Big news for Red Dead fans
Rockstar is dusting off John Marston’s boots and bringing Red Dead Redemption (plus the Undead Nightmare add-on) back to life on Switch 2 and other platforms this December. If you blinked and missed the announcement, here’s the short and very good bit: if you already own the game, the upgrade is free.
Who gets the free upgrade?
If you own Red Dead Redemption on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or the backward-compatible digital version on Xbox One, you’ll be eligible for a complimentary digital upgrade. In plain terms: no extra cash for the new version if you’ve already paid.
Keep your saved progress
The upgrade isn’t just a fresh coat of paint — your saves can come along for the ride. PS4 players can carry over previous PS4 save data, and Switch 2 users can continue from saves on their original Nintendo Switch. So no need to re-live that dramatic canyon jump unless you actually want to.
What the Switch 2 version brings
The new release bundles the full single-player experiences of both Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare and includes extra goodies from the Game of the Year Edition. Tech-wise, it gets modern niceties like DLSS, HDR, optional mouse support, and aims to deliver smooth 60 frames per second gameplay at higher resolution — basically, prettier sunsets and less stutter while you’re herding cattle or getting into trouble.
Release date
The free upgrade is slated to roll out on December 2, 2025, for eligible owners. Mark your calendars, set an alarm, tie a ribbon on your console — whatever gets you excited.
On the rumor front
The chatter about Red Dead Redemption 2 potentially coming to Switch 2 has flared up again after this announcement. A podcaster and YouTuber known as NateTheHate claims it’s still in the cards, but for now that’s just rumor-level gossip. Keep your cowboy hats on until Rockstar speaks.
Final thoughts
All in all, this is a generous move by Rockstar for people who already own the game — and a neat reason for newcomers to consider picking it up on current-gen platforms. If you’re a Switch owner, your old save files will thank you. If you’re not, well — dust off the saddle and get ready for a nostalgia-fueled ride.
