Red Dead Redemption is Getting Another Re-Release, But What About Red Dead Redemption 2?

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It often feels like game publishers are constantly re-releasing older titles to stay relevant – almost as if it keeps their company young. After the issues with the Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, Rockstar Games has announced a re-release of Red Dead Redemption 1. Yes, you heard that right – the original Red Dead Redemption is getting a new release.

The game will launch on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2nd. While an ESRB rating hinted at the release, the real surprise is that it’s also coming to iOS and Android devices – though not as a permanent download. We’ll explain the details shortly, as it clarifies why this is happening.

The biggest question everyone’s asking is: why re-release Red Dead Redemption 1? It already received updated versions for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch in 2023, and PC in 2024. This isn’t just for players on PS5 and the upcoming Switch 2; it’s a free upgrade for anyone who owns the original game. That includes those with the backwards-compatible Xbox One version, who will get it free on Xbox Series X/S. Plus, both the PS4 and PS5 versions will be available to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium members on launch day.

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

The game Red Dead Redemption 2, which has sold over 79 million copies in just seven years – making it the fourth best-selling game ever – might be coming to Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2 this fall, according to recent rumors. While these rumors should be viewed with skepticism, even the voice actors for the game’s main characters, Rob Wiethoff and Roger Clark, have hinted at a possible major announcement.

Man, so many people have been asking for a next-gen version of Red Dead Redemption 2, and for good reason! It came out right near the end of the PS4 and Xbox One’s run, and honestly, playing it in 4K at 60fps on current consoles would be incredible. Some might say PC players already have that, and yeah, they do, but this would let even more people experience it. It’s a chance to introduce one of the greatest games ever made to a whole new audience. Seriously, that open world is just… amazing, and the story about loyalty, friendship, and ultimately, redemption, is unforgettable.

Originally launched in 2013 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Grand Theft Auto 5 has been re-released twice. It first came to Xbox One and PlayStation 4 in 2014, surprisingly even before the PC version. More recently, in 2022, an Expanded and Enhanced version was released for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Beyond simply boosting sales with new features and content, these re-releases aimed to attract more players to Grand Theft Auto Online, which is where the game truly generates revenue.

I’m not suggesting anyone should skip playing Red Dead Redemption. The updated version offers a huge visual upgrade with up to 4K resolution, smooth 60 frames per second gameplay, better graphics, and HDR support – a big improvement over the original PS4 version, which later received a performance patch for PS5. Players on the new Switch 2 will also enjoy 60 FPS, HDR, DLSS, and even mouse controls, although the resolution will be high, not 4K (and it’s safe to say there was discussion about whether that justifies the $80 price tag). Even so, it would be a massive leap forward compared to the game on the original Switch.

That pretty much covers it, unless Rockstar has a surprise up their sleeve. There’s no new content or major features added. While current owners won’t mind, newcomers will likely pay at least $50. Even though Red Dead Redemption 1 is a fantastic game, it was released over 15 years ago. The price still feels steep, even though it’s not as high as a brand-new, top-tier game, and it was already a bit much two years ago on the Switch and PlayStation 4. The price is more reasonable if you have PlayStation Plus Extra or Premium, or a subscription to Grand Theft Auto+, which ultimately emphasizes the importance of GTA Online.

What’s really strange, even two years later, is that this isn’t the full Red Dead Redemption experience. While Rockstar claims it’s based on the Game of the Year Edition, past re-releases didn’t include multiplayer. The core game and the Undead Nightmare expansion are fantastic, but new players are missing out on Outlaws to the End and its cooperative missions, as well as Legends and Killers, which brought characters from Red Dead Revolver and new maps. The fun of teaming up with friends to take down gang hideouts, exploring the world together, and even a little friendly competition? Newer players won’t ever get to enjoy that.

Adding multiplayer support requires significant server costs and resources for things like player moderation and improving how players are matched with each other, and Rockstar seems unwilling to invest in that without a substantial revenue stream from in-game purchases, similar to what they’ve done with GTA Online. It’s now clear they prefer to re-release existing games with minimal changes as many times as possible, as long as it generates extra profit. They’ve done this before – the success of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which sold millions of copies, proves that.

The other key part of this is that Red Dead Redemption is now available on iOS and Android devices through Netflix, with controls designed for mobile play. It quickly seems like the recent re-release of the game on consoles was mainly to make this Netflix deal possible. Since the GTA Trilogy did well with this approach, it’s logical that Rockstar and Netflix would try it again. Don’t have a Netflix subscription? Now’s the time to sign up! Or consider a GTA+ subscription. Why would you even want to buy these games for mobile when you can play them through a subscription?

It seems unlikely that a next-generation re-release of Red Dead Redemption 2 depends on whether Rockstar can afford to make mobile versions and if Netflix would be willing to fund them. However, the recent, though flawed, mobile release of the original Red Dead is notable. These mobile versions simply offer Netflix another way to enhance its subscription service, much like GTA+ or free upgrades. Even if these additions are basic, they’re free, and that’s what matters to many.

Rockstar is free to re-release the original Red Dead Redemption as often as it likes – it owns the game, even if the pricing feels a bit greedy. However, dedicated fans of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Red Dead Online have been hoping for any new content for years, but haven’t received any updates. It’s possible Rockstar is waiting to release a simple, updated version of the game for around $60, relying on fans’ eagerness to make up for the long wait, even without significant new features.

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

Please be aware that the opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and don’t reflect the views of GamingBolt.

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2025-11-17 22:15