Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the acclaimed creators behind the Yakuza and Like a Dragon series, continues its vigorous expansion of the franchise. This energetic strategy is set to persist through the upcoming holiday season and extend well into 2026. A particularly exciting development is the addition of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties to the Kiwami remake collection. This highly anticipated remake of the original Yakuza 3 promises a comprehensive overhaul of its graphics and gameplay mechanics, alongside a brand-new spin-off narrative titled Dark Ties. Preorders for Yakuza Kiwami 3 are currently open at $60 across multiple platforms including PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, and PC, ahead of its scheduled release on February 12, 2026.
Upcoming Yakuza Game Preorders for Consoles:
- Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (PS5, Switch 2, Xbox) — Feb. 12, 2026
- Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 Bundle (PS5, Xbox) — Dec. 8
- Yakuza Kiwami / Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Switch 2) — Nov. 13 (available individually)
- Yakuza 0 Director`s Cut (PS5, Xbox) — Dec. 8 (already accessible on Switch 2)
Sega is also preparing to bring the remakes of Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 to PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 this fall. A bundled edition of Kiwami 1 & 2 for PlayStation and Xbox is set to launch on December 8, priced at $60. Nintendo Switch 2 players, however, will have the option to purchase Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 separately for $35 each. Furthermore, the Director`s Cut of Yakuza 0, which was previously exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, will expand its availability to other platforms starting December 8.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Price: $60 | Release Date: February 12, 2026
As a special preorder bonus, players will unlock Ichiban Kasuga from the Like a Dragon games, allowing him to join your motorcycle gang, the Ryukyu Gals. The digital-only Yakuza Kiwami 3: Deluxe Edition further enhances the experience with several additional cosmetic DLCs, including unique gang outfits, a customizable flip-phone pack, and a broader selection of in-game music. PC gamers can currently take advantage of a discounted price of $52.79 for the standard edition, while the Digital Deluxe Edition is available for $66 (a reduction from its original $75).
Yakuza Kiwami 3 serves as a profound remake of the 2009 title Yakuza 3, representing the most ambitious reimagining within the series to date. Beyond significant visual enhancements, it enriches the original narrative with new cutscenes, expanded dialogue, and additional side-stories. Kiryu will master a new weapon-based combat style inspired by Okinawan martial arts, and players can engage in a captivating life-simulation minigame at his orphanage, Morning Glory. Other fresh features include a new team battle mode pitting Kiryu’s motorcycle gang against rival factions, and, crucially for fans, new Karaoke songs to enjoy. However, perhaps the most compelling addition is Dark Ties—an entirely new prequel to Yakuza Kiwami 3, designed to provide deeper insights into Yoshitaka Mine, one of Kiryu’s most formidable adversaries. This gritty crime story unfolds in Kamurocho, chronicling Mine`s ascent to power, and introduces a new mission-based mode called Kanda Damage Control, alongside a survival mode set within an underground fight club.
Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 for PS5 / Xbox Series X
Price: $60 | Release Date: December 8
For those eager to immerse themselves in the earlier mainline Yakuza entries, both Yakuza Kiwami 1 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 are being released together in a convenient single physical edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X, priced at $60. While these games will also be available on Switch 2, their physical editions will be sold separately for $35 each.
Yakuza Kiwami, a comprehensive remake of the very first Yakuza game from 2016, skillfully preserves its original story while substantially enhancing both visuals and gameplay. A key improvement was the complete overhaul of its combat system to align more closely with Yakuza 0, equipping Kiryu with four distinct fighting styles: Brawler, Beast, Rush, and Dragon. Unlike Yakuza 0’s memorable Mr. Shakedown encounters, Kiwami introduces the `Majima Everywhere` challenge, where Kiryu’s enigmatic rival, Goro Majima, randomly appears to challenge him to street fights or minigames like darts and bowling. Successfully defeating him unlocks potent new abilities for Kiryu’s Dragon style. Technical advancements included improved resolution, framerate, textures, and reduced loading times, along with the addition of new substories and a superior Japanese dub. The narrative was also expanded through additional cutscenes that fleshed out Yakuza’s antagonist, Nishiki, offering critical insight into his betrayal. Enhanced Heat Actions further amplified Kiryu’s signature over-the-top finishing moves in combat.
Released in 2017, Yakuza Kiwami 2 thrusts former Yakuza Kiryu into a colossal gang war within the intricate Japanese underworld. This conflict ignites following the assassination of the Tojo clan’s Fifth Chairman, Yukio Terada, by the formidable rival Omi Alliance. At the heart of this confrontation is Ryuji Goda, known as the Dragon of Kansai, who is singularly focused on defeating Kiryu to solidify his own legend as the only dragon of the Yakuza. The remake also featured a compelling new scenario centered around Goro Majima, shedding light on the loose cannon gangster’s activities since his departure from the Tojo clan to establish his own construction company. Gameplay received significant updates to match the refined systems of Yakuza 0 and Kiwami, with visual upgrades making the bone-crunching action even more visceral and impactful.
Yakuza Kiwami & Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Switch 2
Price: $35 each | Release Date: November 13
Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 are also making their way to Nintendo Switch 2, but their physical editions will be sold individually for $35 each. Nintendo Switch 2 players will have the advantage of receiving these physical editions slightly earlier, with both games launching on November 13. It`s important to note that, similar to Kiwami 3 and the Nintendo Switch 2 launch title Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, these are Game-Key Cards that require a full digital download from the eShop upon their initial insertion.
Yakuza 0: Director`s Cut for PS5 and Xbox Series X
Price: $50 | Release Date: December 8
Chronologically, Yakuza 0 stands as the inaugural game in the franchise’s timeline, featuring both protagonists, Kiryu Kazuma and Goro Majima. Widely celebrated as the series` pinnacle, Yakuza 0 revitalized the franchise in 2015, delivering a leaner, meaner, and more ambitious experience with its grand and sweeping narrative set amidst Japan`s late `80s financial boom. The PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC versions will be priced at $50, consistent with the MSRP of the Switch 2 edition. However, the Switch 2 version is currently available at a discounted price of $37. The Director`s Cut enriches the experience with several new scenes, a fresh English voiceover, and the “Red Light Raid” mode—a series of cooperative battles where players unite to quickly earn cash through combat. Beyond the thrilling main campaign, the engaging management sim side stories, where Majima masterfully runs a hostess club and Kiryu plunges into the perilous world of real estate, are unmissable elements of this 3D beat-`em-up masterpiece.
Availability:
- PS5 — $50
- Xbox Series X — $50
- Switch 2 — $37 (
$50) | Available now
More Yakuza Games
Beyond the exciting lineup of upcoming preorders, a multitude of other Yakuza adventures await exploration. Each game in the series is meticulously crafted with an episodic feel to its storyline, and the franchise has progressively evolved over the years, introducing new protagonists and compelling spin-offs. Should you already possess one of the existing Kiwami games in your collection, individual titles are available for purchase. For those seeking a journey back in time, The Yakuza Remastered Collection bundles Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 into one package, offering substantially improved performance and visual fidelity.
It is important to note, however, that these are essentially the original games given an HD makeover, and their core gameplay largely retains its initial design. Consequently, some of these titles might feel somewhat dated to modern players. This remastered collection also boasts a completely redone English localization, visual and audio adjustments for several characters, the reinstatement of content that was originally cut from Western releases, and the judicious removal of certain problematic content.
Another highly recommended extension of the Yakuza universe is the Judgment series, comprising Judgment and its sequel, Lost Judgment. While these games are mechanically akin to the core Yakuza titles and also feature an episodic narrative structure, they introduce a fresh protagonist and integrate compelling investigative elements into the franchise`s established formula. The Judgment games delve into more somber and complex subject matter, focusing intensely on institutional corruption, Japan`s often controversial legal system, pervasive medical malpractice, instances of murder, and the tragic issue of high school suicides, all intricately woven into tightly crafted narratives.
In the modern gaming landscape, the Yakuza games have gracefully transitioned into the Like a Dragon series. These newer titles follow the adventures of a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. So far, two main entries have been released: Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. These games represent a significant departure in gameplay, moving from the traditional beat-’em-up style starring Kiryu to embracing turn-based RPG mechanics. Interestingly, the first spin-off in this new era, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, released earlier this year, harks back to the old-school action gameplay that veteran fans are intimately familiar with and adore.
Other Yakuza Games Available for Purchase:
- Yakuza 0: PS4 — $25
- Yakuza Kiwami: PS4 — $20
- Yakuza Kiwami 2: PS4 — $25
- The Yakuza Remastered Collection: PS4 — $23.19
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life: PS4 — $25.19
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon: PS4 — $37, PS5 — $31, Xbox Series X — $17.40
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth: PS5 — $28, Xbox Series X (price not specified)
- Like a Dragon: Ishin: PS5 — $30
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: PS5 — $36, PS4 — $40, Xbox Series X — $40, Collector`s Edition (Xbox Series X) — $55
- Judgment: PS5 — $31.79, PS4 — $31, Xbox Series X — $18.24
- Lost Judgment: PS5 — $25, PS4 — $18, Xbox Series X (price not specified)