After making a surprise appearance at last month's Partner Direct, SEGA has today unveiled a closer look at Yakuza Kiwami on Switch in a brand-new 'Play it Together!' trailer.
It has been almost 20 years since the first game in the series landed on PS2 (of which Kiwami is a remake), and this new trailer is all about the cross-generational appeal of walking around the streets of Kamurocho, beating up any punk that looks at you funny. We wouldn't put any of the Like a Dragon games into the "family-friendly" category, but the trailer is a sweet watch, all the same.
For those who missed the initial announcement, Yakuza Kiwami will be coming to Switch on 24th October. It's the same old remake that launched on PS4 back in 2016, but this will be the first time that the series has appeared on a Nintendo console, so our fingers are crossed that more might make the jump in the future.
On a related note, SEGA also revealed its next series entry today, with the debut trailer of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. If that title sounds weird to you, that's because it is. This one won't be launching on Nintendo consoles for the time being (no surprises there), but you can read all about it below from our friends at Push Square.
Are you excited for Yakuza Kiwami on Switch? Let us know in the comments.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 37
Lmao. Dude bout gave tv dad a heart attack. Anyway. Getting day 1 to show support. Now is a good time to replay it anyway.
I know this isn't the first time the series is on a Nintendo system if we’re counting the optimistic release of RGG 1/2 HD for the Wii U, but…
It will be good to see this being released for a successful Nintendo system, and hopefully will garner interest for those who missed and the series can hopefully flourish on the Switch (2) and just be the most convenient way to play.
Fingers crossed it does well! I’ll definitely snag to play again.
@JimNorman «...but this will be the first time that the series has appeared on a Nintendo console, so our fingers are crossed that more might make the jump in the future.»
Like a Dragon 1 & 2 HD remasters (JP-only) on Wii U.
Cough-cough
Wow, a co-op single player game. Sounds good!
The only game I played so far in this franchise is "Like a Dragon", which was the first JRPG I enjoyed to the fullest. It made me want to stick around till the end with it's heartwarming yet absurd story.
Already played it, but glad it's getting ported. Here's hoping for more ports in the future. 🥳
Nice trailer, will eventually get this for sure - hopefully sooner rather than later despite it being a digital-only title (would usually wait for a sale) to show my support and hopefully get more Yakuza games on Switch!
Im really wondering what the file size will be… perhaps they’ll manage to compress it like what happened with the Witcher. Dekudeals specifies 18gb, but I hope it’s the PlayStation size and switch gets a more optimized version
@Ryu_Niiyama it’ll be an awesome physical release too (at least i hope it’s physicall), in case you were somewhat confused by the trailer, it’s meant to promote the actor you just saw, which makes sense given the tv show coming out but I can imagine this went over a few people’s heads…. Mine very much included :’ D
@JohnnyMind i didn’t know it was a digital only (well probably knew but forgot), but i hope you got decent space cuz these games are quite large lol :’D have fun getting into the games tho id def recommend them and this is a pretty great game imo at least for a newcomer
@Yousef- Yep, will definitely have to make some space for it even if it ends up being less than the around 19 GB mentioned by Deku Deals, but there's no way I'm missing it since it's my chance to finally give the Yakuza series a try, thanks for the recommendation!
Day 1. Tripledip. I remember someone interviewing a person from the Yakuza team, who said that the series will not be released on the Switch because they are not suitable for the audience. Luckily it's coming now!
I really hope this port does well. I, and many others, have been wanting this series to come to Switch so badly. It's been said to death, but the reasoning for it's absence was so, so stupid. This series always seemed like the perfect fit for Switch, especially with how much content is packed into these games. The situation kinda reminds me of Persona coming to Switch as well. Many of us have been begging for this series for years, but it all comes down to how it's received. If anyone wants to show Sega we want more of these ports down the line, now is the time!
Sure it’s Kiwami and not 0 but these games are so brilliant that I hope there’s a new audience of Switch only players.
I thought Switch players swore off the series because the director said the platform was for kids
@Yousef- lol I understand (spoken. My Kanji is toddler level lol.) Japanese. My comment was meant as a joke (to myself). Thank you though. I don’t think the game is physical (it is digital in NA and I haven’t been paying attention beyond release date)… granted I have the game five times already and four of em are physical…so I am not bothered either way. Lol.
I’d still love “Shenmue 1 & 2” but this is acceptable…
I'll be getting it for sure. I hope this could lead to more of the series coming to Nintendo.
@nessisonett agreed (I think), 0 was a more obvious choice as a more "complete" experience. But I love this series so I hope it does well and broadens the brand.
@Warioware It can only be a good thing if it does well!
I'll totally grab it. Always been curious about the series and it seems pretty conducive to handheld play.
Will it get a physical release in Asia? I don't mind ordering something from Play Asia every once in a while.
Hopefully this version will popularize the series to Japanese audience too. For those who don't know, even though Yakuza takes place in Japan, the franchise itself was never that attractive to the Japanese audience. Now that the series is on Switch, hopefully that trend is changing.
@JSC016 Both are sort of difficult to begin with! I played 0 first and muddled my way through the many callbacks to the first 5 games and appreciated them a lot when I made my way throughout the rest of the series. But then Kiwami is essentially a sequel to 0, with the way they tie it in! Both are good to play first and also not, I’d say 0 is the better game though.
Like others have pointed out, this isn't the first time the Like A Dragon/Yakuza franchise has appeared on Nintendo. The Wii U had a HD remasters of the first two games but only in Japan.
They should have ported Yakuza 0 first, Yakuza kiwami 1 is basically a Yakuza 0 DLC.
I already own this game, but I'm tempted to double dip... I play a Yakuza game every October as that feels like the perfect season for it (the fall season, colder, gets darker much earlier. Not spooky related lol). Was going to start Like A Dragon, but maybe that can wait till next October..
@Elbow Well don't wait too long to play it. I myself should give other the games a try if they were anything like the RPG. Only minor gripe with Like a Dragon is it's bit too grindy in some parts.
Rather that's good or bad, i guess depends on your level of patience. What got me through was the charm of the story and it's characters.
I haven't played the game in years, yet I recall every moment of the experience and still listen to the soundtrack from time to time.
Never had a JRPG hit me so hard.
Well it looks fine. Price is also good. I am hoping what the space this will take up on Switch though.
While I wish they ported ZERO to our beloved hybrid console first, I’m still pleased as punch with this game, regardless.
I also sincerely hope we get the rest of the games on Switch (or its successor) eventually…
Yakuza on the go? YES PLEASE.
This is a "test run" for the series on Switch 2. If you're even slightly interested, definitely give it a try (@ only $20).
I think I’m going to get this …and also I REALLY want the Like A Dragon series on Switch 1/2.
@Vyacheslav333 That doesn't count
@mikegamer Lol.
@cosmograph well technically this game IS a Like a Dragon game. But enough of my nerd knowledge lol.
But yeah more would be nice. I think 0 could be next. And I want 0 and Ishin the most out of the game series.
0 can run on Switch 1 while Ishin and others can probably run on Switch 2.
Also give me that Pirate Yakuza game having Majima on Switch 2.
@anoyonmus lol totally. Yeah I bet you’re right about 0. It would make sense for them to do it next in story order. I love the turn based games and I guess that’s what I meant by LaD. I want to play Infinite Wealth on the Switch 2.
@cosmograph ah I’m not a fan of the turn based stuff in LAD and IW. I have seen it and I’m like nah.
I want 0 and Ishin on Switch 2 the most.
0 can run on Switch 1 though since it uses the same engine as Kiwami.
English dub? I believe the original PS2 game had it (although I could be wrong), here's hoping they at least give the option.
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