The Last of Us

The Last of Us stands tall as one of the defining experiences of the PS3 era, known for expertly blending survival horror gameplay with deeply humane storytelling. Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic adventure follows Joel and Ellie across a ruined post-apocalyptic America, and the gameplay balances tense stealth encounters with quiet, character-driven moments that keep you glued to the edge of the screen at all times. Combat feels desperate and grounded, emphasizing judicial use of resources and quick thinking. What truly elevates the game, however, is its writing and performances, which help it be relevant to this date.

Dead Space

If there’s one game that hardly needs a remake today, it’s the original Dead Space. Don’t get me wrong, the remake is awesome, but the 2008 original still holds up remarkably well. The graphics were at the top of the industry and still look amazing today. But it’s the way the atmosphere was crafted that particularly leaves a lasting impression on us. The diagetic HUD is partly to thank for the top-notch immersion, but the Necromorph designs are especially timeless in their ability to send a chill down gamers’ spines. Dead Space also doesn’t have an ounce of jank in its DNA; it feels remarkably precise and intuitive to play today. We’re still seeing tons of triple-A games use that iconic over the shoulder perspective, and we have the original Dead Space to thank for convincing us that it’s awesome.

Crysis

Back in 2007, Crysis was the rosetta stone benchmark for PC performance. Today, maybe not as much, but it can still be confused as a modern game. It was one of the games boasting advanced volumetric lighting and crazy far draw distances, and the lush jungle environments made for an attractive display piece to show off that tech. Crysis was also pretty dang modern with its gameplay systems. The campaign let players freely explore the tropical sandbox with its wide-linear design. Like the studio’s Far Cry titles, a smorgasbord of vehicles were up for the taking to accomplish missions in varying ways. If the day/cycle or gunplay didn’t impress, the visuals sure did, and continue to.

Red Dead Redemption

The year was 2010, gamers were absolutely starving for an immersive wild west game, and Rockstar was the one studio poised to do it. They already released Red Dead Revolver in 2004 and had the technology to finally meet the setting’s great potential. And that they did. Red Dead Redemption’s sprawling open world is filled with fun activities and more interesting personalities than you can fit in a stage coach. It’s Rockstar’s best pre-GTA 5 game to return to have good time without much friction. And it’s highly recommended players go back to this gem to understand Red Dead Redemption 2, as it functions as a sequel to that game. It’s not hard to fall in love with it today given the tight gunplay and solid graphics.

Max Payne 3

Max Payne 3 is the second pre-GTA 5 Rockstar game that’s easiest to return to today. The big selling point is the bullet-time mechanic from previous entries being turned up a couple notches. There’s not a single game that I can think of that does slow-mo shootouts as well as Max Payne 3. The modern third-person shooting feels great to control, and carefully lining up slow-mo dive shots is a joy. Being the Rockstar game that it is, cinematics are top-notch as well, with zero loading between cutscenes and player-controlled action sections. A port to today’s platforms would be appreciated, but the graphics actually hold up just fine without need for an upgrade.

Dying Light 1

Dying Light achieved something few games outside Assassin’s Creed were willing to do at the time, and that’s a realistic and smooth parkour system. What’s more, you can parkour across pretty much any building or object in the large open world. Besides the advanced parkouring, the game also boasted dynamic day/night lighting that still impresses today. Dying Light is the newest game on this list, but the dark atmosphere and gritty story have an edge over its sequel, Dying Light 2, making it well worth playing 10 years later, especially to see Kyle Crane’s earlier adventures.

Heavy Rain

David Cage games were always ahead of their time, but it wasn’t until Heavy Rain until they started being legitimately fun to play on top of that. You can probably thank Heavy Rain for PlayStation’s recent narrative emphasis. The game was largely an interactive choose your own adventure movie. But unlike TellTale’s string of narrative games, Heavy Rain had truly spectacular graphics that many felt were lifelike at the time. The game still holds up today, partly thanks to its simple gameplay mechanics (it’s hard to make quick time events janky) and high budget graphics and acting talent.

Ninja Gaiden Black

And then there’s rarities like Ninja Gaiden Black which boast deeply technical gameplay that still feels smooth today. For being a 20 year old game, it sure does feel fluid and intuitive to pull off combos, thanks in part to great optimization. It also holds up to current trends in game. Ninja Gaiden Black was notorious for being one of the most difficult games at the time, but it fits well beside contemporary titles like Elden Ring and Hollow Knight Silksong with its difficulty. With distinct art direction and stylishly detailed character models, it’s a game that’s still easy on the eyes.

Borderlands 2

Many were rubbing their eyes when Borderlands 4 was revealed. Accusations were thrown around that it looked like the previous Borderlands games, and they’re not too far off. Borderlands has maintained a bold cartoonish look since the first game, but it’s really the second entry that polished and solidified its identity. Just like the graphics, the gunplay holds up remarkably well today. And with memorable villains like Handsome Jack, the story remains the best the series has ever seen.

DriveClub

If you can get a hold of a rare copy of DriveClub, do yourself a favor and grab it. The PS4 exclusive was notable for its photo-realistic rain effects and grounded yet approachable driving mechanics. I regularly see racing fans comparing modern driving games’ weather effects to DriveClub. That’s how dang good the game looked. While the online component can’t be experienced today, the single player career has plenty of races and challenges to warrant the price of admission. And with a simcade handling model that’s not too intimidating to learn yet difficult to master, you’ll find yourself glued to the rainsoaked windshield for many hours even amid today’s racers.

Far Cry 2

I know, I know, it’s easy to overlook Far Cry 2 now that we have over six entries, but it does some pretty unique things. A number of playable and non-playable mercenaries can be rescued and hired to go on missions with you. These teammates can be permanently killed if they’re not rescued or healed in time, making it easy to feel attached to them. Other than the buddy system, the game just looks great, featuring a robust African open world environment. If you’re a fan of the Far Cry series, the second game is a must-play that holds up perfectly fine today.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Ever since Skyrim’s release in 2011, players have memed it to death. One of the most popular memes, that being its constant string of re-releases, still finds itself with legs even now. It’s the game that refuses to die, whether it be because of its wealth of quests, role-playing possibilities, or extensive mod support. Even without any mods, it still looks and plays fantastic. Sure, you’ll encounter a handful of backwards-flying dragons, but even the bugs are worth experiencing in this beloved open-world RPG.

Batman Arkham City

2011 was a good time for games in general. Arkham City also came out in that year and it represents Rocksteady’s zenith. Arkham City is their most beloved game for a reason; it’s got the tightest example of their signature freeflow combat, some of the most intricate and addictive world design, and some amazing characterization. A lot of late PS3/Xbox 360 games still manage to look good today, but Arkham City looks and plays downright flawless.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

Speaking of timeless PS3 titles, Uncharted 2 just refuses to feel outdated. The rollercoaster pacing and attention to detail continues to be emulated and studied today. Even detractors of Uncharted 1’s gameplay love the way Uncharted 2 improved aiming and enemy encounter design. If you want to see what makes the Uncharted series so special, check out Uncharted 2, it sets up the rest of the games wonderfully and plays like a modern-day adventure title.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

But if there’s any PS3 game that went above and beyond its contemporaries, it’s MGS 4. In true Kojima fashion, the storytelling is outfitted with a ridiculous amount of bells and whistles, perhaps even overstaying its time in the spotlight just a bit (looking at you hour-long cutscene). Motion capture was some of the most advanced for the time, and the voice talent gave Hollywood a run for their money. Many fans even say the gameplay is the best the series has ever had. It’s also the only game in the MGS series besides Peace Walker to feature the Psyche Gauge. Stealth was emphasized because killing spiked the gauge, making Snake more prone to shake while shooting. Now if only we’d finally get a remaster or port of MGS 4 so more players could experience it.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us has seen numerous remasters, a remake, and even a show, and for good reason. It represents Naughty Dog at their absolute peak. The Last of Us shocked just about everyone with its realistic graphics and mo-cap in 2013. And the brutal melee takedowns and hard-hitting story kept us hooked ever since. It’s hard to overstate just how good the original game plays all these years later, which is why all these remasters and remakes seem somewhat redundant to many fans. The original holds up so well today, and with a story so iconic and gripping, we won’t see the last of The Last of Us anytime soon.

It is the experience that leads into Arthur’s story in the second game, after all, and there’s so much of it that shows up in that prequel that makes it a very interesting precursor to a title that continues to be among the very best of modern gaming’s best titles. That made me quite excited to finally have it playable on a current-gen console.

"The valleys in front of you now look all the more enticing, while rays of sunlight bathe it all with a welcoming, warm glow."

But issues crop up quite early on, making me question whether releasing it as an “enhanced” port was even worth the effort. Rockstar is definitely busy with GTA VI and perhaps even the beginnings of Red Dead Redemption III, but does that mean a version of one of its best-sellers should compromise on the value it offers?

Perhaps I’m coming down too hard on the game, as there are a few things that really made it stand out during my time with it. For instance, revamped textures and lighting make the game’s world all the more immersive. Red Dead Redemption was quite a good-looking game when it came out back in 2010, and its current-gen makeover does very well to give it a fresh coat of paint.

The valleys in front of you now look all the more enticing, while rays of sunlight bathe it all with a welcoming, warm glow. Those rays also dance off your clothes and the faces of characters you’re conversing with, lending the experience a sense of realism that wasn’t as pronounced in the original, thanks to technological limitations of the time.

The framerate’s another plus, with both exploration and combat feeling very smooth. Loading times and performance are also excellent, with barely any time for a stretch before you’re loaded into the settlement or location you wanted to fast travel to. I barely needed to activate my Dead Eye when I got into a firefight, with the improved framerate letting me pull off headshots with ease.

"Furthermore, the excellent textures and lighting only serve to underline how dated the character models and facial animations are."

However, despite how these improvements make an already great game even better, there are issues to be had. For all of the visual splendor that the PS5 has enabled, the lack of graphical options does rankle a little. Even on the PS5 Pro, you’re stuck with what you get, which is annoying even though what you get is a nearly perfect version of an excellent game.

Furthermore, the excellent textures and lighting only serve to underline how dated the character models and facial animations are. No amount of warm sunlight is going to change the fact that your character and the people they’re talking to look and move like they come from an era of gaming that should be long-forgotten by now.

Lip-syncing issues and a distinct lack of movement on character faces during conversations are also issues that break the game’s spell. While these issues may have been acceptable losses or even par for the course back in the day, they’ve no business being in a 2025 release, even if it is an enhanced port of the original experience.

But they aren’t really game-breaking, and I was able to forgive them for the most part. But the opening cutscene brought up an issue that really annoyed me, considering how it made me miss out on bits of conversation. The game’s audio sometimes chooses to drown out any other audio output, relegating conversations to the background. It happened more than a few times and often at a very inconvenient moment, making it quite an annoyance.

"A few QoL changes to the game’s menus and controls could have gone a long way in presenting an experience that seemed optimized for current-gen hardware."

My DualSense controller remained painfully quiet in my hands thanks to a distinct lack of integration with its haptics and adaptive triggers, an omission that I think deserves a comment, thanks to how immersive it could have made so much of the experience for me. Some of my annoyances from fifteen years ago are also a part of this new version. My horse’s sprinting inputs were decidedly finicky, while John resolutely refused to sprint to cover during one firefight, choosing to soak up a few enemy bullets instead.

Balancing these weaknesses against the game’s improvements has me wondering if Rockstar couldn’t have done more to bring a more polished, current-gen experience to the table. A few QoL changes to the game’s menus and controls could have gone a long way in presenting an experience that seemed optimized for current-gen hardware as opposed to an enhanced port that underlines the game’s age.

It’s a testament to Red Dead Redemption’s quality that it has managed to withstand the test of time and even remain relevant despite the overwhelming success of the title that followed it. There aren’t a great many titles today that have aged as well as it has, and the fact that this version’s its third release in three years is telling. It’s a solid story that comes with some brilliant examinations of life in the Wild West, and the redemption it promises as a result might not be the kind any of us was expecting at the end of John’s journey.

But all of its strengths only serve to showcase the fact that the current-gen version of this game should have been more than what it is. Given the game’s pedigree, a full-blown remake should have been the way to go if Rockstar wanted to truly keep one of its best titles alive through the ages. For starters, this one’s popularity is a great argument in favor of it.

"But if you’re a franchise newbie, dive right in and enjoy a title that’s sure to tempt you into continuing the adventure with its next instalment."

Secondly, all of the tech that the studio needed to give the aging experience a new lease of life has now been around for a while. The latest generation of consoles and the ones that are going to follow are now potent vehicles for remakes that give a fresh new spin on familiar titles.

Third, remakes of older titles like Demon’s Souls and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater prove that there is a market for them, with great ones being successful enough to justify a similar effort for Red Dead Redemption.

As it stands, the latest version of the game feels more like a cash grab rather than an earnest effort to bring a classic to a new generation of players, or perhaps reward veterans with a brilliant version of a game that’s quite close to their hearts. As such, it’s quite hard to recommend to those of you who’ve already played the game unless you’re itching for another stab at it.

But if you’re a franchise newbie, dive right in and enjoy a title that’s sure to tempt you into continuing the adventure with its next instalment. Although it should have been more, this version of Red Dead Redemption is the one to beat today.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

It is worth noting that those who only had the Xbox One version have seemingly avoided the bug. Developer Rockstar Games has taken to social media to acknowledge the existence of this issue, and has said that it is working with Microsoft to try and get it resolved as soon as possible.

“We are aware of an issue where Xbox players are unable to upgrade their digital Xbox 360 version of Red Dead Redemption to the Xbox Series X/S version and are working with Microsoft to resolve it. Thank you for your patience,” wrote the developer on its support-oriented social media account.

According to PureXbox, Rockstar’s efforts have already begun to bear fruit for players affected with this issue. An update to the publication’s report about the matter notes that some users have started to see the roll out for a free upgrade for the Xbox 360 version of Red Dead Redemption. The upgrade is listed as being “Free” with a “-100%” discount applied to it, and also has a banner on its store page that this free upgrade will expire in 13 days. However, it is believed that this upgrade will be made free for all Xbox 360 version owners down the line.

The current-gen upgrade for Red Dead Redemption is priced at $49.99 for those that don’t already own the game. Subscribers to PlayStation Plus Extra/Deluxe and GTA+ can get it for free, however. The upgrade brings with it the ability for the title to run at 4K and 60 FPS, along with overall improvements to the visuals. The Nintendo Switch 2 version also gets its own benefits, including 60 FPS and support for DLSS and mouse controls.

Interestingly, PS4 and Nintendo Switch owners who already had Red Dead Redemption for their respective consoles can carry over their save data to the current-gen version. It is currently unknown whether Xbox One version owners will get similar cross-progression with the Xbox Series X/S version once they’ve completed the upgrade.

Red Dead Redemption, despite being the first game in the duology, has a story taking place after the events of Red Dead Redemption 2. The title puts players in the shoes of John Marston who has been tasked by federal agents to take down the remnants of Dutch Van der Linde’s gang. Along with the base game, the recent re-release also includes the Undead Nightmare expansion that tells a weird west-styled horror story where Marston gets to take on zombies and other spooky creatures.

For more details about Red Dead Redemption, check out our review of the PC release.

So what can you expect with the third re-release of the classic thus far? You can check out our feature for more details, but long story short, it offers 4K and 60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, alongside improved image quality. The Switch 2 version includes 60 FPS and DLSS support with mouse controls, which is a nice bonus. All three editions support high dynamic range (HDR) for more realistic brightness.

Of course, cross-save is also supported on PlayStation and Switch, so you can continue wherever you left off on PS5 and Switch 2 (jury’s out on whether Xbox supports the same). If you’re a Netflix subscriber, then you can play the game for free on iOS and Android.

If you’re curious about the re-release (and why it pales in comparison to the Game of the Year Edition), check out our reviews for the PS4, Switch and PC versions. In the meantime, the wait for a current-gen upgrade to Red Dead Redemption 2 continues.

For that matter, what is it about this re-release that spurs some manner of debate, even among those who love the original? We’ll dive into all that later, but for now, you can look forward to…

4K/60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S

As you’d expect, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S can deliver up to 4K resolution and 60 frames per second. They also benefit from improved image quality, and since Double Eleven, who worked on the PC port, has returned, you can more than likely expect the same level of draw distance, shadow quality, and other fidelity settings, if not better. And much like the PC version, which is currently the best possible representation of the game, it should look amazing.

DLSS and Mouse Controls on Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 players, thankfully, aren’t left out in the cold. While docked and handheld resolutions remain unknown, you still get 60 FPS performance and DLSS benefits along with an exclusive feature: Mouse support. Not that aiming was the biggest problem on consoles, but there’s finally an option for finer-tuned aiming.

HDR Support

Whichever your console of choice, each will benefit from high-dynamic range support. Despite its age, this fictionalized version of 1911 America is absolutely gorgeous, whether you’re admiring the sunrise or galloping across the open plains at sunset. HDR makes it look that much more natural, which in turn immerses you all the more.

Free Upgrades

If you own Red Dead Redemption on previous-generation consoles, such as the PS4 or Nintendo Switch, when it was re-released back in 2023, there’s good news. The current-gen version is a free upgrade. If you’re subscribed to PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium, then both the PS4 and PS5 versions will be available at launch, which is nice.

The Xbox version is a bit trickier – you’ll need the backwards compatible version of the game made available for Xbox One. But the fact that it’s supported for a free upgrade is still nice.

Cross-Gen Saves

To sweeten the deal even further, PS4 and Nintendo Switch save data will transfer over to the PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2. If you started two years ago and suspected that a free current-gen upgrade would arrive eventually, congratulations – you’ve been vindicated. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to apply to Xbox. Rockstar doesn’t mention it, and it’s not even listed on the Microsoft Store.

What the Heck is Going on?

So obviously, there are many questions about why Red Dead Redemption is being re-released yet again, especially after all those rumors about its sequel’s current-gen update. And while we may never know, for those who don’t know, this is essentially a sequel to Red Dead Redemption 2. It stars John Marston, as he’s coerced by the Bureau of Investigation to hunt down his old allies from the Van der Linde Gang. We won’t go into further details, since that would spoil the surprises, but suffice it to say that it’s an epic journey.

The Good Ol’ Days

Former lead writer Dan Houser breaks down Red Dead Redemption quite succinctly – no machine guns (aside from the fixed turrets), no cars, no cities, and no large crowds of pedestrians. Just a dude riding a horse around the desert, and yet, it’s one of the most endearing open worlds of all time. You’ll explore fictionalized versions of the Western US, which fans estimate is about 11.984 square miles. It seemingly pales in comparison to Red Dead Redemption 2’s map (which is reportedly 29 square miles), but it’s still fairly sizable.

Robbing, Hunting, and Shooting

Exploration is the biggest appeal, especially as you encounter random events through the countryside, tame different horses, or take in the scenery. But Red Dead Redemption features side missions, hunting and collecting flowers (sadly, there’s no fishing). John can also partake in some arm wrestling, treasure hunts, showcase his mastery in Sharpshooter challenges, herd cattle, rob trains, clear out hideouts occupied by gangs, and, my favorite, Five Finger Fillet.

The (Bounty) Hunter and The Hunted

There’s also bounty hunting, where you can hunt down wanted criminals and take them dead or alive. The latter is a great way to showcase your lassoing skills and even offers a larger payout. However, bounties can also be placed on your head if you commit enough crimes. The more rampant your crime spree, the more bounty hunters come after you unless you pay the fine or use a letter of pardon, which brings us to the…

Honor System

Depending on your actions, the public will either view John Marston as the good guy or a no-good scoundrel. If your Honor is high, then you’ll be welcomed by townsfolk and won’t even have to worry about stealing a horse. But if it’s low, people will treat you with suspicion and even avoid offering their services. It plays into the kind of outlaw you want to be, and works quite well.

Combat and Dead Eye

Though it doesn’t boast as extensive a gun selection as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption still offers old-school revolvers, shotguns, rifles, and the like for gunfights. While you can take cover and peek out to aim at enemies, blind-firing is also available. Aiming at a target’s legs or arms is a good way to incapacitate them, but the main calling card of the series is Dead Eye – a slow-mo mechanic where you can individually mark enemies. Once it ends, John unleashes a hail of bullets, taking down all marked targets simultaneously. It truly is high noon everywhere in the world.

What’s in This Re-Release?

So you know what to expect from Red Dead Redemption, but what about the re-release? As Rockstar noted, it’s based on the Game of the Year Edition, which includes the base game, the non-canon Undead Nightmare expansion, and additional outfits from DLC like Hunting and Trading. You can also access single-player extras like the Golden Guns (which confer more Fame on kills), the Deadly Assassin outfit (which causes Dead Eye to recharge faster), the War Horse, and so on.

What’s Not Included

The downside is that there’s no multiplayer support, which is a problem because the original release was pretty robust in that department. So no competitive modes, no co-op posses of eight players that can assault gang hideouts, etc. That also means no additional maps or Red Dead Revolver characters from the Legends and Killers pack, or the six additional co-op missions introduced in Outlaws to the End. And no, not even challenging other players to horse races.

Playtime

If you’re cruising through the story, Red Dead Redemption will take about 18 hours or so, which can easily go up to 26 if you play the side content (while a completionist run is about 46 hours on average). Chuck in Undead Nightmare, which is about six to eight hours for the story and all side content, and you have a pretty extensive amount of content overall.

Why You Should Play it

Whether you should pick it up, given the price and age of the title, is really up to you. But should you set aside the time and experience Red Dead Redemption if you haven’t before? Absolutely. It doesn’t boast as many features or as big a world as most modern triple-A open-world titles, but the sheer heart and quality of the writing still shine, after all these years.

It’s coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2nd. Granted, an ESRB rating earlier in the day offered some advance notice, but the surprising bit is that it’s also coming to iOS and Android. Not to keep, of course. More on that in a bit, because it kind of explains this whole deal.

So right off the bat, the first question that anyone would have to ask is: Why? Why Red Dead Redemption 1, which already had a re-release on PS4 and Nintendo Switch in 2023, and then a PC port in 2024? Yes, it’s a free upgrade and not just for PS5 and Switch 2 players who own the original. If you also own the backwards-compatible Xbox One version, it’s free on Xbox Series X/S as well. Also, both PS4 and PS5 versions will be coming to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium subscribers on the same day.

There’s just one problem, though: Where the heck is Red Dead Redemption 2 in all of this?

You know, the fourth-best-selling game of all time, which managed to beat Mario Kart 8’s sales total with a whopping 79 million sold in just seven years? Rumors have been circulating for a while now about a potential release on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Switch 2 this Fall. As is always the case with rumors, you should take them with a grain of salt – even Rob Wiethoff and Roger Clark, the voice actors for John Marston and Arthur Morgan, were teasing some kind of big announcement.

However, fans have been craving a current-gen update for some time now. Red Dead Redemption 2 released pretty close to the end of the life cycles for PS4 and Xbox One. Wouldn’t it be great if you could experience it in 4K/60 FPS on today’s platforms? You could argue that PC players already get these features and much more, but on top of catering to those who don’t have one, this is an opportunity to bring one of the greatest games ever made to new audiences. An opportunity to showcase one of the, if not the, best open worlds ever created, matched by an outstanding narrative of loyalty, camaraderie, betrayal and – say that again – redemption.

After Grand Theft Auto 5, originally released in 2013 for Xbox 360 and PS3, would receive not one but two re-releases. The first was on the Xbox One and PS4 in 2014, which arrived even before the PC version, if you can believe it, and the Expanded and Enhanced version for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2022. Of course, the reason, along with why they received new features and “content,” is obvious beyond just selling more copies. It also introduces more people to Grand Theft Auto Online – the real cash cow.

I’m not saying that current-gen players shouldn’t experience Red Dead Redemption. Having resolutions that go up to 4K, 60 FPS performance, improved image quality and HDR support? That’s a pretty significant jump from the PS4 version, which eventually received a patch to run at 60 FPS on PS5. Switch 2 players can also look forward to 60 FPS performance, HDR, DLSS and mouse controls, though only at “high resolution”, not 4K (and you just know there was a debate about whether Rockstar could charge $80 for that). Regardless, it would be a vast improvement over the Switch 1 version.

But that’s more or less it (unless Rockstar is hiding something special). No new content or other notable features. Which isn’t a problem for current owners, but what about those buying it for the first time? They’ll likely have to pay $50 at a minimum. As good as Red Dead Redemption 1 is – and it is very good – it’s still over 15 years old. Just because Rockstar isn’t charging triple-A game rates doesn’t make that price any less annoying (and it was already preposterous two years ago on the Switch and PS4). Unless, of course, you’re subscribed to PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium – which is a Sony move, no doubt – or to Grand Theft Auto+, which wraps back around to GTA Online taking prominence.

You know what’s even more preposterous, two years later? This isn’t even the complete Red Dead Redemption experience. Rockstar says that it’s based on the Game of the Year Edition, but previous re-releases didn’t have any multiplayer. The base game and Undead Nightmare expansion are pretty great, but new players can’t experience Outlaws to the End and its co-op missions, or Legends and Killers, which adds Red Dead Revolver characters and new maps. Rolling around with your friends in a posse to clear out the hideouts of gangsters? Roaming the landscape together and maybe engaging in some low-stakes PvP? A time that newer generations will never get to experience.

Of course, offering multiplayer means having to allocate servers and resources for tools like reporting troublesome players or revamping matchmaking, and Rockstar can’t have that (especially without a metric ton of microtransactions a la GTA Online). At this point, the powers-that-be clearly just want to re-release the same product with as few changes as possible, as many times as possible, if it can provide a shred of additional revenue. It wouldn’t be the first time – look at Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which sold millions.

The other half of this equation is Red Dead Redemption becoming available on “compatible” iOS and Android devices…through Netflix with “mobile-friendly controls.” And right away, it feels like the entire reason for even re-releasing the game on current-gen consoles is primarily for this deal. The GTA Trilogy was pretty successful through this model, so it makes sense that Rockstar and Netflix would want a repeat of that. If you don’t have a subscription? Why, just sign up today. Or sign up for GTA+. Ownership? Why would you possibly want to own these games on mobile? That’s just crazy talk.

Is it absurd to think that Red Dead Redemption 2’s chances of a current-gen re-release hinge on whether Rockstar can justify the amount of money needed to create mobile versions, and whether Netflix would pay that much? Probably, but those mobile versions of RDR1 stick out like a sore thumb amid all this. Even if they’re rife with problems, it’s just another way for Netflix to add “value” to the overall subscription. Similarly with GTA+ or those who avail of the free upgrades. Who cares if they’re extremely barebones? They’re free!

Rockstar can go ahead and re-release RDR1 as many times as it wants – heck, it’s their IP, even if the shamelessness of those prices is apparent. But for years and years, long-time fans of Red Dead Redemption 2 and even Red Dead Online have wanted something, anything from the studio, only to be met with silence. Maybe that’s the plan – to make them so desperate for the bare minimum that it could just release a current-gen version for, say, $60, with no additional content and a few new features, and get away with it.

And honestly, at that point? Even crickets would be better.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Recent rumors have also been circulating about the same, which didn’t help matters. However, interestingly, it seems that an “enhanced” version of Red Dead Redemption 2 is still in development, according to NateTheHate. Regarding the announcement of RDR1, the insider responded to a Twitter user with, “This doesn’t negate RDR2 happening.”

What about when he specifically said it would arrive later this year? “I said I was told it would come a few months after Switch 2 launch – which is info from the start of 2025.” He then pointed out that since then, Grand Theft Auto 6 has been delayed, and Rockstar “does whatever they want. Release timelines can change.”

It’s hard to argue with that. Who could have predicted that GTA6 would see not one but two big delays before 2025 was even up? Whether Red Dead Redemption 2 is coming to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and Switch 2 or not, it’s ultimately up to Rockstar to confirm the same.

In the meantime, Red Dead Redemption will be available on December 2nd for the same platforms. It will also be available on iOS and Android for Netflix subscribers.

PS5 and Xbox Series X/S players can look forward to improved image quality, HDR support, up to 4K resolution and 60 FPS (which was already possible with the PS4 version thanks to a post-launch patch). Switch 2 players can also take advantage of HDR and 60 FPS alongside DLSS and mouse controls.

PS4 and Switch players can upgrade digitally for free, but one nice twist is that those who own the backwards-compatible Xbox One version can also do the same. Furthermore, you can continue where you left off from previous saves (but only on PlayStation and Switch consoles).

While it’s billed as featuring the Game of the Year Edition’s full content, the re-release won’t contain any multiplayer modes or DLC. Check out our reviews of the PS4 and PC versions to learn more.

Well, don’t worry because Rockstar has seemingly heard your pleas and is working to bring Red Dead Redemption 1 to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Yes, numero uno – the first game. A new rating for the same has emerged courtesy of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board in the United States. Unsurprisingly, the open-world Western epic is rated “M” for Mature 17+.

Red Dead Redemption was originally released in 2010 for PS3 and Xbox 360 but re-released for Nintendo Switch and PS4 in 2023 (albeit with all multiplayer content stripped away). That same re-release would come to PC last year with additional graphical options.

A current-gen console release isn’t unwarranted. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 launched in 2018 for PS4 and Xbox One (2019 for PC), and has yet to see any re-releases despite becoming the fourth best-selling game of all time. Rumors suggest it will happen at some point, though that alleged Fall release is looking much less likely now.