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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →No—not in every case. The 2026 edition, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered, is available on PC as well as current-generation consoles. On consoles, the publisher currently lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. PlayStation 4 and Xbox One remain on their previous-generation version.
The phrase “new console upgrade” is ambiguous because it can describe either the December 2022 next-gen update or the newer 2026 Remastered edition. The 2022 update’s dedicated console features require a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S, while PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch have a separate update path. Your answer therefore depends on which release you mean, the platform you own and, for a PS4 disc, whether your PS5 has a disc drive.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dWUfwFl5L._SL160_.jpg)
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NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition] | $37.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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DEATHLOOP - PS5 | $10.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition (PS5) [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510vIObt2KL._SL160_.jpg)
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Borderlands 3 Ultimate Edition (PS5) [video game] | $33.94 | Buy on Amazon |
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First, identify which Witcher 3 release you mean
2026 Remastered
CD PROJEKT RED released The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered on September 29, 2026. The current US product page lists PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2 as its platforms and marks the game “OUT NOW.” This is a newer edition, not simply the name for every patch delivered to older consoles.
The publisher’s August 25, 2026 announcement says the edition is a free upgrade for owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Nintendo Switch owners can claim the Remastered edition on Nintendo Switch 2; the current product page now lists Switch 2 as supported.
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2022 next-gen update
The December 2022 release added a dedicated next-generation version for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. CD PROJEKT RED’s November 14, 2022 announcement described that update as free for everyone who already owned any version of the game. Console players on PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch were handled through a separate update with additions and improvements rather than the dedicated PS5 or Xbox Series build.
When an article or store listing says “next-gen update,” it is usually referring to this 2022 release. When it says “Remastered,” it is referring to the 2026 edition. Do not use the two names interchangeably when checking eligibility.
Which platforms support the 2026 Remastered edition?
| Platform | 2026 Remastered status | What an owner should know |
|---|---|---|
| PC | Supported through GOG, Steam and Epic Games Store | The publisher’s announcement identifies these stores for the free-upgrade entitlement. |
| PlayStation 5 | Supported | The announcement includes PS5 owners in the free-upgrade group. |
| Xbox Series X|S | Supported | The announcement includes Xbox Series X|S owners in the free-upgrade group. |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Supported; listed as “OUT NOW” on the current US product page | Nintendo Switch owners can claim Remastered on Switch 2. Confirm the entitlement shown by Nintendo for your account. |
| PlayStation 4 | Not listed for Remastered | The PS4 version remains the previous-generation release. |
| Xbox One | Not listed for Remastered | The Xbox One version remains the previous-generation release. |
| Original Nintendo Switch | Not listed as a Remastered platform | Its separate Switch version and update are distinct from the Switch 2 Remastered edition. |
That table answers the hardware question: a next-generation console is not universally required because PC is supported. If you specifically want the console edition, however, the current Remastered platform list starts with PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2.
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Owning the game on PS4 or Xbox One does not make the game unplayable. The official US product information says those versions remain unchanged except that the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions are available at no additional charge. They are previous-generation versions, not the 2026 Remastered edition.
This distinction matters when you move between generations. A PS4 or Xbox One copy may continue to run on compatible hardware, but the publisher’s Remastered FAQ does not list PS4 or Xbox One as Remastered platforms. Do not assume that a previous-generation purchase automatically unlocks the 2026 edition on a newer console; check the entitlement attached to your store account and edition.
How the 2022 update works on PlayStation
PS5 owners with a digital PS4 license
For the 2022 release, download the dedicated PS5 version manually rather than expecting the console to replace the PS4 application automatically. Base-game owners receive the base-game update. If you own an expansion, download the expansion separately when it appears in your library.
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PS4 disc owners moving to PS5
A qualifying PS4 disc can be used to install and play the 2022 next-gen version on a PS5 with a disc drive. The disc must remain inserted whenever you play because it serves as the license. The support instructions describe this as a manual download of the PS5 version, followed by disc verification.
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- Insert the PS4 game disc into a PS5 that has a disc drive.
- Open the game hub or library entry and select the offered PS5 upgrade or download.
- Install the base-game PS5 version.
- Download owned expansions separately from the add-on listings.
- Keep the PS4 disc inserted whenever you launch the installed PS5 game.
PS4 disc owners with a PS5 Digital Edition
A disc-free PS5 Digital Edition cannot use a PS4 disc as its license. CD PROJEKT RED’s support guidance says the disc must be inserted in a PS5, which excludes the Digital Edition. You would need a digital entitlement or a PS5 model with a disc drive; the disc itself cannot be converted into a license for the disc-free console.
How the 2022 update works on Xbox
On Xbox Series X|S, use the console’s update process to reach patch 4.0, which supplies the dedicated next-generation features. The Xbox update is tied to the Microsoft account and game entitlement you use. If the console still launches an older build, check that the game is fully updated and that you are signed in to the account that owns it.
An Xbox One copy remains the previous-generation version when played on Xbox One. The existence of a Series X|S update does not turn the Xbox One hardware into a current-generation platform, and the 2026 Remastered platform list still excludes Xbox One.
What the 2022 update means for PC and Nintendo Switch
PC
PC was included in the 2022 next-gen update, so a next-generation console was never required for those features on a computer. The 2026 Remastered edition is also supported on PC through GOG, Steam and Epic Games Store. In both cases, use the store account that owns the game and install the edition offered in that library.
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch received a separate update path associated with the 2022 release. That should not be confused with the 2026 Remastered edition, which the publisher currently lists for Nintendo Switch 2. An original Switch owner should verify whether the Nintendo account shows a Switch 2 entitlement rather than assuming the older Switch application is Remastered.
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Free upgrades, ownership and price questions
The publisher has announced upgrade availability, not one universal current US price across every storefront. Store prices can vary by region, tax, edition and promotion, so there is no single price figure to quote responsibly here.
Eligibility is also platform-specific. The 2026 announcement explicitly names owners on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for the free upgrade. It separately says Nintendo Switch owners can claim Remastered on Switch 2. That wording does not promise that every historical owner on PS4, Xbox One or original Switch automatically receives the 2026 edition.
“It will be available as a free upgrade to all owners of the game on GOG, Steam, Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.”
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For the earlier release, the publisher stated: “The next-gen update is free for everyone who already owns any version of the game.” That statement applies to the 2022 update and should not be read as a blanket entitlement rule for the later Remastered edition.
Choose the right path for your situation
| Your current setup | What you need to do |
|---|---|
| You play on PC | Use the supported PC store account. No next-generation console is required. |
| You own the game digitally on PS5 | Check your library for the 2026 Remastered entitlement or the 2022 PS5 version, depending on which release you want. |
| You own a PS4 disc and have a standard PS5 | Use the disc to trigger the 2022 PS5 download; leave it inserted to play. |
| You own a PS4 disc and have a PS5 Digital Edition | The disc cannot provide the license. Use a digital entitlement or a PS5 with a disc drive. |
| You own the game on Xbox Series X|S | Install the current supported edition and update to patch 4.0 for the 2022 next-gen features, or check the Remastered listing for the 2026 edition. |
| You own the game on Xbox One | Continue using the Xbox One version; it is not listed as Remastered. |
| You own the game on original Nintendo Switch | Use the Switch version and its separate update path. Switch 2 is the platform listed for Remastered. |
Troubleshooting when the upgrade does not appear
- Confirm the edition. Search your library for “Remastered” if you are checking the 2026 release, or for the PS5/Xbox Series update if you mean the 2022 version.
- Check the account. Sign in to the GOG, Steam, Epic, PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo account that owns the entitlement.
- Install add-ons separately. Base-game ownership does not necessarily install Hearts of Stone or Blood and Wine automatically.
- Use the correct PS5 hardware. A PS4 disc requires a PS5 with a disc drive and an inserted disc; it cannot activate the upgrade on a PS5 Digital Edition.
- Update the Xbox build. On Xbox Series X|S, verify that the game has reached patch 4.0 before looking for the dedicated next-generation features.
- Check region and edition differences. Storefront availability and entitlements can vary by territory and by whether you own the base game, a complete edition or an expansion-only product.
- Recheck the publisher’s current support page. Platform lists and store procedures can change after launch, especially for a newly released edition.
Bottom line
You do not need a next-generation console to play the 2026 Remastered edition because PC is supported. For console play, Remastered currently means PS5, Xbox Series X|S or Nintendo Switch 2. The 2022 next-gen update likewise requires PS5 or Xbox Series X|S for its dedicated console version, while PC received it without a console and PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch followed separate update paths. A PS4 disc owner also needs a PS5 with a disc drive; a PS5 Digital Edition cannot use that disc as a license.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
