Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update: PS5 & Xbox Series X Required?

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

The short answer is no: the Witcher 3’s next-gen update (versions 4.0 and later) is not exclusive to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. It is also available on PC, and on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, though the last two receive only a subset of the new features. The full visual and performance upgrade—ray tracing, faster loading, and the new photo mode—is designed for current-gen consoles and high-end PCs, while the older consoles get a more limited patch that focuses on stability and a few quality-of-life additions.

What the Next-Gen Update Actually Includes

Released in December 2022, the free update for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt added several features that were previously PC-only or entirely new. On PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the headline additions are:

Ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion (on Performance mode, ray tracing is disabled to hit 60 fps).
Two graphics modes: Performance (targeting 60 fps at 1440p upscaled to 4K) and Quality (targeting 30 fps at 4K with ray tracing).
Much faster loading times thanks to the SSD, cutting initial loads from around 40 seconds on last-gen to under 10 seconds.
DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on PS5.
A new photo mode, a camera that can be toggled in the options, and a map filter.
Quality-of-life improvements: quick sign casting, a new camera distance option, and a “Witcher 3 Next-Gen Update� questline that references the Netflix series (with alternate outfits for some characters).

On PS4 and Xbox One, the update is much smaller. It includes the camera distance option, quick sign casting, and the map filter, but it does not include ray tracing, the photo mode, or the faster loading. The last-gen version also received a patch that fixes some visual glitches, but it remains the same base game with a few tweaks.

How the Update Works on Each Platform

If you own the game on PS4 or Xbox One, you get the next-gen update for free on the same console family. There is no charge, and it appears as a regular patch. However, if you want the PS5 or Xbox Series X/S version, you must download the separate “next-gen� build—it is not a simple patch that upgrades your last-gen copy in place. On PlayStation, you have to go to the game’s store page and download the PS5 version (it will be listed as a separate product, but it is free if you own the PS4 version). On Xbox, the Smart Delivery system automatically gives you the Series X/S version if you own the Xbox One version, but you still have to select which version to install.

One common point of confusion: the update is not a remaster or a remake. It is a free patch that adds features, but it does not change the core game’s story, quests, or combat. It also does not require you to start a new game—your existing saves carry over, though you may need to manually upload them from the last-gen version to the cloud (on PlayStation) or use the cross-save feature (on PC and consoles).

Do You Need a Next-Gen Console to Play It?

No, but the experience differs significantly. If you have a PS4 or Xbox One, you can still play the game after the update, but you will not get the ray tracing or the 60 fps performance mode. The last-gen consoles are capped at 30 fps (with occasional dips) and run at 1080p on base models, or 1440p on PS4 Pro and Xbox One X. The update does not change the resolution or frame rate on those consoles—it only adds a few menu options and the Netflix-inspired quest.

If you have a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you get the full next-gen experience. But note that the Xbox Series S is a special case: it runs the game at 1440p with a 30 fps cap in Quality mode, and 60 fps in Performance mode, but it does not support ray tracing at all. CD Projekt Red explicitly stated that the Series S version omits ray tracing to maintain performance.

How to Get the Update on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S

The process is straightforward, but there are a few steps to avoid confusion:

Make sure your console has the latest system software.
On PS5: go to the PlayStation Store, search for “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt,� and you should see a “PS5� version listed. It will be free if you own the PS4 version (either disc or digital). Download it.
On Xbox: insert your Xbox One disc or have the digital version in your library. The console should automatically prompt you to download the Series X/S version via Smart Delivery. If not, go to the game’s page in the Microsoft Store and select the “Series X|S� version.
If you have a physical PS4 disc, you must keep it inserted to play the PS5 version. There is no disc drive on the PS5 Digital Edition, so you cannot play a disc-based PS4 copy on that model.
Transfer your save: on PS5, you can upload your PS4 save from the main menu (the “My Rewards� tab has a “Cloud Saves� option). On Xbox, your save is automatically synced if you have cloud saves enabled.

If you own the game on PC, the update is simply a patch. It is free, and it adds ray tracing (if your GPU supports it), DLSS and FSR upscaling, and the same quality-of-life features. No console is required.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

Several issues have surfaced since the update launched, and it helps to know what is normal and what is a bug.

“The update is not showing up on my PS4.� The last-gen patch is smaller and may not appear immediately. Check for system updates and game updates manually. If it still does not appear, restart the console.
“My PS4 save won’t transfer to PS5.� The cross-save feature requires you to manually upload the save from the PS4 version’s main menu. It is not automatic. Also, you must have the same account on both consoles.
“The game crashes on PS5 in ray tracing mode.� Some players reported crashes in the first weeks after launch. CD Projekt Red released several hotfixes (versions 4.01, 4.02, etc.) that addressed stability. If you still crash, try switching to Performance mode and updating the game.
“The Xbox Series S version looks blurry.� That is expected—it runs at 1440p with no ray tracing, and the upscaling can make it look softer than the Series X version.
“I need to buy the game again.� No. The next-gen update is free for anyone who owns the game on the same platform family. The only exception is if you own the game on a different platform (e.g., you have it on PC but want it on PS5—that is a separate purchase).

Comparing the Versions: What You Actually Get

To make an informed choice, here is a side-by-side summary of the main differences:

PS5 / Xbox Series X: 4K (dynamic) with ray tracing in Quality mode, 60 fps in Performance mode, fast loading, haptics (PS5 only).
Xbox Series S: 1440p, 30 fps in Quality, 60 fps in Performance, no ray tracing, fast loading.
PS4 Pro / Xbox One X: 1440p, 30 fps, no ray tracing, no photo mode, slower loading, but you get the quest and camera options.
PS4 / Xbox One base: 1080p, 30 fps, no ray tracing, no photo mode, slower loading, same quest and camera options.
PC: Variable, but ray tracing, DLSS/FSR, and ultra-wide support. The update also added a “Ultra+� preset for high-end GPUs.

The photo mode is exclusive to next-gen consoles and PC. The Netflix-inspired quest (“In the Eternal Fire’s Shadow�) is available on all platforms, but it is a short side quest that was added as a free DLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the next-gen update free on PS4 and Xbox One?

Yes, the update is free on all platforms. On PS4 and Xbox One, it is a regular patch that adds a few features, but it does not include the ray tracing or the photo mode. You do not need to buy anything.

Can I play the next-gen version on my PS4 if I have a PS5 copy?

No. The PS5 version is a separate build and will not run on a PS4. You can only play the PS4 version on a PS4. The same applies to Xbox: the Series X/S version is not compatible with Xbox One.

Does the update require a next-gen console for ray tracing?

Yes. Ray tracing is only available on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC (with a compatible GPU). Xbox Series S does not support ray tracing in this game, and last-gen consoles do not have the hardware for it.

Will my old saves work after the update?

Yes, but you may need to manually transfer them. On consoles, use the cloud save feature. On PC, the update uses the same save folder, so your saves are automatically compatible. On PS4 to PS5, you must upload the save from the PS4 version’s main menu.

Do I need to buy the game again for PS5 if I have it on PC?

Yes. The update is free within the same platform family, but it does not grant cross-platform ownership. If you own it on PC and want it on PS5, you must buy the PS5 version separately.

Why is the Xbox Series S version missing ray tracing?

CD Projekt Red chose to omit ray tracing on Series S to maintain a stable frame rate. The console’s GPU is less powerful than the Series X, so they prioritized performance over visual effects.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.