The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — The Definitive Edition is a monumental occasion for the fandom for a handful of reasons. Not only are some of the most beloved and best rated classics in the series getting re-released with overhauled graphics and controls, but this is the first time the series graces the Nintendo Switch console.
Rockstar has posted some official screenshots of The Trilogy on the Switch.
The assumption with The Definitive Edition was that since the remasters retain the original, low-poly aesthetics instead of featuring versions of the classic games completely rebuilt with a high-fidelity, realistic visual direction would allow all versions on all platforms to look and run the same. Updated textures, particle effects and lighting can't eat that many system resources, right?
Nonetheless, players have spotted some notable differences on these screenshots of the updated GTA 3, Vice City and San Andreas on the Switch. The most apparent downgrade compared to screenshots captured on other systems are rougher looking faces that are less detailed.
To be entirely fair, the Nintendo Switch is a handheld and equipped as such, and complex lighting effects can tax hardware to a great degree. Even with these minor discrepancies, the games will still look great on the Nintendo platform — or awful, depending on where you stand. The Definitive Edition's choice to keep the classic aesthetic has been a highly divisive choice, with a clear love it or hate it situation going on.
