Red Dead Redemption PS4 Port Highlights How Amazing Xbox Backwards Compatibility Is

So, Rockstar dropped a new release announcement earlier today in typical Rockstar fashion – completely out of the blue while throwing everyone off in the meantime. Yep, the GTA and RDR developer has announced a new port of the first Red Dead Redemption for PS4 and Nintendo Switch, while an Xbox version is curiously absent.

There’s a good reason behind its absence of course – backwards compatibility. Xbox’s amazing BC program — which includes enhancements for older titles like RDR — means that there’s no reason for the first Red Dead to make its way to modern Xbox consoles. It’s already there in glorious 4K on Xbox Series X!

In fact, it isn’t just the Series X that benefits either. Rockstar and Microsoft first worked together to bring resolution enhancements to the game during the Xbox One X era, and even Xbox Series S got a boost when it arrived on the scene as well.

One of the most baffling decisions tied to this port is Rockstar charging a full $50 for this new version of Red Dead Redemption, even despite including the game’s single-player DLC. The Xbox 360 version often gets reduced by around 75% in digital sales, and even at full price the base game is $30 on the Xbox Store – giving players the option to grab the Undead Nightmare expansion separately, and for less money overall.

Moreover, this news has simply reminded us of how good we have it when it comes to playing classics on Xbox. So many other 360 games are enhanced on modern Xbox consoles at no extra charge; titles like Gears of War 3 and Forza Horizon look amazing, just to name a few! Then there’s FPS Boost, which is one of our absolute favourite features of the current Xbox generation.

We suppose it’s good that Switch and PS4/PS5 players can finally play Red Dead Redemption without having to jump to another platform, but we’ve been happily rodeoing around Blackwater in glorious 4K for over five years at this point. A huge thanks goes to Phil Spencer and his team for implementing comprehensive backwards compatibility – we’re very happy we don’t have to shell out $50 to buy Red Dead Redemption again!