Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Complete Edition includes The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, both major story expansions—Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine—and 16 free DLC items. But “Standard Edition” is no longer a reliable description of what a new digital buyer can select: CD PROJEKT RED says digital storefronts now offer the Complete Edition in place of the Base Game. What applies to you depends on your platform, format, and whether you already own the game.
What’s included in the Complete Edition?
CD PROJEKT RED describes the Complete Edition as the base game plus its two major story expansions and 16 free DLC items. The expansions add substantial story content beyond the main adventure:
| # | 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)
|
NAMCO - CD Projekt Red - The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt - Complete Edition, Playstation 5 [English Edition] | $49.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
KARMA: The Dark World - Limited Edition - PS5 | $45.44 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
The Witcher Library Edition Volume 3 | $28.11 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Hearts of Stone
- Blood and Wine
- 16 free DLC items
The publisher estimated in 2022 that the base game offers over 100 hours of gameplay and the two expansions together add another 50 hours. Those are promotional estimates, not guaranteed or independently measured playtimes. CD PROJEKT RED’s 2022 release information gives those figures.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
How do the Base Game and Complete Edition compare?
| Edition or purchase situation | What it includes | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Edition | Base game, Hearts of Stone, Blood and Wine, and 16 free DLC items | Official edition documentation describes these contents. The exact physical-package details depend on platform and listing. |
| Historical Base Game on Nintendo Switch | Base game; the 16 free DLC items could be downloaded, and the expansions could be purchased separately | This describes the Nintendo Switch FAQ’s earlier edition arrangement, not the current digital-store policy everywhere. |
| Current digital storefronts | Complete Edition replaces the digital Base Game, with the expansions merged into it | CD PROJEKT RED says the standalone expansions have been delisted from digital storefronts. |
| PS4 and Xbox One arrangements | Existing setup otherwise remains; the expansions are now free | The 2026 FAQ describes this platform-specific exception. It also says the expansions can be started separately from the main menu. |
The current storefront and ownership details come from CD PROJEKT RED’s 2026 FAQ. The earlier Switch-specific details are in the publisher’s Nintendo Switch edition FAQ.
#1 Best Overall
- 1205504
- High-quality material
- Durable
- robustness
Can you still buy the game without the expansions?
That depends on where and how you buy it. According to CD PROJEKT RED’s 2026 FAQ, digital storefronts have replaced the Base Game with the Complete Edition and delisted the standalone expansions. On PS4 and Xbox One, the FAQ says the existing arrangement otherwise remains, but the expansions are now free. A distinct “Standard Edition” is therefore not a safe assumption for a new buyer across all platforms.
Before purchasing, check the live platform-store listing for the named edition and included content. This matters especially for physical copies: CD PROJEKT RED confirms that the Nintendo Switch Complete Edition has all its content on the game card, but that fact should not be generalized to other platforms or retailer packages.
Rank #2
- UK PSN account may be required for any online features
What if you already own the Base Game or an expansion?
CD PROJEKT RED says existing owners keep the expansion entitlements they already own, while expansion content is patched into the Base Game. The publisher also says saves, cross progression, and achievements or trophies remain compatible or unaffected. Its FAQ instructs owners to update the game to the latest version to install Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Check the FAQ for the platform-specific details that apply to your account.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Is the Complete Edition the same as the 2026 Remastered release?
No. “Complete Edition” identifies the package of the base game, expansions, and free DLC. CD PROJEKT RED announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered for September 29, 2026, with updated visuals, gameplay, and other improvements, and says qualifying-platform owners receive a free upgrade. The publisher’s announcement says the expansions are included in Remastered; which platforms qualify and what features are available depend on its current platform guidance. See the Remastered announcement and the official FAQ.
Rank #3
Older listings can also use “GOTY Edition.” CD PROJEKT RED said its 2016 Game of the Year Edition included the base game, both expansions, all DLC, and updates; it was called Complete Edition in some territories and sales channels. That explains the naming variation, but an old title alone does not verify what a current retailer package contains. The publisher’s 2016 announcement describes that release.
Quick Recap
Which edition should you choose?
- Buying digitally now: check the platform store, where the Complete Edition has replaced the Base Game on digital storefronts covered by the 2026 policy.
- Already own the Base Game: update it and consult the official FAQ for how your expansion entitlements and platform are handled.
- Buying a physical copy: verify the exact platform, region, and package contents on the listing. The all-content-on-card confirmation applies to the Nintendo Switch Complete Edition FAQ, not every physical release.
- Comparing older guides or listings: treat “GOTY,” “Complete,” and “Base Game” as release-era or channel-specific labels, and confirm the actual contents rather than relying on the name alone.
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.
