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E3 2019: The Witcher 3 For Nintendo Switch Releases This Year, Here's Everything We Know

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Geralt comes to Switch with the Complete edition later this year.

By Eddie Makuch on June 13, 2019 at 9:57AM PDT

It had been rumored, but Nintendo made it official during its E3 2019 Nintendo Direct broadcast: CD Projekt Red's acclaimed role-playing game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is coming to Nintendo Switch. It's the Complete Edition heading to Switch, and this features the game's two substantial expansions--Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.

In terms of a release date, Nintendo confirmed that The Witcher 3 will be available on Switch sometime later this year. It's already available for pre-order at some retailers.

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Since the announcement during the Direct, a few additional details regarding the game have been shared, specifically regarding the technical side. Specifically, that The Witcher 3 runs at a dynamic 720p resolution on Switch in docked mode, or 540p in handheld mode. Visual compromises had to be made, of course, but that the game will even be on Switch at all is quite impressive.

The Witcher 3 was celebrated upon its initial release in 2015 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC, so Switch owners are getting something special to play at home or on the go. With its mature content, The Witcher 3 is not exactly a natural fit with the Switch's younger-skewing, family-friendly audience, but it's not the first mature-themed game for Switch. The console also has M-rated titles available such as Skyrim, Bayonetta 2, Doom, and L.A. Noire.

CD Projekt Red's next game is Cyberpunk 2077, which launches on April 16, 2020 for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. The title hasn't been announced for Switch, though if The Witcher 3 does well on Nintendo's console that could--in theory at least--lead CD Projekt Red to at least consider bringing the title to Switch if it is technically possible.

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The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

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Eddie Makuch

Eddie Makuch mainly writes news.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

First Released May 18, 2015

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Edited By Alican

That abomination will not be withcher 3

Upvote • 5 years ago

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@alican: Neither are the ps4 and x1 versions.

4 • 5 years ago

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Edited By xantufrog Moderator

@alican: no offense, but that's a pretty spoiled attitude. 1) as pretty as TW3 is that's certainly not why I enjoyed it, and 2) it doesn't exactly run well on any console compared to PC, and yet millions have enjoyed it on PS and Xbox.

Would it kill you to just be happy for those who were hoping for such a thing? It's not even like you "lost" an exclusive

2 • 5 years ago

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Edited By Alican

@xantufrog: i don't believe in comprimising & watering down an art piece to profit further from it

also the really spoiled thing is expecting something to change its true shape and form to conform to your own weak system of choice

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@alican: Its their piece of art and if they want more players to experience it, that's their business. You didn't create it, so you have no say in how they choose to distribute it.

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Edited By Alican

@Sepewrath: i did not say that i have created it im just saying that watering it down in order for milking the brand further is a mistake and also no one other than pc players have truly played witcher 3 they just experienced watered down and downgraded replicas and its gonna be the worst one on switch. Have a good day

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@alican: The Witcher is not simply its graphics, whether in 4K on PC or in 8bit NES graphics--the world and characters is the heart and sole of the series and that will be in this version and every other version. That is what it means to make a true piece of art, you just want 4K graphics, I'm sure there is plenty of drivel on PC that's in 4K for you.

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@Sepewrath: nope the heart and "sole" lol of a piece of art is the way its meant to be experienced and watering down the graphics and little details sabotage that i didnt mention anything about 4k btw i just meant a competent machine and consoles are not that

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@alican: Auto correct, what are you going to do? Anyway, you no matter how butthurt you are about this being made for Switch with your phony art elitism(which is really just graphics whoring), its not going to stop this exceptional game from reaching a wider audience. That is what an exceptional piece or art is suppose to do, reach as many eyes as it can--its not meant to be seen only by a select few. The things about this game that made it great, will be just as great on Switch.

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Edited By xantufrog Moderator

@alican: uhuh. Nobody forced CDPR to do this.

And for the record, I'm a PC gamer. Look up my Witcher trophies on GoG if you need to. I'm not defending this because I was port begging for Switch. I'm defending this because I'm sane and just want other gamers to have fun with good games like I do.

2 • 5 years ago

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@xantufrog: Well said!

But I would be happier if they Nintendo-fied it.

2 • 5 years ago

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Edited By xantufrog Moderator

@kadin_kai: someone had suggested a cell-shaded appearance to soften the "blow" of the graphical changes. I actually think that would have been a fantastic choice - the color palette is already very pastel

2 • 5 years ago

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@xantufrog: Way too much work to rework the games art style

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I hope they fix the inventory system cause its laggy as heck on other platform not named pc

Upvote • 5 years ago

asnakeneverdies

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Edited By asnakeneverdies

@sakaixx: I'm sure the Switch version won't compromise, Sakai. ?

2 • 5 years ago

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@asnakeneverdies: but it will compromise from all other aspects like graphics quality, gameplay etc

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asnakeneverdies

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asnakeneverdies

@alican: I was joking, Ali. I'm sure the Switch version will be the worst one yet. ?

3 • 5 years ago

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xantufrog Moderator

@alican: gameplay? Etc?

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@asnakeneverdies: hahaha chuckled at that. Anyhow the inventory system is a real deal breaker when playing on ps4. hated the laggy menu so much that by the time I got halfway into skellige island I just dropped the game.

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@sakaixx: Old just stop it already. I'd played the game for hundreds of hours on the regular PS4, platinumed it, and am about to play it again and I didn't notice the lagging in the menu or inventory that you are talking about!

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@investor9872: Well I do, I stopped because of it unfortunately. Played it on ps4pro too.

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Edited By lorddaggeroff

Samsung is pairing up with amd, that's a serious bad sign for Nintendo.

Say what witches on switch, no really nooo.

How would you think Keanu reeves would feel if he knew he was on switch, that's right. Absolutely happy.

But me...... Devistated.

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Wow, people are actually annoyed by this game coming to the switch. Thats like, pure envy, where is this world going to?

Upvote • 5 years ago

deactivated-64c06b51403e7

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deactivated-64c06b51403e7

Finally! The piece of garbage that is the Switch, is getting some real videogames.

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@proceeder: oh behave

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Dem massive framerate drops tho.

5 • 5 years ago

Simulator_Shock

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Simulator_Shock

@crashchaos: Welcome to console gaming.

2 • 5 years ago

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Geralt doesn't need two swords anymore, when he can have two joycons instead. Yey!!

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Geralt doesn't need two swords anymore, when he can gave two joycons instead. Yey!!

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Geralt doesn't need two swords anymore, when he can gave two joycons instead. Yey!!

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Jeez how downgraded did they have to make it?

4 • 5 years ago

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Maybe it was my stream quality -- I should see a doctor about that -- but did the "Witcher 3" footage look a bit...rough...for anyone else?

5 • 5 years ago

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@zmanbarzel:

It looks very last gen, as many forums are stating. Why people subject themselves to it is beyond me, but because it is Nintendo apparently. Great example below, can get a Xbox version, but would rather have low details and a very low resolution.

7 • 5 years ago

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@Random_Matt: Who would get it on the XBOX? Its a joke compared to PC.

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@Random_Matt: Some people don't really care about the graphics? They're important, but a game is a game and this is a great game. I have it on PC, my PC beats the shit out of any of the consoles that are out... and yet I'll probably pick this up for the Switch. By your argument, why would you get the Xbox version when you can get it on PC?

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Edited By SParent180

@Random_Matt: it's the portability factor. People playing it on Switch aren't doing so to get a high quality version of the game. They're doing it so they can play where ever they want and Nintendo Switch is currently the only option for that.

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@sparent180: Gaming laptops do exist for that purpose and offer the real TW3 experience. Not some shit Switch version.

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@BassMan: true. that is an option as well but a gaming laptop is still going to be considerably more expensive than a Switch and isn't quite as portable.

But people that want to play the "real" Witcher 3, or at least a better quality version than the Switch, most likely have already done so. I can't imagine there are many people that held off on playing Witcher 3 because they were waiting for a Switch version.

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Bread_or_Decide

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Bread_or_Decide

@Random_Matt: I would rather have the portability to take such a large game with me where ever I go and in my bed. Less complaints about taking up the TV are good for my life. Also, graphics are over rated, it's literally the last thing I even notice anymore after the first 15 minutes of any game.

2 • 5 years ago

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@Bread_or_Decide: You must have very low quality bar in terms of video games. This thing is going to look absolutely abysmal. Nintendo - pushing, no shredding the envelope.

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Bread_or_Decide

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@lonesamurai00: I'm at the age where what I consume does not define me. I own all the consoles. I almost purchased witcher 3 on xbox one and cancelled for the switch version. How and when and on what system I choose to play a game depends on my mood and time available. It has nothing to do with low standards.

But again, like I said, I'm at the age where what I consume does not define me. And if you are, then you'll find out soon enough that nobody cares and YOU are what defines you. Not how you choose to play a stupid video game.

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@Bread_or_Decide: Hmmm. well It's sure to be a slogfest of a most legendary RPG.

Seriously though, I applaud that you don't care about the way that it will look and perform, and I hope that you have a good time with the game on the Switch.

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Bread_or_Decide

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Bread_or_Decide

Was just about to pick this up on xbox one.

Cancelled my order.

I'm all in on Switch baby.

3 • 5 years ago

deactivated-6793e8ba0e8bf

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Edited By deactivated-6793e8ba0e8bf

Aww yeah~ Witcher on the go!

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Whaaaaaatttttttt, they better be kidding me!!!!!

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WOW

Upvote • 5 years ago

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