CD Projekt Red releases The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered as a free upgrade

CD Projekt Red released The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered on September 29, 2026. In its announcement, the company said: "CD PROJEKT RED today releases The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered, a free upgrade" for existing players, with changes to the game's visuals, combat and interface.

Where it is available

According to CD Projekt Red, the remaster is out on GOG, Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Battle.net and the Microsoft Store with Xbox Play Anywhere.

Existing owners on GOG, Steam, the Epic Games Store, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S get the upgrade for free, the company says. Nintendo Switch 2 players who own the original Switch version also receive it free, while the game is available to buy on Battle.net and the Microsoft Store. Both expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, are included in all versions.

What has changed

CD Projekt Red lists enhanced visuals, performance, textures, foliage and lighting, along with ray tracing, plus path tracing on PC. On PS5 Pro, the company says PSSR support allows 60 frames per second with ray tracing or up to 90 frames per second in performance mode.

Gameplay changes include a reimagined skill system with rebalanced abilities, improved combat with new finishers and an adaptive camera, and overhauled movement and traversal animations. The remaster also adds cross-platform mod support through Mod.io and a refreshed user interface. On Switch 2 it supports motion controls, gyro aiming and touch screen input.

Switch 2 details

Nintendo Life reports that on Switch 2 the remaster is a separate download from the eShop rather than an automatic patch, and that it costs $59.99 or £45.99 for new buyers. Owners of a physical Switch copy can claim the free upgrade from the original game's menu. CD Projekt Red told players: "If you own a physical copy, don't worry - you'll be able to claim the free upgrade when Remastered launches on September 29," according to Nintendo Life.

In a separate report, Nintendo Life notes that once the remaster has been claimed with a physical Switch cartridge, the cartridge is no longer needed to play the downloaded version.

Why it matters

Making the remaster a free upgrade on most platforms brings the new version to existing players at no extra cost. CD Projekt Red also says a new expansion for the game, Songs of the Past, is scheduled for 2027.

Sources

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.