Virtuos Expresses Strong Interest in Bringing GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 to Nintendo Switch

Could two of the biggest open-world masterpieces in gaming history finally make their way to Nintendo platforms? If porting powerhouse Virtuos has its way, the answer is a resounding yes.

According to a recent report by RockstarINTEL, Singapore-based studio Virtuos has revealed it is “eager” to adapt both Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch family of systems.

A Proven History with Rockstar Games

The revelation came during an interview with Pocket Tactics, where Virtuos’ Andy Fong discussed the 15th anniversary of L.A. Noire—the 1940s detective thriller originally developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games.

Virtuos is no stranger to Rockstar’s catalog. The studio was responsible for the critically acclaimed Nintendo Switch port of L.A. Noire back in late 2017, proving they have the technical prowess to handle Rockstar’s detailed worlds on mobile hardware.

Fong stated that the team at Virtuos are "big fans" of Rockstar's legacy and are highly motivated to expand it. Specifically, Fong noted that the studio is "eager to adapt Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch," believing that both titles could "shine again on the Switch, delighting even more players."

Are These Massive Ports Technically Possible?

While running massive titles like GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 on a handheld console might sound like an impossible feat to some, the technical precedents say otherwise.

Grand Theft Auto V was originally built for seventh-generation consoles—the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3—operating on a meager 512MB of system RAM. Given how much more capable the original Nintendo Switch is compared to those 2005-era consoles, a well-optimized port is well within the realm of possibility.

Red Dead Redemption 2 presents a steeper hurdle, having been built from the ground up for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. However, the hardware capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2 could easily bridge that gap. Furthermore, Virtuos has a stellar track record of squeezing seemingly impossible games onto Nintendo hardware, having previously delivered impressive Switch ports for demanding titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Doom Eternal.

Rockstar’s Moving History on the Switch

Rockstar Games has had a mixed but ultimately successful relationship with the Nintendo Switch. While Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition faced severe criticism at launch due to technical bugs (later remedied by Video Game Deluxe, now Rockstar Australia), other releases have fared much better. The Nintendo Switch port of the original Red Dead Redemption, handled by Double Eleven, was widely praised for its smooth performance and visual fidelity across multiple platforms, including the Switch.

As the gaming community eagerly anticipates the release of Grand Theft Auto VI, Rockstar’s internal development resources are understandably stretched thin. However, industry insiders speculate that once GTA 6 hits store shelves, Rockstar may open up its schedule—and its back catalog—allowing trusted external partners like Virtuos to breathe new life into these iconic classics for Nintendo gamers.

Ultimately, while no official ports have been greenlit by Rockstar or Take-Two Interactive just yet, knowing that a veteran studio is actively campaigning to make them happen gives Nintendo fans plenty of reason to be optimistic.