Yakuza Kiwami’s Success on Switch Signals a Change Needed for the Series

For much of its history, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series was synonymous with PlayStation. Nearly every main title and spin-off, starting with Yakuza back in 2005 and running through to Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, first saw the light of day on a Sony console. However, in the past five years, Sega, the series’ publisher, has started to shift gears towards a more inclusive platform strategy. Kicking things off in 2019, Sega brought Yakuza Kiwami—a remake initially exclusive to the PS4—to PC users. Eventually, they extended the reach of every Like a Dragon game available on PS4 to PC and Xbox One during 2020 and 2021.

Nowadays, Like a Dragon launches simultaneously across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC platforms. Yet, Nintendo enthusiasts are still largely left on the sidelines. Sega did release Yakuza Kiwami on the Switch, which marked a small win, but other titles in the series, including future releases like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, have no plans for a Switch debut. While the series may not be fully available on Nintendo devices yet, the successful performance of Yakuza Kiwami’s Switch port might just nudge Sega to consider day-one Nintendo releases moving forward.

The Nintendo Switch has enjoyed massive success, with sales surpassing 146 million units as of November 2024. With such immense popularity, it’s surprising that Sega hasn’t already ported several Like a Dragon games to the Switch. Back in 2022, Masayoshi Yokoyama, who leads Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio—the developers behind Like a Dragon—explained their hesitations. According to him, they saw the Switch as having a “kid-friendly” image, suggesting their mature-themed series might not be a fit. The studio identifies itself as crafting tales for the “night world,” believing the series wouldn’t appeal to younger audiences.

In hindsight, those comments seemed a bit odd, considering the availability of many adult-oriented titles on the Switch. However, Yokoyama did acknowledge that perspectives on the console were changing and that a future might exist where Like a Dragon found a home on it. Now, with the Yakuza Kiwami available on Switch and reportedly “selling like hotcakes” according to Yokoyama, this perceived mismatch seems to have been a misunderstanding.

Following Kiwami’s Switch release, Sega sought fan opinions via a survey to gauge interest in more Like a Dragon games on the platform. This suggests we could see more ports coming down the pipeline. While titles like Yakuza 0 or Yakuza Kiwami 2 arriving would be a welcome addition, mere staggered releases won’t fully tap into the Switch’s giant user base. If Sega genuinely wants to ride the wave of Nintendo’s success, simultaneous platform launches are the way to go.

Bringing Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii to the Switch on release day, alongside PS4 and Xbox One platforms in February 2025, could be ambitious, yet feasible with clever technical adjustments. Should it not reach the current model, perhaps the anticipated Switch 2 could serve as a welcoming alternative, allowing for regular releases like those on PlayStation and Xbox.

The upcoming game, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, is set to shake things up with some exciting new elements. Players can dive into the story of Goro Majima, an amnesiac ex-yakuza turned pirate, as he navigates treacherous waters in search of lost memories and hidden treasures. The game promises heart-pounding naval battles and unique combat experiences, with the capability to switch between “Mad Dog” and “Sea Dog” fighting styles, ensuring players can unleash a torrent of imaginative combos. Mark your calendars for February 20, 2025, for this next chapter in over-the-top action adventure.