Nintendo Switch 2 players are discovering a way to get The Witcher 3 Remastered for free

Nintendo Switch 2 players have discovered a free upgrade loophole for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered, allowing owners of the original Nintendo Switch version to claim it digitally, making life a little easier.

This week, the highly anticipated remaster of CD Projekt RED’s The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt arrived on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. In fact, this marks the second major new-gen upgrade for the critically acclaimed RPG.

Back in December 2022, The Witcher 3 received its first free new-gen upgrade on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for existing owners. It’s great to see CDPR continue to be so consumer-friendly. However, Nintendo Switch players missed out at the time, as there was only one version of the RPG on the platform.

Reddit user discovers a way to claim a free digital upgrade

Typically, new-gen upgrades stick to how you originally bought a game. If you bought it on disc, you’ll often still need that disc to boot the upgraded version. But that’s not the case with The Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch 2.

“If you have the physical copy of The Witcher 3 on Switch 1, you are gifted the full digital copy of the remaster; no need to use the cartridge after it,” announced Erik_REF. “My brother and I were able to claim the full game Virtual Game Card for both of our accounts with the same single cartridge!” they added.

Reddit users react to CDPR’s generous upgrade

“That's a genuinely generous way to handle it. Most publishers would have charged an upgrade fee, and letting the cartridge unlock a digital copy for more than one account is more than anyone expected,” replied RoutineOne2769. “CD Projekt keeps doing this sort of thing, and it's a big part of why people forgive them for Cyberpunk 2077’s launch.”

“Tbh that should be a common thing with physical, good job CD Projekt!” declared whenyoudieisaybye.

“Wait, so the game is just free? You could just borrow it and return the cartridge later?” asked Cannotthinkofaname5, with samusmaster64 adding, “Essentially, yeah. This whole remaster is marketing for the new expansion, which is basically marketing for The Witcher 4. Clever play overall. Also, an incredible game.”

“CD Projekt is still winning,” said PetiePal.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered, CD Projekt

How to claim The Witcher 3’s free upgrade on Nintendo Switch 2

For a digital copy of The Witcher 3:

• Go to the Nintendo eShop on the Switch 2 (and make sure you’re using the same account where you owned the original digital version)
• Find “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered”
• Select the free download.

For a physical copy of The Witcher 3:

• Insert the cartridge
• Launch the original Switch game on your Switch 2
• Once the game is booted up, follow the steps to claim and download your digital copy of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered.

The Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch 2 is a “masterpiece”

“I haven’t had enough time with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Remastered to complete an entire playthrough of the game, but based on these early impressions, I’d say this version is easily the best way to play through this masterpiece,” said GAMINGbible’s Olly following the time he had with the port.

“With how much I’ve found myself turning it on to complete a side quest, do a couple of contracts, or simply wander around the game’s massive open world, I can’t think of a better way to play it.”

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is out now on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch.