Summary
- Yakuza Kiwami is finally landing on Nintendo Switch after 8 years, marking a major win for fans of the franchise.
- The Switch port of the 2016 game unveils iconic action scenes and fun minigames set in Tokyo's Kamurocho.
- Sega strategically timed Kiwami's release at the same time as the debut of the live-action Like a Dragon series to generate excitement and engagement.
Yakuza Kiwami is finally coming to Nintendo Switch on October 24, 2024, a staggering 8 years after its initial release. The action-adventure title is a remake of the original Yakuza game that kicked off the series in 2005.
In 2016, a year before the Switch was released, developer Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio rolled out Yakuza Kiwami to a positive reception. Originally, it came out on PS4 and PS3 before making its way onto Xbox One and PC a few years later, with no sign of a Nintendo port. As a consequence, fans of the Like a Dragon franchise, previously known as Yakuza outside Japan, have clamored for parent company and publisher Sega to bring the series to Switch over the years. In that regard, there is now a positive development that sees the 2016 game announced for Nintendo's console.
Sega Trademark May Reveal Upcoming Yakuza Game
A new trademark filed by Sega recently came to light, and its name suggests that the next Yakuza game reveal might be closer than ever.
During the latest Nintendo Direct, Sega revealed the announcement trailer for Yakuza Kiwami's Switch port, marking the first time the franchise lands on Nintendo's second best-selling console. Besides confirming its October 24 release date, the video showcased the plot, setting, and some gameplay features of the remake. While giving glimpses of the game's iconic beat-em-up action, the trailer also captured the various minigames available in the bustling neighborhood of Kamurocho, Tokyo.
Yakuza Kiwami to Finally Arrive on Nintendo Switch
For Switch users, the news of Yakuza Kiwami coming to the hybrid console is a major win as it not only culminates years of pleading Sega but also holds promise for more Like a Dragon games landing on Nintendo's platform down the road. The Switch launch of the crime drama will be the first time the franchise arrives for Nintendo players all over the world. Additionally, it will mark the franchise's third appearance on a Nintendo system in Japan, with the HD remasters of the original Yakuza and Yakuza 2 having been released on Wii U way back in 2013.
Interestingly, Yakuza Kiwami's Switch release date falls on the same day that the new live-action take on the Sega-owned IP premieres on Amazon Prime Video. As obvious, this seems to be a strategic decision to help both the game and the live-action series benefit from each other. Taking note of how the Fallout TV series boosted the number of players in Fallout games, Sega is likely hoping to pull off something similar with contiguous release dates for the two Like a Dragon projects coming this year. In any case, it's certain that fans of the long-running franchise have plenty to be excited about in the forthcoming months.
Sega's Yakuza franchise is a series of action-adventure and role-playing games that revolve around characters who are a part of or associated with dangerous criminal organizations.
The various games in the series tend to be led by gripping, emotional narratives but are supplemented by hilarious side stories and enjoyable mini-games that give players a welcome break from the drama.