Red Dead Redemption PS5 vs Xbox: here's how Rockstar's classic compares on each console
Rockstar has re-released Red Dead Redemption on PS4 and PS5, but how does it compare to the Xbox version?
Red Dead Redemption is now available on PS5 and PS4, meaning PlayStation gamers can enjoy Rockstar’s Western open-world epic once again or for the very first time.
But how does Red Dead Redemption on PS5 compare to playing the game on Xbox Series X via backward compatibility? Well, there are a couple of things you need to know.
Like an old-fashioned duel, let’s see which console version of Red Dead Redemption comes out on top and whether it’s worth double-dipping if you’ve already played Rockstar’s classic title. Remember, we’re comparing the PS5 vs Xbox Series X here so the Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch aren’t included in this face-off.
Red Dead Redemption PS5 vs Xbox: graphics
Red Dead Redemption on PS5 has a slight edge over the Xbox Series X version when it comes to graphics. When played on PS5, the game runs at a native 4K resolution and includes a superior form of anti-aliasing known as FSR2.
FSR2 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 2) is a temporal upscaling solution that essentially helps eliminate jagged edges, shimmering and graphical artifacts while maintaining image quality.
As a result, Red Dead Redemption looks slightly sharper and cleaner than the Xbox Series X version, even though the game is also running at 4K resolution on Microsoft’s flagship console.
Another form of anti-aliasing is also available on PS5 called FXAA, but it’s inferior to FSR2 and even Xbox’s default MSAA 2x anti-aliasing.
Shadow quality is improved on PS5, but anisotropic filtering (which makes distant objects in games look sharper) is lower on PlayStation 5. Red Dead Redemption on Xbox Series X runs at 16x anisotropic filtering, while the PS5 version is only 8x.
Other than better image quality and shadows, then, the two games look identical. There are no improvements to textures, the level of detail pop-in remains the same, and there or new features like HDR. However, the PS5 just comes out on top.
🤠 💙 Winner: Red Dead Redemption on PS5. The game has better image and shadow quality on PS5, but anisotropic filtering takes a slight hit.
Red Dead Redemption PS5 vs Xbox: frame rate
At launch, there was nothing to separate the PS5 and Xbox versions of Red Dead Redemption in terms of frame rate. Both games ran at a stable 30fps, though the PS5 version did exhibit some drops during cutscenes according to Digital Foundry’s technical analysis.
However, a surprise PS5 update now lets users select between 30fps and 60fps in the settings menu, which is a game changer. It’s the first time Red Dead Redemption has ever been playable at 60fps and the difference is stark – there’s no PC version, remember. It’s bizarre that Rockstar didn’t include a 60fps option at launch, but we’re just glad it’s finally here.
The Xbox version of Red Dead Redemption is still stuck at 30fps, which is a real shame for fans who want to revisit the game via backward compatibility, and it appears Rockstar has no plans to offer a 60fps update for Microsoft’s console.
🤠 💙 Winner: Red Dead Redemption on PS5. A new update added 60fps support, which isn’t coming to the Xbox version.
Red Dead Redemption PS5 vs Xbox: price
Red Dead Redemption is classed as a new release on PS5 (a native PS5 version isn’t available, though) and therefore costs $50. Xbox owners can enjoy the same game they bought on Xbox 360 back in 2010, whether that’s on a disc or via a digital copy. The Xbox 360 Game of the Year Edition, which includes the Undead Nightmare expansion, currently costs $24.99 on disc and $29.99 digitally, which has likely been inflated due to the new PS5 release.
It’s cheaper to buy the game on Xbox, then, and you might already have it as part of your library.
🤠 💚 Winner: Red Dead Redemption on Xbox. The game is cheaper on Xbox consoles and you may already own it.
Red Dead Redemption PS5 vs Xbox: features
One big advantage the Xbox version of Red Dead Redemption has over the PS5 re-release is online multiplayer. Even though you get the Undead Nightmare Expansion as part of the new PS4 and PS5 versions, it doesn’t include the game’s online multiplayer – which is a real shame.
If you’ve previously played Red Dead Redemption on Xbox 360 and uploaded your save to the cloud, you can also carry on from where you left off all those years ago, and your Achievements will be intact.
Sadly, there are also no specific PS5 features to speak of, either, so don’t expect any haptic feedback, 3D audio, or adaptive trigger support. After all, it’s a PS4 game running on PS5 via backward compatibility.
It’s worth mentioning that Red Dead Redemption on PS5 includes additional language support for Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Polish, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Latin American Spanish, and Korean.
🤠 💚 Winner: Red Dead Redemption on Xbox. There’s no online multiplayer in the PlayStation versions which is a big loss. Xbox players with old Red Dead Redemption save data can also pick up where they left off.
Should you buy Red Dead Redemption on PS5?
There’s no doubt that Red Dead Redemption is still a fantastic game, however, it may be a hard sell if you’ve already finished the game before on PS3. Yes, the re-release benefits from a superior resolution and runs at 60 frames per second, but practically everything else remains the same. You could even argue you’re getting less this time around, as there’s no online multiplayer.
At $49.99, Red Dead Redemption on PS5 isn’t the no-brainer it should be. But if you’d like to get back in the saddle with John Marston and relive that iconic moment when you ride into Mexico for the very first time, at least PlayStation players can now play the game on newer hardware and with better performance and graphics.