Geralt’s most famous adventure has finally landed on Nintendo’s newest hardware, and the first question most owners ask is simple: do I have to pay again? The answer depends on which version you already own.
This guide covers the Witcher 3 Switch 2 release: the free upgrade rules, the price for new buyers, the file size, how it performs docked and in handheld mode, and what the remaster changes. Every figure comes from the sources listed at the bottom.
Checked on October 20, 2026. Details can change with patches, so confirm anything critical on the Nintendo eShop before buying.
Is the Witcher 3 Switch 2 Upgrade Free?
Yes, if you own the original Switch version. According to Nintendo Life, the Switch 2 edition is free for anyone who owns the Switch 1 game, and CD Projekt Red support told the outlet that physical owners can claim it on launch day too.
The catch is how it works. On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S the remaster arrives as an update to the game you already have. On Switch 2 it is a separate eShop product with its own Home menu icon, so you must claim and download it yourself. That is why the Nintendo Life headline says a separate purchase is required, while the article body confirms it costs nothing for existing owners. Both statements are true: separate listing, no charge.
The takeaway: Own the Switch 1 version? Search the Switch 2 eShop listing and claim it. Do not wait for it to appear as an update.
Price, Release Time and Editions
| Detail | What we know |
|---|---|
| Switch 2 release date | September 29, 2026 |
| US launch time | 3 AM PDT / 6 AM EDT, per VGC |
| Price for new buyers | $59.99 (Nintendo Life, Deku Deals) |
| Free for | Owners of the original Switch version |
| Expansions | Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are included, per Deku Deals |
| Players | 1, offline |
The game is rated Mature by the ESRB. The eShop listing also includes free language packs, including German, French, Russian, Polish, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese.
The takeaway: New to the series, you pay $59.99 once and get the base game plus both expansions.
File Size: How Much Space Do You Need?
CD Projekt Red’s Marcin Momot gave a download size of 50GB for Switch 2, and Nintendo Life measured its pre-installed copy at 48.5GB. Deku Deals lists 48.574GB. On other platforms, VGC reports 45GB for PC, PS5 and Xbox.
Plan for at least 50GB free. If you use a microSD Express card, make sure there is room before you claim the game, because a failed download is a slow way to find out.
The takeaway: Clear 50GB, and treat the 48.5GB figure as the on-device size.
How Does It Run on Switch 2?
This is where expectations need care. CD Projekt Red’s pre-launch targets, reported by Nintendo Life, were 1080p docked and 720p handheld at 30 to 40 fps with variable refresh rate support. Digital Foundry’s later analysis, summarized by Nintendo Everything, gives the measured picture.
| Mode | Resolution (dynamic) | Frame rate |
|---|---|---|
| Docked | 540p to 1080p, aiming at 1080p with DLSS | 40 fps cap on a 120Hz display, otherwise 30 fps |
| Handheld | 360p to 720p, aiming at 720p with DLSS | Same caps |
The analysis says 40 fps holds up in open areas and lighter scenes but is not sustainable throughout, and it recommends the stable 30 fps cap. There is no ray tracing on Switch 2, and the lower resolution affects screen-space reflections and depth of field in cutscenes. For comparison, the original Switch version ran at dynamic 720p docked and 540p handheld, with a 30 fps cap that often dipped into the 20s.
The takeaway: It is a clear step up from Switch 1, but think of it as a stable 30 fps game with a bonus 40 fps option, not a PC-class experience.
What the Remaster Changes
The launch patch notes, summarized by The Sixth Axis, show changes that matter beyond graphics.
- New skill tree: Skills have three ranks and unlock through prerequisites instead of a set number of points. Bonuses and synergies were rebalanced and some skills renamed.
- Skill reset: Existing skill points are reset. The patch notes flag this as important, so expect to rebuild your Geralt.
- Reforge: Master craftsmen can change an item’s look without changing its stats.
- Combat: New finisher animations, better gap-closing, a dynamic combat camera and a quick-disengage option.
On Switch 2 specifically, there are four playstyles (Handheld, Pro Controller, Dual Grip and Mouse Sensor), gyro aiming, touch screen support in menus, Joy-Con 2 HD Rumble, and VRR and HDR in handheld mode. Mouse mode can be always on or dynamic, switching on when you set the Joy-Con on a surface.
The takeaway: Returning players should expect a fresh skill build, and the Joy-Con mouse mode is the headline Switch 2 feature.
What Is Not Confirmed
- A physical Switch 2 cartridge release: we found no confirmation in the sources checked.
- Exact frame-rate performance in every area, since the figures above come from one published analysis and will vary by scene.
- Whether future patches will raise resolution or stabilize the 40 fps mode.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying it twice: If you own the Switch 1 game, claim the free Switch 2 version before paying.
- Expecting 40 fps on every screen: It needs a 120Hz display, otherwise the cap is 30 fps.
- Importing an old save and expecting the same build: Skills are reset, so plan to respec.
- Starting the download without space: You need roughly 50GB free.
FAQ
Is the Witcher 3 Remastered free on Switch 2?
It is free if you own the original Switch version, including a physical copy according to CD Projekt Red support. Everyone else pays $59.99.
How big is the Witcher 3 Switch 2 download?
CD Projekt Red cites 50GB, while Nintendo Life measured 48.5GB on its console.
Does it run at 60 fps?
No. Reported caps are 30 fps, or 40 fps on a 120Hz display.
Does it include the expansions?
Yes. Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are included, according to Deku Deals.
Final Thoughts
For Switch 1 owners this is an easy yes, since the cost is a 50GB download. For new players, $59.99 buys the complete story on a handheld that finally makes it playable. If you are building a Switch 2 library, see our guides to the Metaphor: ReFantazio Switch 2 release, the Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 release, the Minecraft Switch 2 free upgrade and the Resident Evil Switch 2 ports.
Sources:
- Nintendo Life: file size, release time and purchase details (Sept. 28, 2026)
- Nintendo Life: resolution and frame rate targets (Aug. 28, 2026)
- Nintendo Everything: Digital Foundry analysis summary (Oct. 3, 2026)
- VGC: release times and file sizes
- The Sixth Axis: launch patch notes
- Deku Deals: price, editions, expansions