The rumors of a remaster of Red Dead Redemption continue to gain momentum. Soon after spotting Rockstar Games’ site update, an eagle-eyed Twitter user, Tez2, is claiming that the remaster is headed to both current-gen and last-gen consoles as well as the Nintendo Switch.
Aside from uncovering the revamped Red Dead Redemption logo and an intriguing codename “RDR1RSP,” Tez2 platform buttons noted the recently added to the Rockstar Games website, which, among others, includes the Nintendo Switch.
While Tez2 clarified that the updates don’t confirm platform availability, the inclusion of the Nintendo Switch is interesting. To date, no Red Dead game has been available on Nintendo’s platform, making the platform button’s addition curious, to say the least. Could this signal Rockstar Games’ intention to leap with their classic cowboy caper?
Plus, Rockstar included RDR1 to the Ratings list of the modern site modules.
RDR1 Original site doesn't use those modules. Suggesting a site update.
PS3, Xbox 360 and Switch were newly added as platform buttons (CTA)
Below is a preview (not indicative of platform availability) https://t.co/iVYtJmEmxG pic.twitter.com/Vj2UVVEdo1
— Tez2 (@TezFunz2) July 27, 2023
These updates don’t exist in isolation. Recently, the Red Dead Redemption remaster was randomly rated in Korea, providing another clue about the potential remaster. Moreover, Rockstar Games has previously brought titles such as LA Noire and GTA Trilogy to the Nintendo Switch, indicating a precedent for such a move.
Despite the Nintendo Switch’s hardware being significantly less powerful than the latest PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, this hasn’t deterred other developers from bringing their games to the hybrid platform. Several ports of graphically intensive games have made their home on the Switch with many others coming soon like Hogwarts Legacy, among others. Furthermore, the prospect of a portable Red Dead Redemption experience could present a unique opportunity for Rockstar to capture the increasingly lucrative handheld gaming market.
However, the updates warrant caution. The addition of the PS3 and Xbox 360 platform buttons alongside the Switch is very confusing. As Rockstar is unlikely to release the remaster on older consoles, this may indicate the website’s intention to list all platforms that have hosted Red Dead games in the past, rather than indicating the remaster’s availability. In this case, the Switch might receive a port of the original game, rather than the shiny new remaster.
At the same time, the updated website reveals the possibility of an upgraded version of the game specifically tailored to the Switch. Similar to the approach taken with games like Dark Souls Remastered, this could see a version of the Red Dead Redemption remaster that aligns closely with the original release. This would help circumvent any hardware limitations and ensures Switch users get a taste of the Wild West.
Curiously enough, Grand Theft Auto 5, which is arguably just as graphically taxing as the original Red Dead Redemption, is also not available on the Switch.
With that said, as we wait for Rockstar’s official announcement, fans are undoubtedly excited to find out more about this. If this is a mere remaster on the level of the GTA Trilogy, we can expect fans to feel disappointed. But, at the very least, a better-looking version of Red Dead Redemption will finally be available on more modern platforms instead of being exclusive to the Xbox via backwards compatibility.
In the event that the remaster is real, let’s hope that Rockstar Games brings a polished and faithful version of their iconic title.
