The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is getting a Remastered update on September 29, 2026, and it's one of the more genuinely exciting re-releases in recent memory. This isn't a new coat of paint slapped on a decade-old game, it's a full overhaul that reworks visuals, adds new features, and makes the whole experience feel current again. If you already own the game, the update installs for free on next-gen consoles. If you've never played it, there's no better time to start.
When does The Witcher 3 Remastered unlock?
The Witcher 3 Remastered goes live on September 29, 2026. The rollout is staggered across time zones rather than a single global midnight launch, so the exact time you can play depends on where you are. The earliest window opens at 3:00 AM PT.
What time does The Witcher 3 Remastered launch in your region?
Here's the full breakdown of unlock times across every major region:
Skellige's remastered peaks
Is The Witcher 3 Remastered free?
Yes, the Remastered update is a free upgrade on next-gen consoles for existing owners. If you already have the game in your library, you just need to install the patch on launch day. No additional purchase required.
This is the same approach CD Projekt Red took with their earlier next-gen upgrade, so the process should be straightforward: find the update in your console's library or game page, download it, and you're done.
What does the Remastered update actually change?
The update brings a significant visual overhaul alongside new features that weren't present in the original release. The core game, the hundreds of hours of quests, contracts, and story content, remains intact. What changes is how everything looks and feels running on current hardware.
For players who have already put time into RPG games like this one, the Remastered version is worth revisiting even if you've completed it before. The visual improvements are substantial enough to make familiar areas feel genuinely different.
What's coming next for The Witcher 3?
Beyond the Remastered update, there's more on the horizon. The Songs of the Past DLC release date and confirmed details have been covered separately, and that expansion is targeting a 2027 release window. So if you're jumping back in now with the Remastered update, you'll have fresh story content to look forward to sooner than you might expect.
For everything else surrounding the game, the full collection of The Witcher 3 strategy guides covers builds, quests, and everything in between to get you ready for launch day and beyond.