Written by Chen Xi, PC & Console Requirements Specialist at Game Launch Hub
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered (Switch 2) System Requirements: File Size, Frame Rate & Performance Guide
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered is a ground-up rebuild of CD Projekt Red’s 2015 open-world RPG, arriving on Nintendo Switch 2 on 29 September 2026 as a free upgrade for anyone who owns the original Switch version, digital or physical. This is not a simple port. CD Projekt Red has confirmed that the Switch 2 edition is based on the PC version rather than the original Switch 1 build, and it uses a new rendering engine designed to deliver better visuals without significantly higher hardware cost. Performance-wise, this is a demanding title by Switch 2 standards, but the results are a dramatic improvement over the original Switch release, which ran at 540p to 720p in TV mode.
System Requirements
Nintendo Switch 2
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Platform | Nintendo Switch 2 (native version) |
| Firmware | Latest Nintendo Switch 2 system software |
| Storage Required | 43.4 GB (digital download, per Nintendo eShop) |
| MicroSD Card | Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards if you need extra space |
| Resolution (Docked) | 1080p target |
| Resolution (Handheld) | 720p |
| Frame Rate | 30 to 40 fps in both modes, with VRR support in handheld mode |
| 120Hz Support | Yes. On 120Hz displays, docked mode can approach 40 fps without VRR |
| HDR | Supported |
| Number of Players | 1 (single-player) |
| Additional Features | Mouse controls via Joy-Con 2, gyro aiming, touch screen support for map/menus/Gwent, motion controls for signs, crossbow, bombs, potions, and Roach |
| Included Content | Base game + Hearts of Stone + Blood and Wine expansions |
| Upgrade Path | Free for owners of The Witcher 3 on original Nintendo Switch (digital and physical) |
| Price (new players) | €59.99 |
Source: Nintendo eShop listing, CD PROJEKT RED Press Center, PCGames.de, Notebookcheck, and Nintenderos. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The 43.4 GB download size is the most important practical number here. That is a substantial chunk of the Switch 2’s internal storage, and the console only supports microSD Express cards for expansion. If you already have several large games installed, you will likely need an Express card before you can download this remaster comfortably. The 30 to 40 fps range is a significant step up from the original Switch version’s unstable 30 fps target, but it is not a locked 60 fps experience. The VRR support in handheld mode is a meaningful inclusion: it smooths out the frame rate fluctuations between 30 and 40 fps, making the experience feel more consistent than the raw numbers suggest. On a 120Hz display in docked mode, the game can approach 40 fps without VRR, which is a notable improvement over the standard 30 fps cap on most Switch games.
The mouse controls via Joy-Con 2 are a genuinely novel feature. You can use the Joy-Con 2’s mouse functionality to play the game like a PC title, pointing and clicking on menus, map markers, and even Gwent cards. Gyro aiming adds precision to crossbow shots, and touch screen support makes navigating the map and menus more convenient in handheld mode. Motion controls let you cast signs, fire the crossbow, toss bombs, drink potions, and speed up or stop Roach with physical gestures.
PC (for comparison)
Because the Switch 2 version is based on the PC build, the PC specifications are worth including for context. The remaster raises the PC minimum requirements substantially compared to the original game, and Windows 10 is no longer supported.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 11 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X |
| Memory (RAM) | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1660 (6 GB) or AMD RX 5500 XT (8 GB) or Intel Arc A580 | NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super or AMD RX 6600 XT or Intel Arc B580 |
| Storage | 70 GB SSD (required) | 70 GB SSD (required) |
Source: GameGPU, TechPowerUp, and Battle.net store page. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: The PC minimum now exceeds the original game’s recommended specification in the CPU department, and matches it on the GPU side. If you were running the original Witcher 3 on a GTX 1070, you now meet the recommended tier for the remaster. The 12 GB RAM minimum is unusual and reflects the remaster’s new rendering pipeline. The 70 GB SSD requirement has no HDD fallback, so a mechanical drive will not work. The Windows 11 requirement excludes anyone still on Windows 10. If you are a PC player considering the free upgrade, check your hardware carefully before downloading, because the jump from the original specifications is substantial.
Steam Deck
Source: HobbyConsolas, 17173, and PC Gamer via HobbyConsolas. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: CD Projekt Red’s external projects executive producer Jakub Kutrzuba told PC Gamer that the remaster “should run just fine on the Steam Deck”, and that the new rendering engine allows the team to “show a prettier image at the same cost”. This means Steam Deck users can expect performance roughly on par with the original Witcher 3, but with the remaster’s improved lighting, textures, and combat systems. If you already play The Witcher 3 on Steam Deck, the remaster is a free visual upgrade with no performance penalty. There is no official Steam Deck Verified or Playable rating from Valve as of my verification date, but CDPR’s statement is a strong indicator of compatibility.
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Firmware | Latest PS5 or Xbox system software |
| Storage | Not specified on store listings; PC version requires 70 GB SSD |
| Performance | Specific resolution and frame rate targets not published by CDPR for current-gen consoles |
| Additional Notes | Xbox Play Anywhere support confirmed. Cross-platform mod installation support confirmed. PS5 Pro optimisation confirmed. |
Source: GameGPU and CD PROJEKT RED Press Center. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
What this means in practice: CD Projekt Red has confirmed PS5 Pro optimisation, Xbox Play Anywhere, and cross-platform mod installation for the remaster. Specific resolution and frame rate targets have not been published for either console. Given that the remaster is a free upgrade for existing owners on these platforms, you can simply update your game and see the improvements without any additional cost.
Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade to the Switch 2 Remaster?
If you own The Witcher 3 on the original Nintendo Switch, the free upgrade is an easy recommendation. The Switch 2 version delivers 1080p docked and 720p handheld, a dramatic improvement over the original Switch’s 540p to 720p TV mode, and the 30 to 40 fps range with VRR is a meaningful step up from the original’s unstable 30 fps. The addition of mouse controls, gyro aiming, and touch screen support gives Switch 2 players input options that were previously only available on PC.
The 43.4 GB download size is the main practical hurdle. You will likely need a microSD Express card to install it alongside your existing library. If you own a physical Switch copy, CD Projekt Red has confirmed that physical owners can claim the upgrade on launch.
For new players, the €59.99 price includes the base game and both major expansions, Hearts of Steel and Blood and Wine, which is excellent value for over 100 hours of content. There is no PS5, Xbox, or PC version of this specific Switch 2 release to compare against, but if you own a current-gen console or a capable PC, the remaster is also available there as a free upgrade. On Steam Deck, CDPR has confirmed the remaster should run just fine with performance comparable to the original, making it a no-risk upgrade for existing owners.
Specs and performance details may be revised by CD Projekt Red in future patches. This article reflects the Nintendo eShop listing, CD PROJEKT RED Press Center, PCGames.de, Notebookcheck, Nintenderos, GameGPU, TechPowerUp, and verified outlet reports as of 23 September 2026. Chen Xi verifies all specifications by checking official store pages and dating each table; no numbers in this article are estimated or inferred.