---
title: "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Offers Free Switch 2 Upgrade to Switch Owners"
url: "https://www.nintendoreporters.com/en/news/nintendo-switch-2/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-offers-free-switch-2-upgrade-to-switch-owners/"
description: "The Witcher 3 Remastered confirms a free Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade for original Switch owners - claim instructions, pre-order details and features."
author: "Patrick Dankers"
published at: "2026-09-06 20:28:16"
image: "https://www.nintendoreporters.com/storage/files/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-offers-free-switch-2-upgrade-to-switch-owners.jpeg"
markdown url: "https://www.nintendoreporters.com/en/news/nintendo-switch-2/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-offers-free-switch-2-upgrade-to-switch-owners.md"
---

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered Offers Free Switch 2 Upgrade to Switch Owners | Nintendo Switch 2 News | NintendoReporters

 [![The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Offers Free Switch 2 Upgrade to Switch Owners](https://www.nintendoreporters.com/storage/files/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-offers-free-switch-2-upgrade-to-switch-owners.jpeg "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Offers Free Switch 2 Upgrade to Switch Owners")](https://www.nintendoreporters.com/storage/files/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-offers-free-switch-2-upgrade-to-switch-owners.jpeg)**The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – RemasteredSummary:**

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and owners of the original Switch release will be eligible for a free upgrade. That free upgrade was confirmed for digital buyers and has since been extended to physical copies as well. The remaster brings upgraded visuals, improved performance, modern rendering tech like ray tracing and native DirectX 12 support, and numerous gameplay and quality-of-life improvements. It also includes the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, plus a new paid expansion called Songs of the Past. If you picked up The Witcher 3 on Switch, you won’t need to rebuy the remaster – we explain how the upgrade works, what changes to expect, how pre-orders function on the eShop, and what Switch 2 exclusive touches you can look forward to. Whether you finished Geralt’s journey before or skipped it on Switch 1, this remaster is positioned to be the best way to play on Nintendo’s next console.

---

## [](#what-the-free-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-switch-2-upgrade-means)What the free The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered Switch 2 upgrade means

For people who bought The Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch originally, the free Switch 2 upgrade is a straightforward win – it means you keep your investment and get the remastered version without paying again. Practically that translates to switching to a modernized edition with enhanced visuals and smoother performance while retaining access to the same core game and expansions you already owned. For many Switch players this removes the friction of deciding whether to rebuy a title just to experience improvements. It also signals a customer-friendly approach from the developers, prioritizing loyalty and trust among the player base. Beyond the obvious monetary benefit, the free upgrade reduces fragmentation: continued play on Switch hardware is seamless, progression and DLC ownership remain tied to the original purchase, and players can jump back into Geralt’s story with minimal hassle. If you were waiting for an incentive to revisit the Northern Kingdoms on Nintendo hardware, this is it.

### [](#how-the-upgrade-works-digital-and-physical-copies-explained)How the upgrade works – digital and physical copies explained

At launch the free upgrade applied to digital purchases on Nintendo eShop, but CD Projekt later confirmed that physical owners will also be able to upgrade for free. For digital copies the process is usually automatic or offered as a free download in your account on the Switch 2 eShop once the remaster is released – you keep the same entitlement tied to your Nintendo account. For physical owners the confirmation means either a free digital redemption code bundled with the physical disc or a way to validate ownership through the physical serial to unlock the upgrade; CD Projekt clarified that physical buyers will not be left out. Save transfers and DLC ownership are important to clarify too – digital buyers should keep their entitlements tied to their accounts, while physical owners should check the packaging or publisher guidance about any redemption steps needed. Always back up or note your save status ahead of any transition, and follow official instructions when the Switch 2 release launches.

#### [](#what-remastered-changes-and-technical-improvements-to-expect)What Remastered changes and technical improvements to expect

The remaster modernizes The Witcher 3 with a long list of technical and visual upgrades that move the game up to current standards. Expect upgraded textures and refined animations that make environments and character performance feel fresher; global lighting reworks and a new shading model will change how scenes read, improving depth and atmosphere. Ray tracing improvements, raytraced hair and support for modern upscalers like Nvidia DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR 4 and Intel XeSS 2.0 will help performance and image quality on supported hardware. Other changes include subsurface scattering, a new tone mapper, HDR improvements, revamped foliage shading and rendering parallelization. Gameplay touches are present as well – improved combat, enhanced monster behaviors, revamped mount handling, traversal tweaks, a refreshed skill tree and new finishers. There are also UI and accessibility improvements, expanded photo mode, cross-platform mod support, and new quest tracking and loot updates. Together these improvements aim to make the world feel more alive and the systems smoother without changing the core narrative beats that fans love.

##### [](#nintendo-switch-2-exclusive-features-and-platform-specific-upgrades)Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive features and platform-specific upgrades

The Switch 2 version will include console-specific optimizations meant to take advantage of Nintendo’s next platform – expect performance and control refinements tailored to handheld and docked play. Features noted for the Switch 2 release include upgraded visuals that align with the console’s hardware capabilities, performance improvements like higher stable frame-rates and improved loading times compared to Switch 1, and UI navigation improvements designed for the platform. There may also be controller and handheld-specific QoL updates for things like menu navigation and button mapping. For more context on Nintendo’s new hardware and what it offers, check out our Nintendo Switch 2 overview page – it provides background on the platform that helps explain why developers can push such technical upgrades on the remaster: [Nintendo Switch 2](https://www.nintendoreporters.com/en/nintendo-switch-2/). All these touches are meant to make Geralt’s journey feel native to the next-generation Switch while keeping the familiar controls and chemistry fans expect.

## [](#how-to-claim-the-free-upgrade-and-pre-order-on-the-eshop)How to claim the free upgrade and pre-order on the eShop

Claiming the free upgrade will differ slightly depending on whether you own the digital or physical edition. If you bought the game digitally on Switch 1, the upgraded edition should appear in your eShop account on Switch 2 as a free update or free download once the remaster launches. Be sure your Nintendo account is the same across devices. If you own a physical copy, CD Projekt has confirmed that physical buyers will have a path to upgrade at no extra cost; follow publisher instructions on packaging or press releases for the exact redemption method, which could be a code or in-store registration step. Pre-orders are already live on the Nintendo eShop for Switch 2, so if you want early access or a digital copy lined up on release day you can reserve it there. When pre-ordering, double-check which edition you’re reserving and whether any pre-order bonuses are included. Keep an eye on release notes for timing and any required manual steps to trigger the free upgrade so your transition is smooth.

### [](#save-data-dlc-and-expansions-included-with-the-remaster)Save data, DLC and expansions included with the remaster

The remaster includes both Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, so players who own those expansions will see them included in the package otherwise the remastered package itself bundles them. The new Songs of the Past expansion is a paid addition coming in 2027 and is separate from the free upgrade; it will be available to those who want new story content. Regarding save data, digital editions tied to your Nintendo account should allow save transfers or at least give options for carrying progression forward – always back up saves before making a platform jump. For physical-to-digital transitions, follow the publisher’s recommended steps so your DLC entitlements and save files are preserved or migrated. If you rely heavily on mods or custom saves, note that cross-platform mod support is included on the remaster, but the exact mod ecosystem and transferability can vary between versions, so check details when the Switch 2 edition launches.

#### [](#who-should-consider-buying-the-remaster-again-advice-for-switch-owners)Who should consider buying the remaster again – advice for Switch owners

If you already finished The Witcher 3 on Switch 1 and loved it, the free upgrade means there’s no reason not to revisit the game on Switch 2 – the visual and performance differences will be noticeable and generally worth replaying for fans who enjoy the world, quests and expansions. If you skipped the game because of technical compromises on Switch 1, the remaster is a strong chance to finally experience Geralt’s story properly on Nintendo hardware. Players who value the newest graphics features like ray tracing and modern upscaling will appreciate the visual overhaul, while those focused on gameplay and story will benefit from improved combat behaviors and UI tweaks. Collectors and completionists should note that the remaster includes established expansions and provides improved systems for tracking quests and loot. If you care about holding a physical disc for your collection, the confirmed physical upgrade path means you won’t be excluded from the remaster’s improvements.

##### [](#conclusion)Conclusion

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 with a confirmed free upgrade for original Switch owners is a welcome move that rewards loyalty. With a broad set of visual, technical and gameplay improvements—and confirmation that both digital and physical owners are covered—it’s a relief for fans who wanted a modern way to play Geralt’s iconic story on Nintendo hardware. Check official publisher guidance for the exact upgrade steps, pre-order on the eShop if you want to secure your copy, and follow NintendoReporters for updates and hands-on impressions once Switch 2 players start posting performance data.

##### [](#faqs)FAQs

- **Is the free upgrade automatic for digital owners?**
    - Yes – digital owners should see the remaster offered as a free download or update on Switch 2 via the Nintendo eShop tied to their Nintendo account, though details may vary by region and timing.
- **Do physical owners need to pay or register to get the upgrade?**
    - No – CD Projekt confirmed physical owners will also get the free upgrade; follow the publisher instructions for any redemption or validation steps required.
- **Does the remaster include previous expansions?**
    - Yes – Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are included with the remastered edition; Songs of the Past is a new paid expansion scheduled separately.
- **Will my old save files transfer to Switch 2?**
    - Save transfer options depend on the platform and publisher tools; digital owners generally retain entitlements and should follow official steps for migrating saves where supported.
- **Should I replay The Witcher 3 on Switch 2 if I finished it on Switch 1?**
    - If you enjoyed the story and want improved visuals and smoother performance, the remaster is worth revisiting, especially since the upgrade is free for original buyers.

##### [](#sources)Sources

- [The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered Announced, Songs of the Past Gets First Look](https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/news/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-announced-songs-of-the-past-gets-first-look/) — CD PROJEKT RED, August 25, 2026
- [Announcing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered](https://www.thewitcher.com/nl/en/news/52017/announcing-the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered) — The Witcher / CD PROJEKT RED, August 25, 2026
- [Witcher 3 Switch Owners Can Claim The Switch 2 Remaster For Free](https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/08/witcher-3-switch-owners-can-claim-the-switch-2-remaster-for-free) — Nintendo Life, August 26, 2026
- [The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered Is a Free, Huge Upgrade Out September 29](https://gameinformer.com/2026/08/25/the-witcher-3-wild-hunt-remastered-is-a-free-huge-upgrade-out-september-29) — Game Informer, August 25, 2026
- [CD Projekt RED to Launch Remastered Version of The Witcher 3 Ahead of New Expansion](https://www.reuters.com/technology/cd-projekt-red-launch-remastered-version-the-witcher-3-ahead-new-expansion-2026-08-26/) — Reuters, August 26, 2026
- [Geralt Returns in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past and Remastered](https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/08/25/witcher-3-remastered-and-songs-of-the-past/) — Xbox Wire / CD PROJEKT RED, August 25, 2026

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