Rumor: Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Riding Onto Nintendo Switch 2 Sooner Than You Think

Looks like the Wild West might be going handheld—again. Rumors are swirling faster than a tumbleweed in a sandstorm that Red Dead Redemption 2—Rockstar’s critically acclaimed, open-world masterpiece—is heading to Nintendo Switch 2. Yep, the game that made you emotionally attached to a horse might soon be playable on your next-gen portable console.

This surprising report comes from Gamereactor, who claim they’ve heard the whispers straight from sources close to Rockstar. And guess what? Spanish outlet Nintenduo is backing them up, suggesting this isn’t just a shot in the dark. It’s more like Rockstar saddling up for a Switch-sized showdown.

Wait, Red Dead 2 on Switch 2? Isn’t That… A Bit Ambitious?

Let’s address the obvious elephant (or horse) in the room. Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t exactly known for its featherweight performance demands. This is a gigantic, hyper-detailed open-world game that made even PlayStation 4s sound like jet engines. So, the idea of it running on a Nintendo handheld might sound like wishful thinking—or tech wizardry.

But this isn’t the original Switch we’re talking about anymore. The Nintendo Switch 2 is reportedly a beefier beast, powered by Nvidia’s custom T239 chip and capable of DLSS upscaling, improved frame rates, and potentially even ray tracing. If any Nintendo console could pull off a game as demanding as Red Dead 2, it’s the next one.

And Rockstar already has some experience shrinking their sandbox games for Switch. Don’t forget: the first Red Dead Redemption (along with GTA Trilogy) made it to the current-gen Switch, albeit with mixed results. So a properly optimized port isn’t out of the question—especially with the extra horsepower.

So, When’s It Dropping?

According to Nintenduo, the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Red Dead Redemption 2 could launch by March 31, 2026. That gives Rockstar almost a full year post-console launch to polish up the port—and more than enough time for us to speculate wildly.

Coincidentally (or maybe not), this lines up neatly with Take-Two Interactive’s fiscal year goals, which ends March 2026. Let’s just say they’d love to close that financial year with a Rockstar-sized banger. Also in the mix? Rumors of RDR2 updates for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, suggesting Rockstar is prepping the game for a full multi-platform re-rollout. Which would make a Switch 2 version part of a wider plan—not just a one-off port.

But Will It Be the Full Game?

That’s the million-dollar question—and we don’t know for sure. Red Dead Redemption 2 is HUGE. Not just in narrative, but in world size, AI complexity, and asset fidelity. A potential Switch 2 port could go a few different routes:

• Full port with visual downgrades (à la The Witcher 3 on Switch)
• Cloud version for streaming (please, no)
• Standalone version of RDR2’s story mode only, with no online component
• Or a custom version using dynamic resolution and scaled assets to keep it smooth

We don’t know which route Rockstar will take, but if it’s anything like their approach to GTA, expect compromises in graphics, but a focus on keeping story, characters, and core mechanics intact. And honestly? If we can cry over Arthur Morgan from a train station bench using Joy-Cons, we’ll take it.

What This Means for Rockstar—and Switch 2

If this port really is in the works, it says a lot about how seriously Rockstar is taking Nintendo’s new console. Historically, Rockstar has mostly reserved their big open-world hits for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, only offering mobile ports or re-releases for Nintendo platforms. But Red Dead Redemption 2 on Switch 2 could be a turning point—a sign that the Switch 2 might finally be powerful enough to share AAA multiplatform releases from day one. That’s exciting not just for cowboy fans, but for anyone hoping Nintendo’s new console breaks the “fun but underpowered” cycle.