Red Dead Redemption Is Free To Upgrade On PS5 And Xbox, But There’s a Catch You Need to Know

One of the greatest Western video games ever made just got a significant facelift. If you already own it, you might be eligible for a completely free upgrade to the enhanced version.

After the earlier announcement, Rockstar has released a modernized version of the original Red Dead Redemption on Tuesday, December 2. A step-up from the previous re-release, this brings the beloved 2010 classic to the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S and X, and the Nintendo Switch 2, along with mobile versions accessible through Netflix subscriptions on iOS and Android devices.

For many players who purchased the game on previous platforms, this represents an opportunity to experience John Marston’s revenge tale with dramatically improved visuals and performance without spending another dime. However, claiming your free upgrade isn’t always straightforward, and making the wrong move could permanently lock you out of the version you’re entitled to.

A longstanding licensing quirk with Sony’s revamped subscription service could create a pitfall for players who already own the PlayStation 4 version, whether physical or digital.

Owners of the previous generation version are entitled to the free upgrade, but they must claim it properly through the PlayStation Store rather than simply downloading it from the PlayStation Plus catalog. Players who download the subscription version first may find themselves permanently locked out of claiming their free upgrade entitlement. This is particularly frustrating because the PlayStation Plus version isn’t yours to keep forever and will only remain accessible as long as your subscription remains active.

The correct process for PlayStation 5 owners involves navigating directly to Red Dead Redemption’s page on the PlayStation Store through your console. From there, you should be able to claim and download the PlayStation 5 version at no charge if you own the PlayStation 4 edition. Those with physical disc copies need to insert the disc in the console so the system can verify ownership before allowing the free download.

Xbox players with digital copies of the backward-compatible Xbox 360 version can claim their free upgrade through the Microsoft Store, according to official Rockstar website.

Finally, Nintendo Switch 2 owners have a slightly different upgrade path. Both physical cartridge owners and digital purchasers are eligible for the free enhancement, but you first need to ensure your original Switch version has been updated to version 1.06. Once updated, you can either search for the Red Dead Redemption Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade pack directly in the Nintendo eShop or access it through an option labeled Nintendo Switch 2 Edition that appears in the main menu below Undead Nightmare when running the game on the newer hardware.

For those who have never played Red Dead Redemption or who might have skipped it in favor of jumping straight to the sequel, this enhanced release represents the definitive way to experience the game. And for returning players who fell in love with it years ago, the opportunity to revisit the dusty trails and dramatic shootouts with significantly improved technical presentation is genuinely exciting.

Whether you’re eligible for the free upgrade or considering purchasing it for the first time, just make sure you navigate the claim process correctly on your platform of choice.

A similar re-release for Red Dead Redemption 2 is reportedly in development, but it remains unclear when it will be released.

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