⚔️ Geralt's Biggest Return Yet
Tomorrow, Geralt of Rivia returns to the Continent once again.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered launches September 29, 2026, giving players a substantially modernized version of CD Projekt Red's celebrated RPG. This isn't simply a resolution bump or a new texture pack. The Remastered edition introduces changes across visuals, performance, combat, movement, progression, accessibility, mod support and more.
Even better, existing owners on qualifying platforms can upgrade for free.
And if you've only ever owned the base game, CD Projekt Red is also making Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine available at no additional cost.
So, if you're planning to jump back into Geralt's adventure tomorrow, here's everything you need to know.
📅 When Does The Witcher 3 Remastered Launch?
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered launches September 29, 2026.
The Remastered edition is coming to:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Battle.net
The PC release also brings new technology and rendering improvements, while Nintendo Switch 2 receives a native version built specifically for the new hardware.
💰 Is The Remastered Edition Free?
Yes, for existing owners on qualifying platforms.
CD Projekt Red says players who already own The Witcher 3 on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S can upgrade to the Remastered edition at no additional cost.
Nintendo Switch owners can also claim the Remastered version on Nintendo Switch 2 when it releases.
The upgrade essentially turns an existing copy of The Witcher 3 into the new Remastered experience.
🐺 Both Major Expansions Are Included
One of the biggest reasons to return tomorrow is the expansion package.
The Remastered edition includes:
❤️ Hearts of Stone
The first major expansion takes Geralt into a darker story involving Olgierd von Everec and the mysterious Master Mirror.
It adds new quests, characters, locations, enemies and story content.
🍷 Blood and Wine
The second and larger expansion transports Geralt to Toussaint, a colorful region that contrasts sharply with the darker areas of the main game.
It introduces a massive new storyline, characters, quests and locations.
Both expansions are included with the Remastered edition, and existing owners of the base game gain access to them at no additional cost.
🌄 The Visual Overhaul
The most immediately obvious changes are visual.
CD Projekt Red has rebuilt and improved multiple aspects of the game's rendering, including:
- Updated textures
- Improved foliage
- Improved lighting
- Ray-tracing improvements
- Global lighting changes
- New shading
- Improved atmospheric effects
- HDR improvements
- Improved hair rendering
- Improved tone mapping
- Subsurface scattering
- GTAO
- Improved motion blur
PC players also get path tracing, ray reconstruction, native DX12 support and rendering parallelization.
The result is designed to make the eleven-year-old RPG feel considerably more modern without replacing its original visual identity.
⚔️ Combat Has Also Been Reworked
The Remastered version isn't only about prettier graphics.
Combat receives several improvements, including:
- New finisher animations
- Updated Witcher Sign effects
- Refined animations
- Improved enemy behavior
- Gameplay refinements
Monster behavior has also been enhanced, giving encounters another layer of polish.
For players who already completed the original game, these changes could make a fresh playthrough feel noticeably different.
🐎 Movement and Traversal Improvements
Geralt's movement is also being updated.
CD Projekt Red has improved traversal mechanics, including changes to mantling and climbing.
These improvements are intended to make navigating the Continent feel smoother and less restrictive than in the original release.
🧪 New Skill Tree and Progression Changes
The Remastered edition also introduces progression changes.
Among them is a new skill tree, alongside updated systems intended to modernize character progression.
There are also changes to:
- Looting
- Quest tracking
- Tutorials
- Menus
- UI
- Accessibility
These changes are particularly useful for players returning after years away from the game.
📸 Expanded Photo Mode
If you've spent any time exploring The Witcher 3, you already know how much of the Continent looks like it belongs in a fantasy painting.
The Remastered edition expands the photo mode, giving players more tools to capture Geralt's journey.
Combined with the visual overhaul, it should make exploration an even bigger part of the experience.
👕 Transmog Finally Gets Attention
Another useful addition is transmogrification.
The system allows players to use the statistics of one item while maintaining the visual appearance of another.
That means Geralt doesn't have to sacrifice his preferred look simply because another piece of equipment has better stats.
🛠️ Cross-Platform Mod Support
PC players are also getting cross-platform mod support.
This is potentially one of the more important long-term additions because The Witcher 3 has maintained a huge modding community for years.
The Remastered version is also receiving broader technical improvements designed to make the game easier to support across modern hardware.
💻 PC Features
PC players receive some of the most extensive technical improvements.
The Remastered edition supports:
- Path tracing
- Ray reconstruction
- NVIDIA DLSS 4.5
- AMD FSR 4
- Intel XeSS 2.0
- Native DX12
- Ray-traced hair
- Improved rendering parallelization
- Improved ray tracing
- Global lighting improvements
These features make the PC version the most technically ambitious version of The Witcher 3 yet.
🎮 PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
Console players also receive the visual and gameplay improvements.
The Remastered edition is specifically designed for current-generation hardware, with improved rendering, lighting, textures and performance.
PS5 Pro support is also included.
Xbox players additionally benefit from Xbox Play Anywhere support.
🟦 Nintendo Switch 2 Version
For Nintendo players, this is a particularly significant release.
The Witcher 3 is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 as a native version.
CD Projekt Red says the Switch 2 version takes advantage of the new console's capabilities and launches alongside the other Remastered versions on September 29.
Existing Nintendo Switch owners can claim the Remastered version on Switch 2.
🆕 What About Songs of the Past?
There's another major Witcher 3 project worth knowing about.
Songs of the Past is a brand-new third expansion for The Witcher 3.
However, it does not launch tomorrow.
CD Projekt Red has scheduled Songs of the Past for 2027.
The expansion introduces a new realm called Letten, described as an idyllic land hiding a darker secret.
So tomorrow's launch is the Remastered edition, while Songs of the Past comes later.
🗺️ What Should Returning Players Do?
If you haven't played The Witcher 3 for years, tomorrow is an ideal opportunity to start fresh.
A few things are worth remembering:
Starting from scratch:
You can experience the entire main story again with the new visual and gameplay improvements.
Already finished the game:
Try a new difficulty, different build or alternate choices.
Never played the expansions:
The Remastered edition includes Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, so there's a huge amount of additional content waiting after the main campaign.
Played recently:
The improved visuals, combat, traversal and progression systems provide a reason to revisit familiar areas.
📊 The Witcher 3 Remastered at a Glance
| Feature | Remastered |
|---|---|
| Launch | September 29, 2026 |
| Main Game | Included |
| Hearts of Stone | Included |
| Blood and Wine | Included |
| PC | Yes |
| PS5 | Yes |
| Xbox Series X|S | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes |
| Battle.net | Yes |
| Free Upgrade | Yes, for qualifying existing owners |
| Ray Tracing | Improved |
| Path Tracing | PC |
| DLSS 4.5 | PC |
| FSR 4 | PC |
| XeSS 2.0 | PC |
| Photo Mode | Expanded |
| Transmog | Yes |
| Cross-Platform Mod Support | Yes |
| Songs of the Past | 2027 |
❓ Quick FAQ
When does The Witcher 3 Remastered release?
September 29, 2026.
Is The Witcher 3 Remastered free?
Existing owners on qualifying platforms receive the Remastered upgrade for free.
Are Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine included?
Yes. Both expansions are included with Remastered, and existing base-game owners receive access to them at no additional cost.
Is The Witcher 3 Remastered coming to Switch 2?
Yes. A native Nintendo Switch 2 version launches September 29.
Is Songs of the Past launching tomorrow?
No. The new third expansion is scheduled for 2027.
What are the biggest improvements?
The Remastered edition improves visuals, lighting, textures, performance, combat, movement, monster behavior, progression, UI, accessibility and mod support.
⚔️ The Path Starts Again
Eleven years after Geralt first began his hunt for Ciri, The Witcher 3 is getting another major technical transformation.
Tomorrow's September 29 launch brings updated visuals, improved combat and movement, modern rendering technology, expanded photo mode, transmog, mod support and plenty of smaller quality-of-life changes.
Most importantly, existing owners don't need to buy the game again on qualifying platforms.
And with Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine included, tomorrow isn't simply a graphical upgrade. It's effectively another excuse to return to one of gaming's largest RPG adventures.
Then, in 2027, Geralt's story continues with Songs of the Past.
The Path is calling again.
