A Popular Yakuza Game is Being Delisted Soon

The release of Yakuza Kiwami 3 will be a bit different for fans, as an older game in the series is being removed from sale. Sega and RGG Studio have a history of updating their classic Yakuza games for newer consoles, both through simple remasters and complete remakes. The Yakuza Kiwami series has already seen several of the original games rebuilt, and now the team is preparing to launch the latest remake, Yakuza Kiwami 3.

RGG Studio announced a remake of Yakuza 3 coming in September 2025, marking the return of the Kiwami series after a seven-year hiatus. This new version, Yakuza Kiwami 3, will offer significant improvements over the original, including added story scenes and plenty of extra things to do. It will also include a brand-new side story called Dark Ties, which focuses on Yoshitaka Mine, a key villain from Yakuza 3. However, the release also means that an older game in the Yakuza series will have some notable changes or issues.

Yakuza Kiwami 3’s Release Will See An Older Yakuza Game Delisted

RGG Studio announced that when Yakuza Kiwami 3 launches, Yakuza 3 Remastered will no longer be sold as a standalone game. Players will only be able to get it as part of the complete Yakuza series bundle. However, those who already own Yakuza 3 Remastered will still be able to play it.

The removal of Yakuza 3 Remastered from sale has upset many fans. A major point of contention is that the Yakuza Complete Series on Steam isn’t a true bundle – it’s sold as individual games, meaning owning some titles doesn’t lower the price of others. This delisting has also resurfaced existing complaints about the Yakuza Kiwami 3 English voice acting and changes made to the game’s environments. Some fans have even joked that it might be cheaper to buy a PlayStation 3 and the original Yakuza 3 instead.

Yakuza Has Grown Into One of Sega’s Pillars

The Yakuza series is currently facing some controversy, but it’s also become incredibly popular, with recent games achieving great success. It’s now one of Sega’s most important franchises, especially since the series was refreshed with Yakuza: Like a Dragon in 2020. New Yakuza games are frequently recognized with award nominations; the latest main installment, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, was nominated for both “Best Narrative” and “Best Role-Playing Game” at the 2024 Game Awards. Beyond the main series, the franchise has also explored different directions with spin-offs like a remake of Like a Dragon: Ishin and the Majima-focused Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.

The Yakuza series remains a key part of Sega’s lineup, and the company has been actively promoting it. Recently, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds included a Yakuza collaboration, letting players race as Ichiban Kasuga in a special vehicle. Several Yakuza games are also available on the Nintendo Switch, including Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2, as well as Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut. The upcoming releases of Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Like a Dragon: Dark Ties promise to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers.

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2026-01-19 05:04