Are Grand Theft Auto Games On Nintendo Switch? Play Now!

View the complete list of Grand Theft Auto games on Nintendo Switch.

Updated:

We may earn a small commission when you click on a link and make a purchase. Read our Affiliate FAQ.


a middle aged man in front of a building with a neon pink sign
a middle aged man in front of a building with a neon pink sign

Nintendo Switch is one of the most popular video game systems of all time, so it was only a matter of time before one of the most popular mature rated games of all time released for it.

There are 3 Grand Theft Auto games on Nintendo Switch. Grand Theft Auto 3, Vice City, and San Andreas. Released on November 11th, 2021, these games are definitive editions with enhanced visuals and features not included in their early 2000s releases.

Today, I’ll explain what Grand Theft Auto games are and aren’t on Nintendo Switch with detail, Grand Theft Auto Nintendo Switch exclusive features, and whether Grand Theft Auto V is on Nintendo’s hybrid console.


If you’re interested in the latest and most popular Grand Theft Auto games and products, view them at Amazon by clicking here.


Grand Theft Auto Games On The Nintendo Switch

This post may contain Amazon affiliate links we earn from. Please assume all links are affiliate.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition launched for Nintendo Switch on November 11th, 2021. This is a collection of the three genre defining 3D action-sandbox games released for PlayStation 2 from 2001 to 2004.

If you’re interested in getting Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy for Nintendo Switch, you can view its current price on Amazon by clicking here.

  • Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is also on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
gta trilogy switch boxart with three ladies and hte logo on the cover
Source: Rockstar Games
GAMES INCLUDED IN GTA: TRILOGYORIGINAL RELEASE DATE
Grand Theft Auto 3October 23, 2001
Grand Theft Auto: Vice CityOctober 29, 2002
Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasOctober 26, 2004

Grand Theft Auto 3, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas are all included in this 20 year celebratory collection.

Each game includes a host of new features to enhance the experience, from advanced visuals to console-specific features.

GTA: TRILOGY ENHANCEMENTS
Updated visuals
Increased resolution
Improved water and shadow detail
Improved character detail
Improved vehicle and weapon detail
Improved environmental detail
Improved detail into the distance
Improved mini map and mission restart
Modern GTA V inspired controller layout

The Nintendo Switch version of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition will also include unique features that use the Nintendo Switch hardware.

These features enhance gameplay and are optional for players to use.

NINTENDO SWITCH SPECIFIC FEATURES
Touch screen camera zooming
Touch screen camera pan
Touch screen menu selection
Motion control aiming

Nintendo Switch motion aiming via gyro controls provides increases precision, while touch screen input provides increased immersion in handheld mode.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is the first Grand Theft Auto game for a Nintendo console since March 17, 2009 when Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars released on the Nintendo DS.

This enhanced trilogy re-release was a monumental moment for Grand Theft Auto Nintendo fans who have been waiting patiently for over a decade.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition Links

Nintendo Switch Profile Page

Official Website

Amazon Product Page


What’s Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition’s Nintendo Switch File Size?

In total, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition requires 25.4 GB of storage space on Nintendo Switch for the digital version, while the physical game card requires an additional download.


Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy requires 25.4 GB on Nintendo Switch


This game will use up nearly all of Nintendo Switch’s 25.9 GB of approximated internal space and half of Nintendo Switch OLED’s 57.9 approximated internal storage space.

Keep in mind, certain files must be stored on Nintendo Switch’s internal storage.

This includes all save data for each user profile, along with operating system updates and certain game data.

All of this data shrinks the hybrid console’s useable storage space down even further.

Download Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy To AN External microSD Card

Due to Nintendo Switch’s limited amount of internal storage, it is recommended to download Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition to an external microSD card with the size of 32 GB or greater.

Make sure to insert the microSD card into your Nintendo Switch, Lite, or OLED before turning on your console.

Then, proceed to download the game from the Nintendo Switch eShop.


Can You Play Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition On Nintendo Switch In Handheld Mode?

All three games included in the Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition can be played on Nintendo Switch in handheld mode.

Each game can also be played in Tabletop mode with a Nintendo Switch propped up by its kickstand or on a television by placing the system into the dock.


Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition can be played on Nintendo Switch in handheld mode


The enhanced Grand Theft Auto Trilogy on Nintendo Switch is the same base game on other consoles, tailored to the hardware specifications and strengths the Nintendo Switch console has to offer.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy Nintendo Switch Version Details

  • Players: 1 player
  • Genre: Action, Adventure
  • Play Modes: TV, Tabletop, Handheld
  • Languages: Japanese, Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Chinese, English, Spanish, Italian, Korean
  • Rating: M for Mature (Blood and gore, drug references, intense violence, sexual content, strong language, strong lyrics, use of drugs)

The Nintendo Switch version includes all three games, visuals enhancements, user interface updates, modern controls, motion aiming, and touch screen support along with the Nintendo Switch exclusive ability to play in handheld mode wherever you are.


Can You Play Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition On Nintendo Switch Lite?

https://youtu.be/zPLu2z6yB5k

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition can be played on the Nintendo Switch Lite due to the collection supporting Nintendo Switch’s handled mode along with TV and tabletop modes.

The collection can also be played in handheld mode on the original Nintendo Switch and OLED.


Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition can be played on the Nintendo Switch Lite


There is no difference in performance or quality when playing Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy on Nintendo Switch Lite when compared to other Nintendo Switch consoles.

Nintendo Switch, Lite, and OLED handheld modes all perform the same.

After all, the Nintendo Switch is one hardware with multiple form factors and versions to suit each owner’s needs.

And Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition plays the same no matter the Nintendo Switch you play it on.


Is Grand Theft Auto V On Nintendo Switch?

Grand Theft Auto V is not on the Nintendo Switch. Developers Rockstar has not shown any inclination to bring the game to Nintendo’s hybrid console anytime in the near future.

Nintendo fans, unfortunately, have no way of playing Grand Theft Auto V and must acquire a separate console to do so.


Grand Theft Auto V is not on the Nintendo Switch


GRAND THEFT AUTO AVAILABILITY
PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
Xbox 360
Xbox One
Xbox Series X/S
Steam PC
Epic Games Store PC

Furthermore, Grand Theft Auto V Online isn’t available for Nintendo Switch either due to the game’s scope, file size, and always online requirements.

Grand Theft Auto V Online can be played on the same platforms as Grand Theft Auto V.


Can Grand Theft Auto V Run On Nintendo Switch (OLED, Lite)?

a middle aged man walking toward the camera at night wearing a leather jacket
Source: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto V can run on Nintendo Switch if tailored to the hybrid console’s specifications. Dozens of games have been ported to the Nintendo Switch not thought possible, including epic games such as The Witcher 3, Doom Eternal, and Dying Light.

This makes a Grand Theft Auto V Nintendo Switch port a technical possibility.


Grand Theft Auto V can run on Nintendo Switch


Grand Theft Auto V is an epic game with a large file size, originally released September 17, 2013. Some industry analysts believe the game to be too demanding for the Nintendo Switch to handle, while others disagree.

The truth of the matter: overall, the Nintendo Switch has stronger and more modern hardware than the consoles Grand Theft Auto V originally released on and is more than capable of playing the popular mature rated game.

Internal factors are why Grand Theft Auto V has not released on Nintendo Switch.

Common internal factors games do not release on Nintendo Switch include

  • budget
  • staff size
  • time restraints
  • hardware differences
  • marketing plans
  • release schedule
  • game publisher priority
  • company culture
  • and many, many more

The exact reason why Grand Theft Auto V is not yet on Nintendo Switch remains a mystery, and only time will tell if the game will make its way to Nintendo Switch.

But with the release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition on Nintendo Switch, the likelihood of Grand Theft Auto V and other entries in the series coming to Nintendo’s hybrid console is better than ever.


Other Articles To Enjoy

What Resident Evil Games Are On Nintendo Switch?

What Street Fighter Games Are On Nintendo Switch?

What Mega Man Games Are On Nintendo Switch?


Read More Great Articles

Now you know every Grand Theft Auto game on the Nintendo Switch.

Bookmark this site to stay up to date with even more Nintendo guides, information, and news.

Check out all Nintendo Switch related articles on Bucket List Games.


(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)

SOURCE: Rockstar Games

wally gx bio image of cartoon version of author, happy and smiling with glasses on blue background

Wally GX

Writer, creator Bucket List Games

Bucket List Games