Virtuos Games, a studio widely recognized for its expertise in porting, remastering, and supporting AAA game development, has publicly declared its ambition to bring two of Rockstar Games’ biggest titles to Nintendo platforms. In a recent interview, Virtuos executive Andy Fong explicitly named Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 as the games the team would most like to adapt for the Nintendo Switch. The statement has ignited fresh speculation about the possibility of playing Los Santos and the American frontier on a hybrid console, and it arrives at a moment when rumors about a native version of Red Dead Redemption 2 for next-generation hardware are already circulating.
Virtuos Games: A Studio Built for Complex Ports and Remasters
Virtuos Games is not a newcomer to ambitious cross-platform projects. The studio has built a reputation for handling technically demanding conversions and remastering projects across multiple generations of hardware. The company’s portfolio includes work on major franchises: it is involved in the development of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and it has provided art production support for titles as diverse as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond for the Switch 2 and Judas from Ken Levine’s Ghost Story Games. This breadth of experience positions Virtuos as a logical candidate for any studio looking to bring a technically complex, large-scale open-world game to a less powerful platform.
The company’s interest in GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 is therefore not a casual remark but a signal backed by organizational capability. Virtuos has already demonstrated that it can handle Rockstar’s technology: the studio was responsible for the most recent remaster of L.A. Noire, the detective thriller originally developed by Team Bondi. That project involved updating the game for modern platforms and optimizing it for new hardware, giving Virtuos firsthand experience with Rockstar’s internal tools and the expectations and technical requirements.
Andy Fong’s Statement: A Direct Expression of Ambition
The revelation came during an interview with Pocket Tactics, a publication covering portable and handheld gaming. Andy Fong, representing Virtuos, was asked about the projects he would most like to work on in the future. His answer left little room for interpretation the team is eager to adapt Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 for the Nintendo Switch. While Fong’s original comment referenced the Switch specifically, industry observers have noted that Rockstar and publisher Take-Two may have greater interest in targeting the more powerful Switch 2, which is expected to offer performance closer to that could better accommodate the scale of these open-world epics.
The mention of the Switch rather than the Switch 2 could reflect either Virtuos’s current licensing or simply a colloquial reference to the Nintendo ecosystem. What matters is the clear expression of intent from a studio that has the technical credentials to see such a project through. Virtuos is not merely expressing a wishlist it is signaling to both Rockstar and the broader games industry that it is ready, willing, and equipped to tackle one of the most challenging port assignments imaginable.
The Rumor Mill: Red Dead Redemption 2 Already Tied to Switch 2
Fong’s interest comes at a time when rumors about an enhanced version of Red Dead Redemption 2 have been growing louder. Leaks and industry speculation have pointed to a native version of the game for the Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A recent discovery on Rockstar’s own website triggered a fresh wave of speculation, though no official confirmation has been issued by Rockstar or Take-Two. If those rumors prove accurate, Virtuos could find itself arriving late to a conversation that Rockstar may already have already started internally. However, the studio’s public statement could also serve as an invitation to participate in that process, particularly if Rockstar is evaluating multiple partners for the technical work involved.
Red Dead Redemption 2 remains one of the most technically impressive games of its generation, with a sprawling open world demands significant processing power and detailed simulation systems would require significant optimization to run smoothly on hardware that is less powerful than the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on which the game originally launched. A Switch 2 version, taking advantage of improved CPU and GPU capabilities, could preserve much of the original’s visual fidelity while making the portable form factor. Virtuos experience with both large-scale open worlds and Nintendo hardware makes it a credible candidate for such a task.
Grand Theft Auto V: 225 Million Copies and an Untapped Market
Grand Theft Auto V presents a different but equally compelling case. With more than 225 million copies sold worldwide, GTA 5 is already one of the best-selling entertainment products of all time. Yet it has never appeared on a Nintendo platform. The game’s longevity has been extraordinary: it has been re-released across three console generations and continues to generate significant revenue through Grand Theft Auto Online. A Nintendo version would could open an entirely new audience segment, including the millions of Switch and Switch 2 owners who have never experienced Los Santos on a portable device.
The technical challenge of bringing GTA 5 to Nintendo hardware is substantial but perhaps more manageable than it first appears. The game originally launched on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and its codebase has been optimized repeatedly over the years. Virtuos would be working with a engine that has already been scaled down to run on older hardware. The real challenge would be ensuring that the Online component runs smoothly and that the version takes advantage of platform-specific features, such as gyro aiming, touchscreen menus, or the hybrid play model. Given Virtuos track record with complex ports, this is a challenge the studio is well positioned to take on.
The Broader Context: GTA 6 and the Future of Rockstar on Nintendo
The potential arrival of GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 on Nintendo must also be considered within the broader trajectory of Rockstar and Take-Two strategy. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19, and reports have suggested that Rockstar is already investigating whether the game can run on the Switch 2. A source close to the matter indicated that the studio has been experimenting with early builds on Nintendo hardware, though no decision has been confirmed. If GTA 6 does eventually migrate to Nintendo platforms, that would represent a significant shift in Rockstar approach, which has historically focused on Sony, Microsoft, and PC.
This context complicates the prospects for a GTA 5 port. If Rockstar is actively exploring a Switch 2 version of GTA 6, it may choose to skip a last-generation port of GTA 5 on the same hardware, preferring to concentrate marketing and development resources on the franchise future. On the other hand, a successful port of GTA 5 could serve as a testing ground for Rockstar, allowing the company to evaluate performance, player behavior, and online. It could also provide a steady revenue stream while Rockstar prepares the ground for a more ambitious GTA 6 port in the years ahead. Virtuos Games, with its existing relationship with Rockstar and its demonstrated ability to handle demanding projects, could be the partner that makes that strategy viable.
What a Virtuos Port Could Look Like
If Virtuos were to undertake a port of either GTA 5 or Red Dead Redemption 2, the technical approach would likely reflect the studio previous work. Virtuos has experience in art production, engine optimization, and cross-platform engineering. For a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, the studio would need to adjust texture resolution, draw distances, shadow quality, and frame rate targets while preserving the core experience. Red Dead Redemption 2, in particular, would require substantial work to maintain its cinematic presentation and large open world without sacrificing performance. Virtuos could leverage techniques such as dynamic resolution scaling, variable rate shading, and careful asset culling to achieve a stable target.
An interesting possibility is that Virtuos could also contribute to the rumored enhanced version of Red Dead Redemption 2 that is said to be in development for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series. The studio involvement in such a project would align with its role on Metal Gear Solid Delta and Oblivion Remastered, where it handled significant portions of the remaster work. In that scenario, a Nintendo port would be developed alongside the next-generation version, potentially benefiting from the same improvements to lighting, texture, loading times, and performance.
The Significance of Virtuos Public Statement
It is uncommon for a studio like Virtuos to so openly name specific titles it wants to work on. The statement reflects not only the team enthusiasm but also a strategic positioning. By publicly declaring its interest in these two Rockstar giants, Virtuos is signaling to the industry that it has the capacity, ambition, and technical readiness to take on the most challenging projects. It is also effectively applying for the role a public bid that invites conversation and negotiation. Whether that leads to a partnership with Rockstar remains to be seen, but Virtuos has made its case.
For the gaming community, the prospect of playing GTA 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 on a console is genuinely exciting. The combination of Rockstar narrative craftsmanship and the flexibility of a hybrid system could breathe new life into both titles, extending their relevance another generation. Virtuos Games has thrown its hat into the ring. Now the question is whether Rockstar will pick it up.
