Yakuza Kiwami Nintendo Switch 2 Review: The Dragon of Dojima's Legendary Debut Feels Right at Home

Kazuma Kiryu's fists have landed on Nintendo's newest console, and honestly? The Dragon of Dojima has never felt more at home on a handheld system. I've spent over 20 hours with Yakuza Kiwami on the Switch 2, and I'm genuinely surprised how well this decade-old remake translates to Nintendo's latest hardware.

Here's the thing: Yakuza Kiwami isn't just a game that technically runs on Switch 2. It's a game that actually feels right when you're playing it in bed, on your commute, or sitting on the couch. The performance holds steady, the story grabs you from the opening scene, and the combat feels snappy enough that you won't miss playing it on your PS5.

But there's more to this port than just "it runs fine." The Switch 2 version brings some genuine advantages over its home console counterparts, while also exposing a few quirks that remind you this is a game originally designed for 2015 hardware.

In this deep dive, I'm walking you through everything: the technical performance, the story and its pacing issues, the addictive combat system, the absolutely wild substories that make Yakuza what it is, and whether this is truly the definitive version of Kiwami. By the end, you'll know exactly whether this is worth your time and money.

Let's get into it.

TL; DR

• Performance is solid: Steady 60fps at 1080p makes this an excellent port that holds its own against PS4
• Story is compelling but has pacing dips: The main narrative hooks you hard, but expect some slower moments mid-game
• Combat is endlessly addictive: Simple mechanics that are easy to learn but surprisingly deep when you invest time
• Substories are the secret sauce: These bizarre, hilarious side missions are why people fall in love with Yakuza
• Portability is a genuine game-changer: Playing this on the go changes how you approach the experience, in the best way
• Majima system gets repetitive: The "Majima Everywhere" mechanic wears thin by hour 15, but it's not a dealbreaker

The Switch 2 version of Yakuza Kiwami offers a balanced experience with strong performance and portability, outperforming the original Switch version significantly. Estimated data.

What You Need to Know About Yakuza Kiwami's Story

If you've never touched a Yakuza game, Kiwami is the obvious entry point. It's a remake of the first game in the franchise, released back in 2006, and it tells the origin story of Kazuma Kiryu, a yakuza enforcer who gets absolutely destroyed by circumstances he doesn't deserve.

The setup is brutal and straightforward: Kiryu takes the fall for murdering his patriarch, Sohei Dojima. He spends ten years in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When he gets out, everything has gone wrong. The Tojo Clan is fracturing. His childhood friend Yumi has vanished without a trace. His sworn brother Nishiki has become a boss while Kiryu was away, and he's spiraling into obsession and paranoia. And somewhere in Tokyo, someone stole 10 billion yen from the clan, setting off a chain reaction that turns Kamurocho into a powder keg.

Kiryu doesn't want any of it. He wants to find Yumi. He wants to uncover the truth about the murder he took the fall for. But the yakuza world doesn't care what you want. It just keeps grinding forward, crushing everything in its path.

What makes Kiwami's story work is that it never forgets Kiryu is human. He's not a superhero. He's a man caught in a system that doesn't give second chances, fighting for the people he cares about while everyone around him betrays, lies, and manipulates. The emotional beats land hard when they come.

I won't spoil anything major, but expect some genuinely shocking moments. There's a particular twist in Chapter 2 that completely recontextualizes what you thought you knew. By the final chapters, the story hits you with questions about loyalty, honor, and whether redemption is even possible in a world like this.

The pacing does stumble in the middle sections, though. Chapter 4 drags in places where the narrative could have tightened up. And there's one entire substory chain that feels obligatory rather than organic to the plot. But these are minor complaints in a 30+ hour experience that's otherwise incredibly well-constructed.

Switch 2 excels in loading times and maintains high framerate stability, though visual quality is slightly lower compared to PS4. Estimated data based on narrative insights.

Performance and Technical Execution: How Well Does It Really Run?

Let's talk about what matters most for a portable system: does this thing actually hold together when the action gets intense?

Yakuza Kiwami runs at 60fps on Switch 2, which is genuinely impressive for a game that wasn't originally optimized for Nintendo hardware. In my testing, the framerate stayed locked during standard gameplay, exploration, and most combat scenarios. The game targets 1080p when docked, dropping to 720p in handheld mode, which is the standard compromise for Switch 2 ports.

What's really important here is consistency. I tested this game across 20+ hours of playtime, from early morning sessions to marathon evening runs. The framerate drops I experienced could be counted on one hand. There was the occasional stutter during one or two heat actions (those spectacular finishing moves), but nothing that disrupted gameplay flow.

Loading times are where this port really shines compared to the original PS4 release. Transitions between areas feel snappy. You're not waiting 15 seconds for Kamurocho to load. You're waiting maybe 3-4 seconds. For a game where you're constantly moving between the main street, side alleys, restaurants, and the Serena bar, this matters more than it sounds.

Here's where I need to be honest about the visuals: they're not going to blow you away. Yakuza Kiwami was released in 2017 as a remake of a 2006 game. The character models are showing their age. The draw distances are limited. The textures on buildings look muddy from far away. But the art direction carries it. The character animations are crisp and full of personality. The neon glow of Kamurocho at night actually looks pretty striking on the Switch 2's screen.

There's one notable visual glitch: a cutscene in Chapter 1 appears to be rendered at a much lower resolution than everything else. It's jarring when it happens, but it's a single scene in a 30+ hour game. Barely worth mentioning, but I'm being thorough.

The character animations deserve their own mention. Kiryu's walking animation changes based on context. His fighting stance shifts between different weapons and styles. NPCs actually react to your presence in realistic ways. It's the kind of attention to detail that makes an older game feel less dated.

Combat System: Why It Still Feels Fresh

Here's what I was worried about before playing Kiwami on Switch 2: would the combat feel clunky with Joy-Cons? Would button responsiveness suffer from the smaller controllers?

Nope. If anything, the combat feels more responsive on Switch 2 than I expected.

Kiwami's fighting system is intentionally simple on the surface. You've got light attacks, heavy attacks, throws, and block. That's the foundation. But the depth comes from stance switching. Kiryu can toggle between three fighting styles: Brawler (balanced damage and speed), Beast (slow but devastating power), and Dragon (fast combos with crowd control). Switching mid-combo is key to landing optimal damage and crowd control.

The combo system rewards experimentation. You can chain light attacks into heavy attacks, throw in a grab, switch stances, and create a flow state where you're moving between three completely different fighting approaches within seconds. Button inputs feel crisp on the Joy-Con layout, and the game gives you enough flexibility in how you allocate controls that everyone can find a setup that works.

Heat actions are these cinematic finishing moves that activate when your heat gauge fills up. A cop tries to arrest you? You can grab him, throw him into oncoming traffic, and create a chain reaction. An enemy pulls a weapon? You can disarm him and use it against the whole group. These aren't just flashy animations. They're tools for breaking up combat pacing and controlling crowds.

What surprised me most was how well the lock-on system works in handheld mode. You'd think targeting enemies would be clunky with Joy-Cons, but the game's generous lock-on radius and the ability to cycle between nearby enemies means you're not wrestling with the camera. You're focusing on combat strategy.

The difficulty scales nicely too. I played through most of Kiwami on Normal difficulty, and boss fights felt like actual challenges. There were moments where I had to back away, manage my heat gauge, find healing items, and rethink my approach. It's not Dark Souls level of difficulty, but it's not a cakewalk either. You need to engage with the game's systems.

One honest criticism: the game reuses enemy types constantly. By hour 15, you've fought every basic enemy type multiple times. The variety comes from quantity and encounter design rather than unique enemies. It's a limitation of the original game showing through.

Yakuza Kiwami on Switch 2 scores high in combat and overall experience, with performance and port advantages also rated well. Estimated data based on review content.

The Substories: Why Yakuza Games Are Actually Brilliant

Here's the secret ingredient that makes Yakuza special: the substories are genuinely excellent.

These are side missions that have nothing to do with the main plot. You're walking through Kamurocho, and you run into a street performer being hassled by drunk men. You help her out. Later, she's teaching dance at a nightclub, and she wants you to participate in a competition. You do, and there's a whole arc about her trying to make it as a performer.

Or you meet a struggling restaurant owner who can't pay his rent. You help him. Next time you see him, he's set up a food stand but needs customers. You bring friends. The story progresses naturally from there.

These aren't fetch quests. They're stories. Actual character arcs with emotional beats. The writing is sharp, often hilarious, and surprisingly touching. I found myself investing in NPCs I thought I'd interact with once.

But here's the thing: the best substories are the absolutely unhinged ones. Yakuza doesn't take itself seriously when it doesn't need to. You'll meet a fake fortune teller who's actually just scamming people. You'll participate in a mini-game show. You'll help a video game arcade owner try to beat a high score. You'll get pulled into a completely unnecessary fistfight because you bumped into someone while walking.

The pacing here is perfect. Just when the main story gets heavy and dark, you can step away and spend an hour doing something ridiculous. It prevents the narrative from becoming oppressive.

I ran into one substory where I had to help a guy find his lost baseball glove so he could propose to his girlfriend. Sounds corny, right? The writing is so good that by the end, I was genuinely rooting for this couple I'd never met before.

There are maybe 100+ substories in Kiwami depending on how you count them. Most are worth your time. A few feel padded. The Majima Everywhere system (which we'll discuss in detail later) adds randomness to encounters that eventually gets exhausting, but the core substory writing is strong throughout.

Majima Everywhere: A Feature That Overstays Its Welcome

Goro Majima is a character you'll meet very early in Kiwami's story. He's important to the plot. But the game decides to make him really important by creating the "Majima Everywhere" system.

Basically, Majima appears randomly throughout the game to challenge you to fights. He might pop out of a trash can. He might appear on a rooftop. He might be disguised as a waiter in a restaurant. The game wants you to fight him constantly.

The concept is funny at first. The creativity of encounters keeps it entertaining for the first 10 hours. But by hour 15, when Majima is interrupting every ten minutes of gameplay, it transitions from "fun surprise" to "please, just let me play the game."

Here's the problem: these encounters aren't skippable, and they can spawn in the middle of important story beats or when you're trying to accomplish something specific. You're walking to an important meeting, and suddenly you're locked into a fight. You've got limited resources and health, and you're forced to burn healing items on a random encounter.

The game does let you unlock items that reduce Majima encounter frequency, which is basically the developers admitting the feature gets annoying. That says something.

What's weird is that the encounters produce valuable gameplay benefits. Winning fights against Majima grants stat boosts and unlocks new moves. So there's a tension between the system being intrusive and the system being mechanically rewarding. You want the rewards, but you don't want the constant interruptions.

My recommendation: engage with Majima encounters when they happen naturally, but don't hunt them down deliberately. The game pushes you hard to farm these fights, but it's not necessary to complete the main story.

Kiwami's combat system on Switch 2 excels in responsiveness and lock-on system, providing a fresh and strategic fighting experience. Estimated data based on feature descriptions.

Kamurocho: The Real Star of the Show

Kamurocho is the setting of Yakuza Kiwami, and it's worth discussing as its own character.

It's a fictionalized version of the Kabukicho red-light district in Tokyo. In the game, it's rendered as a dense network of side streets, alleys, restaurants, bars, and shops. You start the game knowing Kamurocho intimately (you grew up here), but after ten years in prison, you're discovering it's changed.

What makes Kamurocho special is density of content. Every building is accessible. Almost every NPC you pass can be interacted with. There are over 50 locations you can visit, each with their own purpose. Some are story-critical. Others are optional but rewarding. Many exist just to make the world feel lived-in.

The architecture changes throughout the day and night. The mood shifts. At night, the neon signs glow brighter and the streets feel more dangerous. During the day, it feels more mundane but also more vulnerable. The lighting design makes Kamurocho feel like a character with its own personality.

Navigating Kamurocho is handled well on Switch 2. The map is functional (not the most stylish, but readable). Fast travel exists but isn't instant, which keeps distances meaningful. You'll learn the geography naturally through exploration rather than relying on the map.

There's also a real sense of progression as you unlock new areas and new NPCs. Early in the game, you can't access certain restaurants or stores. As the story progresses and your status in Kamurocho increases, doors literally open. This creates a satisfying sense of earning access to new content.

Minigames throughout Kamurocho provide breaks from combat and story. You can play darts, bowling, pool, pachinko, mahjong, and several others. These are genuinely good minigames, not throwaway distractions. I found myself spending hours on mahjong alone.

Progression Systems and Character Development

Kiwami uses two parallel progression systems: experience points and skill points.

Experience points come from fights, story missions, and some activities. You accumulate them and level up, which increases Kiryu's base health and stamina. It's straightforward.

Skill points are where the depth lives. Different weapon types grant skill points in their respective categories. Unarmed fighting, sword handling, firearm proficiency, and other categories have separate progression tracks. Each category unlocks new moves and stat bonuses as you level it up.

This creates incentive to engage with different combat styles. You can't just max out one category and ignore everything else. Well, you can, but you'll be missing half the arsenal.

Weapon durability exists but isn't punishing. Weapons break after extended use, but you can find replacements constantly. The game generates enough weapon variety that you're not stuck using the same tools throughout.

There's also a customization system for Kiryu's outfits and accessories. Some are purely cosmetic. Others provide stat bonuses. It's light compared to modern RPGs, but it gives you something to work toward.

Character development isn't just mechanical. The story shows Kiryu's mental state evolving. His animations change. His dialogue shifts. The game respects player investment by making progression feel meaningful.

Estimated data shows player frustration increases significantly around hour 15 due to frequent Majima encounters, suggesting the feature may overstay its welcome.

Story Pacing: Where Kiwami Stumbles

I mentioned earlier that Kiwami has pacing issues, and I want to dig deeper because this is genuine criticism.

The story structure follows a five-act format with a prologue. Acts 1 and 2 are phenomenal. You're hooked immediately. The twists hit hard. You're desperate to know what happens next.

Act 3 is where things slow down. The narrative shifts focus to internal Tojo Clan politics. These scenes are important for world-building, but they're heavy on exposition. You're sitting through long conversation sequences where characters explain yakuza hierarchies, power dynamics, and territorial disputes. It's fascinating if you're invested in the world, but it can feel like a slog.

Act 4 picks up momentum again, but there's another pacing dip where the game asks you to repeatedly visit the same locations to uncover clues. It's functional from a narrative perspective, but repetitive from a gameplay perspective.

Act 5 goes all-in on the climax, and it sticks the landing. The final chapters are worth the journey.

The issue isn't that these slower sections are bad. It's that they contrast sharply with the explosive action and emotional beats elsewhere. A smoother pacing would maintain momentum better.

On the Switch 2, this becomes slightly more apparent because you're playing in shorter sessions. When you sit down for an hour and most of it is exposition, it feels longer than it would in a 4-hour session on a home console.

Accessibility Options: How Player-Friendly Is This Port?

Kiwami includes a solid suite of accessibility options.

You can adjust difficulty independently for combat and story. Want an easy story experience with hard fights? You can do that. Want to breeeze through combat while watching the story unfold? Also possible. This flexibility is genuinely appreciated.

Text options include adjustable font size, color options for colorblind players, and substantial subtitle support. The voice acting is primarily in Japanese with English subtitles, but you can switch to English dub if preferred.

The game includes vibration options and the ability to remap controls. Button mapping isn't as deep as some other ports, but everything essential can be rearranged.

What's missing is motion control support, but honestly, Kiwami doesn't need it. The game works great with traditional controls.

One genuinely nice feature: data transfer from Switch to Switch 2. If you were playing Kiwami on the original Switch and wanted to continue on Switch 2, you can transfer your save file directly. It's a small thing, but it matters for long-form games.

Visuals and Atmosphere: Holding Up Better Than Expected

Part of me expected Yakuza Kiwami to look dated on Switch 2. After all, it was originally released in 2017 as a remake of a 2006 game.

But the visual presentation holds up surprisingly well, and I think there are two reasons: art direction and atmosphere.

The character designs are exaggerated and stylized rather than realistic, which means they age better than more grounded character models. Kiryu looks like Kiryu. The character silhouettes are distinctive enough that you recognize everyone immediately.

The color palette is strategic too. Kamurocho uses deep reds, neon blues, and golden yellows throughout. The night scenes especially benefit from this contrast. When you're walking through Kamurocho at night, the neon reflections on wet streets and the character shadows create a genuine sense of atmosphere.

Cutscenes are where the age shows most. Some pre-rendered scenes look noticeably lower resolution. But the majority of in-game cinematics hold up fine, especially on a Switch 2 screen where imperfections aren't magnified.

Environmental detail is where the Switch 2 makes a noticeable difference. The ability to load Kamurocho without long loading screens means you're seeing the world consistently. No pop-in breaks immersion. No long fade-to-black transitions between areas.

Sound design is excellent. The soundtrack switches between calm ambient music for exploration and heavy rock/synth during fights. The sound effects are punchy. Impacts feel weighty. Dialogue delivery (even in subtitled Japanese) conveys emotion effectively.

How This Compares to Other Yakuza Ports

Yakuza Kiwami has been ported to basically every platform. So where does the Switch 2 version rank?

Vs. PS4/PS5 versions: The Switch 2 version runs at 60fps just like PS4, with similar visual fidelity. The PS5 version has a 60fps performance mode and a fidelity mode that upgrades resolution. For most players, Switch 2 is the superior experience due to portability, even if raw graphics are slightly lower.

Vs. original Nintendo Switch version: This is where the Switch 2 version dominates. The original Switch port had to compromise heavily on resolution and sometimes struggled with frame rate stability. Switch 2 is genuinely better in every technical respect.

Vs. Xbox versions: Functionally identical to PS4/PS5 versions, so same as PS4 comparison above.

Vs. PC version: If you have a powerful gaming PC, you can run Kiwami at much higher fidelity and resolution. But you lose portability, which is the whole point of Switch 2.

The Switch 2 version is probably the best compromise between performance, visuals, and convenience. You're not getting the absolute best technical experience, but you're getting an excellent version you can take anywhere.

Is the Switch 2 Version Worth Buying?

This is the question that matters.

If you own a PS4, PS5, or Xbox, the Switch 2 version is worth buying specifically for portability. Being able to play a 30+ hour story-driven game in bed or on your commute is genuinely game-changing for how much time you'll invest.

If you played the original Switch version and want the better port, absolutely upgrade. The technical improvements are noticeable enough that it's worth revisiting.

If you've never played Yakuza before, this is the best entry point. It's a complete story. It's not a sequel. The Switch 2 version is the most convenient way to experience it.

The only reason not to buy this is if you're deeply bothered by the visual compromises compared to PS5 or if you absolutely refuse to play games in handheld form. Neither is likely.

Final verdict: The Switch 2 version of Yakuza Kiwami is an excellent port that justifies another playthrough even if you've experienced this story before. The story is compelling, the combat is satisfying, and the substories are genuinely brilliant. The Majima Everywhere system overstays its welcome, and there are some pacing dips mid-game, but these are minor issues in an otherwise excellent experience.

Kazuma Kiryu's debut on Switch 2 absolutely deserves your time.

Getting the Most Out of Your Playthrough

Here are strategies that will enhance your Yakuza Kiwami experience:

Don't rush the main story. The substories provide context and character development that make the main narrative hits harder. You're not on a timer. Spend time exploring.

Engage with minigames early. The sooner you unlock minigames, the sooner you can farm money and skill points. Mahjong and bowling are particularly profitable.

Buy equipment strategically. You don't need the most expensive gear. Mid-tier weapons are often more cost-efficient. Save money for healing items instead.

Use Heat Actions liberally. Don't save your heat gauge for boss fights. Use it whenever it's available to end encounters faster. You'll build it back quickly.

Explore every area. Kamurocho hides rewards everywhere. Secret shops, hidden substories, and rare encounters are tucked away. Thorough exploration pays off.

Don't farm Majima endlessly. The game tempts you to hunt Majima for stat gains, but you get enough stat progression from the main game. Farm when you want, not because you feel obligated.

FAQ

How long is Yakuza Kiwami on Switch 2?

The main story takes approximately 15-20 hours depending on difficulty and how much you engage with optional content. If you're completing most substories and playing through all minigames, you're looking at 30-40+ hours. The game respects your time investment either way.

Do I need to play other Yakuza games before Kiwami?

Absolutely not. Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the first game ever released in the series. It's specifically designed as an entry point. The story is complete and requires zero prior knowledge. If you enjoy Kiwami, you can continue with Yakuza 0 or Yakuza 2 next.

Is the story good if I already know the ending?

Yes, because Yakuza's story quality isn't about shock twists. It's about character development and emotional beats. Even knowing major plot points, the journey of watching Kiryu navigate his circumstances is engaging. Plus, if you haven't played this version, the enhanced graphics and controls will refresh the experience.

Can I play this purely for the combat?

You can, but you'd be missing the best part of the game. The story and substories are legitimately excellent. That said, combat is engaging enough to hold your attention if you're skipping cutscenes. It's not recommended though.

How does the Switch 2 version compare to PS5?

The Switch 2 version runs at 60fps and 1080p docked, with visual fidelity comparable to PS4. The PS5 version has higher resolution and better lighting. However, the gameplay experience is functionally identical, and portability might offset the visual difference depending on your priorities.

Is there any DLC or additional content I should know about?

Kiwami includes all previously released DLC by default. There's no need to buy additional content. Some cosmetics are available for free, and others require purchase, but they're purely cosmetic and don't affect gameplay.

Should I play on handheld mode or docked?

Both work great. Handheld mode is perfect for substories and exploration. Docked mode with a larger screen benefits during story scenes and boss fights. The game is designed to work in both, so play however feels comfortable to you.

What's the deal with the Majima Everywhere system?

It's a mechanic that makes Goro Majima appear throughout the game to challenge you. It's fun early on but becomes intrusive around hour 15. You can reduce encounter frequency by purchasing items, which the game basically admits is a solution to the system's repetitiveness.

Can I 100% complete Kiwami without grinding?

Mostly yes. You can complete all main and substories, unlock most moves, and achieve a satisfying completion without excessive grinding. Some completionists hunt for rare items, but that's optional. The game doesn't force grinding on you.

Final Thoughts: Why Yakuza Kiwami Still Matters

Yakuza Kiwami released in 2017, but it's a remake of a 2006 game. That makes this story nearly 20 years old at this point. And yet, it holds up.

Part of that is technical competence. The Switch 2 port is solid enough that you're not fighting with performance or controls. That matters.

But the real reason Kiwami endures is that the writing, character development, and world-building transcend the age of the source material. Kazuma Kiryu is a compelling protagonist because his struggles feel genuine. The yakuza underworld isn't just spectacle. It's a setting with real stakes and consequences.

The Switch 2 version proves that great game design is timeless. You don't need cutting-edge graphics or revolutionary mechanics. You need a story worth telling, characters worth caring about, and systems that respect the player's time.

Kazuma Kiryu's debut on Switch 2 delivers all of that. Whether you're a longtime Yakuza fan or someone discovering the series for the first time, this is worth your money and your time. The Dragon of Dojima absolutely smashes onto Nintendo's latest console.

Key Takeaways

• Yakuza Kiwami runs at steady 60fps with 1080p resolution on Switch 2, delivering excellent technical performance that rivals PS4 version
• Story is compelling but has pacing dips mid-game in Act 3; the emotional narrative payoff in later chapters justifies pushing through slower sections
• Combat system remains engaging with stance-switching mechanics and Heat Actions, with Joy-Con responsiveness proving better than expected
• Substories are the secret ingredient that makes Yakuza special, offering self-contained narrative arcs that often outshine the main plot
• Majima Everywhere system overstays its welcome by hour 15, but accessible encounter reduction items provide relief for frustrated players
• Portability is the Switch 2 version's killer feature, transforming how players engage with a 30+ hour story experience
• Multiple progression systems and minigames reward exploration and provide gameplay variety beyond combat encounters

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