When Yakuza Kiwami first hit consoles back in 2017, it was both a nostalgic return to the origins of Kazuma Kiryu’s saga and a showcase of how far Sega’s crime epic had evolved since the PS2 days. Now, with the arrival of Yakuza Kiwami on the Nintendo Switch 2, the Dragon of Dojima gets a second chance to tell his story—this time in the palm of your hand or on the big screen, with performance and fidelity that breathe new life into the streets of Kamurocho.
For newcomers, Kiwami (Japanese for “Extreme”) isn’t just a remaster—it’s a full remake of the original Yakuza from 2005, rebuilt in the Dragon Engine used for Yakuza 6. The game follows Kiryu, a loyal yakuza lieutenant who takes the fall for a murder he didn’t commit. After spending a decade in prison, he emerges into a changed world—a place where his clan is in turmoil, his friends are lost or corrupted, and the city he once knew is now both dazzling and dangerous.
A Tale of Honor and Regret
At its core, Yakuza Kiwami remains a story about honor and redemption. Few games manage to balance melodrama and sincerity as deftly as this one. The writing, still razor-sharp after all these years, explores how the codes of the criminal underworld clash with loyalty, love, and moral decay. It’s part soap opera, part gangster film, and wholly Yakuza.
What makes Kiwami so compelling, even on its third major re-release, is the strength of its characters. Kiryu’s stoic resolve, Nishikiyama’s tragic transformation from brother-in-arms to bitter rival, and Haruka’s innocence as the emotional anchor—all land as powerfully now as they did in the original remake. The new Switch 2 version benefits from subtle improvements to lighting and facial animation that give these emotional beats extra punch.
While the main story clocks in at a brisk 15 to 20 hours, Kiwami’s side content remains its lifeblood. The streets of Kamurocho pulse with distractions—karaoke bars, darts, batting cages, slot car racing, and the endless parade of bizarre sub-stories that make Yakuza games so special. You might go from stopping a panty thief to mentoring a shy dominatrix, and somehow it all feels right at home.
The Dragon Fights Again
Combat in Kiwami uses the four fighting styles introduced in Yakuza 0: Brawler, Rush, Beast, and Dragon. Each has a distinct rhythm, and switching between them mid-fight remains as satisfying as ever. Brawler provides balanced offense and defense; Rush emphasizes speed and evasion; Beast turns the environment into a weapon; and Dragon—Kiryu’s signature style—becomes a powerhouse once you unlock its full potential.
The Switch 2 version shines here thanks to its smooth 60 frames per second performance, both docked and handheld. Animations are fluid, transitions between exploration and combat are nearly seamless, and load times are virtually nonexistent. Fights feel crisp and kinetic, with HD rumble support that accentuates every punch and finishing move. There’s a tactile pleasure in feeling the thud of a knockout blow through the Joy-Con’s advanced haptics.
The “Majima Everywhere” system—a Kiwami-exclusive addition—returns in all its bizarre glory. Goro Majima, Kiryu’s unhinged rival, literally ambushes you around Kamurocho at random, forcing impromptu brawls that help you strengthen the Dragon style. It’s equal parts absurd and brilliant, a meta-commentary on persistence and rivalry that keeps the game’s pacing unpredictable. The Switch 2 version tweaks this slightly with smarter AI patterns and improved encounter balance, making Majima’s appearances feel more dynamic and less grindy.
Beauty in the Backstreets
Graphically, Yakuza Kiwami holds up impressively well. On the Switch 2’s upgraded hardware, Kamurocho glows with neon vibrancy. Rain-slicked alleyways reflect signs and headlights with striking realism, while the red-light district’s nightlife buzzes with atmospheric detail. Character models aren’t as refined as modern Like a Dragon entries, but the remastering work here bridges the gap gracefully.
The Dragon Engine’s age occasionally shows in some stiff NPC animations and flat textures, but these moments are fleeting. In handheld mode, the OLED display of the Switch 2 makes the city pop with depth and contrast, rivaling console-quality visuals on a portable screen.
Audio design remains stellar, from the punchy impact of combat to the melancholy strains of the jazz-infused soundtrack. Voice acting—Japanese only, as always for purists—is delivered with emotional conviction that elevates even the most melodramatic dialogue.
The Switch 2 Advantage
Beyond visuals and performance, this version’s biggest upgrade is quality-of-life polish. Instant fast travel between taxis, streamlined inventory management, and cloud saves make the experience smoother than ever. Motion controls have been thoughtfully integrated, allowing for optional camera pans or gesture-based finishing moves that feel more like a novelty than a necessity.
Battery optimization is excellent—handheld sessions last over four hours without noticeable frame drops or overheating. For longtime fans who’ve always wanted to bring Yakuza on the go without compromises, this is the definitive way to experience Kiryu’s first adventure.
A Classic Reborn
What Yakuza Kiwami loses in modernity—it’s still a remake of a 2005 design—it makes up for with heart, style, and soul. Its structure may feel dated compared to the sprawling cityscapes of Yakuza: Like a Dragon or Infinite Wealth, but its storytelling remains timeless. The game’s blend of tragedy and absurdity, violence and warmth, captures something few titles manage: a human story within a criminal world.
For newcomers to the series, Kiwami is a perfect starting point. For veterans, the Switch 2 release is both a nostalgia trip and a reminder of why this series continues to endure.
The Verdict
Nearly two decades after its original debut, Yakuza Kiwami still hits hard. Its mix of brawling combat, heartfelt storytelling, and eccentric side content remains unmatched. On Switch 2, it’s sharper, smoother, and more portable than ever—proof that some legends never fade, they just learn to fight again.
A timeless crime saga reborn with precision and passion—still one of the best ways to walk the neon streets of Kamurocho.
