I still get a little twitch when I see John Marston's face. Not because I don't love Red Dead Redemption—I do—but because every time I see that iconic cowboy silhouette, I remember the remaster that apparently almost happened and then quietly rode off into the sunset. According to a Kotaku report that backed up a rumor from Rockstar insider Tez, Rockstar had remasters of both Red Dead Redemption and GTA 4 'on the table a few years ago.' Then the projects were reportedly shelved. Why? At least in part because of the disastrous reception of GTA: The Trilogy - Definitive Edition. And now, in 2026, the question I keep asking is simple: are we ever going to get them?

Let's be honest: the Trilogy launch was a mess. I'm not talking about a few rough edges. I'm talking bug-riddled builds, janky character models, spelling errors, and a Metacritic user score that fell below 1 at launch. That's not a remaster; that's a cautionary tale. Rockstar has spent years slowly issuing fixes, but the damage was done. When a company sees that kind of backlash, it makes sense that it would pump the brakes on other nostalgia projects. Wouldn't you?

According to the report, Rockstar is now fully focused on GTA 6. The company is reportedly hoping the community will eventually forget about the trilogy's rough launch while it works on its next massive release. That's a big ask, isn't it? Fans have long memories, especially when a beloved trilogy gets a launch that feels more like a beta test than a celebration.

But here's the part that keeps the hope alive: the Red Dead Redemption and GTA 4 projects haven't been scrapped entirely. The report says Rockstar is allegedly waiting until after the launch of GTA 6 to release any more remasters. We don't know exactly when that will be. The last official update I can point to was at the start of 2022, when Rockstar said GTA 6 development was 'well underway.' In 2026, that sentence feels like ancient history—and yet the strategy still makes sense.

I get why Rockstar is playing it safe. GTA 6 is the biggest thing on its plate. If I were running a studio with that kind of pressure, I'd probably put the nostalgia remasters in a drawer too. But I also think there's a middle ground. A proper Red Dead Redemption remaster—not a quick port, not a mobile-style polish job—would be a gift. GTA 4 with modern controls, cleaner visuals, and a stable frame rate? Yes, please. The demand is clearly there. Just look at how fans still talk about both games.

So what should we expect in 2026? I wouldn't hold my breath for a surprise announcement before GTA 6 has had its moment. The report's timeline points to a post-GTA 6 window, and that's probably the earliest realistic chance. Could Rockstar change its mind? Sure. Could the projects be quietly revived if the right team is free? Absolutely. But until we hear something official, I'm treating this as a waiting game.

The frustrating part is that the Trilogy's failure shouldn't doom every future remaster. If anything, it should teach Rockstar what not to do: rush it, outsource it carelessly, and ignore the community's standards. A great remaster isn't just a cash grab; it's a chance to introduce classic worlds to new players and give longtime fans a reason to return. Red Dead Redemption and GTA 4 are both worthy of that treatment.

So here I am, still waiting. I'll keep replaying the originals, and I'll keep hoping that one day Rockstar will saddle up and do right by John Marston and Niko Bellic. Until then, I'll ask the same question every other fan is asking: if the remasters are still 'on the table,' who's going to be brave enough to pick them up? 🤠🎮