Grand Theft Auto 6is getting closer, and it seems increasingly viable that the Nintendo Switch 2 could become a new home for the console. There are plenty of reasons why this could happen, but there are also reasons why it might never be. Nintendo and Rockstar could go either way with the decision to develop and release a Switch 2 port, and until either party officially addresses the possibility, it’s up in the air.
While there’s reason to beskeptical about manyGTA 6rumors, I have to admit that the reasons for both sides are compelling. It’s hard to say a firm yes or no on the future of Rockstar’s series with the Nintendo Switch 2, butthere are great arguments from both sides. Regardless of what the companies choose to do, there’s a lot of support.
10The Publisher Wants To Support The Console
Rockstar Seems Open To The Switch 2
Take-Two Interactive, the company that publishesGrand Theft Auto 6, has made it clear that they want to support the Nintendo Switch 2. Its CEO, Strauss Zelnick, mentioned toEurogamerthat in the past, Nintendo consoles were seen as more for younger players, but that idea is no longer true. The Switch 2 can attract a much wider audience. While Zelnick didn’t directly sayGTA 6would come to the Switch 2,his comments strongly hint that Take-Two is open to bringing games to the platform.
Don’t Expect To See The Witcher 3 On Nintendo Switch 2 Anytime Soon
Despite its reverential status among RPG fans, CD Projekt Red has no plans on bringing The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt to the Nintendo Switch 2.
A Switch 2 version ofCivilization 7will be available on the platform at launch, making it clear that Take-Two sees the console as a profitable market. AGTA 6release on Switch 2 would take full advantage of this bigger audience.Nintendo has the opportunity thanks to Take-Two’s willingnessto work with the platform.
9Nintendo Consoles Are Focused On Families
The Company Does Not Want To Anger Parents
Nintendo prioritizes accessibility for all ages, and while mature games likeBayonettaandRed Dead Redemptionexist on Switch,Grand Theft Auto 6’sexplicit violence, sexual content, and moral ambiguity starkly contradict Nintendo’s classic image. The lastGrand Theft Autohad Trevor torturing a man to get information out of him. IfGTA 6pushes things even further, its high-profile status as a controversial franchise might not be appealing for the Switch 2.
Stylized violence in games likeElden Ringis more palatable thanGTA’sgritty realism.The potential backlash from alienating family audiences could outweigh the financial incentive for Nintendo, as despite its move toward more mature games over the years, it could be difficult for Nintendo to pivot this fully.GTA 6on the Switch 2 could make it harder for parents to trust the company.
8Nintendo Has Supported GTA Games Before
We Got China Town Wars On Nintendo’s Platform
Not everyGrand Theft Autogame has been on a Nintendo system, but some have. For example,Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Editionwas released on the Switch, proving thatNintendo is okay with having mature gamesdespite its family-friendly focus. Nintendo also featuredChina Town Warson the DS andGrand Theft Autoon the Game Boy Advance. This makes it more likely thatGTA 6, despite its adult themes, could still come to a Nintendo console.
GTA: Chinatown Wars Deserves A Sequel
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars has a unique feel unlike any other game in the GTA series. After so long, it’s time for Huang Lee to return.
Other mature games likeMortal Kombat 1andDoomhave done well on the Switch, showing that Nintendo is open to more than just old or kid-friendly games. It’s not set in stone that the company has to market only to younger audiences, butSwitch 2 is a chance for Nintendo to push further to a more mature audience.
7The GTA 6 File Size Would Be Huge
GTA 6 Is Going To Be A Big Game
PortingGTA 6to Nintendo Switch 2 will be a much bigger challenge would be for PS5 or Xbox Series X|S.Grand Theft Auto 6is expected to dwarf evenRed Dead Redemption 2in file size, posing a logistical challenge for Switch 2 cartridges. While the successor console may improve storage, Rockstar’s sprawling open worlds demand significant resources.Large downloads or multi-cartridge releases could frustrate users,and downgrading assets might compromise the experience.
The days when players were perfectly fine having multiple discs for the same game seem to be gone, and getting any game with an installation disc and then a play disc feels weird. Nintendo Switch 2 would likely need to embrace thegame-key card systemforGTA 6, to say nothing of optimizing the game to run well on the system.
6Nintendo Has Been Breaking Free From Its Family-Friendly Box
Nintendo Can Be Competition To Sony & Microsoft Again
Nintendo seems to finally be trying to change its reputation as a company that only makes games for kids or less mature games. The success of more adult-oriented games on the Switch, along with thestronger hardware expected in the Switch 2, suggests that Nintendo wants to offer a wider variety of games. If the Switch 2 is as powerful as a PS4 or Xbox One, it could attract players who want big, serious games likeGrand Theft Auto 6.
For a long time, Nintendo was focused on its image as a console that parents could trust. This works well, but Nintendo is viewed by many as the “second console” to get after an Xbox or PlayStation. This can be a limiting position, andreleasingGrand Theft Auto 6on the Switch 2 could keep Nintendo at the center of conversation.
5Take-Two Didn’t Actually Mention Support For Switch 2 Yet
The Company Gave Everything But Confirmation
Take-Two’s CEO has expressed vague interest in Switch 2 support, but said nothing definitive, and Rockstar has only confirmedGTA 6for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The absence of a Switch 2 mention, despite the game’s record-breaking hype, suggests it’s not a priority. If a port were planned, early signaling would be likely to capitalize on pre-launch excitement. AnnouncingGTA 6during the Switch 2 Direct could have built significant momentum for the console, but no such reveal happened.
Take-Two Interactive CEO Says Company “Fully Expects To Support Switch,” Opening The Doors For Potential GTA6 On Switch 2
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has made a statement regarding Nintendo and the Switch, hinting at more titles coming to the consoles.
Rockstar or Nintendo would need to confirm something like this before it comes out. Without more elaboration about Rockstar’s plans for the system, we’re just guessingwhat Rockstar’s Switch 2 support meansforGTA 6’schance at a port.While Rockstar specifically announcing aGrand Theft Auto 6port would be great, it may be a pipe dream, and it’s just a relatively unlikely option among many possibilities.
4Nintendo Switch 2 May Be Able To Handle A Port
The Switch 2 Is Much More Powerful Than The Original
Based on the specs we can assume forNintendo Switch 2 and comparisons made with the Steam Deck, it will be a big upgrade over the original Switch. If the Switch 2 can handle games likeCyberpunk 2077, evenwith lower graphics settings, then it might be able to scrape by with a passable port ofGTA 6.
That is a big question because Nintendo consoles are not known for their ability to keep up with PlayStation and Xbox.Grand Theft Auto 6’sadvanced physics and lighting effects may be too much for the console. However, if the Switch 2 is a big enough improvement,Rockstar could adjust the game to run smoothly by lowering some visual details and features.
3Nintendo Prioritizes Exclusivity and Unique Offerings
Some Great Games Ended Up On Nintendo’s Consoles
Nintendo thrives on first-party franchises likeZeldaandMarioand innovative third-party exclusives likeOctopath Traveler. Ports of multiplatform blockbusters likeGTA 6don’t align with the primary strategy of differentiating the Switch ecosystem. Nintendo has a specific audience, and fans keep asking Nintendo to put out more games that the company is known for.Grand Theft Auto 6is not a game that people are coming to Nintendo for.
The effort to adapt such a complex game may not justify competing with superior-performing versionson other consoles, and Nintendo might be invested in preparing a dynamic holiday season of first-party titles rather than releasing aGTA 6port. People buy other consoles for Rockstar’s games, so Nintendo is going to have to compete with that, which would take time and energy away from its current endeavors.
2Grand Theft Auto 6 Is Too Big To Miss Out On
It’s Likely Going To Be Game of the Year
Grand Theft Auto 6is expected to be one of the biggest and most profitable games ever, so missing an opportunity for a port could set the Switch 2 behind. It’s so big thatrumored $100 price pointis something that many are willing to pay.The game’s popularity and cultural influence mean it could bring in a ton of players, and that’s not easy to ignore. Every console manufacturer could benefit from having a piece of the pie.
For Nintendo,havingGrand Theft Auto 6on the Switch 2 would make the console much more appealing to a wider audience and could boost salessignificantly. For Rockstar, releasing Switch 2 would reach Nintendo fans who haven’t playedGTAgames before. The financial benefits for both companies are so great that a Switch 2 version is still possible, even if there are technical hurdles. It’s hard to imagine either side casually passing up this opportunity.
1Porting To Switch 2 Means Big Downgrades
Switch 2 Can’t Measure Up To PS5 & Series X|S
Even with upgraded hardware,the Switch 2 won’t match the power of the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S. AGrand Theft Auto 6port, however viable, would still require drastic cuts. Lower resolution, stripped-back textures, reduced NPC density, or even removed features could all define the port, potentially attracting a negative reception. Rockstar’s reputation for polished, immersive worlds risks being undermined by a subpar version, and it would do no favors for the conversation around the Switch 2’s power.
The Nintendo Switch 2 is great, but it isn’t beating the current-gen consoles offered by Sony and Microsoft in terms of power. Making the wrong move with a struggling port could harm both Rockstar and Nintendo’s image, which could potentially make the concept a non-starter. There’s no shortage of reasons why aGrand Theft Auto 6Switch 2 port would make perfect sense, but there’s also no shortage of problems that an attempt could encounter.
