- The Witcher 3 Remastered vs Original: Remastered upgrades visuals, gameplay, and more, launching September 29, 2026.
- Free upgrade: All existing owners on GOG, Steam, Epic, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S get it at no cost.
- Expansions included: Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are bundled with Remastered.
- New platforms: Pre-purchase is live on Battle.net and Nintendo Switch 2.
- Switch owners win: Original Switch owners can claim the Switch 2 version when it releases.
The Witcher 3 Remastered vs Original: What Changed
CD PROJEKT RED officially announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered on August 25, 2026, confirming a September 29, 2026 release date. The Remastered edition delivers an array of improvements across visuals, gameplay, and more, giving both veterans and newcomers a strong reason to return to the Continent. Unlike the 2022 next-gen update, this version is positioned as a full remaster rather than a patch.
The core comparison comes down to scope. The original game (2015) and its next-gen update (2022) remain excellent, but Remastered consolidates everything into one package with additional upgrades.
| Feature | Original (2015) | Next-Gen Update (2022) | Remastered (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base visuals | Standard, award-winning | Ray tracing, improved textures | Further visual upgrades |
| Gameplay | Classic combat and systems | Minor QoL tweaks | Gameplay improvements included |
| Expansions | Sold separately | Sold separately | Hearts of Stone + Blood and Wine included |
| Platforms | PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X | S |
| Price for owners | Full price | Free upgrade | Free upgrade |
Forum moderators and long-time fans have highlighted long-requested features such as transmog as a major hope for the gameplay improvements. Keep an eye on official REDstreams this week for the full changelog.
Platform Availability and Upgrade Paths
The upgrade structure is one of the most generous in modern RPG re-releases. Here is how each platform is handled:
| Platform | Upgrade Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GOG (PC) | Free upgrade | Automatic for all owners |
| Steam | Free upgrade | Automatic for all owners |
| Epic Games Store | Free upgrade | Automatic for all owners |
| PlayStation 5 | Free upgrade | For all owners of the game |
| Xbox Series X | S | Free upgrade |
| Battle.net | Pre-purchase available | New storefront for the series |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Pre-purchase available | Switch 1 owners can claim it free |
Players with the physical Switch 1 edition have raised questions about claiming the free Switch 2 upgrade. CD PROJEKT RED has not yet detailed the physical-to-digital claim process, so verify your regional options before release.
Existing PC Owners
- Free upgrade on GOG, Steam, Epic
- Expansions granted free
- No repurchase needed
Existing Console Owners
- Free upgrade on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
- Expansions granted free
- Save compatibility expected
New Players
- Buy the base game now on any platform
- Remastered arrives as a free upgrade
- Expansions included in Remastered
Visual and Gameplay Upgrades
The announcement trailer showcases upgrades to visuals and gameplay, with community analysis already spotting improved particle effects — some of which appeared earlier in the R.O.A.C.H. April Fools' video. While the full changelog arrives via REDstreams, here is what we know and what fans are watching for.
| Category | Original / Next-Gen | Remastered Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| Particle effects | Standard next-gen set | Noticeably upgraded in trailer |
| Lighting | Ray tracing (next-gen) | Further refinement expected |
| Clouds and fog | Screen-space shafts, semi-volumetric clouds | Fans hope for full volumetric solutions |
| Character models | 2015-era with next-gen touch-ups | Possible rework per book descriptions |
| Gameplay QoL | Modest updates | Transmog and combat tweaks hoped for |
Some fans worried the remaster might be a UE5 wrapper. Community members note the external studio involved employs ex-CDPR developers, and CD PROJEKT RED has previously shared REDengine with outside teams (Virtuos for Cyberpunk, Yigsoft for the TW3 REDkit), which suggests the remaster stays close to its roots.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Free Upgrade
Confirm Ownership
Log into GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation, or Xbox and verify The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt appears in your library.
Claim the Expansions
All current owners of the base game gain free access to Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine ahead of the Remastered launch.
Wait for September 29, 2026
On release day, the Remastered upgrade applies automatically to your existing library entry on supported platforms.
Switch Owners: Claim on Switch 2
If you own The Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch, claim Remastered on Nintendo Switch 2 when it releases.
New Players: Buy Before Launch
Purchase the base game on your favorite platform now to receive the Remastered version and both expansions.
Buying the base game today on any supported platform effectively secures the Remastered edition plus both expansions — the strongest value route for newcomers.
Should You Replay or Wait? A Decision Checklist
Before September 29, 2026:
- Verify game ownership on your main platform
- Claim Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine for free
- Back up mod builds — heavy mod setups may break
- Watch the official REDstreams for the full changelog
- Decide between a fresh NG+ run or a new save
Veterans with large mod builds (some exceeding 200 mods) expect compatibility breaks with the Remastered version. Plan to rebuild your load order after release.
FAQ
Q: Is The Witcher 3 Remastered a free upgrade for original owners?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED confirmed the Remastered version is a free upgrade for all owners of the game on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo Switch owners can claim it on Switch 2 when it releases.
Q: Does the Remastered version include the expansions?
Yes. Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are both included in the Remastered base game, and all current owners of the original base game gain free access to both expansions.
Q: When does The Witcher 3 Remastered release?
The Remastered edition launches on September 29, 2026. It is available for pre-purchase now on Battle.net and Nintendo Switch 2.
Q: Should I choose the Remastered version or the original?
Unless you rely on a specific mod build, the Remastered version is the better choice: it bundles visual and gameplay upgrades plus both expansions at no extra cost for existing owners. The original next-gen version remains playable for those with heavily modded setups.