CD Projekt Red could have charged full price for The Witcher 3 Remastered and most players would have paid it. They didn't. The Remastered update is completely free for every existing owner of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, across every supported platform, with no upgrade fee attached. That's a rare move in 2026, and it means there's almost no barrier between you and a significantly improved version of one of the best RPG games ever made.
Is The Witcher 3 Remastered actually free?
Yes, the Remastered update costs nothing if you already own the game. CD Projekt Red confirmed the update is available as a free download to all owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It's also available for pre-purchase on Battle.net and Nintendo Switch 2.
There's one specific detail worth knowing for Nintendo players: if you own The Witcher 3 on the original Nintendo Switch, you can claim the Remastered version on Nintendo Switch 2 when it releases at no extra cost.
The only thing you need to spend is time waiting for the patch to drop.
The Witcher 3 Remastered: How to Get the Free Upgrade
What platforms support the free Remastered upgrade?
Here's a quick breakdown of every platform and how the upgrade works on each:
How do you download The Witcher 3 Remastered update?
The process is about as simple as game updates get. Here's what to do:
- Confirm you own a copy of The Witcher 3 on a supported platform.
- Wait for the Remastered patch to release on September 29, 2026. Check out the exact launch times for every region so you know when it goes live in your timezone.
- Let your system auto-install the update, or open your library and trigger it manually.
- Launch the game and the Remastered version is ready to play.
There are no codes to redeem, no storefronts to navigate, and no separate purchase required. It arrives like any other game patch.
When does The Witcher 3 Remastered release?
September 29, 2026 is the date. The update brings visual improvements, gameplay upgrades, and additional content to the game. CD Projekt Red described it as "an array of improvements" covering both visuals and gameplay systems, though the full scope of changes goes well beyond a standard patch.
What do you actually need to claim this?
The requirements are minimal:
- A copy of The Witcher 3 on any supported platform listed above
- A next-gen device (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, a capable PC, or Nintendo Switch 2)
- An internet connection to download the patch
The game is relatively affordable now, so if you somehow don't own it yet, picking it up before September 29 means you'll land directly into the Remastered version from day one.
For a full rundown of what's new in the update itself, plus everything else coming to the game, the Witcher 3 strategy guides collection has you covered.