Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the creators behind the beloved Yakuza and Like a Dragon series, are set to continue their impressive release schedule through the holiday season and into 2026. A major highlight is the expansion of the Kiwami remake line with Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. This comprehensive remake of Yakuza 3 introduces an entirely new spin-off game called Dark Ties and boasts a complete overhaul of its gameplay and graphics. You can preorder Yakuza Kiwami 3 for $60 on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, and PC, with its release slated for February 12, 2026.
Here’s a quick look at upcoming Yakuza game preorders for consoles:
* Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (PS5, Switch 2, Xbox): Releasing February 12, 2026
* Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 Bundle (PS5, Xbox): Releasing December 8
* Yakuza Kiwami / Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Switch 2): Releasing November 13 (available individually)
* Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut (PS5, Xbox): Releasing December 8 (already available for Switch 2)
Sega is also releasing Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 later this fall. A special bundle containing both Kiwami 1 and 2 will be available for PlayStation and Xbox on December 8 for $60. Nintendo Switch 2 owners, however, can purchase Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 separately for $35 each. Furthermore, the critically acclaimed Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, previously a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, will launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X starting December 8.
**Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties**
This title is priced at $60 and is set to release on February 12, 2026.
Preorder Bonus: Unlock Ichiban Kasuga from the Like a Dragon games as a member of your motorcycle gang, the Ryukyu Gals.
Digital Deluxe Edition: Includes several extra cosmetic DLC items, such as gang outfits, a flip-phone customization pack, and additional in-game music.
PC Deals: For PC players, the standard edition is currently discounted to $52.79, and the Digital Deluxe Edition is available for $66 (originally $75).
Available for preorder on: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X, and PC.
As a remake of 2009’s Yakuza 3, Yakuza Kiwami 3 stands as the most ambitious Kiwami project yet. It not only delivers a significant visual upgrade but also expands the game’s narrative with fresh cutscenes, dialogue, and side-stories. Players will experience Kiryu wielding a new weapon-based combat style rooted in Okinawan martial arts. Furthermore, you can engage in a charming life-simulator minigame at Kiryu’s orphanage, Morning Glory, enjoying various outdoor activities.
The remake also features a new team battle mode where Kiryu’s motorcycle gang faces off against rival crews, and for the karaoke enthusiasts, expect new songs to belt out! However, the standout addition is ‘Dark Ties,’ an all-new prequel that delves into the origins of Yoshitaka Mine, a formidable adversary in the main game. This prequel is described as a gritty crime saga unfolding in Kamurocho, charting Mine’s ascent to power, and introduces a mission-based mode called ‘Kanda Damage Control’ and a survival mode set within an underground fight club.
**Yakuza Kiwami 1 & 2 Bundle for PS5 / Xbox Series X**
This bundle is priced at $60 and releases on December 8. Individual physical editions for Nintendo Switch 2 are available for $35 each.
Yakuza Kiwami (2016) is a full remake of the very first Yakuza game, retaining its original storyline while significantly enhancing visuals and gameplay. A major improvement was the combat system, revamped to mirror Yakuza 0, offering Kiryu four distinct fighting styles: Brawler, Beast, Rush, and Dragon. Instead of the imposing Mr. Shakedown from Yakuza 0, Kiwami introduces the ‘Majima Everywhere’ challenge, where Kiryu’s eccentric rival, Goro Majima, can appear anywhere to initiate fights or minigames like darts and bowling. Defeating him unlocks new abilities for Kiryu’s Dragon style. Technical enhancements include improved resolution, framerate, textures, and reduced loading times. The game also received additional substories and a superior Japanese dub. Notably, extra cutscenes enriched the story by providing crucial insight into Nishiki’s betrayal of Kiryu. Heat Actions also saw an expansion, offering even more spectacular finishing moves.
Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017) plunges ex-Yakuza Kiryu into a fierce gang war after the assassination of the Tojo clan’s Fifth Chairman. Central to the conflict is Ryuji Goda, the ‘Dragon of Kansai,’ determined to be the sole dragon in the Yakuza world. This remake also features a new scenario focused on Goro Majima, revealing his activities after leaving the Tojo clan to establish his construction company. Gameplay was significantly overhauled, aligning with Yakuza 0 and Kiwami, and the visual fidelity saw a massive boost, enhancing the visceral action.
**Yakuza Kiwami & Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Switch 2**
Both games are priced at $35 each and release on November 13.
Similar to Kiwami 3 and Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut on Switch 2, these are Game-Key Cards that necessitate a full digital download from the eShop upon initial insertion.
**Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut**
Priced at $50 (except for Switch 2, which is $37 and already available), this edition releases on December 8 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Yakuza 0, chronologically the first game in the series, stars both Kiryu Kazuma and Goro Majima. Widely regarded as the franchise’s pinnacle, its 2015 release redefined the series with a leaner, meaner, and more ambitious narrative set during Japan’s late ’80s financial boom.
The Director’s Cut introduces several new scenes, a brand-new English voiceover, and ‘Red Light Raid’ mode, a co-op battle series for earning quick cash with your fists. Beyond the thrilling main campaign, unmissable management sim side stories include Majima hosting a hostess club and Kiryu entering the dangerous world of real estate.
**More Yakuza Games**
Beyond these upcoming preorders, there’s a vast world of Yakuza adventures to explore. Each game offers an episodic narrative, and the series has evolved over the years with new protagonists and spin-offs. If you already own some Kiwami titles, you can acquire others individually. For a nostalgic journey, “The Yakuza Remastered Collection” bundles Yakuza 3, 4, and 5, offering substantially improved performance over the originals. While these are HD remasters, their core gameplay remains classic, which some players might find dated. However, this collection boasts a completely redone English localization, visual and audio updates for several characters, the reintroduction of content previously cut from Western releases, and the removal of certain problematic elements.
(Image: A screenshot of Yakuza 0 gameplay, featuring characters in a detailed urban environment.)
Another highly recommended entry is “Judgment” and its sequel, “Lost Judgment.” These games share mechanical similarities with the Yakuza titles and feature an episodic storyline but introduce a new protagonist and integrate investigative elements into the franchise. The Judgment series tackles more serious themes, exploring institutional corruption, Japan’s legal system, medical malpractice, murder, and high school suicides, all woven into compelling narratives.
In the modern era, the Yakuza games have transitioned into the “Like a Dragon” series, introducing a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. So far, “Yakuza: Like a Dragon” and “Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth” have been released. These titles mark a significant departure in gameplay, swapping the traditional beat-’em-up style for turn-based RPG combat. The recent spin-off, “Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,” released earlier this year, returns to the classic action-oriented gameplay that long-time fans will recognize.
Here are some other notable Yakuza and Like a Dragon titles available:
* Yakuza 0 (PS4): $25
* Yakuza Kiwami (PS4): $20
* Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS4): $25
* The Yakuza Remastered Collection (PS4): $23.19
* Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (PS4): $25.19
* Yakuza: Like a Dragon
* PS4: $37
* PS5: $31
* Xbox Series X: $17.40
* Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
* PS5: $28
* Xbox Series X: Price not listed
* Like a Dragon: Ishin (PS5): $30
* Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
* PS5: $36
* PS4: $40
* Xbox Series X: $40
* Collector’s Edition (Xbox Series X): $55
* Judgment
* PS5: $31.79
* PS4: $31
* Xbox Series X: $18.24
* Lost Judgment
* PS5: $25
* PS4: $18
* Xbox Series X: Price not listed