Red Dead Redemption on Switch 2: Are the Upgrades Worth It?
Red Dead Redemption, the iconic Wild West action-adventure from Rockstar Games, has made its debut on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Building on the momentum of its enduring popularity, this latest release promises significant improvements in both visual fidelity and performance, aiming to deliver the definitive portable experience for fans and newcomers alike.
The game, which launched on the Switch eShop with support for the new hardware, has already received strong critical praise, including a glowing 9/10 review from our own editorial team.
Industry experts like Digital Foundry have since provided a comprehensive technical breakdown of the Switch 2 version, offering valuable insights into what players can expect on Nintendo’s upgraded platform. Performance Enhancements and Frame Rate Stability According to Digital Foundry's in-depth analysis, Red Dead Redemption on the Nintendo Switch 2 achieves a mostly stable 60 frames-per-second, a marked improvement over previous iterations.
Minor frame rate dips were observed in busy in-game towns like Armadillo and Blackwater, particularly when playing the popular Undead Nightmare add-on.
However, gameplay generally remains smooth and consistent, providing an enjoyable experience for most players with only infrequent interruptions. Visual Uplifts with DLSS and Increased Resolution Perhaps most impressive is the utilization of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), a technology that allows the game to render at a native 720p and upscale to a crisp 1440p when docked.
This results in significantly improved image quality with reduced flickering in foliage and objects at a distance.
World textures and design largely mirror those of the original Switch release, but finer details—such as the in-game map and shadow rendering—benefit from the increased resolution, showcasing more detailed 2D assets and subtly more realistic shadows when docked.
Nonetheless, Digital Foundry noted that some visual artifacts persist, including occasional texture flickering and pop-in, as well as reduced shadow quality in handheld mode.
These issues, which are described as "disappointing" given the title’s age, do not detract significantly from the overall presentation. Final Verdict: A Worthy Upgrade for Switch 2 Owners Despite the minor graphical flaws, Red Dead Redemption’s release on the Nintendo Switch 2 stands as a testament to the platform’s growing capabilities.
The enhancements—most notably, the boost to 60fps gameplay and the advanced upscaling with DLSS—are largely successful in providing a smoother and more visually appealing experience than ever before on a Nintendo system.
For those seeking the best portable version of Rockstar’s acclaimed title, Red Dead Redemption on Switch 2 delivers a substantial upgrade, earning high marks from both critics and technical specialists alike.
Building on the momentum of its enduring popularity, this latest release promises significant improvements in both visual fidelity and performance, aiming to deliver the definitive portable experience for fans and newcomers alike.
The game, which launched on the Switch eShop with support for the new hardware, has already received strong critical praise, including a glowing 9/10 review from our own editorial team.
Industry experts like Digital Foundry have since provided a comprehensive technical breakdown of the Switch 2 version, offering valuable insights into what players can expect on Nintendo’s upgraded platform. Performance Enhancements and Frame Rate Stability According to Digital Foundry's in-depth analysis, Red Dead Redemption on the Nintendo Switch 2 achieves a mostly stable 60 frames-per-second, a marked improvement over previous iterations.
Minor frame rate dips were observed in busy in-game towns like Armadillo and Blackwater, particularly when playing the popular Undead Nightmare add-on.
However, gameplay generally remains smooth and consistent, providing an enjoyable experience for most players with only infrequent interruptions. Visual Uplifts with DLSS and Increased Resolution Perhaps most impressive is the utilization of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), a technology that allows the game to render at a native 720p and upscale to a crisp 1440p when docked.
This results in significantly improved image quality with reduced flickering in foliage and objects at a distance.
World textures and design largely mirror those of the original Switch release, but finer details—such as the in-game map and shadow rendering—benefit from the increased resolution, showcasing more detailed 2D assets and subtly more realistic shadows when docked.
Nonetheless, Digital Foundry noted that some visual artifacts persist, including occasional texture flickering and pop-in, as well as reduced shadow quality in handheld mode.
These issues, which are described as "disappointing" given the title’s age, do not detract significantly from the overall presentation. Final Verdict: A Worthy Upgrade for Switch 2 Owners Despite the minor graphical flaws, Red Dead Redemption’s release on the Nintendo Switch 2 stands as a testament to the platform’s growing capabilities.
The enhancements—most notably, the boost to 60fps gameplay and the advanced upscaling with DLSS—are largely successful in providing a smoother and more visually appealing experience than ever before on a Nintendo system.
For those seeking the best portable version of Rockstar’s acclaimed title, Red Dead Redemption on Switch 2 delivers a substantial upgrade, earning high marks from both critics and technical specialists alike.
