| Yakuza Kiwami | |||
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| Gameplay & Story | Release Date | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Yakuza Kiwami is a critically acclaimed action game that has finally arrived for the Nintendo Switch. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Yakuza Kiwami Review Overview
What is Yakuza Kiwami?
The game follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, a yakuza from Kamurocho whose life takes a darker turn when his boss, Sohei Dojima, tries to assault Kazuma's childhood friend, Yumi. In a desperate attempt to save her, Kazuma's best friend, Akira Nishikiyama, kills Dojima. To protect his friend, Kazuma takes the blame and ends up serving a 10-year prison sentence from 1995 to 2005. While he's behind bars, Kazuma is expelled from the Tojo clan, and Yumi mysteriously disappears.
After his release, Kazuma discovers that ten billion yen has been stolen from the Tojo clan, sparking a frantic search throughout the Japanese underworld. The missing money is somehow linked to Yumi's disappearance, and to make matters worse, Kazuma's sworn brother has now become his enemy. Amidst the chaos, Yumi's daughter, Haruka, enters the scene, and Kazuma vows to protect her at all costs.
Yakuza Kiwami features:
⚫︎ A Crime Story about Japan’s Seedy Underground
⚫︎ Action-Brawler Game
⚫︎ A Remake of the 2005 Game
⚫︎ Tons of Mini-Games and Substories
⚫︎ Semi-Open World Game
⚫︎ Highly-Detailed Cutscenes
⚫︎ Stellar Voice-Acting
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Yakuza Kiwami 's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Switch |
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| Price | $19.99 | ||||
Yakuza Kiwami Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Cutscenes are Just as Gorgeous on Switch A Great Entry Point for Newcomers Plays Great Undocked |
Noticeable Frame Drops and Pop Ups Problems of the Original are Still Prelevant Here |
Yakuza Kiwami Overall Score - 84/100
If Yakuza fans couldn’t get Kiryu in Smash Ultimate, a Switch port is the next best thing—and while there are a few hiccups, RGG did an impressive job bringing this fantastic game to the Nintendo Switch. For longtime fans, it’s an awesome way to take the Yakuza experience on the go, and for newcomers, Kiwami 1 makes an excellent entry point into the beloved series.
Yakuza Kiwami Story - 10/10
This game is a gripping crime novel that's disguised as a video game. From start to finish, you’re pulled deep and invested in a criminal underworld full of darkness, yet at its core lies a powerful story of betrayal, love, and family. With stellar performances, stunning cutscenes, and masterful writing, this drama rivals—if not surpasses—what most movies and television offer.
Yakuza Kiwami Gameplay - 8/10
Yakuza Kiwami is an incredibly addictive, semi-open-world brawler, and it translates well to the Switch. Being a remake of the original 2005 game, it is an early entry where the series was still finding its stride, showing signs of age with occasional clunky combat and some frustrating boss battles. Plus, the infamous “Majima Everywhere” mechanic can wear thin after a while. But despite these quirks, there’s still a wealth of content and endless fun to dive into.
Yakuza Kiwami Visuals - 7/10
While we expected the port to scale back visuals given the Switch’s limitations, it does a decent job of preserving the game’s visual aesthetics, especially in handheld mode. The cutscenes, in particular, retain their stunning detail. However, it’s not a flawless port—occasional frame drops and low-poly texture pop-ups can disrupt the experience.
Yakuza Kiwami Audio - 9/10
Yakuza Kiwami features outstanding voice acting and music, ensuring a fantastic audio experience. If you’re playing undocked, I highly recommend using headphones to fully immerse yourself in the game’s soundscape.
Yakuza Kiwami Value for Money - 8/10
The Switch port of Yakuza Kiwami, while perhaps the least visually polished compared to other versions, excels in accessibility. Being able to play a Yakuza game anywhere—ironically echoing Majima’s “everywhere” presence in the game—is fantastic. While it’s playable on other handhelds like the Steam Deck, the Switch stands out as a more accessible, comfortable, and affordable option. Yakuza Kiwami plays remarkably well on the Switch, and at $20, it’s absolutely worth it.
Yakuza Kiwami Review
The Dragon of Portability
I never thought I’d see the day a Yakuza game would be ported to a Nintendo console. RGG Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama once mentioned the Switch was more geared toward a “younger audience,” which made it seem unlikely. Plus, there was a Yakuza 1 & 2 release on the Wii U exclusive to Japan, which sold poorly—probably another reason. So finally experiencing Yakuza Kiwami on the Switch, especially in handheld mode, feels pretty surreal. The real question is, how does Yakuza Kiwami hold up as a Switch port?
A Great Port with Minor Issues
Before diving into the core gameplay, let’s look at how Yakuza Kiwami holds up as a Switch port and some of the adjustments that were made. The biggest difference here is the graphics. While Yakuza Kiwami isn’t a new game, the visuals had to be scaled down a bit for the Switch, meaning Kamurocho doesn’t look quite as vibrant or densely lit, with occasional pop-ups and some low-poly textures.
A minor gripe I have is with the camera controls; it snaps back to center when you look up or down, which can be a bit annoying without an option to adjust it. While exploring Kamurocho, you may notice occasional frame drops in both handheld and docked modes, causing Kiryu to stutter slightly as he walks. Though it’s not a huge issue, it can be a bit immersion-breaking at times.
Despite these minor issues, the game is a solid port overall. The action feels fast and smooth on the Switch, and they even added a menu save button for saving anywhere—a huge quality-of-life improvement. Although this version doesn’t match the visual fidelity of other ports, it still captures Kamurocho’s lively atmosphere, with nothing removed or censored, which is fantastic for fans and newcomers alike.
The cutscenes are just as stunning as ever, showcasing incredible detail, including the pores on the characters’ faces. They don’t appear downgraded at all; in fact, they’re a joy to watch.
The biggest win for me is the game’s portability. It looks great on handheld, where the smaller screen masks some of the visual limitations, and I noticed fewer frame dips as well. Playing with Joy-Cons feels surprisingly smooth, especially during combat. It’s fantastic to see Yakuza Kiwami accessible anywhere, letting you take the experience on the go.
Prepare for an Emotional Rollercoaster
The story in Yakuza Kiwami, a remake of the original 2005 game, is vastly improved in Kiwami with added scenes and context, particularly for characters like Nishiki, Kiryu’s oath brother and best friend. In the original 2005 game, Nishiki’s descent into darkness felt underdeveloped, but here, his motivations and struggles are explored more deeply. Kiwami tells a gripping tale of Japan’s criminal underworld, centered on the Dragon of Dojima, Kiryu, a high-ranking yakuza entangled in a conspiracy.
Along the way, he must clear his name and protect a young girl, the daughter of his childhood friend and true love, Yumi. For newcomers, get ready for an emotional journey—this is a story about more than just violence; it’s about friendship, loyalty, and heartbreak. The tale of Kiryu, Yumi, and Nishiki hits home, especially the ending, leaving a lasting impact. It’s an amazing way to kick off the series.
Real Yakuza Use Joy-Cons
If you’ve never played a Yakuza game, you’re in for a serious ride. Some compare it to GTA in Japan, but as someone who’s played every entry, that’s just not the case—don’t go in with those expectations. In Yakuza Kiwami, you step into the shoes of Kazuma Kiryu, navigating the gritty streets of Kamurocho through a mix of action, adventure, and RPG elements.
Combat is intense and dynamic, with Kiryu switching between four fighting styles, and side activities like karaoke, gambling, and a variety of mini-games bring a fun open-world feel. The story unfolds as you complete main missions, uncover substories, and explore Kamurocho’s lively and seedy underbelly.
What makes Yakuza so addicting is its incredible balance between gripping narrative and hilarious side stories. You’ll find yourself moving from deeply emotional story beats to unexpectedly funny substories—and somehow, the game pulls it off seamlessly.
You might get sidetracked trying to perfect a karaoke song or stumble into back-to-back substories. Though the substories here are considered some of the weaker ones in the series, some still deliver moments as powerful as the main story, while others are downright hilarious.
However, the game isn’t without its flaws. The “Majima Everywhere” system, where Majima pops up randomly for a fight, can become tedious, especially when you’re trying to accomplish something else. The combat is also among the series’ weaker entries, with some styles feeling clunky and certain boss battles turning into sloggy damage sponges until you unlock enough moves to feel like the true Dragon of Dojima.
But handheld play is a surprise hit. The Joy-Cons handle combat smoothly with no input lag, and they’re a comfortable choice if you want to experience Yakuza on the go.
Is Yakuza Kiwami Worth It?
A Great Steal for Nintendo Switch Owners
I'm really glad the game is priced at $20, just like its other ports. It feels like a great deal, especially for newcomers to the series who have been wanting to dive in for a while. The portability is definitely a big selling point; it handles that aspect exceptionally well!
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch |
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| Price | $19.99 | ||||
Yakuza Kiwami FAQ
Do You Need to Play Other Yakuza Games Before Yakuza Kiwami?
No, you don’t need to play the other games since this one is a remake of the original 2005 game.
What are the Different Fighting Styles You Can Use in Yakuza Kiwami?
⚫︎ Dragon Style
⚫︎ Beast Style
⚫︎ Rush Style
⚫︎ Brawler Style
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Yakuza Kiwami Product Information
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| Title | YAKUZA KIWAMI |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 24, 2024 (Switch), August 29, 2017 (PlayStation) |
| Developer | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Supported Platforms | PS4, PS3, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | Action, RPG |
| Number of Players | Single Player |
| Rating | PEGI 18 |
| Official Website | Yakuza Kiwami Official Website |
