Yakuza Kiwami’s Switch Triumph Signals the Need for a Series Tradition to Change

Throughout most of its history, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has been a stalwart PlayStation exclusive. From its inception with the original Yakuza in 2005 up to Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, nearly every main installment and its spin-offs started their journey on Sony’s consoles. However, over the past five years or so, Sega, the series’ publisher, has shifted gears toward a more inclusive, multi-platform strategy for this beloved franchise. In 2019, Sega made a significant move by bringing Yakuza Kiwami, which was initially exclusive to the PS4, onto Windows PCs. Subsequently, throughout 2020 and 2021, all the Like a Dragon games that had graced the PS4 were adapted for PC and Xbox One, expanding their reach.

These days, whether you’re on PlayStation, Xbox, or a PC, you can dive into the world of Like a Dragon with simultaneous releases across these platforms. Unfortunately, though, Nintendo enthusiasts haven’t been so lucky, for the most part. While Sega recently made the decision to port Yakuza Kiwami to the Switch, this is currently the lone entry from the franchise available there, and forthcoming titles like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii are also giving the platform a pass. Fully bridging the series to Nintendo’s ecosystem might take some time, but the promising success of Kiwami’s Switch debut could influence Sega to consider launching future installments concurrently on Nintendo consoles.

As one of the all-time best-selling consoles, the Nintendo Switch’s impressive tally of over 146 million units sold as of November 2024 speaks for itself. It’s curious, then, that Sega hasn’t yet fully embraced this thriving platform for its Like a Dragon games. Back in 2022, insights from Masoyoshi Yokoyama, the head honcho at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, provided some clarity. RGG had hesitated to bring its titles to the Switch, believing it to be predominantly child-friendly and perhaps not the best fit for their mature-themed stories. The studio saw itself as “people of the night world,” suggesting that the gritty narrative of the Like a Dragon series might not align with the younger audience of the Switch.

Despite those perceptions, the reality is that the Switch is no stranger to games designed for mature players. Yokoyama did mention, to his credit, that the view of Nintendo’s console was evolving, and he foresaw the possibility of a presence for Like a Dragon down the road. With Yakuza Kiwami now on the Switch and reportedly “selling like hotcakes,” it appears that the concern over the series being too mature for Nintendo fans may have been a miscalculation.

Since Yakuza Kiwami’s Switch release, Sega has even sought player opinions via a survey on their website, gauging interest for more Like a Dragon titles on the Nintendo platform. This seems to hint at upcoming Switch versions of other favorites from RGG Studios. While it would be welcome to see past hits like Yakuza 0 or Yakuza Kiwami 2 join the current offering, a staggered release strategy alone won’t maximize the potential of Nintendo’s console base. If Sega truly wants to tap into the widespread audience of the Switch, it should consider releasing new titles across all platforms at the same time.

Specifically, there’s hope that games like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii might hit the Nintendo Switch on the same day they are launched for other systems. With Pirate Yakuza slated to be playable on PS4 and Xbox One come February 2025, there’s some chance, with a bit of technical finesse, to see it running on the Switch as well. If not possible for current models, then aiming for synchronized releases on potential future iterations like a Switch 2 would be a smart move, aligning them alongside PlayStation and Xbox launches.

Stepping into the shoes of Goro Majima, the latest iteration propels you into an exciting, pirate-themed spin on the Like a Dragon saga. With its dynamic combat styles and a storyline promising thrilling sea adventures and formidable foes, the upcoming game promises to keep players hooked. Set to launch in February 2025 across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, fans continue to anticipate the day these captivating stories also become a staple on Nintendo platforms.