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Is the remaster out, and where can you get it?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED’s announcement names September 29, 2026 as the release date for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered. The studio says it was developed in close collaboration with the team at Yigsoft. Availability depends on platform, and the eligibility rules differ between storefronts, so check the row that matches where you bought or play the original game.
| Platform or storefront | Who gets the free upgrade | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GOG | Eligible owners of the original game | Free upgrade per the announcement |
| Steam | Eligible owners of the original game | Free upgrade per the announcement |
| Epic Games Store | Eligible owners of the original game | Free upgrade per the announcement |
| PS5 | Eligible owners of the original game | Free upgrade per the announcement; PS5 Pro support is listed as platform-specific |
| Xbox Series X|S | Eligible owners of the original game | Free upgrade per the announcement |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Owners who already have The Witcher 3 on the original Switch | Switch 2 controls and features are platform-specific; a Switch 2 update is still in progress (see below) |
| Battle.net and Microsoft Store | Not stated in the announcement material checked | Purchase availability is listed; check the store page for upgrade terms before buying |
The announcement’s free-upgrade language covers owners on the listed platforms. If you own the game on a platform not in the table, or bought it through a store not listed for upgrades, the remaster is a separate purchase as far as the announcement shows.
Do you get the remaster for free if you already own the game?
If you own The Witcher 3 on one of the qualifying platforms, the announcement describes the remaster as a free upgrade. Two checks matter before you assume you are covered:
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- Trained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength, and reflexes, witchers are a counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.
- Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth, and complexity.
- Take on the most important contract of your life: to track down the child of prophecy, the key to saving or destroying this world.
- Confirm the copy in your library is on the same platform you intend to play on. An upgrade is tied to the storefront or console where you own the original.
- On Switch 2, the qualifying condition is ownership of The Witcher 3 on the original Switch, not on another platform.
Players who owned only the base game are not left behind on expansion content. The announcement states that the remaster includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, including for users who previously owned only the base game.
What the remaster changes
CD PROJEKT RED’s officially highlighted updates fall into a few groups. Some apply across every version, and others are limited to specific hardware.
Visuals and performance
The studio lists visual and performance upgrades as part of the remaster. Platform-specific extras sit on top of that baseline: PC path tracing is available only on PC, and PS5 Pro support is available only on PS5 Pro hardware. Do not assume those extras appear on other platforms.
Combat, animations, and skill progression
Combat, skill progression, and animations are all named as revised areas. The officially listed changes do not break down every adjustment, so the reviewer notes later in this article are the best guide to how these systems feel in practice.
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Interface and mod support
Interface changes and cross-platform mod support are both on the official list. If you use mods, check whether your existing mods are compatible with the remastered version before you relaunch an older save or install.
Rank #2
![NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dWUfwFl5L._SL160_.jpg)
- 1205504
- High-quality material
- Durable
- robustness
Switch 2 is not at feature parity
The Switch 2 version has its own controls and features, and the studio has said the Switch 2 build is still being brought closer to the other versions. Readers choosing between platforms should treat the PC, PS5, and Xbox versions as the reference point for the full feature set, and the Switch 2 version as a separate experience for now.
Why the remaster exists now
The remaster was not a standalone project. CD PROJEKT RED’s official blog explains that it grew out of plans for a new expansion. In the studio’s words: “Remastered grew from our idea to release a brand-new expansion for The Witcher 3, as during the development process of Songs of the Past — which launches in 2027 — we found the need to upgrade some elements of the base The Witcher 3 experience.” The post was written by Ryan Dinsdale, Copywriter. If you want the reasoning behind the update, that post is the primary source.
Current patch status
Patch notes change quickly, so treat this section as a snapshot from the most recent official listing available at the time of writing (October 9, 2026).
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| Update | Status shown in the official news listing | Platforms covered |
|---|---|---|
| Patch 5.00b | Listed as an earlier update | Not stated in the listing summary checked |
| Patch 5.00c | Listed as an earlier update | Not stated in the listing summary checked |
| Patch 5.01 | Live as of October 8, 2026 | PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S |
| Switch 2 update | In progress, per the studio’s Patch 5.01 notes | Nintendo Switch 2 (not yet released as of the notes) |
The Switch 2 statement from the Patch 5.01 notes reads: “we are also working on an update for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered, introducing closer parity between all versions of the game, including the same global changes as on other platforms.” GamesRadar+ reproduced that wording in its October 8 patch report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the GamesRadar+ review found
GamesRadar+’s review was played on PC using a code supplied by the publisher, and the review discloses those conditions. Its reviewer found that the revised progression made it easier to shape distinct builds. The review also noted a closer combat camera, simpler menus, and quality-of-life changes to traversal and quest handling. These are one reviewer’s impressions on one platform, so use them as a starting point rather than a verdict on every version.
Rank #3
- If you buy this game, you will receive a free next-gen update on December 14th!
- Play as a highly trained monster slayer for hire.
- Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth and complexity.
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Game of the Year edition brings together the base game and all the additional content released to date.
Why the player count is climbing
GamesRadar+ reported, citing SteamDB, that the remaster reached 137,724 concurrent players on Steam in 2026, a new all-time peak compared with 103,329 in January 2020. That figure measures concurrent players on Steam at a specific moment. It is not total sales and does not include players on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, or other storefronts. Check SteamDB directly for current numbers.
Joining the play-along
This article does not list a schedule, a join link, or a participation format for the GamesRadar+ RPG Club. Check GamesRadar+ for the club’s current participation details before you plan around a session. Before you start, confirm the following so you are not stuck partway through the first session:
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- That your version is patched to the current release (Patch 5.01 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S), and that Switch 2 players are aware the version is still being updated.
- Whether you use mods, and whether they are compatible with the remastered build.
If you are new to the series, begin with a fresh save on the remastered version rather than loading an old save from the original game, so the progression changes apply from the start.
The game is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2, and the remaster is the version to play if you want the updated progression and combat as they are described in the official notes.
Songs of the Past, the new expansion referenced in the studio’s blog, is slated to launch in 2027.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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