Grand Theft Auto 6 is easily one of the most anticipated games of all time, so naturally, everyone wants to give it a go, including those planning on being locked to the Nintendo Switch 2. Of course, games should be made available to as many people as possible, but sometimes, whether due to mechanical or technical constraints, that just isn't possible. Grand Theft Auto 6, with its hyper-photorealistic visuals and huge open world, definitely feels like the kind of game everyone would just expect to skip the Switch 2, and rightfully so.

However, after seeing the new ridiculously successful GTA 6 trailer, I'm beginning to change my mind. Naturally, I'm not 100% convinced that Grand Theft Auto 6 will come to the plucky Nintendo handheld that is allegedly struggling to run first-party games. However, one aspect of the new trailer has me thinking that it may be possible after all, especially when one considers the games already announced to be launching on the Nintendo Switch 2. It may be wishful thinking, but I believe there's some credence to this notion.

GTA 6 Looks Surprisingly Well-Optimized

The Recent Trailer Was Running On The PS5

GTA 6's immensely successful trailer managed to rake in hundreds of millions of views in just a matter of hours, proving, once again, that practically everyone in the world is eager to get their hands on this pretty spectacular-looking game. It is perhaps GTA 6's unbelievably gorgeous visuals that, at least in this trailer, sparked so much excitement from people, with many in complete disbelief that what they were seeing was actual in-game footage and the final finished product. After all, we've been burned too many times with the likes of Watch Dogs and No Man's Sky.

However, what surprised players more than the shadow-dropped trailer itself was that not only were these gorgeous visuals the real deal and captured in-game, offering a mixture of cinematics and gameplay, but it was all running on the base PS5. Posting on X in order to reassure fans, Rockstar itself confirmed that what we were all seeing was being captured on the original PS5. Frankly, that blew the minds of many fans, including myself, as it would imply that the game is extremely well optimized to get visuals that good running on the base PS5's hardware.

Of course, GTA 6's file size will likely be one of the biggest gaming as ever seen in order to get it running as flawlessly as possible on the base PS5 and accommodate all of the tiny details spotted throughout the trailer. However, the important thing to note is that Rockstar has obviously managed to pull off some magic when it comes to GTA 6's optimization, and that could bode extremely well for a potential Nintendo Switch 2 version, as, while not exactly the same in specs, the Switch 2 has proved it can play several intensive PS5 games.

Switch 2 Is Already Getting Some Demanding Games

Cyberpunk 2077 Feels Like A Miracle Port

When Nintendo officially unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2 during its own dedicated Direct, it heavily focused on all of the huge third-party titles launching on day one and beyond. There were the expected titles like Elden Ring and an updated version of Hogwarts Legacy, but there was also the surprise reveal of a Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 version. One would expect that Cyberpunk 2077 on the Nintendo Switch 2 would look about as good as Hogwarts Legacy did on the original Switch, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

CD Projekt Red has poured a lot of effort into the Switch 2 version of Cyberpunk 2077 and, as a result, it looks absolutely incredible. Footage shared online shows a game that, at least in handheld and, if you squint hard enough, is comparable to the PS5 version. Clearly, a lot is missing from this version in of NPC and asset density, and the textures have seen a dip in resolution, so that it all works on Nintendo's hardware.

With Rockstar proving it is more than capable of optimizing GTA 6 for next-gen consoles, there's no reason why it wouldn't be able to with the Switch 2 as well.

However, CD Projekt Red believes that the Switch 2 version may be the best handheld version at the very least, with Charles Tremblay stating in a Creator's Voice video on YouTube that it is "the best way to experience the game on the go." All of this points to the Switch 2 being a more powerful piece of hardware than some may have expected. With Rockstar proving it is more than capable of optimizing GTA 6 for next-gen consoles, there's no reason why it wouldn't be able to with the Switch 2 as well.

GTA 6 On Switch 2 Might Be A Long Wait

It Probably Won't Come Out At Launch

Of course, while GTA 6 may launch on the Switch 2, it likely won't for quite some time. It is possible that the Switch 2 delayed GTA 6, especially if Rockstar wants to release all versions of the game simultaneously. However, what is more likely is that Rockstar will quietly work on a Switch 2 port in the background, ensuring it is as optimized as possible before releasing it to the public. It will take a considerable amount of work to get it onto the platform, especially if it wants to cram it onto a single cartridge like Cyberpunk 2077.

Naturally, considering the concerning Switch 2 framerates for third-party games, a GTA 6 port may be out of the question completely. Rockstar will have at least tried to make it work - if it indeed is an impossible port - especially considering just how hugely successful the original Nintendo Switch was. It has a ridiculously large install base, and the Nintendo Switch 2 will likely have a similarly large one by the end of its lifetime. Rockstar will want to capitalize on that as it could bring in a lot of money for whatever GTA 6's online mode ends up being.

It remains to be seen whether we will get a Nintendo Switch 2 port of Grand Theft Auto 6. However, after the second trailer revealed that the PS5 can more than handle the game's astonishingly gorgeous visuals and high level of detail thanks to Rockstar's impressive optimization work, I do feel like anything is possible. Nintendo Switch 2 fans should get their fingers well and truly crossed and hope that the technical wizards at Rockstar somehow manage to figure out how to get Grand Theft Auto 6 working on the plucky handheld.

Source: Rockstar/Twitter, Nintendo of America/YouTube