At the most recent Nintendo Direct event, fans of action-packed crime dramas received thrilling news—Yakuza Kiwami 2 and a native port of Yakuza Kiwami will officially launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on November 13, 2025. This marks a continued expansion of the Yakuza franchise into the Nintendo ecosystem, a move that seemed unlikely until just a few years ago.
Previously a PlayStation staple, the Yakuza series has slowly made its way to other platforms. But now, with Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut already available on the Switch 2, the foundation is firmly laid for Nintendo gamers to dive deeper into Kazuma Kiryu’s gripping underworld journey.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 Enhances the Saga with Visuals and Refinement
Originally released as a remake of Yakuza 2, Yakuza Kiwami 2 brings more than just a graphical upgrade. Built on the Dragon Engine, the game delivers a visually immersive experience far superior to its PS2 roots, and even improves on the first Kiwami title with smoother combat and world traversal.
The Switch 2 version will retain all enhancements, including:
- Polished visuals and animations
- Improved quality-of-life features
- Refined combat mechanics
- Revised story elements for greater narrative depth
This release gives new Nintendo players a highly accessible and enhanced version of one of the most emotionally resonant entries in the franchise.
Native Kiwami Port and Digital Bundle Announced
While Yakuza Kiwami was previously playable on Switch 2 through backward compatibility, a fully native version is now set for release alongside Kiwami 2. In a savvy move, Nintendo and Sega will also launch a digital bundle featuring Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2, giving players a seamless way to experience the early story arcs in one go.
What’s in the bundle:
- Full native versions of both games
- Optimized performance on Switch 2 hardware
- Unified save and menu features (expected)
For fans just beginning their Yakuza journey, this bundle provides a perfect on-ramp into the sprawling, dramatic world of Kamurocho.
Also read: The Fantastic Four: First Steps – Deleted Scenes, Red Ghost’s Cut, and What Could Have Been
What Comes Next for Yakuza on Switch 2?
The announcement has ignited speculation about future ports. With three Yakuza titles now available or announced for Switch 2, a full series rollout feels increasingly likely. The logical next step? The remastered editions of Yakuza 3 through Yakuza 6, though Yakuza 3 remains a wildcard due to aging mechanics and mixed reviews.
There’s also the question of whether Sega might develop additional Kiwami-style remakes for the remaining entries or potentially bring Like a Dragon titles to the hybrid console. Either way, Switch 2’s growing horsepower and mature audience make it a natural home for these narratively rich titles.
Full Yakuza Lineup on Switch 2 (So Far)
Here’s a snapshot of where the series stands on the Switch 2:
- Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut – Available Now
- Yakuza Kiwami – Releasing November 13, 2025
- Yakuza Kiwami 2 – Releasing November 13, 2025
With this lineup, players can experience the origins and early evolution of Kazuma Kiryu’s story natively on a Nintendo device for the first time. For long-time fans, it’s a nostalgic revisit; for newcomers, it’s an invitation into one of gaming’s most beloved sagas.
Final Thoughts
The arrival of Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 on the Nintendo Switch 2 represents more than a simple porting of games—it signals a broader strategy by Sega to embrace new platforms and reach wider audiences. As the franchise continues to evolve under the Like a Dragon banner, its legacy titles are gaining a second life on new hardware.
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