Games

CD Projekt Red Proud of Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 Sales, Witcher 3 Remaster Coming

13 September 2026
Nintendo Switch 2
6 min.
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CD Projekt Red Proud of Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 Sales, Witcher 3 Remaster Coming

Summary:

Michał Nowakowski, joint CEO of CD PROJEKT RED, confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 performed very well on Nintendo Switch 2 and that the studio is pleased with how the launch port sold and continues to sell. While specific figures were not shared, Nowakowski said Cyberpunk was the best-selling third-party title on Switch 2 for a time and that the release returned a profit after development and launch. That success helped build trust between CD PROJEKT RED and Nintendo, and it appears to have influenced the studio’s decision to bring The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered to Switch 2 later this month. Fans should read this as a sign that high-quality, full-version third-party releases can still find an audience on Nintendo’s new hardware.

CD Projekt Red on Cyberpunk 2077’s Switch 2 performance

CD PROJEKT RED’s recent comments make one thing clear – the studio views its Switch 2 debut as a win. Joint CEO Michał Nowakowski explained that Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition sold strongly at launch and continued to move copies well after the initial window. That matters because Switch 2 is a distinct ecosystem with different buying patterns and an install base that swells during launch periods. For a third-party AAA game to claim a top-selling slot among non-Nintendo releases says a lot about marketing, timing, and how well the port was executed. NintendoReporters focuses on the Switch 2 scene, and seeing a major third-party studio report profitability on the platform sends a clear message to other publishers considering full, cartridge-ready releases.

What Nowakowski actually said

When speaking with industry outlet The Game Business, Nowakowski was straightforward about expectations versus reality. He admitted CD PROJEKT RED didn’t expect Switch 2 numbers to mirror PC or Steam, given platform differences, but said the game did “very well” and that the studio was “very happy” with sales. He also noted Cyberpunk at one point outsold many Nintendo titles – aside from Mario Kart – which underscores how strong launch interest was. Those remarks give context: CD PROJEKT RED treated the Switch 2 release as an experiment that needed to satisfy both players and the company’s bottom line, and according to Nowakowski the experiment paid off with continued sales and positive reception.

Sales meaning – ‘best-selling third-party’ and profitability

Labels like “best-selling third-party” are shorthand, but they carry weight. For CD PROJEKT RED, the label meant the port outpaced other non-Nintendo launches on Switch 2 during its initial window, and, crucially, generated revenue that pushed the project into the black. Profitability matters more than bragging rights – studios that break even or profit are far more likely to support the platform again. Nowakowski was careful to stress the platform’s peculiarities – smaller install base at launch compared to PC storefronts, for example – yet the release still returned a positive result. That practical success is a stronger signal to both investors and peers than raw sales ranks alone.

Why Cyberpunk 2077 stood out at Switch 2’s launch

The Switch 2 launch was crowded with attention-grabbing first-party releases, but Cyberpunk stood out for a few reasons. First, it’s a known franchise with a wide, cross-platform audience who were curious to see how a dense, modern RPG would run on Nintendo’s new hardware. Second, CD PROJEKT RED committed to a full experience rather than a trimmed-down version, which resonated with collectors and players who prefer complete packages. Third, timing and presentation at launch gave it visibility, and the technical groundwork the studio put in helped the title run acceptably on the hardware. When an ambitious third-party game arrives in release-ready form, it can cut through the noise and find customers who want big, familiar experiences on a portable-capable device.

Technical choices – cartridge, native features, and optimizations

Part of Cyberpunk’s success was practical: CD PROJEKT RED released a complete version on cartridges in regions where physical media matters, and the port used platform-specific tech to improve the experience. Those decisions make a tangible difference for Switch 2 owners. Cartridges eliminate large initial downloads for many players and signal full support for the platform. Meanwhile, optimisations that take advantage of the system’s GPU features improve perceived quality and stability. For players, these technical choices add up to a cleaner, less friction-filled experience, which drives positive word-of-mouth and steady, long-tail sales even after the launch wave subsides.

Player reaction and ongoing sales

Nowakowski emphasized that the most important metric was player happiness. Early reactions from the Switch 2 community leaned positive, praising CD PROJEKT RED for delivering a robust port rather than a compromise. That goodwill translates into sustained sales beyond day-one spikes – satisfied players recommend the game, streamers show off the experience, and reviews and forum conversations keep the title in the public eye. For publishers, sustained sales are preferable to short-term chart positions because they reduce risk and improve lifetime revenue. Cyberpunk’s continued sales on Switch 2 are therefore not only a sign of launch success but also of long-term viability on the platform.

What this shows for third-party support on Switch 2

Cyberpunk’s positive outcome on Switch 2 suggests a model other publishers might follow: invest in a high-quality, platform-aware port, choose distribution formats wisely, and manage expectations about comparative sales volumes versus PC. Nintendo’s ecosystem still rewards titles that respect the platform’s strengths – portability, user-friendly storefronts, and an audience that values exclusives and notable third-party ports. If more studios see profitability stories like CD PROJEKT RED’s, they may be more willing to commit to native Switch 2 versions rather than minimal, game-key-only releases. That would be a net win for players who want choice and for Nintendo’s platform health overall.

CD Projekt’s next move: The Witcher 3 Remastered on Switch 2

Following Cyberpunk’s Switch 2 performance, CD PROJEKT RED announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered will arrive on Nintendo’s system on September 29, 2026. That release is significant: it’s a native remaster that will be free for qualifying owners on prior platforms, and it marks another vote of confidence in Switch 2 as a target for major releases. For players who missed The Witcher on previous systems or who want the upgraded version for portable play, this is welcome news. For other developers watching from the sidelines, it reinforces the idea that careful investment in Switch 2 ports can pay off in both reputation and revenue.

Quick takeaways

There are a few simple conclusions to draw. First, high-quality third-party releases can perform very well on Switch 2 when they’re done right. Second, profitability, not just chart position, is what convinces studios to return to Nintendo’s platform. Third, technical choices like a full cartridge release and platform optimisations matter a lot for perception and long-term sales. Finally, CD PROJEKT RED bringing The Witcher 3 Remastered to Switch 2 soon shows that the studio sees ongoing opportunity on the system. For NintendoReporters readers who track Switch 2’s third-party support, this sequence of events is a positive sign for variety and big-name releases on the platform.

Conclusion

CD PROJEKT RED’s comments about Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2 serve as a practical case study: a well-executed third-party AAA port can be profitable and keep selling after launch, and that success encourages further support, as seen with The Witcher 3 Remastered. Players who care about solid ports should welcome this approach, since it tends to produce better products and more options on Nintendo’s hardware. NintendoReporters will keep an eye on how The Witcher 3 performs and whether other publishers follow CD PROJEKT RED’s lead.

FAQs
  • Did CD PROJEKT RED share exact sales numbers for Cyberpunk on Switch 2?
    • No – Nowakowski confirmed the game sold well and was profitable but did not give specific unit figures.
  • Was Cyberpunk the top-selling overall game on Switch 2?
    • No – the studio said Cyberpunk was the best-selling third-party title for a period, but Nintendo first-party titles like Mario Kart remained dominant.
  • Will The Witcher 3 Remastered be free for Switch owners?
    • CD PROJEKT RED announced Remastered will launch on September 29, 2026, and qualifying owners on previous platforms will receive upgrade details as outlined by the publisher.
  • Why did CD PROJEKT RED choose cartridges for Cyberpunk on Switch 2?
    • The studio opted for a full physical version in many regions to provide a complete experience without large downloads and to show strong platform commitment.
  • Does this mean more big AAA third-party games are coming to Switch 2?
    • It’s a positive sign – profitability stories help, but each publisher will make its own call based on costs, audience, and technical feasibility.
Sources
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