Claims of Rockstar running GTA 6 Switch 2 tests could be a sign of more third party studios wanting to bring mature games to Nintendo’s platform.

Despite its status as the most anticipated video game of all time, there’s actually very little info about GTA 6, beyond its two cinematic trailers and the vague outline of its story.

One of the few things known for certain is that it will launch for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S (but not PC). And as evidenced by its graphics, GTA 6 will be taking full advantage of the modern hardware’s capabilities.

As such, it would seem very unlikely GTA 6 will ever see a release on the less powerful Nintendo Switch 2, but one insider claims that isn’t stopping Rockstar Games from at least trying.

Recently, a new rumour spread that GTA 6 is actually in development for Switch 2, but in responding to the gossip, the usually reliable Nate The Hate stated that Rockstar is only experimenting with the idea, to see if it can actually run on Nintendo’s console.

‘I said a while ago that [Rockstar] was doing tests to bring it to Switch 2; but tests don’t always equal release,’ he wrote on X. ‘I know an effort has been made to see if they can bring it to the platform. I don’t know the current state of that effort.’

When someone shared Nate’s comments as proof GTA 6 will see a Switch 2 port, he reiterated, ‘Experimenting doesn’t equal ‘in development’ and companies often test to see if a game is possible on hardware.’

Whether it happens or not, it’s interesting that Rockstar is even trying. Although, traditionally they have a much better relationship with Nintendo than some might imagine, with several exclusive titles having been released on older formats, including the original version of Chinatown Wars.

Rockstar’s testing also makes sense considering Zelnick spoke very positively about the Switch 2 earlier this year and said the company would release its games on Nintendo’s platform on a case-by-case basis: ‘We obviously want to be where the consumers are.’

Nintendo hardware does have a reputation for being the most family friendly option, but the Switch 2 already has plenty of mature-rated games scheduled or already out, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring.

Rockstar’s own Red Dead Redemption was also recently announced as getting a Switch 2 port and it’s not unreasonable to assume that other third party publishers are also looking to increase their support.

For instance, last week on The Game Business Show, when host Christropher Dring jokingly mentioned waiting for a Switch 2 port of live service game hit Helldivers 2, Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Shams Jorjani didn’t immediately rule it out: ‘We’ll see, we’ll see. That’s again, above my pay grade by a couple of tiers.’

Xbox boss Phil Spencer, meanwhile, has repeatedly promised that more Microsoft published games will come to Switch 2, but beyond rumours of Halo and Microsoft Flight Simulator ports, Microsoft has yet to actually announce anything.

The Activision buyout was meant to yield Nintendo ports of Call Of Duty games, but Black Ops 7 has still skipped Switch 2 (Activision)

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