The Yakuza series has solidified its status as a cultural landmark. Initially praised as one of Sega’s standout niche offerings, it has since evolved to generate various spin-offs, an Amazon series, and gained wider recognition. However, it had yet to grace a Nintendo platform—until now. With the release of Yakuza Kiwami, a reimagining of the original Like a Dragon installment, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have finally ventured into the Nintendo Switch territory, and it’s an impressive port of an exceptional title.
As expected from the Like a Dragon franchise, Yakuza Kiwami starts off heavily focused on its narrative. The opening chapters are packed with engaging cutscenes and set the stage effectively. We find Kazuma Kiryu, the feared Dragon of Dojima from the Dojima Family, reuniting with his brother-in-arms, Akira Nishikiyama, at their favorite hangout, the Serena bar, to celebrate their friend Yumi’s birthday. Unfortunately, the festivities are cut short when Sohei Dojima attacks Yumi, prompting Nishiki to retaliate fatally. Kiryu, who bears the burden of this incident, is sentenced to prison, ejected from his clan, and ten years later returns to Kamurocho, only to find Yumi missing, 10 billion yen absconded from the Tojo Clan, the death of chairman Masaru Sera, and a transformed Nishiki. To complicate matters, Kiryu is now tasked with protecting a young girl named Haruka, which pulls him deep into the treacherous world of yakuza politics.
Yakuza Kiwami expands beyond its initial narrative; throughout the game’s thirteen chapters, players gradually uncover the intricate dynamics within the Tojo clan, alongside the unfolding stories of Yumi and Nishikiyama. The game also dives deeper into Nishiki’s experiences. Goro Majima takes on a more prominent role, providing laughs and challenges through the Majima Everywhere system, which integrates with the new Dragon Style combat alongside the existing Beast, Brawler, and Rush styles. Additionally, players can explore a variety of Substories and engage with the MesuKing minigame, creating a rich and exciting adventure set in a sprawling city filled with optional content and side quests.
One of my primary concerns leading up to my experience with Yakuza Kiwami on the Switch was regarding the combat system. Known for its fast-paced and fluid action on other consoles, I was curious whether close-quarters combat—like one-on-one or small group encounters—would translate well. Fortunately, during the initial chapters, Kiryu confronts larger groups and tougher opponents, maintaining a solid feel on the Switch. The framerate proved reliable, and because many non-boss battles concluded quickly, it was rare for me to notice any significant dip in performance during these skirmishes.
The most noticeable compromises made to accommodate the game on the Switch seemed primarily related to graphics. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t exhibit the same stunning visuals as the PS4 version. Some textures while traversing Kamurocho lacked the sharpness desired, and I occasionally observed pop-ins of environmental elements, such as initially spotting trash when searching for the Suspicious Man hiding behind a sign. It’s fair to say that this Switch iteration of Yakuza Kiwami resembles the PS3 version more closely than the PS4 one, yet overall, it remains a fine representation.
On the bright side, many aspects of Yakuza Kiwami are exceptional. Loading times are impressively short, especially considering the game’s scope. I had expected delays while transitioning between locations and battles, but loading occurs in mere seconds. Overall, the gameplay experience is smooth and enjoyable, with a captivating story and entertaining Substories—I still thoroughly enjoy the Pocket Circuit racing!
While the Nintendo Switch version of Yakuza Kiwami might not represent the absolute pinnacle of how to experience the inaugural Like a Dragon game, it performs admirably on the platform and delivers immense enjoyment. The port exceeds my expectations, and although it could look better on other systems, the thrill of having a Yakuza title playable on a Nintendo console makes up for any shortcomings.
You can find Yakuza Kiwami available on the PS3 in Japan, as well as on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC worldwide.
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