Switch 2 Owners Can Grab A Free Digital Witcher 3 Remaster By Borrowing An Old Physical Switch Copy

The Witcher 3 Remastered is out today on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, and it comes with a strange loophole: you can trade in an old physical Switch cartridge for a free digital copy of the game. No purchase required, no waiting in line. Just stick the cartridge in your Switch 2, fire up the game, and walk away with a shiny new version.

What The Deal Actually Is

The remaster is a major overhaul of the original RPG. It arrives as a free update for anyone who already owns The Witcher 3, whether digitally or physically. But the Switch 2 trick goes further. You do not need to own the game at all. You just need an old Switch cartridge.

Here is how it works:

1. Pop the original Switch Witcher 3 cartridge into your Switch 2.
2. Boot up the game.
3. Follow the prompt inside The Witcher 3 to upgrade to the remastered version.
4. The game installs as a digital copy on your Switch 2.
5. Return the cartridge to whoever loaned it to you.

The Reddit Test Case

The trick was first reported by deals guru Wario64. Then Reddit user Erik_REF posted proof that it works. He popped an old cartridge into his Switch 2, grabbed the free remastered version, and let his brother borrow the cart. His brother did the same thing.

Other users have since confirmed the method online. The cartridge is not needed to play the remastered game after the upgrade. You can ditch it once the digital copy is installed.

Why This Works For Libraries

The loophole opens up a practical path for sharing. You could go to a library, borrow a free copy of the game, pop it into your console, get the new version of The Witcher 3, and return it so someone else can do the same. The game installs on your Switch 2, and the cartridge moves back out.

Or you could buy a copy, do this trick, share the cart with a few friends, and then sell it on eBay or whatever. The cartridge moves through hands without staying put.

What The Upgrade Actually Gives You

The remaster is a big 2.0-like update for the aging but still fantastic RPG. It looks really good, though you might want to turn off bloom. The game is a complete overhaul of the original, and it is free for anyone who already owns the base version.

If you own the game digitally on any of those platforms, you now own the remastered version too. That is nice. But the cartridge trick is even better.

The Risk Of Being Patched Out

There is a small caveat. The loophole has been working for users who have tried it, and there is no sign yet that Nintendo plans to close it. It is unlikely this will get patched out or anything like that.

The Upgrade Process

The upgrade process follows a clear sequence. You must insert the cartridge, boot the game, and upgrade from inside The Witcher 3 itself. Once the digital copy is installed, the cartridge is no longer needed.

Here is the order of steps:

• Insert the cartridge.
• Boot the game.
• Upgrade from inside The Witcher 3.
• Install the digital copy.

What You Should Do Now

If you have an old Switch cartridge lying around, it is worth checking whether it is The Witcher 3. Pop it into a Switch 2, boot the game, and see if the upgrade prompt appears. If it does, you can claim the remastered version for free.

Then you can return the cartridge, sell it, or pass it along to a friend. The game stays with you, the cartridge moves on.

The Bottom Line On The Loophole

The Witcher 3 Remastered is a generous update for fans who already owned the game. But the cartridge trick is the clever part. It turns a physical copy into a shared resource.

You can borrow a cartridge from a friend or a library. Use it to get the free digital version, and then pass it along to someone else. The loop is closed, and everyone gets a free game.

This is a loophole that rewards generosity rather than hoarding. The cartridge is a temporary stand-in for a digital key. Once you claim the upgrade, the physical copy becomes obsolete.

The loophole is unlikely to be patched. So if you have an old cartridge, now is the time to try it. Just make sure you update the game and start it up from inside The Witcher 3.

Go dig up that old Switch copy of The Witcher 3 and enjoy. The upgrade prompt is inside the game itself.

Source material: “You Can Get A Free Digital Copy Of The Witcher 3 Remastered On Switch 2 If You Just Borrow An Old Physical Switch Copy Of The RPG,” Kotaku.

free games · Nintendo loophole · remaster · Switch 2 · The Witcher 3