Summary
While nothing has been announced, it’s entirely possible that the upcomingRed Dead RedemptionSwitch port is paving the way for a potentialRed Dead Redemption 2port for Nintendo’s next console. The originalRed Dead Redemptionhas been trapped on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 since it first launched in 2010, but that will all be changing later this month as the critically-acclaimed open world western makes its way to a pair of new platforms.
There had beenrumors of aRed Dead Redemptionremake or remaster, but instead fans are getting what is more or less a straight port of the originalRed Dead Redemptionto PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. The lack of a PC port and the hefty $49.99 price tag has generated significant controversy for theRed Dead Redemptionre-release, but Nintendo-only gamers may be more forgiving and excited about the chance to play the beloved western game.
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Plus, there’s the chance that thisRed Dead RedemptionSwitch portis laying the groundwork forRed Dead Redemption 2to come to a future Nintendo console. It’s no secret that Nintendo has a new console in the works, though it has yet to be revealed to the public. Rumor has it that the next Nintendo console will be launching at some point in 2024, but details on it are otherwise hard to come by. However, it seems safe to assume that the next Nintendo console will be more powerful than the Switch, and therefore capable of playing more demanding games.
The Switch has been able to pull off some impressive feats, getting games likeThe Elder Scrolls 5: SkyrimandThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntrunning on the comparatively outdated hardware. However, it’s hard to seeRed Dead Redemption 2running properly on the home console/handheld hybrid. It would be possible with a Cloud version, but that is definitely not an ideal scenario to getRed Dead Redemption 2playable on a Nintendo console. And whilehandheldRed Dead Redemption 2is already possible on Steam Deck, the game isn’t verified on the platform and so it would be great to see the open world epic properly optimized for a handheld system - assuming Nintendo’s next console has similar handheld functionality as the Switch, of course.
It’s hard to say how powerful thenext Nintendo consolewill be, but one has to imagine it will be at least comparable to the PS4 and Xbox One. Assuming this is true, it doesn’t seem unreasonable thatRed Dead Redemption 2could come to the next Nintendo console. If it does, Nintendo gamers will be prepared, having already had the chance to play through the originalRed Dead Redemptionand itsUndead Nightmareexpansion on the Switch.
Just as the Switch saw plenty of late-arrival ports from other platforms, it’s possible that the next Nintendo console will have a similar experience. It’s easy to see how theSwitch 2, or whatever Nintendo’s next console is called, could see plenty of ports of games from the last few years that would struggle to run on the Switch. Of course, this is all purely speculation at this time, and Nintendo fans will just have to wait and see what happens. They can check out theRed Dead RedemptionSwitch port in the meantime.
Red Dead Redemptionis out now for PS3 and Xbox 360 with PS4 and Switch versions coming August 17.
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