Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Cyberpunk 2077 Standard Edition is the base game. Ultimate Edition adds the paid Phantom Liberty expansion and packages the free DLC and free updates with it. The major systems introduced by free Update 2.0 are available to supported owners of the base game, so you do not need Ultimate to receive that update.
If you already own the base game, choose Ultimate only when its Phantom Liberty bundle and your specific platform, region, format, and upgrade terms make sense. If you are buying for the first time and want the complete current package, Ultimate is the straightforward choice.
Cyberpunk 2077 editions at a glance
| Question | Standard Edition | Ultimate Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Core game | Cyberpunk 2077 base game | Cyberpunk 2077 base game |
| Phantom Liberty | Not included | Included |
| Free DLC and free updates | Access depends on the supported base-game platform and its entitlements | Included in the bundle |
| Update 2.0 | Free for supported base-game owners on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S | Included as a free update; its systems are not Ultimate-exclusive |
| Original Ultimate platforms | Exact Standard SKU varies by storefront | PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S; physical copies appeared in selected markets |
| Later platform availability | Check the individual listing | A later publisher announcement added Nintendo Switch 2 availability; verify the listing and packaging |
| Existing-owner upgrade | Already owned | Terms vary by platform, region, and SKU; confirm before purchase |
Storefronts sometimes use “Standard Edition” as shorthand for the base game rather than as a permanent official name. Read the contents panel on the exact product page, especially when a retailer lists a physical copy, a digital code, or a platform-specific bundle.
What Standard Edition actually gives you
The complete base game
Standard Edition is the original Cyberpunk 2077 campaign and open-world base game. It is the starting point for the characters, missions, exploration, progression, and systems that belong to the core release. Nothing in the edition name indicates a shortened campaign; the distinction is the extra expansion content sold with Ultimate.
#1 Best Overall
- DISCOVER UPDATE 2.0: Experience new and overhauled gameplay mechanics to fulfill your wildest cyberpunk fantasies. The free Update 2.0 brings brand new ways to play Cyberpunk 2077, including totally redesigned perks and cyberware systems, pulsating vehicle combat and car chases, a revamped police system, enhanced enemy combat AI, and more.
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK: Become an urban outlaw equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City. · EXPLORE THE CITY OF THE FUTURE: Night City is packed to the brim with things to do, places to see, and people to meet. And it’s up to you where to go, when to go, and how to get there.
- BUILD YOUR LEGEND: Go on daring adventures and build relationships with unforgettable characters whose fates are shaped by the choices you make. · EQUIPPED WITH NEXT-GEN FEATURES: Immerse yourself in Night City like never before thanks to faster load times, improved visual and gameplay features, ray tracing and dynamic 4K support, and more.
- CLAIM EXCLUSIVE ITEMS: Claim in-game swag & digital goodies inspired by CD PROJEKT RED games as part of the My Rewards program.
- PHYSICAL EDITION GOODIES: The physical version of Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition includes an exclusive set of stickers and a rewards leaflet with a Wild Hunt Jacket and a Scorch Pistol!
What is not in the Standard package
Phantom Liberty is not included in Standard Edition. That means a Standard purchase by itself does not grant access to the expansion’s story content or the expansion entitlement attached to it. A listing that mentions only “Cyberpunk 2077” or “Standard” should not be treated as an Ultimate bundle unless Phantom Liberty is explicitly named in the contents.
Free content is a separate question from the paid bundle
The base game should be evaluated separately from the Ultimate marketing package. Free updates are delivered to eligible base-game owners on supported platforms, while Ultimate presents the base game, Phantom Liberty, free DLC, and free updates together. The absence of an Ultimate label does not turn Update 2.0 into paid content.
What Ultimate Edition adds
Phantom Liberty
The defining addition is Phantom Liberty, the paid expansion. Ultimate combines that expansion with the base game so a new buyer does not have to assemble the two principal purchases separately. If your reason for considering Ultimate is access to the expansion, Phantom Liberty is the line item to verify first.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Free DLC and free updates in one package
Ultimate also advertises all free DLC and free updates alongside the base game and Phantom Liberty. This wording describes a bundled ownership package; it does not mean that every gameplay system introduced by a free update is locked behind the expansion. Check the platform’s entitlement and download behavior if you are buying a physical copy or redeeming a code.
What Ultimate does not change
Ultimate is not a separate game engine, console generation, or special version of the base campaign. Its principal paid difference is the expansion. Platform-specific performance, installation requirements, language options, save compatibility, and packaging still depend on the SKU you select.
Rank #2
- THE ULTIMATE CYBERPUNK 2077 EXPERIENCE - Includes the critically acclaimed spy thriller expansion Phantom Liberty
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK
- Explore the city of the future – you decide when you want to go where and how to get there
- Decide how the story ends – your choices in the main game as well as in the spy thriller adventure Phantom Liberty lead to a complex web of consequences
Update 2.0 is not exclusive to Ultimate
Update 2.0 is the most common source of confusion in this comparison. Its police, perk, vehicle-combat, cyberware, and other system changes are free for supported owners of the base game on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Buying Standard does not leave those owners on the pre-2.0 rules simply because Phantom Liberty is absent.
How to interpret the entitlement
- Standard owner on a supported platform: install the free update when it is offered for your base-game license.
- Ultimate owner: receive the same free-update entitlement, plus the paid Phantom Liberty content included with the bundle.
- Phantom Liberty owner without Ultimate: the expansion and free updates are separate entitlement questions; do not assume an expansion purchase changes the base-game license or vice versa.
The Update 2.0 platform statement specifically covers PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It should not be automatically applied to a different SKU, cloud package, or later platform listing without checking that product’s support details.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Free update versus paid expansion
| Content type | What it means | Does Standard need Ultimate? |
|---|---|---|
| Free system update | Changes such as the Update 2.0 police, perk, vehicle-combat, and cyberware systems | No, for supported base-game owners |
| Paid expansion | Phantom Liberty content bundled with Ultimate | Yes, you need Phantom Liberty through an eligible purchase |
| Free DLC | Additional free content advertised with the Ultimate package | Check the platform’s entitlement and delivery rules |
Phantom Liberty is the deciding content difference
When people ask whether Standard and Ultimate feel different, they are usually asking about Phantom Liberty rather than Update 2.0. Standard supplies the base game; Ultimate supplies that same base game with the expansion. The expansion is therefore the decisive reason to pay for Ultimate, while the free update is not.
For a first-time buyer
Ultimate avoids the most obvious content gap. You receive the base game and Phantom Liberty under one product listing, along with the free DLC and updates advertised by the bundle. This is useful if you expect to play the whole current package and do not want to compare separate entitlements later.
For someone testing the base game
Standard can be a sensible entry point when you want only the core game, find a favorable price on that SKU, or are uncertain whether you will continue to the expansion. You still receive Update 2.0 on the supported platforms named above, so the base-game systems are not frozen in their pre-update state.
Rank #3
![Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41R5kouU7PL._SL160_.jpg)
- A Nintendo Switch Online membership may be required for online play. Please check the game detail page on Nintendo.com for membership requirements.
- 2025 CD PROJEKT S.A. All rights reserved. CD PROJEKT, the CD PROJEKT logo, the REDengine logo, Cyberpunk, Cyberpunk 2077, the Cyberpunk 2077 logo, Johnny Silverhand, the SAMURAI logo, Phantom Liberty and the Phantom Liberty logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of CD PROJEKT S.A. in the US and/or other countries. All other copyrights and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
For a returning player
Returning players should identify which entitlement they already own before buying anything. If the base game is in your library, an Ultimate purchase may duplicate that license while adding Phantom Liberty. Compare the listed upgrade or bundle terms with the price of the expansion option available for your account; the exact route is platform- and region-dependent.
Do existing owners need Ultimate?
No—not for Update 2.0. Supported base-game owners on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S receive that update without upgrading to Ultimate. The decision is about Phantom Liberty and the convenience of a bundle, not access to the free systems overhaul.
A practical decision process
- Identify your base-game license. Confirm the platform, storefront account, edition name, and whether the license is digital or tied to a disc.
- Check your desired expansion entitlement. Look for Phantom Liberty in the product contents or in the expansion listing for the same platform family.
- Compare the actual upgrade paths. A platform may offer an Ultimate bundle, a standalone expansion, or another SKU. The available terms can differ by region and account.
- Confirm save and platform compatibility. Do not assume that a purchase on one platform automatically grants the same entitlement on another.
- Review the final checkout description. Make sure Phantom Liberty is explicitly listed before paying for an edition marketed only as Cyberpunk 2077 or Standard.
When Ultimate is unnecessary
- You only want the base campaign.
- You already own the base game and do not want Phantom Liberty.
- You are buying Standard temporarily and will decide about the expansion later.
- You are on a platform or SKU where the Ultimate contents do not match the listing you expected.
When Ultimate is the simpler purchase
- You are starting from zero and want the base game plus Phantom Liberty.
- You want the free DLC and free updates represented in one bundle listing.
- The Ultimate price is close enough to the separate base-game and expansion prices to justify the convenience.
- You have verified that the bundle is for your exact platform, region, and physical or digital format.
Platform, region, and format details to verify
Supported platforms named for Update 2.0
The free Update 2.0 entitlement is stated for supported base-game owners on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. A current listing should identify the platform clearly. A product labeled for an older console generation, a streaming service, or a different storefront may have different update and expansion rules.
Original Ultimate release
The original Ultimate release covered Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Physical copies were available in selected markets, so a box found in one country is not proof that the same contents, disc configuration, or code redemption terms apply in another.
Nintendo Switch 2 availability
A later publisher announcement added Nintendo Switch 2 availability for Ultimate. Because that is a later platform listing, inspect the exact product page for its included content, physical packaging, download requirements, and regional terms. Do not infer that the PC, PlayStation, or Xbox installation and update rules apply unchanged to the Switch 2 SKU.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #4
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK - Become an urban outlaw equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City.
- EXPLORE THE CITY OF THE FUTURE - Night City is packed to the brim with things to do, places to see, and people to meet. And it’s up to you where to go, when to go, and how to get there.
- BUILD YOUR LEGEND - Go on daring adventures and build relationships with unforgettable characters whose fates are shaped by the choices you make.
- DECIDE HOW THE STORY ENDS - Your choices in the base game and the spy-thriller adventure Phantom Liberty create interweaving webs of consequences, ones that shape the fate of the characters around you — and your own.
- CLAIM EXCLUSIVE ITEMS - Claim in-game swag & digital goodies inspired by CD PROJEKT RED games as part of the My Rewards program.
Digital versus physical
| Purchase format | Checks to make |
|---|---|
| Digital Standard | Confirm that the listing is the base game and does not include Phantom Liberty by implication only. |
| Digital Ultimate | Confirm that Phantom Liberty, the base game, and the advertised free content are attached to the same platform account. |
| Physical Ultimate | Check whether the expansion is on the disc, supplied as a code, or requires a download; availability and packaging vary by market. |
| Used or imported copy | Verify region, code redemption status, storefront compatibility, and whether any included code has already been claimed. |
These checks matter because “Ultimate Edition” identifies a content bundle, while the physical media, code, account, and regional rules determine how that bundle is delivered.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose without overpaying
Use the content-first comparison
Start with the content you will actually play. If Phantom Liberty is required, compare the cost of Ultimate with the expansion route available to your existing license. If Phantom Liberty is not required, Standard already supplies the base game and, on the supported platforms listed above, the free Update 2.0 systems.
Then check the SKU, not just the title
Retailer titles can shorten “Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition” or call the base game “Standard” even when the store’s naming convention differs. Open the edition details and look for explicit entries for the base game and Phantom Liberty. Also verify the platform family: a PlayStation 5 listing, Xbox Series X|S listing, PC listing, and Nintendo Switch 2 listing are not interchangeable.
Finally verify live commercial terms
Price, stock, region, physical packaging, and upgrade terms change by SKU and retailer. Those values are not fixed properties of the edition names. Treat the checkout page as the authority for the copy you are about to buy, rather than relying on a search-result title or a photograph of a box.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake: paying for Ultimate to get Update 2.0
Update 2.0 is free for supported base-game owners on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. If that update is your only goal, first check that your Standard installation is eligible and updated.
Best Value
- Included is the following: Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition for PlayStation 5 PS5, 2 pack of PremGear 2 Sizes Thumbsticks made to increase accuracy and comfort (1 High-Rise, 1 Mid-Rise), PremGear Quality Cleaning Cloth
- DISCOVER UPDATE 2.0: Experience new and overhauled gameplay mechanics to fulfill your wildest cyberpunk fantasies. The free Update 2.0 brings brand new ways to play Cyberpunk 2077, including totally redesigned perks and cyberware systems, pulsating vehicle combat and car chases, a revamped police system, enhanced enemy combat AI, and more
- CREATE YOUR OWN CYBERPUNK: Become an urban outlaw equipped with cybernetic enhancements and build your legend on the streets of Night City
- EXPLORE THE CITY: Night City is packed to the brim with things to do, places to see, and people to meet. And it’s up to you where to go, when to go, and how to get there
- BUILD YOUR LEGEND: Go on daring adventures and build relationships with unforgettable characters whose fates are shaped by the choices you make
Mistake: assuming Standard includes Phantom Liberty
The base-game label does not include the paid expansion. Look for “Phantom Liberty” in the contents list before purchase. If it is absent, you are buying the base game only.
Mistake: assuming every free item has identical delivery rules
Ultimate advertises free DLC and updates as part of its bundle, but platform entitlements and download behavior can vary. Read the platform-specific contents and installation notes, especially for physical copies.
Mistake: importing a box without checking its code
A physical Ultimate copy from another market may contain a region-locked or already-redeemed code, or may use a different disc-and-download arrangement. Confirm the redemption region and condition before opening or buying it.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteMistake: treating a later platform release as identical
Nintendo Switch 2 availability was added in a later publisher announcement. Verify that SKU separately instead of assuming that the original PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X|S contents and update process are unchanged.
A quick buying checklist
- Choose the exact platform: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or the listed Nintendo Switch 2 SKU.
- Decide whether you need Phantom Liberty.
- If you already own the base game, check the account’s available expansion or upgrade options before selecting Ultimate.
- Read the contents panel for the words “base game” and “Phantom Liberty.”
- Confirm whether the copy is digital, disc-based, or code-based.
- For physical or imported products, check region, stock, code redemption, and packaging.
- Remember that Update 2.0 does not require Ultimate on the supported base-game platforms.
- Review the final price and terms for the exact SKU at checkout.
Bottom-line decision
Choose Standard Edition when you want Cyberpunk 2077’s base game without Phantom Liberty, or when you already own the base game and only need the free Update 2.0 systems. Choose Ultimate Edition when you want the base game and Phantom Liberty together, with the free DLC and free updates represented in one bundle. In every case, verify the platform, region, format, price, and upgrade terms on the exact listing before purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
