🐺 The Witcher 3 Remastered Launch Day: File Sizes, PC Settings, and Separate Purchases
The wait is over. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered is now live, bringing the upgraded version of CD Projekt Red's open-world RPG to PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
But if you're preparing to jump back into the Continent today, there are a few practical things worth knowing first: how large the download is, what has changed on PC, whether you need to buy the game again, and why the Switch 2 version works slightly differently.
Here's the launch-day breakdown.
⚔️ The Witcher 3 Remastered Is Out Now
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered launched on September 29, 2026.
It is available on:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
PC players can access it through Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, and Battle.net.
CD Projekt Red describes the Remastered edition as a major upgrade covering visuals, rendering, gameplay, progression, UI, accessibility, photo mode and mod support.
💾 How Big Is the Remastered Download?
This is probably the first thing players want to know before hitting download.
The reported update/download sizes are:
| Platform | Approx. Download |
|---|---|
| PC / Steam | 45 GB |
| PS5 | 45 GB |
| Xbox Series X|S | 45 GB |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | 50 GB |
The important distinction is that the 45 GB figure on PC, PlayStation and Xbox is an update to the existing game, rather than a completely separate new purchase. Nintendo Switch 2 uses a separate product, which is why its download works differently.
The exact amount of storage required can vary depending on platform, installation data and language files, so players should leave some additional free space rather than budgeting for exactly 45 GB.
🛒 Do You Have to Buy The Witcher 3 Remastered Again?
For most existing owners, no.
CD Projekt Red says that anyone who previously purchased The Witcher 3, either physically or digitally, can upgrade to Remastered for free within the same platform ecosystem.
That applies to qualifying versions on:
- Steam
- GOG
- Epic Games Store
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
The publisher also confirmed that existing owners receive the two major expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, at no additional cost.
The Switch 2 Exception
This is where the confusion comes from.
The Nintendo Switch 2 Remastered version is a separate product on the eShop rather than an automatic update to the original Switch application.
However, existing Nintendo Switch owners can claim the Switch 2 Remastered version for free. Physical Switch owners can also claim the upgrade when it launches.
So:
Separate product does not mean separate purchase for existing Switch owners.
If you don't already own The Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 Remastered version is sold separately.
🖥️ What PC Players Need to Know
The PC version received some of the most extensive technical improvements.
CD Projekt Red has added:
- Path Tracing
- NVIDIA DLSS 4.5
- NVIDIA Ray Reconstruction
- AMD FSR 4
- FSR Frame Generation
- AMD Anti-Lag 2
- Intel XeSS 2.0
- XeSS Frame Generation
- Ray-Traced HairWorks
- Native DirectX 12 rendering
- Multithreaded rendering
- DualSense haptic support
The publisher also specifically warns that PC system requirements have changed because of the Remastered upgrades.
Before You Launch
If you're playing on PC, CD Projekt Red recommends making sure your NVIDIA, AMD or Intel graphics drivers are up to date.
The biggest thing to check is therefore not simply whether your PC could run the original Witcher 3, but whether it meets the new Remastered requirements.
⚙️ Which PC Settings Should You Use?
There isn't one perfect configuration because the Remastered edition now supports substantially more demanding rendering options.
A sensible starting point is:
🟢 Mid-Range PC
Start with:
- High preset
- Ray tracing off
- DLSS/FSR/XeSS enabled where supported
- Frame Generation if your GPU supports it
- Texture quality at High
- Motion blur according to preference
This gives you a good balance without immediately pushing the most demanding features.
🔴 High-End PC
If you have a modern high-end GPU, you can experiment with:
- Ultra settings
- Ray Tracing
- Path Tracing
- DLSS 4.5 or FSR 4
- Ray Reconstruction
- Frame Generation
Path Tracing is particularly demanding, so it should be treated as an enthusiast setting rather than something every PC should simply turn on.
🌲 The Visual Upgrade Is Bigger Than Resolution
The Remastered version isn't simply the old game running at a higher resolution.
CD Projekt Red has reworked multiple parts of the rendering pipeline, including:
- Lighting
- Shadows
- Foliage
- Terrain
- Materials
- Textures
- Models
- Ambient lighting
- Reflections
- HDR
- Subsurface scattering
The game also now uses native DirectX 12 rendering with multithreading on PC.
That means the biggest visual differences can appear in ordinary exploration rather than only in cinematic scenes.
🧩 Your Expansions Are Included Too
One of the best parts of the upgrade is that Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are included.
Existing base-game owners receive access to both expansions, while the Remastered package includes them as part of the game.
That means new players aren't buying the base game and then separately needing to purchase the two major story expansions to get the complete experience.
💾 What Happens to Your Existing Save?
You don't have to abandon Geralt's old adventure.
CD Projekt Red confirms that existing owners can upgrade within the same platform ecosystem, and existing save data is supported by the Remastered release.
There is one important change to remember: skill points are reset because the Remastered version significantly changes the skill-tree system.
So don't panic if your character looks slightly different after loading your old save. You'll need to redistribute your skill points under the new system.
🛠️ What Else Has Changed?
The Remastered edition also introduces a long list of gameplay and quality-of-life improvements.
Some notable additions include:
- Reworked skill tree
- Equipment reforging
- New finisher animations
- Improved Geralt movement
- Improved Roach controls
- Dynamic combat camera
- New exploration camera
- Better quest tracking
- Improved loot windows
- Expanded Photo Mode
- New accessibility settings
- Cross-platform mod support
- Improved REDkit functionality
The Reforge system also lets players change equipment appearances without changing their stats, giving players more control over Geralt's look.
🎮 Nintendo Switch 2 Gets Some Unique Features
The Switch 2 version isn't simply a straight port.
It supports several platform-specific features, including:
- Handheld play
- Pro Controller
- Dual Grip motion controls
- Mouse Sensor controls
- Gyroscope aiming
- Touch-screen input
- Joy-Con 2 HD Rumble
- VRR
- HDR
This is also the platform where the separate-product confusion matters most.
You download the Remastered version from the Switch 2 eShop, but existing Switch owners can claim it without paying again.
📋 Launch-Day Checklist
Before starting your adventure today:
PC players
- Update GPU drivers
- Check the new system requirements
- Free up roughly 45 GB for the update
- Decide whether you're using RT or Path Tracing
- Enable an appropriate upscaler
- Back up important saves if desired
Console players
- Check available storage
- Install the Remastered update
- Make sure your existing game is tied to the correct platform account
- Switch 2 owners should look for the separate Remastered eShop product
Returning players
- Load your existing save
- Reconfigure your skill points
- Check the new gameplay and accessibility options
- Explore the expanded Photo Mode
- Try the new equipment Reforge system
🐺 The Path Is Open Again
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered is finally here, and the most important thing to understand is that this isn't generally a new purchase for existing owners.
PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S players can upgrade through their existing platform ecosystems, while Switch 2 uses a separate eShop product that existing Switch owners can claim for free.
With downloads reaching roughly 45 GB on most platforms and 50 GB on Switch 2, it's worth making some room before starting.
And if you're playing on PC, check those updated requirements before turning on every visual feature at once.
Geralt's back on the Path. The only question now is how much of the Continent your hardware can handle.
