Summary
- Yakuza Kiwami Switch port has received update 1.01, improving performance.
- The switch port has performed better than expected in terms of sales.
- The Yakuza series on could have a bright future on Nintendo systems.
The Nintendo Switch version of Yakuza Kiwami has released a new update, bringing the game to version 1.01 with some improvements to the port. Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the first game in Sega's long-running series. While Kiwami was first released in 2016 on PlayStation consoles, it was later brought to the Nintendo Switch eight years later, via a surprise announcement during the August 2024 Nintendo Direct. Yakuza Kiwami marks the first time that a Nintendo console has gotten a Yakuza game since the Japan-only HD collection package, Ryu ga Gotoku 1 & 2 HD for Wii U, back in 2013.
The Nintendo Switch port of Yakuza Kiwami has been doing pretty well, getting a very enthusiastic response from fans and performing better than Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku had expected in terms of sales. Series producer Masayoshi Yokoyama commented on how the port was apparently "selling like hotcakes," surpassing expectations internally at Sega. The Switch port of Yakuza Kiwami isn't without its flaws, as players have reported various performance hiccups, such as its lower resolution and an inconsistent frame rate. The first post-release patch for Yakuza Kiwami on Switch has improved some aspects of its performance.
New Survey Could Be Encouraging News for Yakuza Fans on Switch
A new survey from Sega is encouraging news for fans of the Yakuza games who are hoping the series will continue coming to the Nintendo Switch.
Version 1.01 of Yakuza Kiwami's Switch port was recently released, and Braden of Ryu News Ga Gotoku has shared a quick video of how the game was performing post-patch. This video gives a brief overview of Kiryu running through Kamurocho, confirming that Kiwami's performance has improved a lot. A lot of Kiwami's problems revolved around how the game's technical performance was chugging when running through the open city, which is one of the biggest parts of playing a Yakuza game.
Yakuza Kiwami Nintendo Switch Version 1.01 Reportedly Improves its Performance
The Ryu News Ga Gotoku account noted that they couldn't confirm if the Switch port is locked at 30 FPS, but states it's a huge improvement and can even confidently recommend the Switch version if the performance is this consistent. If the performance of Kiwami has improved a lot and is optimized for the hybrid console, then it's likely the Yakuza franchise could continue to have a bright future on Switch.
While the Yakuza Kiwami port has had a few issues with Nintendo's weaker hardware, the Switch successor console could potentially lead to more optimized ports. Rumors and leaks about the Nintendo Switch 2 have reportedly stated that it will be more powerful than the current console, so it could potentially support ports of bigger and more ambitious Like a Dragon games like Yakuza 0 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 81 /100 Critics Rec: 81%
- Released
- August 29, 2017
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ / Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Simulated Gambling, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Sega, Deep Silver
WHERE TO PLAY
Take the fall for a murder and emerge from prison 10 years later to yakuza clans on the brink of a war that hurtles you on an intense journey of love, humanity, and betrayal, fueled by your fists and unyielding resolve, set against a bustling red-light district in modern-day Japan.
Dynamically switch between 4 fighting styles (brutal "Brawler", speedy "Rush", overpowering "Beast", legendary "Dragon"), while utilizing makeshift weapons scattered around the streets to takedown hordes of enemies in realistic fights that are exhilarating and fun for anyone to pick up and play.
After breaking some faces, take a break from the main story to enjoy the immersive nightlife activities scattered throughout the city like karaoke, the casino, cabaret club, arcade, batting cages and more as you encounter colorful characters from all walks of life.
- Engine
- Dragon Engine
- Franchise
- Yakuza
- PC Release Date
- August 29, 2017
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- October 24, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 18 Hours
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
