In a jaw-dropping twist that has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, Rockstar Games reportedly announced on April 22, 2025, that Grand Theft Auto 6 will be exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, abandoning its previously confirmed release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The news, allegedly leaked via an anonymous post on X and amplified by a fabricated press release circulating on gaming forums, claims that Rockstar struck a $1.5 billion deal with Nintendo to make the highly anticipated open-world title a launch exclusive for the Switch 2, set to release on June 5, 2025. The announcement has sparked outrage, disbelief, and wild speculation, with fans accusing Rockstar of betraying its core audience.

According to the fake press release, Rockstar’s decision stems from the Switch 2’s advanced Nvidia Tegra T239 processor and DLSS technology, which supposedly allows GTA 6 to run at 4K 60fps in docked mode, outperforming next-gen consoles. The release quotes Rockstar president Sam Houser saying, “The Switch 2’s hybrid design aligns with our vision for Vice City’s immersive world, playable anywhere.” The statement also hints at exclusive features, like touchscreen heist planning and motion-controlled driving, tailored for Nintendo’s platform. To add fuel to the fire, a doctored screenshot of Houser posing with a Switch 2 dev kit surfaced on X, claiming Nintendo offered “unprecedented creative freedom” and a revenue-sharing model that outbid Sony and Microsoft.

The reaction on X has been explosive. One user posted, “Rockstar’s gone insane! GTA 6 on Switch 2 only? My PS5 is crying!” Another wrote, “This is a scam—Nintendo can’t handle GTA’s scale!” Some fans speculate the exclusivity is temporary, citing Nintendo’s history with timed exclusives like Monster Hunter Rise, while others believe it’s a publicity stunt to boost Switch 2 pre-orders, especially after tariff-related delays pushed back its launch. A fake quote attributed to Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick, “We’re redefining gaming accessibility,” has further inflamed console warriors, who flooded X with memes of Mario robbing banks in Vice City.

Industry “insiders” on forums like ResetEra have added to the chaos, alleging that Rockstar’s move was prompted by a fallout with Sony over PlayStation’s cut of GTA Online microtransactions. Others claim Microsoft’s refusal to fund additional development for GTA 6’s rumored co-op mode led Rockstar to pivot to Nintendo, which allegedly offered $500 million in marketing support. A fabricated X post from leaker Tom Henderson, known for reliable scoops, claimed, “GTA 6 on Switch 2 will use cloud saves and cross-progression with a mobile app, exclusive to Nintendo’s ecosystem.” The lack of official confirmation from Rockstar or Nintendo has only intensified the frenzy, with fans demanding clarity before the Switch 2’s April 24 pre-order date.

The plausibility of this fake news hinges on Rockstar’s silence since the GTA 6 trailer in December 2023 and the Switch 2’s confirmed technical prowess, including DLSS support for titles like Cyberpunk 2077. However, the absurdity of GTA 6—a $2 billion project expected to sell 80 million copies—being exclusive to a $450 console with a smaller install base makes it a clear fabrication. The fake press release even includes a typo-ridden claim that “Leonida’s beaches will shine on OLED screens,” a nod to the Switch 2’s rumored display, further exposing its inauthenticity.

This hoax has nonetheless achieved its goal: virality. It taps into fans’ anxiety about GTA 6’s release, especially after Houser’s recent jest about a potential delay. The fabricated story has also reignited console wars, with PlayStation and Xbox fans uniting against an imagined Nintendo monopoly. As the gaming world awaits Rockstar’s next trailer, possibly at The Game Awards 2025, this fake news serves as a reminder of how easily misinformation can hijack hype. For now, GTA 6 remains confirmed for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, but the idea of Lucia and her partner tearing through Vice City on a handheld Switch 2 has captured imaginations—until the inevitable debunking.