Yakuza Kiwami’s Switch Success Proves It’s Time for a Series Habit to End

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As a long-time fan of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I look back on the journey this franchise has taken. From its humble beginnings on the PlayStation 2 to its current multiplatform dominance, it’s been a rollercoaster ride filled with gripping stories, memorable characters, and countless hours of gameplay.

For most of its history, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series has primarily been available only on PlayStation consoles. The main games and spin-offs from Yakuza (2005) to Yakuza 6: The Song of Life initially launched on Sony systems. However, in the past five years or so, the publisher of the franchise, Sega, has chosen to make it more accessible across multiple platforms. In 2019, Sega released Yakuza Kiwami, a game originally exclusive to PS4, for Windows PCs. Since then, they’ve moved every Like a Dragon game available on the PS4 to both PC and Xbox One throughout 2020 and 2021.

Currently, the “Like a Dragon” series is available for play on multiple platforms including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Unfortunately, Nintendo enthusiasts haven’t been able to participate in the fun, for the most part. Although Sega has ported “Yakuza Kiwami” to the Switch, there are no other games from the “Like a Dragon” series available on this platform at present. Games like “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” are not being released on the Switch. As of now, the “Like a Dragon” series has some distance to go before it can be played fully on the Nintendo system. However, the popularity of the “Yakuza Kiwami” port on the Switch might inspire Sega to bring the franchise to future Nintendo consoles from the start.

It’s Time for Sega to Bring Like a Dragon Games to Nintendo Platforms on Day-One

RGG Studios Didn’t Want to Bring Like a Dragon to Switch Because It Thought The Console Was Too Kid-Friendly

The Nintendo Switch, undeniably one of the most triumphant gaming consoles ever made, has sold more than 146 million units up until November 2024. One might expect, given its widespread popularity, that Sega would have launched multiple “Like a Dragon” games on the Switch by now. However, this isn’t the case. In 2022, Masoyoshi Yokoyama, head of the developer studio behind “Like a Dragon”, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, offered some insight into the situation. He stated that RGG was reluctant to release their games on the Switch due to their perception of it as a console primarily for children. Yokoyama also mentioned that the team at RGG saw themselves as individuals from the night world and felt that the “Like a Dragon” series, with its mature themes, would not resonate with the younger audience on the Switch.

Given the abundance of games suitable for adults and mature players on the Switch, some earlier statements may have appeared strange. However, Yokoyama did acknowledge that the public’s perception of the Nintendo hybrid console was shifting and hinted that one day the company might introduce the Like a Dragon series to the platform. With Yakuza Kiwami now available on the Switch, it seems his prediction has come true. In fact, as confirmed by Masoyoshi Yokoyama himself, sales of the game have been brisk, suggesting that his initial belief about the Like a Dragon series being too mature for Nintendo consoles may have been incorrect.

More Like a Dragon Switch Ports are Nice, But Sega Should Take Things a Step Further

Following the launch of Yakuza Kiwami on Switch, Sega inquired via their website whether fans desired additional Like a Dragon series games for the Nintendo console. Given this, it appears probable that more RGG Studios’ titles are destined for the Switch. Whilst it would be delightful if classic games like Yakuza 0, Yakuzi Kiwami 2, and other Like a Dragon entries were also ported to Switch, sequential releases might not maximize Sega’s potential on Nintendo’s platform. To fully capitalize on the console, Sega should consider embracing simultaneous releases instead.

It would be ideal if Sega could strive to launch games like “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii” and future “Like a Dragon” titles simultaneously on the Nintendo Switch, alongside their release on other platforms. Given that “Pirate Yakuza” will be available on PS4 and Xbox One in February 2025, there’s a possibility it might run on the Switch with some ingenious technical work. If not, Sega and RGG Studio should endeavor to release more “Like a Dragon” games on the Switch as frequently as they do for PlayStation and Xbox consoles, once the Nintendo Switch 2 becomes available.

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2024-11-28 16:24