The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered is approaching its September 29 launch on Nintendo Switch 2, and a new side-by-side graphics comparison shows differences between the original Nintendo Switch version and the remaster. The footage places corresponding sections of both releases together, making it possible to see how the new edition changes the look of the long-running RPG rather than simply describing those improvements.
The clearest differences appear in the lighting, textures, resolution, and overall level of detail in the environments. Those changes are visible across the comparison’s collected clips, giving Switch 2 players a direct preview of how the remastered version separates itself from the game that originally arrived on Nintendo’s first hybrid console.
Lighting and environmental detail stand out
The comparison moves through open-world exploration, cutscenes, and combat, so the changes are not limited to a single type of scene. The Switch 2 footage shows a more detailed presentation throughout those moments, with the updated lighting drawing particular attention. The skies are especially noticeable: they help demonstrate how a change in lighting can affect the atmosphere of a familiar location without altering the underlying adventure.
Textures also contribute to the difference. Surfaces and scenery carry more visual information in the remastered presentation, while the added environmental detail gives the world a fuller appearance. The comparison does not reduce the upgrade to one isolated effect; instead, it shows several visual changes working together as Geralt travels, watches story scenes, and fights enemies.
Resolution is another part of the update that viewers can observe in the side-by-side footage. No single specification is needed to understand the practical result: objects and spaces are presented with a cleaner, more resolved image on Switch 2. That makes the comparison useful for players who already know the original version and want to understand what will look different when they revisit it.
A complete RPG with expanded content
The remaster is an updated version of the 2015 role-playing game, whose story follows Geralt of Rivia through the war-torn Northern Kingdoms as he searches for his adopted daughter, Ciri. The Wild Hunt is pursuing Ciri because of the power tied to her, giving Geralt’s journey a personal objective that grows into a wider conflict. That established campaign remains the foundation of the Switch 2 release.
The package also includes the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions. Their inclusion matters because the Switch 2 edition is not merely a short visual upgrade or a trimmed rerelease; it brings the main adventure and its two major expansions together in one version. The remaster is also described as modernizing performance, gameplay, combat, controls, and skill progression in addition to its visual improvements.
What existing Switch owners need to know
Players who already own The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on Nintendo Switch will be able to claim the Switch 2 remaster at no additional cost once it releases. That makes the September 29 launch especially relevant for returning players: the comparison shows what their existing game is being upgraded toward, while the ownership benefit removes the need to buy the remastered edition again.
There is one practical distinction to keep in mind. The remaster is a separate download on Nintendo Switch 2 and appears as a separate icon on the Home menu, so the free claim is not an automatic transformation of the original software. Owners should plan to download the new version separately and make sure the console has enough available storage before beginning the process.
For players approaching the game for the first time, the comparison offers a clear picture of the Switch 2 version’s priorities. The new release keeps the large-scale story, exploration, and combat of The Witcher 3 while presenting them with improved visuals and additional refinements. It also lets newcomers start with a package that already includes both expansions instead of treating that content as an afterthought.
Why this comparison matters
The importance of the footage is its directness. Rather than relying on a general promise that the remaster looks better, the side-by-side presentation lets viewers compare the original Switch release and the Switch 2 version in related scenes. Lighting, textures, resolution, and environmental detail are therefore easy to discuss as visible changes, not as unsupported technical claims.
That makes the comparison a useful preview ahead of launch, especially for owners deciding whether to return to Geralt’s journey. It does not replace a full hands-on assessment of the finished release, but it confirms the central story for Switch 2 players: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered is bringing a visibly updated version of the original Switch experience on September 29, with the complete main adventure, both expansions, and a free separate claim for existing owners.
Source: Nintendo