Yakuza Kiwami’s Success on Switch Signals the End of a Series Tradition

For a long time, the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series called PlayStation home. From the original Yakuza in 2005 up through Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, nearly every major game and spin-off in the franchise made its debut exclusively on Sony consoles. However, the landscape has shifted over the past few years. Starting in 2019, Sega ventured into a more inclusive approach by releasing Yakuza Kiwami—a once PS4-exclusive remake—onto Windows PCs. Before long, Sega had brought the entire Like a Dragon lineup that had been available on PS4 to both PC and Xbox One throughout 2020 and 2021.

Nowadays, fans can enjoy the Like a Dragon series across PlayStation and Xbox platforms as well as PCs at the same time. Unfortunately, Nintendo enthusiasts haven’t had much to celebrate in this regard. After Sega introduced Yakuza Kiwami to the Switch, no other titles in the series have followed, and future releases like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii seem to be bypassing the console altogether. While the journey to making the entire series accessible on the Switch is long, the success of Yakuza Kiwami’s Switch arrival might just persuade Sega to consider Nintendo for day-one releases moving forward.

Switching gears, it’s time Sega brings the Like a Dragon saga to Nintendo platforms right from the start. While it’s true that RGG Studios was initially hesitant to launch the series on the Switch, labeling it as “too kid-friendly,” the Nintendo Switch is a worldwide phenomenon, having sold over 146 million units by November 2024. This hesitancy seemed outdated when considering the slate of mature games thriving on the platform. In a 2022 interview, Masoyoshi Yokoyama, head of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, echoed this sentiment by indicating that the team saw the series as too mature for the Switch’s perceived younger audience.

Yet, with Yakuza Kiwami now on the Switch selling rapidly, we’ve clearly reached a turning point. Yokoyama has acknowledged the shifting perception of the Nintendo console, which signals a potential readiness for Like a Dragon games on the Switch platform.

Though we admire the Switch ports, Sega should go further. A fan poll by Sega asking about interest in more Like a Dragon games on the Switch suggests we might see additional titles make the leap. But if Sega truly wants to capitalize on the Switch’s market share, it needs to commit to simultaneous releases. Upcoming games like Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii should ideally debut on all platforms, including the Switch, without delay. The game might technically be able to run on the Switch when it releases on other platforms in February 2025, and if not, aiming for compatibility with new iterations like a hypothetical Switch 2 would be a wise strategy.

As action-adventure gaming evolves, the fascinating tale of the ex-yakuza turned pirate in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii showcases the need for cross-platform availability. Players will embark on a riveting journey alongside protagonist Goro Majima in a colorful, unrestrained version of the open seas—a perfect backdrop for Sega to explore simultaneous releases and ensure that game lovers everywhere can access these thrilling adventures.