The Nintendo Switch version of Yakuza Kiwami is off to a strong start, according to Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio head Masayoshi Yokoyama.
Kiwimi is a remake of the firstYakuzagame, which was originally released forPS2in 2005.
The remake was released forPS3andPS4in 2016, before making its way toPCin 2019,Xbox Onein 2020,AmazonLuna in 2022, and finallySwitchlast week.
“So, it looks like Kiwami is selling like crazy,” Yokoyama claimed in a videointerviewpublished on the franchise’s official YouTube channel, which was translated by VGC. “I’m really glad. You know, the company’s executives had been making sales predictions, but I was way off. I guess I looked at it too conservatively.”
“The whole thing has been really exciting,” Yokoyama added. “But yeah, this is great. It’s been 20 years since we made the first Yakuza game. And now, even though it’s been rebranded as Kiwami, we already released Kiwami a while ago, right? I thought it had been out for quite some time and that people all over the world had experienced it already.
“This time, though, with the drama on Amazon Prime and other factors coming together, it’s finally arrived on the Switch. Though, technically, it’s just a port. And it’s only available as a digital download. But still, the fact that people are willing to play it again makes me really happy as a game developer.
“Remakes are tough to pull off,” he continued. “Selling the same game a second time isn’t easy. So I’m just really relieved. I feel great about it. I think a lot of people are going to enjoy it on the Switch. I even downloaded it myself! Being able to carry it around is really nice.”
Amazon Prime Video’slive-action adaptation of Yakuza premiered last week. The first three episodes of Like a Dragon: Yakuza are available now, with the final three set to be released on October 31.
Segarecently brought forward thePirate Yakuza in Hawaii release dateby one week to July 17, 2025.
