Red Dead Redemption vs Red Dead Redemption 2
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
Red Dead Redemption 2 wins 11 of 13 head-to-head metrics. Red Dead Redemption 2 is $9.00 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | Red Dead Redemption | Red Dead Redemption 2 |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Maybe × Worth It | 67 | 83 |
| Quality | 75 | 94 |
| Value | 74 | 79 |
| Popularity | 35 | 57 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $22.50 | $13.50 |
| Steam Review Score | 92.4% positive | 92.6% positive |
| Average Concurrent Players (14 days) | 599 | 25.5K |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
Side by side over time
Red Dead RedemptionRed Dead Redemption 2
Details and requirements
| Item | Red Dead Redemption | Red Dead Redemption 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | October 29, 2024 | December 5, 2019 |
| Developers | Rockstar Games, Double Eleven | Rockstar Games |
| Publishers | Rockstar Games | Rockstar Games |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| OS (minimum) | Windows 10 64-Bit | Windows 10 - 64-bit |
| Processor (minimum) | Intel® Core™ i5-8500 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500X | Intel® Core™ i7-4770K / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory (minimum) | 8 GB RAM | 12 GB RAM |
| Graphics (minimum) | NVIDIA RTX 2070 / AMD RX 5700 XT | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB / AMD Radeon RX 480 4GB |
| DirectX (minimum) | Version 12 | — |
| Storage (minimum) | 12 GB available space | 150 GB available space |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Red Dead Redemption or Red Dead Redemption 2?
Red Dead Redemption 2 won the comparison against Red Dead Redemption based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is Red Dead Redemption worth buying over Red Dead Redemption 2?
Based on the metrics, Red Dead Redemption 2 won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. Red Dead Redemption 2 currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
Related comparisons
Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 10:50 AM UTC