The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Remastered Reaches Switch 2 With Free Upgrade

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt released more than a decade ago based on fantasy novels by Andrzej Sapkowski. CD Projekt’s series of RPGs saw an increase in popularity with each new installment in the franchise. This title became the most successful of the bunch and stands among the highest-selling games ever made.

Fans have waited a long time for the next game in the series, but the fourth entry remains far from release. CD Projekt has a new expansion arriving next year to tide fans over until then. To prepare for that release, the original game has received remaster treatment as something to enjoy now. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered is available at no additional cost if you already own the original on the same platform.

This free update extends to the Switch ecosystem where owners of the digital or physical release can play the Remastered version on Switch 2. You will see improvements in presentation alongside some new platform-specific features like motion controls for the Switch 2 version. The update also includes mod support via mod.io and a host of new accessibility features. Gameplay changes seem largely focused around the artificial intelligence of NPCs and enemies to improve how they act.

Some parts of the update are optional while others are required for all players regarding the skill tree design. You must use the new more linear system instead of the older freeform version that existed before. This new system is easier to deal with and feels closer to what players of Cyberpunk 2077 are familiar with. It might have been nicer to choose the original one if you preferred that way, but you cannot select it here.

The numerous quality of life and accessibility features are yours to use or leave alone as you see fit for your own play style. You can turn off inventory encumbrance or item durability so they do not affect your progress through the game world. Want to enjoy a nice swim without digging up buried trauma? You can give Geralt infinite breath for this purpose. One thing likely worth taking advantage of is the new auto-looting option for corpses.

This review focused on the Switch 2 version in particular because the original 2019 port felt like a little miracle at the time. That version had big compromises that were acceptable to play one of the best RPGs ever made on the go. No one was going to confuse it for any other version of the game back then, but the price was small enough to pay.

As expected from the extra power afforded by the Nintendo Switch 2, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Remastered makes far fewer sacrifices in its presentation. Everything has a crisper look thanks to the console’s DLSS support available now on this hardware. While you are not going to get a 60 fps on the Switch 2 you can look forward to a relatively reliable 30 fps instead.

What were often barren fields on the original Switch are now full of lush vegetation with significantly greater visual detail across the board. The lighting and shadows are considerably more complex and believable on this platform compared to before. It is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Windows via Steam and GOG for other players to enjoy the adventure again.