Switch and other platforms last year, the remastered trilogy sold well, shipping over 10 million copies, but was severely criticised by the media and players alike for its shoddy visuals and multiple bugs at launch.
Now, it seems that Rockstar Games has decided not to push forward with its plans to remaster Red Dead Redemption. According to reliable insider Tez2 (thanks, VGC), a remaster for the game was on the cards a few years back, along with 2008’s GTA IV, but these have now been scrapped.
Now, the key thing here is that Tez2 states that the reception to the GTA Trilogy might have been a factor in the decision… Might. Despite the poor reception, the compilation managed to ship an extraordinary number of copies, proving to be a commercial success if not necessarily a critical one. So this reasoning is likely just speculation at this stage.
Whether such a remaster was ever considered for the Switch is another matter entirely, but it seems that a rerelease of the iconic Western title is now unlikely on any platform, regardless. Back in 2018, ex-Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime stated that he would “love” to see Red Dead Redemption 2 on the Switch, so perhaps it’s best we don’t tell him this sad news. Sorry, Reggie.
Do you think Red Dead Redemption or GTV IV will ever see the light of day on Switch? Let us know in the comments below.
