Who knew Sega that, almost 20 years after its release, the Yakuza Like a Dragon saga would enjoy the global success it didn’t have when it was released for PS2. Proof of this is that only 5 months have passed since the release of Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut for Nintendo Switch 2, and we already have Yakuza Kiwami 1 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 for the new hybrid.
As we will see in this analysis of Yakuza Kiwami 1 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 (also released for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S) This is an analysis of the remakes of the first two PS2 games updated for PS4, which now also have some new features, such as subtitles in Spanish.
Since it is a new reissue with technical improvements and some changesI’m not going to go into too much detail about its story or its playable features, as we’ve already talked about it in their respective reviews and there are no major changes. If you want to know more, feel free to read the Yakuza Kiwami 2017 review and the Yakuza Kiwami 2 2018 review, because they are the “same” games.
In other words, in this analysis of Yakuza Kiwami 1 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Switch I will focus more on the technical aspects than on the content, the gameplay or all the secondary tasks that you can perform (playing classic Sega arcade games, Karaoke, Black Jack… and many more) and which, like many other things, have not changed in these new remasters.
In other words, it will be an analysis more in line with what we did with Zelda Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom in their Switch 2 Edition version, instead of a scratch analysis. And in fact, I’m going to cover both games separately… Ready?
Yakuza Kiwami grows on Nintendo Switch 2
For those who don’t remember, Yakuza Kiwami was released in 2024 for the first Nintendo Switch, and despite Sega’s efforts to leave a notable port, the truth is that it was released with performance problems, which were partially resolved with a later update.
The good news is that, If you own this version of Yakuza Kiwami, you can upgrade to the Switch 2 version by purchasing the upgrade pack… although, to this day, Sega has not yet confirmed the price (it is rumored that it could be 9.99 euros… although there are also enhancement packages for 4.99 euros).
For this analysis of Yakuza Kiwami that I played with the Nintendo Switch 2 version which, among other new features, includes the option to import the saved game from the Switch version, to continue where we left off. Of course it’s a one-way trip, as games imported or created on the Switch 2 are not compatible with the version of the game on the first Switch.
The improvements when playing on the Nintendo Switch 2 are evident and as it runs on the same graphics engine as Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, the technical performance is identical: playing On the laptop it moves at a constant 1080p and 60 fps, while when playing on a dock the resolution goes up to 4K maintaining the same frame rate.
It’s a better performance than that seen in the PS4 version, which is noticeable in an increase in resolution and detailwhich makes the game look very good, whether playing in portable mode or with the console docked, and with a fluidity and stability that is on the same level as what was seen in Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut.
In the hours I played, I didn’t encounter any serious problems and, although performance may be slightly less stable when playing on a dockwith very specific and erratic drops at times when the action or environments are busiest, although there does not seem to be a fixed pattern and they happen irregularly.
As I said, everything looks very good, and it almost manages to hide the fact that it is a remaster of a game that is already 8 years old and that runs on an already abandoned engine. And I say “almost”, because you notice details, blurred backgrounds and things like that, which reveal its origin. It’s great, especially when playing on a laptop, where exploring the streets of Kamurocho is a real joy.
Perhaps the big news is that For the first time, Yakuza Kiwami includes all its texts in Spanishsomething that didn’t happen with the original releases. It is a quality translation, with very beautiful expressions, in which I did not find any serious flaws. And when it comes to voice acting, it only comes with a Japanese audio track, which helps you get more into the setting.
In other words, Yakuza Kiwami is another quality port for Nintendo Switch 2. In addition to the technical improvements or the new translation, it can only be criticized for not adding any new content like Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut… Otherwise, it is one of the best installments and versions, if not the best, to enter Sega’s mafia saga (especially if English is not your thing).
Yakuza Kiwami 2, or how to drag problems from other versions
The arrival of Yakuza Kiwami 2 in 2018 brought an important change under its wing: the Dragon Engine graphics engine, which represented a significant visual improvement compared to the first Kiwami for PS4, in aspects such as the models (faces, clothes…) or the level of detail in the most ornate environments. The price to pay was a more “fair” performance, with some compromises.
The remaster of Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 carries over the problems we saw in the PS4 versionand add some of your own. But let’s start with the good… Whether in portable mode or playing with the console docked, the truth is that Yakuza Kiwami 2 looks much better than Yakuza Kiwami 1.
The level of detail is much greater, The streets of Sotenbori, a fictional version of Dotonbori in Osaka, are more populated with people, the effects such as smoke are superior… in general everything has more details and is ornate. And that’s not to mention the video scenes with the game engine, where the protagonists exude details from all sides. And it’s not an exaggeration.
The problem is that Yakuza Kiwami 2 performance on Switch 2 is once again stuck at 30fpswhich is undoubtedly a small setback, especially after experiencing Kiwami 1 and Zero Director’s Cut. I don’t know if it’s really due to the technical limitations of the Switch 2 or rather some laziness on Sega’s part (if they used the PS4 game as a base), but it’s true that it runs at 30 fps.
In portable mode it may be more bearable, and its performance more consistent, but when playing in TV mode, the truth is that the backfires are much more evident. Just quickly rotate the camera to see if the game isn’t as loose as it should be. Backfires are very common when exploring the world and moving the cameramore than in combat, which makes the experience a little ugly.
And although there are no dedicated options in the settings for this purpose, it appears that Kiwami 2 uses some kind of dynamic resolution scaling via DLSS, or similar, as sometimes the image is a little blurrier depending on how much is on the screen.
They also strange some effects, such as reflections (in the river in the Osaka commercial area, for example), where low-resolution reflections appear as soon as they are cut or disappear. These are inconsequential details for the playable experience, but they affect the final result.
I don’t know if these problems will be present on PS5 and Xbox Series
As with the first game in the series Yakuza Kiwami 2 for Switch 2 also includes a careful Spanish translation for the first timeand it is a real delight to be able to read in our language the hilarious dialogues with some secondary characters, which were brilliantly translated.
Like the first game, it also includes some interesting options, such as a “replay” mode to review the story scenes that we unlock in each chapter or a 2-player mode for the two versions of Virtua Fighter 5 that it includes, in case you want to play with a friend.
Price and editions of Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 for Nintendo Switch 2
The remasters of these Sega classics are available in digital and physical format, with different options and editions. If we opt for the digital format, it is possible to find Yakuza Kiwami Pack 1 and 2, a package with both gamesfor 49.99 euros (you get the game for 25 euros). It is the most economical pack, as buying them separately costs 29.99 euros each set.
Of course, remember that if you already own the first Kiwami for Switch, Sega itself has announced that it will be able to update it, although the truth is that the option is not yet on the Nintendo eShop, nor is the price known.
Finally, there are the physical editions: each game costs 29.99 euros, just like the digital version. Like previous Sega releases, they come on a new Key Card or Game Key Card and there is no bundle with both games.
Lastly, there is also a 20th Anniversary Edition, although only for PS5, which includes Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 for 69.99 euroswhich is exclusive to GAME, is currently sold out.
Hobby Consoles’ opinion on Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 for Nintendo Switch 2
It doesn’t matter when you read this and for which platform: all the installments of Yakuza and Like a Dragon make up one of the best adventure sagas on the console, and their arrival on a new platform, where more people can enjoy it, is always good news.
And even more so if you do it with improvements, such as a careful translation or a technical redesigneven if it is light, as is the case here. Yes, the increase in resolution and detail is noticeable compared to the PS4, but it is no less true that perhaps Sega could have done something more, especially with Yakuza Kiwami 2.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a detractor of games that move at 30 fps, and the proof is in reviews like Star Wars Outlaws or Split Fiction in the Nintendo Switch 2 version, but here we are talking about a game that is almost 8 years old, with performance that can be improved by playing docked (on a laptop it sings less). Kiwami 2 lacks 60 fps and stable performance, the truth is.
And not only that. Sega’s opacity with the game’s improvement options (one day after launch we still don’t know the price of the improvement package, or having to go through checkout again with the PS5 and Xbox Series
In response to the request, it wouldn’t hurt to add some new content or something that would justify checking it out again, especially for those who already know the saga. As for the rest, for 50 euros, you can take two great adventures full of content that will open the doors to one of Sega’s most fascinating universes. Word of… Yakuza.
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