What Is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered is the official name of the 2026 upgrade. Players searching for Witcher 3 Remastered are looking at this release: a modernization of the 2015 role-playing game, not a new numbered sequel.
Official title, developer, and publisher
CD PROJEKT RED develops and publishes the game. Steam lists the original The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition release date as May 18, 2015. The Remastered upgrade lands on that same Steam product on September 29, 2026.
The 2015 base game plus Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine
CD PROJEKT RED says the original 2015 base game and its first two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, are being modernized and upgraded in Remastered. Steam describes the result as the definitive way to play the dark fantasy RPG, including both acclaimed expansions.
Why this remaster exists now
The publisher’s announcement notes that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has won over 250 Game of the Year awards and sold more than 65 million copies worldwide. Remastered is framed as a technical and gameplay upgrade for that existing adventure, not as a replacement story.
Steam’s store page states that the game contains strong language, intense violence, blood and gore, as well as nudity and sexual material.
Release Date and Platforms
CD PROJEKT RED announced the lineup on August 25, 2026. Every platform named in that announcement shares one launch day.
September 29, 2026 launch date
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered launches on September 29, 2026. Steam repeats that date for the free Complete Edition upgrade.
Qualifying platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S
The press release says Remastered is a free upgrade for existing The Witcher 3 owners on qualifying platforms when it launches on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
PC via Steam Complete Edition
Steam’s Complete Edition page says The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt will be upgraded for free to Remastered on September 29.
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 is named as a launch platform and as a qualifying platform for the free upgrade. CD PROJEKT RED has not published a 2026 store-by-store install walkthrough in the materials this page uses.
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox Series X|S is likewise named as a launch platform and a qualifying free-upgrade platform. Detailed store steps have not been published in the same source set.
Nintendo Switch 2 native version
The announcement treats Switch 2 separately from the PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox upgrade path.
Native Switch 2 release on September 29, 2026
CD PROJEKT RED says a native version of Remastered will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 29. A price is not listed in the announcement excerpt used here.
Battle.net release with Blizzard Entertainment
The same announcement introduces a new partnership between CD PROJEKT RED and Blizzard Entertainment for Battle.net, also launching on September 29.
New PC storefront, not a Steam upgrade path
Battle.net is a new PC storefront for this release. The press text does not say Battle.net owners receive a free upgrade from an existing Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox copy.
Free Upgrade for Current Witcher 3 Owners
The headline offer is a free upgrade, but it is limited to existing owners on platforms CD PROJEKT RED calls qualifying. Platform-by-platform rules are on thewitcher 3 remastered free upgradeguide. The 2022 next-gen patch is separate, covered underwitcher 3 free upgrade.
Who qualifies for the free upgrade
CD PROJEKT RED says Remastered is a free upgrade for existing The Witcher 3 owners on qualifying platforms. Steam says current Complete Edition owners receive the upgrade on September 29.
What “qualifying platforms” means
In the announcement, the free-upgrade sentence is tied to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Those are the only platforms confirmed as qualifying in that text.
Platforms that are new releases, not upgrades
Two storefronts are described as new ways to play Remastered, not as upgrades of an already owned copy.
Nintendo Switch 2
Switch 2 is a native version launching on the same day. The announcement does not call it a free upgrade.
Battle.net
Battle.net is introduced through a new CD PROJEKT RED and Blizzard partnership. It is not listed among the qualifying free-upgrade platforms.
Visual, Combat, and Gameplay Upgrades
CD PROJEKT RED says players can experience the full adventure with upgrades to visuals, performance, gameplay, and more. Steam groups the work as technical and gameplay upgrades that modernize visual fidelity, combat, skill progression, and related systems.
Upgraded visuals and performance
The press list leads with upgraded visuals and performance. Steam calls out visual fidelity as part of the free upgrade for current owners. No resolution, ray-tracing, or frame-rate targets are specified in these sources.
Combat, Signs, finishers, and monster behavior
Several of the named changes sit in combat. They are listed as separate upgrades, not as one unnamed overhaul.
Enhanced combat
The announcement includes enhanced combat among the Remastered changes.
New Witcher Signs effects
New witcher Signs effects are listed as a distinct visual and gameplay upgrade.
New finishers
New finishers are included in the same feature list.
Enhanced monster behaviors
Enhanced monster behaviors are listed separately from player combat and finishers.
Traversal, movement, and mount handling
Movement systems are called out on their own, alongside combat.
Improved traversal and movement
The announcement lists improved traversal and movement.
Revamped mount handling
Revamped mount handling is a separate item on the same list.
Skill tree revamp and transmogrification
Steam’s copy highlights character progression. The press list names both a skill-tree change and a cosmetic system.
Skill tree revamp
CD PROJEKT RED lists a skill tree revamp. Steam refers to upgrades that modernize skill progression.
Transmogrification
Transmogrification is listed as a Remastered feature in the press announcement.
Expanded photo mode
The announcement also includes expanded photo mode. No further photo-mode options are described in the source set.
Remastered vs the 2022 Next-Gen Update
The Witcher 3 already received a free next-generation update in 2022. Remastered is a later, separate 2026 upgrade. The older patch does not explain how the 2026 upgrade will install.
What launched on December 14, 2022
The official Witcher site said the next-gen update would release on December 14, 2022 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, free for anyone who already owned the game, with graphical improvements plus new features and content.
Complete Edition vs the next-gen patch
On the same day, CD PROJEKT RED also released the Complete Edition, which brought together the base game, its two expansions, and everything included with the next-gen update.
PlayStation GOTY owners in 2022
CD PROJEKT RED Support said PlayStation players who owned the Game of the Year edition could select The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition and complete a $0 purchase.
PlayStation base-game-only owners in 2022
The same support article said players who owned only the base game could get the free next-gen update to the base game, not the Complete Edition. That split is a 2022 PlayStation fact, not a published 2026 Remastered rule.
Why the 2026 Remastered upgrade is a separate release
Remastered is dated September 29, 2026, adds a Switch 2 native version and Battle.net, and lists gameplay systems that go beyond the 2022 next-gen description. Use the 2022 support steps only to understand that earlier update, not as instructions for Remastered.
PC System Requirements
A hardware change is confirmed. The new spec sheet is not included in the source set this page follows.
Steam: requirements change on September 29, 2026
Steam’s Complete Edition page includes this note: system requirements will change on 2026.09.29. That is the only PC spec fact published in these materials.
What current PC owners should check before launch
Current Steam owners should watch the Complete Edition store page for the replacement minimum and recommended lists. This guide does not invent CPU, GPU, RAM, or storage numbers ahead of that listing.
Songs of the Past: the 2027 Paid Expansion
Songs of the Past is related to Remastered, but it is not the free 2026 upgrade. CD PROJEKT RED announced it alongside Remastered and showed a first look.
2027 paid expansion platforms
The press release says Songs of the Past launches in 2027 as a paid expansion for The Witcher 3 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Steam currently lists the release date as coming soon.
Requires The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition
Steam states that this content requires the base game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition in order to play. The DLC page also points players to Remastered’s updated gameplay, visual fidelity, performance, and character progression.
Who is developing Songs of the Past and Remastered
The two projects share CD PROJEKT RED but have different co-development credits in the press release.
Songs of the Past: CD PROJEKT RED and Fool’s Theory
CD PROJEKT RED says it is co-developing Songs of the Past with Fool’s Theory. Steam’s DLC page lists CD PROJEKT RED, Fool’s Theory, and Yigsoft as developers of that store product.
Remastered: CD PROJEKT RED and Yigsoft
The same press release says Remastered is being co-developed with Yigsoft. CD PROJEKT RED remains the publisher on both Steam pages.
How to Get Witcher 3 Remastered
Until each store publishes its own 2026 install flow, the confirmed facts are which storefronts launch on September 29 and which of them are described as free upgrades.
Steam Complete Edition free upgrade
Owners of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition on Steam are told the game will be upgraded for free to Remastered on September 29. That is the only storefront with an explicit free-upgrade sentence on its product page in this source set.
PlayStation 5
PlayStation 5 is a qualifying platform for the free upgrade. Check the PlayStation Store listing closer to launch for the exact download or library step. Do not reuse the 2022 next-gen Support article as the 2026 path.
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox Series X|S is also a qualifying platform. Microsoft Store steps for Remastered have not been published in the announcement or Steam notes used here.
Nintendo Switch 2 native version
Switch 2 receives a native version on September 29, 2026. Treat it as a new SKU unless Nintendo or CD PROJEKT RED later describe an upgrade from The Witcher 3 on Switch.
Battle.net
Battle.net is a new PC storefront through the Blizzard partnership, launching on the same day. The announcement does not describe transferring a Steam license to Battle.net.
Guides by topic
Long-tail articles, one keyword per page, grouped below. All of them link back to thisWitcher 3 Remastered hub.
Free Upgrade
Who qualifies for a free Witcher 3 upgrade, and how the 2022 and 2026 patches differ.
- the witcher 3 remastered free upgrade
The Witcher 3 Remastered free upgrade, as CD PROJEKT RED wrote it: official name, Complete Edition note, and what the August 25 announcement includes.
- witcher 3 free upgrade
Witcher 3 free upgrade now points at two patches: the 2022 next-gen update and the 2026 Remastered upgrade. Here is how they differ.
- witcher 3 remastered free upgrade
Witcher 3 Remastered free upgrade is confirmed for existing owners on PC, PS5, and Xbox. Switch 2 and Battle.net are new storefronts, not listed as free.
Platforms
PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox, Switch 2, and Battle.net versions of the game.
- the witcher 3 ps5
The Witcher 3 PS5 already had a 2022 next-gen Complete Edition path. In 2026 it is a qualifying platform for the Remastered free upgrade.
2026 Release
Confirmed dates for the Remastered launch and the 2027 expansion.
- witcher 3 remastered 2026
Witcher 3 Remastered 2026: announced August 25, launches September 29 on PC, PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, and Battle.net. Songs of the Past is 2027.
Price
What is free, what is paid, and which prices CD PROJEKT RED has not published.
- witcher 3 remastered price
Witcher 3 Remastered price is free if you already own the game on PC, PS5, or Xbox. Switch 2 and Battle.net have no published number. Songs of the Past is paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions people search alongside Witcher 3 Remastered. Each answer stays inside the same public sources as the sections above.
When does Witcher 3 Remastered come out?
CD PROJEKT RED says The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered launches on September 29, 2026. The same date is listed for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, the native Nintendo Switch 2 version, and Battle.net.
Is Witcher 3 Remastered a free upgrade?
Yes for existing The Witcher 3 owners on qualifying platforms. The press release names PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo Switch 2 is described as a native version, and Battle.net as a new partnership release. Those two storefronts have not been confirmed as free upgrades.
Will Witcher 3 Remastered be on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED says a native version of Remastered will be released on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 29, 2026.
Does Remastered include Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine?
Yes. CD PROJEKT RED says the 2015 base game and its first two expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, are being modernized and upgraded in Remastered.
Is Songs of the Past included in Remastered?
No. Songs of the Past is a paid expansion scheduled for 2027. On Steam it requires The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition.
Will Witcher 3 Remastered change PC system requirements?
Yes. Steam’s Complete Edition page notes that system requirements will change on 2026.09.29. CD PROJEKT RED has not published the new hardware list in the materials this page is based on.
Who developed Witcher 3 Remastered?
CD PROJEKT RED is the developer and publisher. The company says Remastered is being co-developed with Yigsoft. Songs of the Past is being co-developed with Fool’s Theory.
Sources
This page summarizes first-party public materials. It does not add unannounced specs, prices, or store steps.
- CD PROJEKT RED Press Center: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered announced(August 25, 2026)
- Steam: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition
- Steam: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past
- The Witcher site: next-gen update release date (December 14, 2022)
- CD PROJEKT RED Support: How do I update my game to the next-gen?