Free Witcher 3 Remaster Upgrade Paths Detailed for All Platforms
CD Projekt Red announced that The Witcher 3 Remastered will be a free upgrade for all existing owners on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2, with the two major expansions also now free. The upgrade process varies by platform, including digital preorders on Switch 2 and disc-based verification on PS5. The remaster launches September 29, and players without the base game can find budget-friendly ways to obtain it.
The upgrade process differs notably across platforms. Switch 2 owners with digital copies can preorder the remaster for free immediately, while physical owners must wait until launch day to claim it. On PS5, disc-based verification requires inserting a used copy of the base game—currently around $7 at GameStop—to qualify for the free upgrade. Xbox users can download the remaster from the store on September 29, with both expansions now free even on Xbox One.
Steam owners automatically receive the Complete Edition in their library, as the base game and expansions were delisted individually. Battle.net marks a new platform for the franchise, offering a preorder bonus tied to Diablo 4. The remaster itself promises improvements across graphics, combat, movement, mount handling, and photo mode, plus new enemy behaviors and finishers for Geralt.
This free-upgrade strategy could significantly expand the game's audience, as budget-conscious players may now purchase inexpensive used copies to access the remaster. The cross-platform generosity may pressure other publishers to adopt similar upgrade policies, potentially reshaping consumer expectations for remasters. Players on older hardware, particularly Switch owners, could feel excluded if they cannot afford the Switch 2, though the free expansions soften that impact. The Battle.net crossover with Diablo 4 may also draw new players into the Witcher franchise.