Red Dead Redemption is finally getting a physical release on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2, with both versions reportedly launching on 7 May 2026 at €34.99. The leak originated from a Spanish retailer listing before being expanded by Dealabs’ billbil-kun, who confirmed two separate physical editions are in the pipeline. One catch worth knowing upfront: the Switch 2 version is a Code-in-a-Box release, not a true cartridge.
This is the original Red Dead Redemption getting the physical treatment, not Red Dead Redemption 2. That distinction is causing some friction among fans who have been waiting years for an upgraded RDR2 on current-gen hardware.
What The Leaks Actually Show
Spanish retailer Wakkap accidentally published a store listing for a physical PS5 copy of Red Dead Redemption priced at €32.90, with a 7 May 2026 release date. The listing did not include an EAN code, which initially made it difficult to verify whether it was a genuine physical product or a digital placeholder.
Dealabs’ billbil-kun then followed up with additional findings, confirming the physical PS5 edition and revealing a second physical release for Nintendo Switch 2. According to billbil-kun’s reporting, both editions will retail at €34.99, which is €15 cheaper than the launch price of the digital versions. A separate Micromania listing briefly opened pre-orders for the PS5 version before disappearing, suggesting either an early reveal or a retailer error.
Rockstar Games has not acknowledged either leak at the time of writing.
Pricing And Edition Breakdown
Here is how the two physical editions compare based on the leaked information.
| Edition | Format | Price | Release Date | Included Content |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Redemption PS5 | Disc | €34.99 | 7 May 2026 | Base game, Undead Nightmare, GOTY content |
| Red Dead Redemption Switch 2 | Code-in-a-Box | €34.99 | 7 May 2026 | Base game, Undead Nightmare, GOTY content |
Neither version includes online multiplayer, matching the existing digital releases. The original PS4 physical release notably shipped without the classic New Austin map insert, and there is no indication so far that the PS5 version will restore it.
The Switch 2 Code-In-A-Box Problem
The Switch 2 version is the awkward one. A Code-in-a-Box release means buyers get a retail box containing only a download code printed on paper, with no cartridge inside. For a game that clocks in at roughly 12GB, the decision is harder to justify than it would be for a 50GB-plus title where cartridge cost becomes prohibitive.
For collectors who want a true physical Switch cartridge, the existing Switch 1 release remains the only option. Both the Switch 1 cartridge and digital versions are eligible for the free Switch 2 upgrade, provided the game has been updated to the latest version on the newer hardware.
Read More: Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition Xbox Controller and Headset Leaked With Prices
Read More: Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake Reportedly Coming to Switch 2 This Christmas
Why Fans Are Frustrated It Is Not RDR2
The leak has reignited a long-running complaint from a section of the community: Red Dead Redemption 2 still does not have a native PS5 or Xbox Series X|S version. The 2018 release continues to run on PS4 and Xbox One code via backwards compatibility, with no upscaled current-gen port despite eight years passing since launch.
Reddit threads responding to the leak surfaced the usual sentiment, with one user joking that they would happily accept “everything other than releasing a PS5 port of RDR2,” and another saying they grew tired of waiting and built a Steam Machine specifically to run RDR2 at 60fps. The demand is clearly there, and Rockstar’s continued silence on the subject is starting to wear thin for a portion of the fanbase.
With Grand Theft Auto 6 reportedly facing further delays, an RDR2 current-gen port would be an obvious goodwill move while fans wait. Whether Rockstar sees it that way is another matter.
Where The Original Currently Stands
Red Dead Redemption was re-released natively on PS5 several months ago, bringing 60fps support at up to 4K resolution along with HDR. Graphical fidelity now sits roughly in line with the highest PC settings, which is a meaningful step up from the original PS4 version that many players were stuck with.
The Switch 2 version, released in December 2025, includes 60fps performance, DLSS support, HDR, and mouse controls via the new Joy-Cons. Nintendo Life scored that release 9/10. The mobile versions on iOS and Android, along with the Netflix release, have collectively crossed 10 million downloads since launching.
What To Watch For Next
Pre-orders have not officially opened yet, and Rockstar has not confirmed any of the leaked details. Given the consistency between the Spanish retailer listing, billbil-kun’s reporting, and the Micromania pre-order page that briefly went live, an official announcement is likely soon. Whether Rockstar will use the same announcement to address RDR2’s current-gen status, or stay silent on it, is the more interesting question.