Complete Little Nightmares 3 PC Requirements (2026 Guide)

Are you ready to step back into the terrifying world of Little Nightmares? As the October 10, 2026 release date approaches, I’ve compiled everything you need to know about Little Nightmares 3 system requirements for PC. Whether you’re running a gaming rig from last decade or building a new setup, this comprehensive guide will help you determine if your system can handle Supermassive Games’ latest horror masterpiece.

Quick Overview: Little Nightmares 3 System Requirements

Before diving into the details, here’s a quick reference table for the official system requirements:

Component	Minimum Requirements	Recommended Requirements
Operating System	Windows 11 (64-bit)	Windows 11 (64-bit)
Processor	Intel Core i5-6500 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200	Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Memory (RAM)	8 GB	12 GB
Graphics Card	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 (8 GB) or AMD RX 6800
Video Memory	3 GB VRAM	8 GB VRAM
Performance Target	Low settings, 1080p @ 60 FPS	High settings, 1080p @ 60 FPS
Storage Space	~20-30 GB (estimated)	~20-30 GB (estimated)

Little Nightmares 3 System Requirements: Detailed Breakdown

Minimum System Requirements: Can Your PC Run It?

The minimum system requirements for Little Nightmares 3 are surprisingly modest compared to most modern AAA titles. Here’s what you’ll need for basic gameplay:

Operating System: Windows 11 (64-bit)

• This is a crucial requirement that has many PC gamers concerned
• The game explicitly requires Windows 11, not Windows 10
• Your system must support TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot for Windows 11 compatibility

Processor: Intel Core i5-6500 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200

• These CPUs date back to 2015-2016, making them quite accessible
• The i5-6500 is a 6th-generation Intel processor with 4 cores and 4 threads
• The Ryzen 3 1200 is AMD’s first-generation Ryzen CPU with 4 cores and 4 threads
• Both processors are more than capable of handling the game’s logic and AI requirements

Memory: 8 GB RAM

• This is the baseline for modern gaming, though 16 GB is becoming the new standard
• The game should run smoothly with 8 GB, but you may experience some stuttering in intense scenes
• Background applications will compete for memory, so close unnecessary programs before playing

Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580

• The GTX 1060 (3GB) was released in 2016 and was considered mid-range at the time
• The RX 580 (4GB/8GB variants) was AMD’s competitor in the same performance tier
• Both cards can handle 1080p gaming at 60 FPS with reduced settings
• These requirements mean most gaming PCs from the last 8-9 years should be able to run the game

Recommended System Requirements: For Optimal Experience

If you want to experience Little Nightmares 3 at its visual best, here’s what you’ll need:

Operating System: Windows 11 (64-bit)

• Same as minimum requirements – no change here

Processor: Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 1600

• The i5-8400 is a 6-core, 6-thread processor from 2017
• The Ryzen 5 1600 is a 6-core, 12-thread processor from 2017
• Both offer significantly better multi-threaded performance than their minimum counterparts
• These CPUs will provide smoother frame rates and better overall system responsiveness

Memory: 12 GB RAM

• This is an interesting requirement – not 16 GB as many modern games demand
• The extra 4 GB over minimum requirements will help with texture loading and reduce stuttering
• If you have 16 GB, that’s even better for future-proofing and multitasking

Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 (8 GB) or AMD RX 6800

• The RTX 2080 is a high-end GPU from 2018, featuring ray tracing capabilities
• The RX 6800 is AMD’s high-end competitor from 2020
• Both cards can easily handle 1080p gaming at maximum settings with 60+ FPS
• With these GPUs, you’ll experience the game’s atmospheric lighting and shadows at their best

Windows 11 Compatibility: The Big Concern

One of the most significant concerns I’ve found while researching Little Nightmares 3 PC requirements is the mandatory Windows 11 requirement. Let me break down what this means for you:

Why Windows 11 is Required

According to the official Steam page and multiple sources, Little Nightmares 3 requires Windows 11 and won’t run on Windows 10. This is unusual for a game that isn’t particularly demanding in terms of graphics or processing power.

Possible reasons for Windows 11 requirement:

• DirectStorage API for faster loading times
• Auto HDR capabilities
• Better security features required by the publisher
• Future-proofing for upcoming updates and DLC

Checking Your Windows 11 Compatibility

Before purchasing Little Nightmares 3, you need to verify if your system can run Windows 11:

Minimum Windows 11 requirements:

• TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
• UEFI Secure Boot capable
• 4 GB RAM or more
• 64 GB storage or more
• DirectX 12 compatible graphics

How to check your system:

1. Press Windows Key + R and type “pchealthcheck”
2. Download and run Microsoft’s PC Health Check application
3. It will tell you if your system meets Windows 11 requirements

Windows 10 Workarounds (Not Recommended)

While some users on forums have reported success with Windows 10 workarounds, I strongly advise against attempting these:

Risks of using Windows 10:

• Game may not launch at all
• Potential stability issues and crashes
• No official support from developers
• Risk of account bans or other penalties
• Missing out on Windows 11-specific features

My recommendation: If your system doesn’t support Windows 11, consider upgrading your hardware or purchasing the console version instead.

Performance Analysis: What to Expect in 2026?

Based on my research across multiple sources and the official requirements, here’s what you can expect from Little Nightmares 3 performance:

At Minimum Requirements (1080p, Low Settings)

Expected Performance:

• Stable 60 FPS in most areas
• Occasional dips to 45-50 FPS in complex scenes
• Reduced visual quality but still atmospheric
• Loading times may be longer on HDDs

Visual Quality:

• Lower resolution textures
• Reduced shadow quality
• Simplified lighting effects
• Lower particle effects
• Still maintains the game’s distinctive art style

At Recommended Requirements (1080p, High Settings)

Expected Performance:

• Consistent 60+ FPS throughout
• No noticeable frame drops
• Smooth gameplay experience
• Faster loading times (especially with SSD)

Visual Quality:

• High-resolution textures
• Enhanced shadow and lighting effects
• Better particle effects
• Improved atmospheric effects
• Full visual fidelity as intended by developers

Hardware Upgrade Recommendations

If your system doesn’t meet the requirements, here are my upgrade recommendations to get the best Little Nightmares 3 experience:

Budget-Friendly Upgrades ($100-300)

Graphics Card Upgrade:

• Nvidia GTX 1660 Super or AMD RX 5600 XT
• Both offer significant performance improvements over the minimum requirements
• Can handle high settings at 1080p comfortably
• Cost: $150-250

RAM Upgrade:

• 16 GB DDR4 RAM (2x8GB kit)
• Improves overall system performance and multitasking
• Helps with texture loading and reduces stuttering
• Cost: $40-60

Storage Upgrade:

• 500 GB NVMe SSD
• Dramatically reduces loading times
• Improves overall system responsiveness
• Cost: $40-50

Mid-Range Upgrades ($300-600)

Complete System Refresh:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-12400F
• GPU: Nvidia RTX 3060 or AMD RX 6600 XT
• RAM: 16 GB DDR4 3200MHz
• Storage: 1 TB NVMe SSD

This setup will not only run Little Nightmares 3 flawlessly but also handle most modern games at high settings.

High-End Upgrades ($600+)

Future-Proof Gaming Rig:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X or Intel Core i5-13600K
• GPU: Nvidia RTX 4070 or AMD RX 7800 XT
• RAM: 32 GB DDR5 5600MHz
• Storage: 2 TB NVMe SSD

This system will handle Little Nightmares 3 at maximum settings with room to spare for 1440p or even 4K gaming in other titles.

Storage Requirements: How Much Space Do You Need?

While the official system requirements don’t specify exact storage needs, I can provide some estimates based on industry standards and the previous games in the series:

Estimated Storage Requirements

Base Game Size:

• Minimum: 20-25 GB
• Recommended: 30-35 GB (for future updates and DLC)

Additional Space Considerations:

• Day 1 Patch: 5-10 GB (based on the official website mentioning a Day 1 Patch)
• Future DLC/Expansions: 10-15 GB per major expansion
• Save Files: 1-2 GB
• Temporary Files: 5-10 GB during installation

My Recommendation:

• Minimum Free Space: 50 GB
• Ideal Free Space: 100 GB (for updates and future content)

Storage Type Matters

HDD vs SSD Performance:

• HDD: Longer loading times, potential texture pop-in
• SATA SSD: 2-3x faster loading than HDD
• NVMe SSD: 5-7x faster loading than HDD

For the best Little Nightmares 3 experience, I strongly recommend using an SSD, especially if you’re running on minimum system requirements.

Comparison with Previous Little Nightmares Games

To give you better context, let’s compare Little Nightmares 3’s requirements with the previous games in the series:

Little Nightmares (2017) vs Little Nightmares 3 (2026)

Component	Little Nightmares (2017)	Little Nightmares 3 (2025)
OS	Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit)	Windows 11 (64-bit)
CPU	Intel Core i3-530	Intel Core i5-6500
RAM	4 GB	8 GB
GPU	Intel HD 4400	GTX 1060 / RX 580
Storage	10 GB	~20-30 GB

Key Differences and Improvements

Significant Changes:

• OS Requirement: Jump from Windows 7/10 compatibility to Windows 11 only
• CPU Requirements: Much higher baseline (i3 vs i5)
• RAM Requirements: Doubled from 4 GB to 8 GB minimum
• GPU Requirements: Massive leap from integrated graphics to dedicated gaming GPUs
• Storage: Roughly doubled in size

What This Means:

• Little Nightmares 3 is significantly more demanding than its predecessors
• The jump reflects the game’s improved graphics, larger environments, and more complex gameplay
• However, it’s still modest compared to other modern AAA titles

2026 Performance Optimization Tips

Even if you meet the system requirements, you might want to optimize your settings for the best possible experience. Here are my expert tips:

In-Game Settings Optimization

Graphics Settings Priority:

1. Resolution: Start with 1080p and adjust if needed
2. Texture Quality: High priority for visual fidelity
3. Shadow Quality: Medium to High (significant visual impact)
4. Lighting Effects: Medium (affects atmosphere greatly)
5. Anti-Aliasing: FXAA or TAA (performance-friendly options)
6. Ambient Occlusion: Medium or Low
7. Motion Blur: Turn off (personal preference, but can reduce nausea)
8. V-Sync: Adaptive or Fast sync if available

Advanced Settings:

• Field of View: Adjust to your preference (90-100 is standard)
• Frame Rate Limit: Set to your monitor’s refresh rate
• Resolution Scaling: Use if you need more performance

System-Level Optimizations

Driver Updates:

• Update to the latest graphics drivers before playing
• Use Game Ready drivers from Nvidia or Adrenalin drivers from AMD
• Consider clean installing drivers for best performance

Background Processes:

• Close unnecessary applications before gaming
• Disable Windows updates while playing
• Use Game Mode in Windows 11

Power Settings:

• Set power plan to “High Performance”
• Disable CPU power saving features
• Ensure GPU isn’t thermal throttling

Third-Party Optimization Tools

Recommended Tools:

• MSI Afterburner: For monitoring performance and overclocking
• RivaTuner Statistics Server: For frame rate monitoring and limiting
• Process Lasso: For CPU priority management
• HWiNFO: For detailed system monitoring

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Based on my research and community feedback, here are some common issues you might encounter and their solutions:

Installation and Launch Issues

Problem: Game won’t launch or crashes on startup

Solutions:

1. Verify Windows 11 compatibility
2. Update graphics drivers
3. Run as administrator
4. Verify game files through Steam
5. Check for Windows updates
6. Disable overlay applications (Discord, Steam overlay)

Problem: “Windows 11 required” error on Windows 10

Solution: Unfortunately, there’s no official workaround. You’ll need to upgrade to Windows 11 or play on console.

Performance Issues

Problem: Low frame rates despite meeting requirements

Solutions:

1. Lower graphics settings
2. Update graphics drivers
3. Close background applications
4. Check for thermal throttling
5. Verify DirectX 12 is installed
6. Reduce resolution scaling

Problem: Stuttering and frame drops

Solutions:

1. Increase virtual memory/page file
2. Install game on SSD
3. Lower texture quality
4. Disable background processes
5. Check RAM usage (close browser, etc.)

Visual Issues

Problem: Graphical glitches or artifacts

Solutions:

1. Update graphics drivers
2. Lower graphics settings
3. Verify game files
4. Check GPU temperature
5. Test with different graphics settings

Problem: Textures not loading properly

Solutions:

1. Increase virtual memory
2. Install game on SSD
3. Lower texture quality temporarily
4. Verify game files

FAQ: Little Nightmares 3 System Requirements

Can I run Little Nightmares 3 on Windows 10?

Unfortunately, no. Little Nightmares 3 requires Windows 11 and won’t run on Windows 10. This is a hard requirement from the developers, and there are no official workarounds. If your system doesn’t support Windows 11, you’ll need to either upgrade your hardware or consider playing on console.

Is 8GB RAM enough for Little Nightmares 3?

Yes, 8GB RAM meets the minimum requirements and should be sufficient for playing at low settings. However, I recommend having 12GB or 16GB for a smoother experience, especially if you plan to multitask or want to play at higher settings.

Can my laptop run Little Nightmares 3?

Most gaming laptops from the last 5-6 years should be able to run Little Nightmares 3. Check if your laptop has a dedicated graphics card (GTX 1060/RX 580 or better) and meets the other requirements. Integrated graphics laptops won’t be able to run the game.

Does Little Nightmares 3 support ray tracing?

The recommended requirements mention the RTX 2080, which supports ray tracing, but the game itself doesn’t explicitly advertise ray tracing features. The atmospheric lighting and shadows are part of the game’s art style rather than hardware-accelerated ray tracing.

Will there be a Day 1 patch affecting system requirements?

Yes, according to the official website, there will be a Day 1 patch releasing on October 9, 2025. While it’s unlikely to change the minimum system requirements significantly, it’s always a good idea to have some extra storage space available for updates.

Can I play Little Nightmares 3 on Steam Deck?

Yes! Little Nightmares 3 is verified for Steam Deck, meaning it’s been tested and optimized for Valve’s handheld gaming PC. You should be able to play it comfortably on Steam Deck, though you might need to adjust some settings for optimal performance.

What’s the difference between minimum and recommended requirements?

The main differences are in the processor (i5-6500 vs i5-8400), RAM (8GB vs 12GB), and graphics card (GTX 1060 vs RTX 2080). With recommended requirements, you’ll be able to play at high settings with stable 60+ FPS, while minimum requirements will get you 60 FPS at low settings.

How much storage space do I need for Little Nightmares 3?

While not officially specified, I estimate you’ll need 20-30 GB for the base game, plus an additional 5-10 GB for the Day 1 patch. I recommend having at least 50 GB of free space available for installation and future updates.

Can I upgrade individual components to meet requirements?

Absolutely! The most cost-effective upgrades would be the graphics card first, then RAM, and finally the CPU if needed. Even upgrading from an HDD to an SSD can significantly improve your gaming experience.

Will Little Nightmares 3 get future optimizations?

It’s highly likely that the developers will release performance patches and optimizations after launch, as is common with most PC games. These updates may improve performance and potentially lower system requirements over time.

Conclusion: Is Your PC Ready for Little Nightmares 3?

After thoroughly researching the Little Nightmares 3 system requirements across multiple sources and official channels, I can confidently say that most modern gaming PCs should be able to handle this game without issues.

Key Takeaways:

• The system requirements are modest compared to other modern games
• Windows 11 is a mandatory requirement – no exceptions
• Most gaming PCs from the last 8-9 years should meet minimum requirements
• The game is optimized for 1080p 60 FPS gameplay
• Storage requirements are estimated at 20-30 GB plus updates

Final Recommendation: If your PC meets or exceeds the minimum requirements, you’re in for a treat with Little Nightmares 3. The game’s atmospheric horror and unique art style should shine through even on modest hardware. For the best experience, aim for the recommended requirements, but don’t feel pressured to upgrade if you’re already close to minimum specs.

Remember to check out our other gaming guides for more PC gaming tips, and if you need help understanding what minimum system requirements really mean, check out our detailed guide on what minimum system requirements mean.

Are you ready to face your childhood fears in Little Nightmares 3? Let me know in the comments if your PC meets the requirements, and feel free to share your performance experience once the game releases!

Bookmark this page for future updates and performance tips as we approach the October 10, 2026 release date. I’ll be updating this guide with any new information or optimization tips as they become available.