I just saw ESRB list Red Dead Redemption for PS5, Xbox Series and “Switch 2”—here’s what that

Why This Caught My Eye (And What It Actually Changes)

Red Dead Redemption showing up on the ESRB for PS5, Xbox Series, and-yes-“Nintendo Switch 2,” as spotted by Eurogamer, is the kind of listing that makes longtime Rockstar fans sit up. The real story for players isn’t the paperwork; it’s what an explicit, native next-gen SKU could mean versus today’s mix of backward compatibility and the barebones 2023 re-release. If this is legit, we might finally be talking about a 60 FPS John Marston across the board, faster loads, and a version that doesn’t feel trapped in 2010. But here’s the reality check: nothing is official from Rockstar yet, and an ESRB entry is a signal, not a feature list.

Key Takeaways

• ESRB listings are strong smoke signals, not confirmations; names like “Switch 2” are likely placeholders.
• Native PS5/Xbox Series versions would finally open the door to 60 FPS and faster loads-if Rockstar actually does the work.
• A Switch successor version would be a big third‑party statement, but expect visual compromises in handheld.
• Price and upgrade paths will decide whether this feels like a respectful revival or another cash grab.

Breaking Down the ESRB Hint

Ratings boards leak projects all the time. When a game appears with specific next-gen platforms listed, it usually means publishers are prepping native builds, not just checking the “BC works” box. That’s the important nuance here. On Xbox, the original RDR has quietly survived through backward compatibility, even with some resolution boosts, but it’s still locked to that old-school 30 FPS feel. On PlayStation, RDR’s return in 2023 landed as a PS4 app that PS5 can run, again capped at 30 FPS at launch and light on meaningful upgrades. A true native PS5/Xbox Series listing suggests Rockstar is at least considering a version that can target higher frame rates and modern conveniences.

The eyebrow-raiser is “Switch 2.” The name isn’t official and probably won’t be the final branding, but having that platform called out at the ratings stage implies Nintendo’s next hardware is far enough along that major publishers have builds in certification pipelines. For Nintendo players who’ve watched big third‑party releases bypass the current Switch or arrive as cloud versions, this is a hopeful sign.

Manage Your Expectations: Rockstar’s Track Record

This is where I pump the brakes. Rockstar’s recent history with legacy releases is mixed. The 2023 Red Dead Redemption re-release bundled Undead Nightmare—great—but launched at a premium price with minimal technical upgrades and no multiplayer. The GTA Trilogy “Definitive Edition” shipped notoriously rough and needed months of fixes. In other words: don’t assume DualSense haptics, 120 Hz modes, Dolby Vision, or a sweeping remaster just because “PS5” and “Series X|S” appear on a ratings page.

There’s also the PC-shaped elephant in the room. Red Dead Redemption still doesn’t have a native PC version, which remains one of the weirder gaps in modern gaming. If Rockstar is spinning up new SKUs, PC support would be the easiest goodwill win imaginable. Will they do it? History says: don’t count on it until it’s in a storefront.

If This Is Real, Here’s What I Want to See

• Performance and quality modes with a rock-solid 60 FPS target on PS5/Series X and the best-possible frame pacing on Series S.
• Sharper image treatment: improved anti-aliasing, cleaner shadows, better texture filtering—keep the art style, cut the shimmer.
• Modern QoL: proper subtitle scaling, colorblind options, remappable controls, gyro aim on Nintendo’s next handheld, and a photo mode.
• Fast loading and seamless restarts; if I die in the desert, don’t make me read a novel before respawning.
• Undead Nightmare as standard, like the 2023 release—baseline, not a deluxe upsell.

Note what I didn’t list: a full remake. I’m not asking for Red Dead Redemption in RDR2’s engine. I’m asking for a respectful, technically competent port that finally lets the game breathe on modern displays without introducing new headaches.

The Switch 2 Angle (And Why It’s Bigger Than One Game)

If a native “Switch 2” version exists, it’s not just a win for Marston fans; it’s a signal flare for third‑party support on Nintendo’s next system. RDR is a sprawling open-world game with long draw distances and dense AI behavior. Getting that to run acceptably in handheld—even at a dynamic resolution and a 30 FPS target—would be a strong statement about the hardware’s ceiling. Docked, I’d hope for higher clocks and cleaner visuals; handheld, give me stability and battery-sane settings. And please, please, smart storage management—this is a big install no matter what cart size Nintendo picks.

Release Timing and Price: The Real Wildcards

ESRB listings can precede launches by weeks or by many months. Don’t circle a date until Rockstar actually says one out loud. Pricing will decide the mood more than any patch note. The last time Rockstar asked full-ish price for minimal lift, the backlash was loud for a reason. A fair path—discounted upgrades for existing owners, clear feature gains, and no nickel-and-diming—would flip the narrative from “cash grab” to “finally, the definitive way to play.” I’m not holding my breath for free upgrades, but transparent value would go a long way.

TL;DR

An ESRB listing points to native Red Dead Redemption builds for PS5, Xbox Series, and a “Switch 2” placeholder. That could finally mean 60 FPS and modern conveniences, but nothing’s official. Watch for Rockstar’s actual feature list, price, and upgrade options—those will tell us whether this is the version players have been waiting for or another shrug-worthy reissue.