CD Projekt Red says The Witcher 3 Remastered Switch 2 physical details will come 'when the time is right'
CD Projekt Red has offered a cautious update on the physical edition of The Witcher 3 Remastered for the Switch 2, telling fans that details will arrive "when the time is right." The comment came during a dedicated presentation at Gamescom 2026, where the company showed off the upcoming port of the open-world RPG for Nintendo's latest console. The response was brief and offered no concrete release window or format for the physical version, leaving collectors and fans of tangible media waiting for further information.
The studio's approach to physical media has been notably cautious in recent years. CD Projekt Red notably avoided using game-key cards for the Switch version of Cyberpunk 2077, which set a precedent for how it handles physical releases on Nintendo hardware. This history suggests that the company may be weighing its options carefully for The Witcher 3 Remastered, a game that has been available for over a decade across multiple platforms. The shift in audience behaviour towards digital purchases is also a factor, with most players on the Switch 2 expected to download the game rather than buy a cartridge.
Despite the lack of immediate news, the possibility of a physical release has not been ruled out. The Witcher 3 Remastered is scheduled to launch on the Switch 2 on September 29, which leaves a window for physical editions to potentially arrive in time for the holiday season. The game's age and the lower priority of producing physical media for yet another platform mean that the company is unlikely to rush the process, but the door remains open for a collector's item down the line.
The broader context of physical game production is also shifting, and CD Projekt Red is aware of the challenges ahead. The company's joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski recently addressed the future of physical editions for the upcoming The Witcher 4, which is targeting a 2028 release. He noted that the studio has no control over the policies of platform holders like Sony, which has announced plans to cease disc production by that year. "We know what PlayStation has announced. And we have no influence on the policies of the first parties," Nowakowski told The Game Business. "The discs for the first parties, including PlayStation, have to be manufactured in their own factories. So, if they stop manufacturing indeed by 2028, then yes [we won't have a disc]."
Sony has signalled that it expects retailers to continue selling 'physical editions' that contain redeemable codes rather than discs, a model that is already becoming common. The PlayStation 6 may not even include a disc drive, meaning that even if CD Projekt Red found a way to produce discs, there would be no guarantee they could be used on future consoles. Xbox is also preparing for a digital-exclusive future with its disc-to-digital scheme.
Nowakowski emphasised that CD Projekt Red values the appeal of physical collectibles, describing the team as "nerds ourselves" who appreciate tangible items. "We're big fans of people having access to tangible collectible things," he said. "We always supported that. So, whatever is the case, we're going to be for sure having a box. We're going to have a box that's going to have some feelies in it. Something you're going to be wanting to open up and enjoy." This commitment to a boxed product, even if it contains only a code, suggests that the studio will continue to offer some form of physical edition for its major releases.
The backlash against Sony's disc production plans has been significant, with reports from Gamescom indicating that third-party developers are increasingly reluctant to be associated with the platform due to the negative reaction on social media. Comments such as "no disc, no buy" have been common during events like Opening Night Live, and the sentiment appears to be forcing some studios to change how they communicate with players. The Witcher 4's physical edition remains uncertain, but CD Projekt Red is determined to provide a boxed product that feels special to fans.
The Witcher 3 Remastered itself continues to receive support despite its age. CD Projekt Red has announced new DLC titled Songs of the Past, which is scheduled for release next year and will help bridge the narrative gap between The Witcher 3 and The Witcher 4. This ongoing support, combined with the physical edition questions, keeps the classic RPG in the spotlight even as attention turns to the next instalment in the franchise.
For now, fans of The Witcher 3 Remastered on Switch 2 will have to wait for official word on the physical edition. The company's "when the time is right" response leaves room for optimism, but the broader industry trends towards digital-only releases suggest that the final form of the physical product may be different from what collectors are used to.