In 2017, Virtuos brought L.A. Noire to Nintendo Switch, and the port specialist says it would like to do the same for multiple other major games developed by Rockstar. For decades, Nintendo platforms had a negative image when it came to M-rated games. While systems like GameCube played host to titles like Resident Evil and Eternal Darkness, the company struggled to shed its “kiddie” perception. That changed in the Nintendo Switch era, as the system began to attract franchises that had largely skipped systems like GameCube and 3DS.
Red Dead Redemption was ported to Nintendo Switch in 2023, and Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy also got a release on the system. However, many of Rockstar’s most beloved games remain unavailable on the popular handheld console. Things are clearly different from the days when Wii and Wii U owners would miss out on almost everything developed by Rockstar, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement.
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Virtuos Wants to Bring More Rockstar Favorites to Switch
In an interview with Pocket Tactics, developer Virtuos reflected on its work bringing L.A. Noire to Nintendo Switch. In the nine years since, the studio has worked on several other games, including Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. It hasn’t worked on another game developed by Rockstar, but the “team is eager to adapt Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch,” should the opportunity present itself. A Switch 2 version of Red Dead Redemption 2 has been rumored, but nothing has ever been confirmed.
What’s That Weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
Ports of both games would make a lot of sense. GTA 5 has already sold more than 200 million copies, but a release on Nintendo platforms could help the game reach even more players. At a time when development costs continue to grow, companies are increasingly looking for ways to profit from existing titles. It’s impossible to say if either GTA 5 or Red Dead Redemption 2 could be brought to the original Switch without significant performance compromises, or if the games would have to be released on Switch 2 to make them work.
While Virtuos clearly wants to bring these games over to Nintendo platforms, the ball is firmly in the court of Rockstar. It’s worth noting that Double Eleven handled development of the Switch version of Red Dead Redemption, and Rockstar might be more inclined to have that studio handle a potential port for Red Dead Redemption 2. Until something gets announced officially, it’s all a moot point. Still, it is encouraging that an experienced studio wants to handle these ports, and Rockstar seems interested in offering more of its games on Nintendo platforms.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Easy (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
Rockstar’s relationship with Nintendo has been interesting to watch play out over the last few years. At one point, it would have seemed inconceivable that games like L.A. Noire and Red Dead Redemption would come to Nintendo platforms. It’s clearly a new era, as GTA 6 has even been rumored for Switch 2. That one seems a bit unlikely, but it’s impossible to say for certain. For now, fans of the company will have to wait and see if Rockstar decides to offer more.
- Released
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May 17, 2011
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
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Team Bondi
- Engine
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havok
Source: Pocket Tactics
