You still have Geralt's save file on standby? You're not alone. Many thousands of gamers are getting The Witcher 3 this 2026, and, for the record, it is one of the savviest investments to make this year. This is the perfect opportunity to get back on the bike and ride back into White Orchard, with a new remaster, new content coming and a script that hasn't aged a day in over 10 years.
So, what is the Witcher 3 up to all of a sudden?
The answer in one word: CD Projekt Red just revived the game. Witcher 3 Remastered releases on September 29th, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and native coming on Nintendo Switch 2. As a remaster, the upgrade is free for people already owning the game on any of the other platforms.
That's a big deal for a game that first came out back in 2015. However, CD Projekt Red didn't simply freshen the looks, either. The remaster will add modern upscaling capabilities (DLSS 4.5, FSR 4, and XeSS 2.0), combat tweaks and smoother traversal. It's the version of the game that corrects what some found problematic about the sword fights in the original one.
So what is new in the Remaster?
- Improved visuals around current-generation upscaling technology mean that the Continent appears better on today's TVs and monitors.
- Newer combat and/or movement to address stiffness in the original build.
- The ability to hunt monsters in the same way you did on handheld games beginning on Nintendo platforms through Native Switch 2 support.
- The availability of Battle.net, by means of a partnership with Blizzard Entertainment, which offers PC gamers a new storefront choice.
This has no impact on its story or world design, which were already the best parts of the game. It simply takes away the only legitimate reasons for not doing it.
But, there's also a new Expansion coming as well.
What does change the math very slightly as far as coming back game players are concerned, is that there is a third expansion titled Songs of the Past with CD Projekt Red working with Fool's Theory, which is the studio currently rebuilding the original Witcher game from the ground up. It is expected to be released in 2027 and, according to speculations, it's set to introduce Geralt once again playing a part to save Ciri, which could pave the way for the events within The Witcher 4.
If you have been waiting for something to get you started before new content becomes available then now is the time. No longer will you be scrambling at the end to remember who Regis was, with Heaven or Stone finished, so will be with the main story, Hearts of Stone, and Blood and Wine.
The Witcher 3: Is it still worth playing in 2026?
Yes, and it's not due to the remaster. The writing in Witcher 3 was already very progressive in 2015, and, unlike many in the genre, it doesn't show its age. The side quests in this are by no means dull; there are more good plots here found in side quests and in new titles than in the main quest. The Bloody Baron quest alone remains one of the best side stories ever in games, and nothing would fade with the passage of time.
The open world also remains stable due to the fact that it was based around handmade areas instead of filler in-between them. Velen, Novigrad and Skellige all have their own individual feel, and there's no penalty for slow exploration.
How to Rejoin Without Getting Lost
- Forget some of them, instead decide what the key beats of the story are, who is trying to find Ciri & why, then skip down the summary.
- Always, always, always, first look at your quest log. Witcher 3 is good at keeping track of the quests you are working on and have finished; five mins there and most of that can be refreshed.
- Begin from the remaster (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S or Switch 2). With the combat, the early hours aren't as cumbersome and disappointing as they were in 2015.
- Take your time on the side content. Many of the best written elements in the game lie in the contracts and side missions and they're not filler.
- Play Hearts of Stone before Blood and Wine. Although it could be played in any order, Hearts of Stone was intended to be played first of all, in chronological order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Witcher 3 Remaster free or not?
Yes. For those that have already played The Witcher 3 on PC, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S the remastered version will be a free update. The most reliable way to confirm full remaster details, including pricing of Switch 2 (for new sales), is via your stores page.
Will I have to replay the entire game to enjoy the new expansion?
No, but it helps. Songs of the Past will be released in 2027, giving time to complete (or replay) the base game and the two current expansions Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine.
Is it possible to play Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. The remaster launched at the same time as the PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S versions, offering better visuals and performance enhancements than the original Switch release.
Which up scaling technology is used in the remaster?
Depending on the hardware, the remaster does also offer DLSS 4.5, FSR 4 and XeSS 2.0 support, meaning it could appear sharper and run smoother on newer graphics chipsets.
Does The Witcher 3 relate to Witcher 4?
CD Projekt Red has yet to confirm having direct story connection, but the new Songs of Past expansion is said to be setting up events that could have repercussions on Ciri's story in the future, and many would like for that to take place as part of The Witcher 4.
Upon player return you are faced with a decision: a new game or an old save?
If your old save isn't that old, go back in if you recall the story. Most of the time, a fresh start on the remaster is more enjoyable if it has been several years, you will be having a better combat mode from the first battle.
Conclusion
For the Witcher 3, 2026 looks set to be the best year to replay or embark on the game for the first time, considering the remaster, free upgrade, and impending expansion. The story of Geralt has not been delayed at all — in essence, it is closer to being a contemporary classic. Collect dust off that save file (or begin anew) and then travel back to the Continent.