Full Breakdown
Virtuos Eyes Nintendo Switch Ports for Rockstar’s GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2
5/19/2026, 6:55:45 AM
Core Announcement: Virtuos’s Plan to Port Two Rockstar Blockbusters
Technical director Andy Fong told Pocket Tactics that Virtuos is eager to adapt Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch. The statement is the only public indication that the studio intends to pursue the ports; Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two Interactive have not announced any such project.
Background & Context: Prior Ports and the Appeal of Rockstar’s Flagships
Virtuos has a track record of delivering demanding Nintendo Switch ports, most notably L.A. Noire in 2017 and recent remasters such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. The studio’s global network, headquartered in Singapore, has also handled XCOM 2 and The Outer Worlds for the console. Rockstar’s two biggest titles—GTA V, with 225 million copies sold, and Red Dead Redemption 2, with 82 million—have never appeared on Nintendo hardware, creating a clear market gap that Virtuos believes it can fill.
Official Statements & Responses
Virtuos reiterated its enthusiasm, noting that the studio’s “personal fandom” for Rockstar’s franchises fuels the desire to bring the games to a handheld audience. The company also clarified that any port would require a formal commission from the IP holder, emphasizing that it cannot proceed without Rockstar’s approval. To date, Rockstar and Take-Two have issued no comment, leaving the proposal unverified.
Criticism & Opposition: Technical Feasibility on Switch Hardware
Analysts point to the Switch’s limited CPU and GPU capacity compared with the hardware for which GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 were originally built. Red Dead Redemption 2 still lacks a 60 fps patch on current-gen consoles, raising doubts about achieving comparable performance on the original Switch. While past “impossible” ports such as The Witcher 3 have succeeded after substantial graphical compromises, critics argue that a faithful Switch version of either title would require similar trade-offs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The only source confirming interest in a Switch port is Andy Fong’s interview; no other developer, publisher, or Rockstar representative has publicly supported the idea. No timeline, performance targets, or resolution specifications have been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether Rockstar would commission a port or wait for the upcoming Switch 2 hardware. These omissions leave a significant information gap about the project’s feasibility and schedule.
Verbatim Quotes
- “team is eager to adapt Grand Theft Auto V and Rede Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch. We're personally big fans and believe these games can shine again on the Switch, delighting even more players.” — Andy Fong, Technical Director, Virtuos
- “His answer was direct: “[The] team is eager to adapt Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch.” — Andy Fong, Technical Director, Virtuos
- “We’re personally big fans and believe these games can shine again on the Switch, delighting even more players.” — Andy Fong, Technical Director, Virtuos
- “What would need to happen next The ball is entirely in Rockstar's court.” — Games.gg editorial
What’s Next: Potential Paths for a Switch Port
To move forward, Rockstar must commission Virtuos or another studio. The effort could coincide with the upcoming GTA 6 launch, providing a low-cost entry point for Switch players. The next-gen Switch 2, with greater processing power, would make a faithful adaptation more realistic. Without Rockstar’s approval, the plan stays speculative.
