The Witcher 3 Remastered Free on Switch 2? Borrow a Cartridge to Claim It

Players have discovered a way to get The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered on Switch 2 for free — just borrow a Switch 1 physical cartridge, insert it, and claim the upgrade.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered launched yesterday (September 29), and the internet has already found a cheeky loophole — you might be able to grab the Switch 2 version without paying a cent.

Here's how it works: borrow a physical Switch 1 cartridge of The Witcher 3, pop it into your Switch 2, and update the game. Once that's done, you can head into the in-game menu and claim a free copy of the Remastered version. After claiming, you don't even need the cartridge anymore.

That's right — once the Remastered edition is bound to your account or console, you can pull the cartridge right out. And if you've got multiple accounts? You can apparently claim a copy on each one. That means no extra purchase is needed, as long as you can get your hands on an old cartridge.

This trick works for anyone who already owns the Switch 1 physical version, or for those lucky enough to borrow a cartridge from a friend. It's a pretty generous move, and it essentially hands you the upgraded version for free.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered is now available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The Switch 2 version is a standalone product — you can either use the method above or simply buy it directly.

So, got a friend with a dusty Witcher 3 cartridge? Might be time to call in a favor. Let us know if you manage to snag the free upgrade!