The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered is no longer a rumor or speculation. CD PROJEKT RED has officially announced a remastered version of its acclaimed open-world RPG, with a September 29, 2026 release date.
The announcement was made around Gamescom Opening Night Live, alongside the first look at the upcoming Songs of the Past expansion. The remastered edition is being positioned as a major modernization of the 2015 classic, with improvements spanning graphics, performance, combat, character progression and other gameplay systems.
The remaster will also expand the game’s reach to new platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2 and Battle.net, while qualifying existing owners will receive the upgraded version at no additional cost.
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered Release Date
CD PROJEKT RED has confirmed that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered launches September 29, 2026.
The official Witcher website lists September 29 as the release date, while Reuters independently confirmed the same date following the announcement.
This means players do not have to wait for the 2027 Songs of the Past expansion to return to Geralt’s world with the new version. The remastered edition arrives first, providing an updated foundation for the next chapter of the game’s post-launch story.
What Is The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered?
The new release is designed to modernize the generation-defining RPG rather than simply repackage the original game.
According to CD PROJEKT RED, the remaster includes improvements to visuals, performance, gameplay and more. The official feature list specifically highlights upgraded environmental, NPC and monster textures, enhanced foliage, reworked lighting and rendering, and ray-tracing improvements.
The result is intended to make the massive world of the Continent look and feel more modern while preserving the story, characters and role-playing foundation that made The Witcher 3 a landmark RPG.
Major Visual and Performance Improvements
One of the biggest areas of focus is graphical presentation.
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered features:
- Improved environment textures
- Enhanced NPC textures
- Improved monster textures
- Major foliage upgrades
- Reworked lighting
- Improved rendering
- Ray-tracing enhancements
- More realistic light and shadow
- Overhauled animations
These changes are intended to give locations across the Continent greater visual detail and atmosphere.
For a game as heavily dependent on exploration and environmental storytelling as The Witcher 3, improvements to foliage, lighting, textures and rendering could make familiar areas feel substantially different during another playthrough.
Combat Is Getting a Major Overhaul
The remaster also goes beyond graphics.
CD PROJEKT RED says combat has been improved with revamped animations, new brutal finishers and an adaptive camera. The goal is to make swordplay, Signs and dodging feel more dynamic and responsive.
This could be particularly important for veteran players who have completed the original adventure multiple times. The updated combat presentation gives returning players another reason to revisit Geralt’s journey instead of simply replaying an unchanged version of the 2015 game.
The Skill System Has Been Reimagined
Another significant change involves character progression.
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered introduces an overhauled skill tree designed to provide more flexibility and make different playstyles more meaningful. CD PROJEKT RED describes the redesigned system as a modernization of character progression with greater flexibility and impact on gameplay.
This could affect how returning players build Geralt, particularly those who want to experiment with different combat, Signs, alchemy or hybrid approaches.
Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine Are Included
One of the biggest value additions is that the remastered package includes both major Witcher 3 expansions:
- Hearts of Stone
- Blood and Wine
CD PROJEKT RED says owners of the base game will receive both expansions at no additional cost, subject to the applicable platform upgrade rules. The expansions are also included in the Remastered version itself.
That makes the announcement especially significant for players who own only the base game. Instead of purchasing the expansions separately to experience the complete post-launch story, eligible owners can access them through the remastered offering.
Cross-Platform Mod Support and Expanded Photo Mode
The remaster is also introducing several quality-of-life and customization improvements.
The official feature list includes cross-platform mod support, transmogrification, immersive meditation and an expanded photo mode alongside the visual and gameplay changes.
The expanded photo mode should give players additional ways to capture the landscapes, characters and combat encounters of the Continent, while transmogrification can provide greater freedom over Geralt’s appearance without necessarily sacrificing equipment choices.
Which Platforms Will Get The Witcher 3 Remastered?
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered is scheduled for release across a broad range of current platforms.
The confirmed platforms include:
- PC
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Battle.net
CD PROJEKT RED has confirmed the remaster for PC through Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG and Battle.net, while current-generation console versions are also planned.
The native Nintendo Switch 2 version represents a new platform opportunity for the game, while the Battle.net release marks a new distribution partnership between CD PROJEKT RED and Blizzard Entertainment.
Will The Witcher 3 Remastered Be Free?
For many existing players, the answer is yes.
CD PROJEKT RED says qualifying owners of The Witcher 3 will receive the Remastered upgrade for free. Reuters also confirmed that existing owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S will receive the upgrade without purchasing a separate remaster.
Players who own the base game will also gain access to Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine at no additional cost under the announced upgrade structure.
Nintendo’s official eShop listing separately states that players who own The Witcher 3 on the original Nintendo Switch will be able to claim the Remastered version on Switch 2 for free when it releases. The remastered game will appear as a separate download on Switch 2.
What About PS4, Xbox One and the Original Switch?
The move toward current-generation hardware is important.
CD PROJEKT RED has previously explained that Songs of the Past and related updates are being built on the foundation of the 2022 next-generation update. The studio said the upcoming expansion and updates will not be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One or the original Nintendo Switch.
The existing version of The Witcher 3 and its previously released expansions will remain playable on those older systems, but players should not expect the new remastered-era content to arrive there.
How Is The Remaster Different From The 2022 Next-Gen Update?
The distinction is important because The Witcher 3 already received a major next-generation update in 2022.
That earlier update introduced features including ray tracing, faster loading, performance and graphics modes, cross-progression, new camera options, Photo Mode, quality-of-life improvements and additional content.
The 2026 Remastered release goes further by introducing another round of changes to visuals, combat, animations, skill progression, mod support, transmogrification, photo mode and other systems.
In other words, the Remastered edition is not simply the 2022 next-gen update being renamed. It represents another substantial modernization of The Witcher 3.
The Witcher 3 Remastered and Songs of the Past
The remaster is also directly connected to the next major chapter of Geralt’s story.
CD PROJEKT RED has announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past, a new expansion scheduled for 2027. The expansion will take Geralt to Letten, described as the homeland of Dandelion, where an idyllic land hides a darker secret.
The expansion is being developed as a new adventure for Geralt and will benefit from the technological and gameplay foundation established by the remastered version.
The company has not yet announced an exact 2027 release date for Songs of the Past.
The Witcher 3 Remastered Is Arriving Before The Witcher 4
The remaster also gives fans something substantial to play while they wait for the next mainline game.
CD PROJEKT RED is developing The Witcher 4, which begins a new saga with Ciri as the protagonist. The company has targeted 2028 for its release, although that remains a target rather than a guaranteed launch date.
That puts the 2026 Remastered edition and 2027 Songs of the Past expansion in an interesting position. They effectively extend Geralt’s story while the studio continues building the next major Witcher saga.
Why The Witcher 3 Remastered Matters
The original The Witcher 3 remains one of the most successful and critically recognized RPGs ever released. Reuters reports that the game has sold more than 65 million copies and has won more than 250 Game of the Year awards.
The remaster therefore has a large potential audience that includes longtime fans, returning players and newcomers who may have never experienced Geralt’s story.
Google Trends is also showing strong current interest in the subject: the search term “witcher 3 remastered” was among the rapidly rising searches, with more than 20,000 searches and a reported 400% increase in the latest trending snapshot.
That surge reflects the immediate attention surrounding the Gamescom announcement and the newly confirmed release date.
The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered Latest Update
The latest verified information is that The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered will launch September 29, 2026.
The release will bring upgraded visuals, improved performance, redesigned combat elements, a reworked skill system, expanded photo mode, cross-platform mod support and other modernization features. Existing owners on qualifying platforms will receive the remaster as a free upgrade, while the base game will also unlock the two major expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
The remaster will arrive on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and Battle.net, setting the stage for the Songs of the Past expansion in 2027.
With The Witcher 4 targeting 2028, CD PROJEKT RED is giving fans a significant reason to return to Geralt’s adventure before the franchise moves into its next era.
Are you planning to return to the Continent when The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered launches? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the latest Witcher updates.