How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 83 | 25 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 69 | 252 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (23)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 80
“The silver lining here is that now the game is finally freed from the cage of old hardware. And that's a great thing.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Red Dead Redemption on Switch is a straightforward port of 2010's masterpiece with no added bells or whistles for a rather high price tag. If you can get over that, this is a game we highly recommend digging into, especially if you've yet to experience it. Rockstar's Western epic holds up surprisingly well, its story is as powerful as ever, its knockabout action still feels great, and it looks and plays perfectly well on Nintendo's console. Multiplayer has been cut, which is a sore but understandable excision, and we'd really have liked to see effort put into adding gyro controls or touching up the graphics a little, but it is what it is. This is a proper all-timer ported successfully to Switch and, if you can stump up the cash, you'll have a great time here regardless of the lack of TLC.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Rockstar brings Red Dead Redemption to the Nintendo Switch with a simple, notable, and very stable adaptation in its performance. The years have not been kind, and the control system feels even more rough and stiff than before. The lack of motion controls makes it less user-friendly for new players and would have helped add agility to a game that impresses in handheld format, but feels quite dated. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite its gameplay flaws, Red Dead Redemption is a classic on seventh gen consoles. Its well-crafted characters and script are among the era's best. It's a technological marvel with meticulous attention to detail. While the gameplay may require adaptation on the player's part, it's worth it because Red Dead Redemption's overall experience is greater than the sum of its individual parts.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Red Dead Redemption on Nintendo Switch is an adequate port of an excellent game. It holds up incredibly well after thirteen years, and, while the port is definitely barebones, it’s such a good time that it doesn’t matter too much. It’s just nice to have it here, at the end of the day.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“If you want to experience Red Dead Redemption, I can recommend the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Although I think its price is high compared to the improvements it offers and a price like $30 would be more affordable, it will not make you regret playing it with its portable gaming experience and problem-free port. If you want to play in front of the TV with better graphics, you can play the game on Xbox with higher resolution and smoother performance, and at a much cheaper price, thanks to backward compatibility.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“If you were hoping for a more robust re-release, sadly, this isn’t that. It’s hard to tell if Rockstar will ever put in the time and money needed to do justice to a Red Dead re-release. But even if they don’t, at least we now have the original classic playable on all modern consoles.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Red Dead Redemption is really enjoyable on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. After thirteen years, the Rockstar classic holds up like no other, and these adjustments are more than enough for a very satisfying experience. Many of us would have liked something more, but for both nostalgic and new fans of the saga, this port is a fantastic opportunity to get into the boots of John Marston.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“If you’ve already played or own Red Dead Redemption on Xbox Series X or Xbox One X, I only really recommend it on Switch for portable play. If you’ve never played it before and own a Switch, I love this release. The lack of gyro aiming is disappointing, but everything else is better than I expected given this is Red Dead Redemption‘s first ever re-release. Hopefully gyro can be added in so that this becomes my favorite way to experience Red Dead Redemption until a potential PC version releases.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Thirteen years after leaving its indelible mark on videogames industry and establishing itself as one of the best games of the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation, Red Dead Redemption arrives on Nintendo Switch in a completely unexpected way. Many hoped for a remake on PS5 and Xbox Series, but Rockstar Games preferred to offer Nintendo console owners the port of a game that will still be a landmark. For the quality of its porting to begin with (kudos to the Double Eleven studio - Rockstar Games alumni), but also proving at the same time that the Switch is capable of handling open worlds without degrading the quality. And when we tell you that the port is uncompromising, it means that we find the same experience as in 2010, with the same graphic quality of the time and all the details that made the reputation of the Rockstar Games title. Some studios such as Game Freak should take the seed.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Red Dead Redemption was a great game when it came out in 2010, and this proves it’s still a great game in 2023. While some classics from previous generations feel dated, that’s certainly not the case here, and if you missed it (or weren’t around for it) thirteen years ago, now’s the time to finally play it. And if you did play it? Maybe it’s time to play it again.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Red Dead Redemption on Switch is a mostly fine port of a great game. If you’ve been dying to replay it or haven’t checked it out before, you should absolutely do so, but those who have already fully explored the old west won’t find anything new here or much reason to buy it again outside of the handheld factor. For some, though, that will be all the incentive they need.”
read full review ↗
GameMAG
Nintendo Life
Cubed3
Pocket Tactics
GamingBolt
IGN
Gaming Age
Hey Poor Player…and 11 more tracked reviews.