Grand Theft Auto 5 on Nintendo Switch: A Performance Review

There has always been an underlying curiosity amongst gaming enthusiasts about how the iconic Grand Theft Auto 5 (GTA 5) would fare on the Nintendo Switch. A recent online video by YouTuber Geekerwan attempted to answer this question, with the results coming out as quite a shock. Despite the phenomenal success of GTA 5 across multiple platforms, it never managed to land on Nintendo Switch. However, this recent experiment has brought to light some interesting insights about the performance of this popular game on the handheld console.

The Ingenuity of Bringing GTA 5 to Switch

The video shared by Geekerwan showcases the Nintendo Switch transformed into a makeshift Steam Deck. The YouTuber accomplished this by compelling the console to run on the Linux operating system. This intriguing modification allowed the console to execute PC games, with a special emphasis on GTA 5. However, the experiment did not yield the expected results, with the Nintendo Switch struggling to accommodate the game's open-world environment despite varying the graphic settings. Regular frame rates staggered in the region of 6 to 8 per second, rendering the game virtually unplayable.

Performance Analysis of Other Non-Switch Games

Geekerwan's innovative experiment did not stop at GTA 5. They extended the testing to other popular games not available on Nintendo Switch, such as Devil May Cry 5 and God of War. Regrettably, the performance of these games mirrored that of GTA 5, struggling to maintain playable frame rates even at lower settings. It's intriguing to note how the Nintendo Switch, which hosts some of the best open-world games ever, finds it challenging to handle games first released on older consoles like PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Implication for Future Releases: Grand Theft Auto 6

The performance of GTA 5 on the Nintendo Switch has triggered some speculative discussions about the potential compatibility of the upcoming GTA 6 on the platform. Despite confirmation of GTA 6 being in development, there has been no official statement from Rockstar Games regarding its intended platforms. Nevertheless, the struggle of the Nintendo Switch to efficiently run a game that's a decade old raises doubts about the developer's intention to include the console in its future plans. It's important to note, however, that the performance issues could be attributed to the emulation of GTA 5, and a Switch-specific version of GTA 6 could be better optimized for the platform.

A Glimpse into the Future

With rumors suggesting the potential release of GTA 6 as early as 2024, gamers might not have to wait long to find out if it makes its way to the Nintendo Switch platform. Until then, the performance of GTA 5 on the console continues to spark debates about the technical capabilities of the handheld gaming device. While this experiment was not the outcome many hoped for, it certainly provides insight into the potential and limitations of the Nintendo Switch when it comes to running high-intensity, open-world games.