Is GTA 5 Finally Coming to Switch 2? What Zelnick’s Tease Really Means for Players

GTA 5 on Switch 2? Why This Actually Matters

This caught my attention because Rockstar has danced around Nintendo hardware for years. GTA 5 hit basically every platform under the sun-PS3 to PS5, Xbox 360 to Series X|S, and PC-but never a Nintendo console. With Switch 2 now out in the wild and Take-Two’s boss sounding bullish, the stars finally look aligned for that missing port… if Rockstar thinks it’s worth the effort while the world eyes GTA 6 next May.

• Take-Two’s CEO said “many” titles are coming to Switch 2 and the company feels “good” about the platform.
• Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII already on Switch 2 prove third-party AAA is showing up.
• A GTA 5 port is technically doable-but performance, storage, and GTA Online support will make or break it.
• Timing around GTA 6’s launch window is the big strategic question.

Breaking Down the Announcement

In an interview with The Game Business, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick didn’t name GTA 5—or any title—outright, but he didn’t exactly slam the door shut either. Asked about Nintendo’s new console, he said, “We feel good about it.” He added: “Many of our titles will release on Switch 2. We’re committed to the platform, and so far so good.” That’s not a confirmation, but it’s a clear signal: Take-Two plans to show up on Switch 2 in a meaningful way.

For context, Switch 2 has already seen a steady stream of ports and launches since June. Content Warning and Star Wars Outlaws are either out or incoming, while Take-Two has planted real flags with Borderlands 4 and Civilization VII. This isn’t the “late, compromised, and forgotten” third-party support cycle we remember from the Wii U days. Publishers smell an active audience—and they want in.

Can Switch 2 Actually Run GTA 5 (Properly)?

Short answer: yes, with sensible targets. GTA 5 is a 2013 game that’s been scaled across three generations. The Switch 2 is a big step up from the original Switch and should comfortably handle a 1080p/30 target docked (dynamic resolution likely) and 720p/30 in handheld with pared-back crowd density, shadows, and traffic. Rockstar has managed similar feats before: L.A. Noire on the first Switch was surprisingly solid, and Red Dead Redemption (the original) ran acceptably considering ancient hardware.

The bigger pain points aren’t raw frames—they’re storage and streaming. Modern GTA 5 installs balloon past 90GB on current consoles with GTA Online content. That’s a headache for cartridge sizes and internal memory. Expect a sizeable download if a port happens, and potentially a split install (story mode vs GTA Online). Asset streaming on a portable also demands careful tuning to avoid texture pop-in and hitching. Switch 2 can hang, but only if Rockstar is disciplined about the cutbacks.

One more reality check: I’ve seen some fans claim, “If Cyberpunk 2077 can be on Switch 2, then GTA 6 can too.” Let’s slow down. GTA 6 is an entirely different technical beast and Rockstar will be laser-focused on its flagship platforms around launch. GTA 5 is the easier (and smarter) play for Nintendo’s install base—especially if Take-Two wants to sell another decade of Shark Cards to a new audience.

Rockstar’s Playbook: Ports, Priorities, and Pitfalls

Rockstar has a history on Nintendo hardware even if GTA 5 skipped it. We got L.A. Noire on Switch 1, the original Red Dead Redemption more recently, and the GTA Trilogy (which launched rough and needed months of patching). That last one is exactly why skepticism is warranted. If Rockstar greenlights GTA 5 on Switch 2, it needs to avoid another Definitive Edition debacle. Players won’t forgive a wobbly frame rate and smeary visuals in a decade-old game sold at a premium.

Then there’s the business side. GTA 5 still prints money. A Switch 2 port would be low-hanging fruit to reach new players while GTA 6 dominates headlines elsewhere. But the timing is tricky. Dropping GTA 5 too close to GTA 6 risks muddying the message. I’d expect either a “warm-up” release months ahead of GTA 6 to stoke the brand on Nintendo, or a post-launch gap when Rockstar can staff a port without siphoning resources from GTA 6 support.

GTA Online is the wildcard. Cross-progression, cross-play, and update cadence will decide if this port lives or dies long-term. A single-player-only package might be easier to ship, but it would also leave a lot of money on the table. If Rockstar commits to GTA Online on Switch 2, they’ll need parity on major updates and a clear plan for moderation and anti-cheat in Nintendo’s ecosystem. Anything less turns it into a novelty rather than a platform.

What Gamers Should Watch For

• Ratings board leaks: Classifications often tip ports early.
• Wording in Take-Two earnings calls: “Legacy title expansion on new platforms” is the tell.
• Rockstar Newswire language: If they mention Switch 2 alongside “new ways to play GTA Online,” that’s your green light.
• Install size details: A “download required” badge signals big content and likely online support.
• Performance targets: If Rockstar commits to 30fps locked, great. If it’s “variable,” be cautious.

TL;DR

Take-Two’s boss says the company is “committed” to Switch 2 and has “many” games coming. GTA 5 fits that strategy and is well within the console’s reach—if Rockstar manages performance, storage, and GTA Online properly. I wouldn’t bet on GTA 6 for Switch 2 anytime soon, but GTA 5 finally making the jump feels more plausible than ever.