Yakuza Kiwami’s Switch Version is Selling Better Than Expected

According to Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku, the recently released Yakuza Kiwami Nintendo Switch port is selling better than what both companies expected. During the August 2024 Nintendo Direct, Like a Dragon fans got a big surprise: the series is finally coming onto the Nintendo Switch, with the remake of the first game, Yakuza Kiwami, being the series’ debut entry on the platform. Kiwami launched on the Nintendo Switch earlier this October, eight years after it was first released on PS3 and PS4.

Despite the popularity of the Nintendo Switch, there didn’t seem to be plans to bring the Like a Dragon series onto the platform. Previously, former Like a Dragon series creator Toshihiro Nagoshi said he viewed the platform as something for “kids and teens,” playing down the series’ chances on the Switch. Seeing as Nintendo previously passed on publishing the original Yakuza game, there is likely some merit to Nagoshi’s beliefs. While that sentiment might still hold true for the series, it appears that Yakuza Kiwami is already doing better than expected on Nintendo’s platform.

Based on a recent live broadcast featuring Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama (translated courtesy of Install Base), the Nintendo Switch version of Kiwami has sold much better than expected. Yokoyama says that the Switch port of Yakuza Kiwami is “selling like hotcakes,” saying it’s apparently a good figure. Yokoyama says that when Sega executives were predicting the sales targets for Kiwami, he was thinking too “conservatively.”

Yokoyama says Yakuza Kiwami on Nintendo Switch is “Selling Like Hotcakes”

Yokoyama went on to say that he had some doubts about the game’s chances, considering how it had been out for nearly eight years on other platforms, on top of Yakuza Kiwami being digital-only on Switch. Despite all that, he expresses how happy he is to see people buying and playing Kiwami on the Switch, noting how difficult it is to sell an older game on a new system. Yokoyama even noted that he got his own copy of the game on Switch, saying how nice it is to have the game on the go.

Yakuza Kiwami‘s release on Switch is a stark contrast to the last time that the series was released on Nintendo’s hardware. Back in 2013, the Wii U got a port of Ryu ga Gotoku 1 & 2 HD for Wii U, a set of HD remasters of the first two Yakuza games on PS2, with this HD collection originally released on the PS3 the year prior. Despite the ports being received well, the Wii U version sold poorly compared to its PS3 counterpart, and has remained a Japan-only release. Yakuza Kiwami doing well on Nintendo Switch bodes well for the future of the Like a Dragon series on future Nintendo hardware.

Back and better than ever, the Yakuza series has been updated for modern gamers to experience the action, fun, and coolness of Kiryu and cohorts.

1995, Kamurocho… Kazuma Kiryu, the Dragon of Dojima, takes the fall for the murder of a crime boss to protect his sworn brother, Akira Nishikiyama, and his childhood friend, Yumi.

2005… Akira Nishikiyama has become a changed man. Yumi is nowhere to be found. Ten billion yen has gone missing from the Tojo Clan’s coffers, putting the organization on the brink of civil war. And Kazuma Kiryu is released from prison to a world he no longer recognizes.

With enhanced gameplay, an expanded cinematic story, the return of the battle styles from Yakuza 0, more nightlife spots, and re-recorded audio by the series cast, Yakuza Kiwami is the ultimate and most “extreme” version of the original vision of the series, now optimized for PC with 4K resolutions, uncapped frame rates, customizable controls and ultra-widescreen support.

Released

August 29, 2017

Engine

Dragon Engine

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol

How Long To Beat

18 Hours

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

PC Release Date

August 29, 2017

Nintendo Switch Release Date

October 24, 2024

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