The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered is now available, giving players a refreshed way to experience Geralt of Rivia’s massive open-world adventure. Released on September 29, 2026, the remastered edition brings visual, performance, gameplay, and quality-of-life improvements to CD Projekt Red’s classic role-playing game.
If you are wondering how to get The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, the process is straightforward. Existing owners can upgrade for free on supported platforms, while new players can purchase the game and start with the remastered edition.
What Is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered?
The Remastered edition is an upgraded version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt rather than a completely new game. It keeps the original story and world while improving several parts of the experience.
Players still control Geralt as he searches for Ciri across the war-torn Northern Kingdoms. However, the updated release adds modern visual improvements, gameplay changes, and other refinements designed to make another playthrough feel fresh.
The remastered edition also includes the two major expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
How To Get The Remastered Version
If you already own The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, you do not need to buy the remaster again on a qualifying platform. The Remastered edition is offered as a free upgrade to existing owners.
On PC, the upgrade is available through supported versions on Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store. The game is also launching through Battle.net.
On console, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered is available for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It also arrives as a native release for Nintendo Switch 2.
For existing owners, the basic process is:
- Open the digital store or game library connected to your purchase.
- Find The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
- Check for the Remastered update or version.
- Download and install the available update.
- Launch the updated game and continue your adventure.
If you own a physical copy, the exact upgrade process can depend on the console and edition you own. Make sure your disc and account meet the platform requirements before deleting an older installation.
What If You Do Not Own The Game?
New players can purchase The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered on a supported platform and receive the upgraded experience. You do not need to purchase the original version first.
The Remastered release is particularly useful for players who have never played the game because it combines the main adventure with its major expansions. That means newcomers can experience Geralt’s complete existing journey without separately buying Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
What Does The Remaster Add?
The biggest changes are aimed at making the nearly decade-old RPG look and feel more modern. The remaster improves environmental textures, character and monster visuals, lighting, shadows, and ray-tracing features.
Gameplay has also been modernized. Combat, movement, and traversal receive refinements, while the interface and other quality-of-life systems have been updated. Players can also expect features such as improved customization options, including armor transmog, depending on the platform and final feature set.
The goal is not to replace the original adventure. Instead, it gives the same story a more polished presentation and a collection of modern improvements.
Do You Need The Old Next-Gen Version?
No. The 2026 Remastered release is separate from the 2022 next-generation update, although it builds on the modern version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt.
If you already installed the older next-gen edition, check your platform library for the new Remastered update rather than searching for an entirely different game.
Before downloading, check your available storage and install the update offered by your platform. This helps avoid launching an older build when multiple Witcher 3 versions appear in your library.
