Rockstar fans were graced with the announcement ofGrand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Editionbeing released digitally this November, remasters of the iconicGTA 3,GTA: Vice City,andGTA: San Andreas. Being more than fifteen years old, the games included in the trilogy are far from new. However, theremastered versions ofGTAwill offer higher qualityin-game features such asGTA 5-style controls, improved targeting, and even a remodel of the mini-map.
Although the graphics and environment ofGTA: The Trilogy – Definitive Editionwon’t compete againstGTA 5’s movie-like world, the nostalgia triggered by driving down Grove Street or walking into Ocean View Hotel will be unbeatable. With this in the works, it isn’t too out of the question to imagine other well-loved games from Rockstar being remastered such as the originalRed Dead Redemption. Although the map inRed Dead Redemption 2is a slightly expanded version of the original with an absence of Mexico, it will be interesting to see if Rockstar does resurrect the sands of New Austin from the perspective of John Marston, fellow gang member ofRDR2’s Arthur Morgan.
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Released eight years after the original,RDR2really is the wild-west version ofGTA 5, with realistic landscapes and a multitude of customization options for weapons, outfits, and horses. Performance-wise, there isn’t muchRDR1could bring to the table compared with its successor. The town of Blackwater is much less built up in the original, despite being set after Arthur’s death, andthe range of horses available inRed Dead Redemptionis limited to only a handful of breeds with no customization options. However, there is something warmly comforting about re-playing a scene for the first time in ten years and feeling the joy that only comes from reliving fond memories.
Although the maps from the first and secondRed Dead Redemptionare largely the same, one point of interest for aRDR1remaster would be the look of the Mexican map on modern-day consoles. Sandy citadels nestled amongst cactus-sprinkled red rocks with a touch of improved graphics would certainly be something for fans to get excited about. AlthoughRDR1is still available on the Playstation Store, a remastered version would give people an incentive to re-explore the original map just to see what it looks like built for something more advanced than a Playstation 3.
Another reason why a remasteredRDR1would be great is that after playing the sequel, players got to knowRDR1’s protagonist John Marstona lot more than they did the first time around, seeing him through the eyes of a fellow gang member. This also goes for Jack Marston, John’s son, with who Arthur interacts multiple times in the sequel.
Of course, if Rockstar ever did consider remastering the originalRDR, the expansionRed Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmarewould also be in demand for a remastered version. Thezombified version of John Marston’s New Austin, released just in time for Halloween 2010, was available to buy five months after the original and offered a completely different take on the wild west. A brushed-up resurrection ofUndead Nightmare’s four horses of the apocalypse would be a treat forRed Deadfans indeed, along with the last surviving bigfoot whose skeleton can now be found somewhere in the mountains ofRDR2.
Whether or notRed Dead Redemptionplayers will see a remastered version of the original is unknown, especially withGTA: The Trilogy – Definitive Editionand theGrand Theft Auto5 next-gen update underway. Nevertheless, it would be a much-welcomed announcement for those who prefer the dusty tracks of New Austin to the highways of Los Santos.
GTA: The Trilogy – Definitive Editionreleases August 01, 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
