Today, I’m adding one more game to the list of games that have seen improvements when played on Nintendo Switch 2. Let’s have a look!

Red Dead Redemption – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Genre: Open-World Action-RPG

Players: 1

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Review:

Rockstar Games’ support of Nintendo platforms has been spotty at best over the years, so I expect many will have been surprised that they would not only release a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for Red Dead Redemption within the first year of the Nintendo Switch 2’s life, but that this would come in the form of a free update for players who own the Nintendo Switch version of the game. However, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth… well, except I’m reviewing the game so I suppose I am.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game doesn’t add any new content, nor does it restore the multiplayer that was stripped out of the version of the game that was released on modern platforms. This is strictly a performance update. However, when you actually give it a look I think you’ll find that’s plenty enough on its own.

Let’s start with the least impressive change, the loading times. On Nintendo Switch, the game took 11 seconds to load into a game, and another 11 seconds whenever you used the fast travel option (inconvenient as that option is to use, it is there). On Nintendo Switch 2, that time has been slightly shaved down to 9 seconds and 9 seconds. Not much, but these weren’t especially bad loading times to begin with.

No, the major changes here are to the framerate and resolution, and I’ll say the framerate in particular sees a massive improvement here, now buttery-smooth on Nintendo Switch 2. As for the resolution, I did still notice a bit of aliasing on things like telephone cables, but overall everything looks much smoother and less pixelated. Also, I should note that small issues with pop-in that the original game had are far less present here.

I think the Nintendo Switch port of Red Dead Redemption is a solid one, but even so I think the upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2 is outstanding, and makes the game far more playable – with the better framerates and resolution, I found it much easier to shoot moving targets on horseback, for example.

I still think the lack of multiplayer and the $50 price tag is absurd, and players should be under no illusions that this upgrade brings this game anywhere close to the graphical splendor of Red Dead Redemption 2, but for players who want to play this classic Open-World Western in fine form on their TV or on the go, this is an excellent way to do it, and if you already own the Nintendo Switch release, getting this free update is a no-brainer.

tl;dr – Red Dead Redemption is an Open-World Action-RPG set in the American Wild West, and this release is mostly a straight port of the legendary 15 year-old original game with a few very minor tweaks, and its Undead Nightmare expansion, but also missing the original game’s multiplayer, all at a bloated $50 price tag. The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t add any content, but improves the performance dramatically, with a free update for players who own the Nintendo Switch version of the game. It’s still feature-poor and overpriced, but otherwise this is an outstanding way to play this classic.

Grade: B+

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I hope you enjoyed this latest Nintendo Switch 2 Difference Mini-Review, and found it to be helpful! Want to see all Nintendo Switch 2 Difference comparisons? Check out this page for links to every article where I’ve included these comparisons!

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