The Witcher 3 Remastered: Release Time, Platforms, Saves and Upgrade Details

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered is scheduled to launch worldwide on September 29, 2026, at 10:00 UTC—3:00 a.m. PDT, 6:00 a.m. EDT and 11:00 a.m. BST. Eligible owners on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S get the upgrade free. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is also planned, with a separate path for existing Switch owners. 231329

Release time and platforms

The release is scheduled for the same time across platforms. That works out to 12:00 p.m. CEST in much of Europe and 7:00 p.m. JST in Japan. 2

CD Projekt RED lists the free upgrade for owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Remastered is also coming to Battle.net, a new storefront for the game, and as a native Nintendo Switch 2 version. The original Switch version does not run the remaster, but CD Projekt RED says existing Switch owners will be able to claim the Switch 2 version when it releases. 1329

Is Remastered a free upgrade or a separate game?

For eligible owners, Remastered is an update to the existing game, not a second game to buy. Reporting describes it as an update to the current Complete Edition client, with version 5.0 identified as the new version number. 3437 The remaster is also set to replace the Complete Edition listing on storefronts, but that does not change the free-upgrade eligibility for existing owners on qualifying platforms. 38

Saves, achievements and download size

CD Projekt RED says existing saves should work. Skills and settings will reset after the upgrade, but players can reallocate their skills immediately. Achievements and trophies are shared with the current versions, so previously unlocked ones do not need to be earned again. 212223

Expect a substantial download: reported sizes are about 45 GB on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and about 50 GB for the Switch 2 version. Steam’s figure may vary depending on installed language packs. 3334

A preload window is not confirmed in the information available for this guide. If you want to play at launch, leave enough storage space and check your platform’s store or launcher for download availability.

What changes in the remaster?

CD Projekt RED describes upgrades to visuals, performance and gameplay. Reporting has also highlighted changes to combat, traversal and movement, progression, photo mode and accessibility. The available announcements do not provide a complete, item-by-item accessibility feature list, so players looking for a particular option should check the final platform-specific details. 133839

How it connects to Songs of the Past

Remastered includes the existing Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. CD Projekt RED has also said owners of the base game will get access to both at no additional cost. 2029

Songs of the Past is a separate expansion planned for 2027, not part of the September remaster. Its specific release date has not been announced. 1131632