The Yakuza series has garnered a passionate fanbase over the years, thanks to its gripping narratives, quirky sidequests, and memorable characters. Despite its widespread popularity across Xbox and PlayStation platforms, one notable absence has been the Nintendo ecosystem. That’s about to change—Nintendo has finally announced that Yakuza Kiwami, the remake of the original 2005 classic, is coming to the Nintendo Switch.

A Brief History of Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami is a faithful remake of the original Yakuza game that first launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. Set in the vibrant and dangerous district of Kamurocho, the game follows the story of Kazuma Kiryu, a yakuza member embroiled in a tale of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. Developed by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and published by Sega, Kiwami was initially released on PlayStation 3 and 4 in 2016, followed by a PC release in 2019 and an Xbox release in 2020. Now, eight years after its initial remake release, Yakuza Kiwami is finally arriving on the Nintendo Switch.

Why Now? The Timing of Yakuza Kiwami’s Switch Release

The decision to bring Yakuza Kiwami to the Switch has been long-awaited by fans. While the Yakuza series has seen releases on almost every other major platform, its absence from Nintendo has always been a curious gap. With the game’s arrival on the Switch set for October 24, 2024, it coincides neatly with the release of the Like a Dragon: Yakuza Amazon series, which premieres just a day later on October 25. This timing suggests a strategic move by Sega and Nintendo to capitalize on the growing interest in the franchise across different media.

What About the Rest of the Series?

Interestingly, Kiwami seems to be the only Yakuza title making its way to the Nintendo platform for now. With over 20 titles in the series, including numerous spin-offs and extended editions, the omission of additional games from this porting effort is somewhat surprising. Given the success of the series on other platforms, one might expect more Yakuza titles to follow, but for now, Kiwami stands alone as the franchise’s representative on the Switch.

Final Thoughts

The arrival of Yakuza Kiwami on the Nintendo Switch marks a significant milestone for the series, opening the doors for a new audience to experience Kazuma Kiryu’s story. With its deep narrative, engaging combat, and richly detailed world, Kiwami is poised to become a standout title on the Switch. Whether this release will lead to more Yakuza games on the platform remains to be seen, but for now, fans can look forward to immersing themselves in Kamurocho on October 24, 2024.

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