Fans of the Yakuza series received unexpected news during the August 2024 Nintendo Direct, where it was revealed that Yakuza Kiwami would be making its way to the Nintendo Switch.
However, the developers at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio shared unfortunate news for many Nintendo fans as they confirmed via their Japanese Twitter account that there will be no physical version of the game for the Switch, disappointing collectors and fans who prefer owning physical copies of their games.
Importance: Physical releases are rapidly declining in the gaming industry as more publishers are now shifting towards digital-only releases.
This move isn’t entirely unprecedented. Sega has previously opted for digital-only releases in certain regions, as seen with Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, which was distributed digitally in the West but received a physical release in other parts of the world.
However, the decision to forgo a physical release for Kiwami on the Switch still comes as a surprise, especially given Sega’s track record of providing physical options for their games.
While some fans may be disheartened by the lack of a physical edition, there’s a silver lining: Yakuza Kiwami will be priced at a budget-friendly $20 on the Switch’s digital storefront. This matches the game’s pricing on other platforms like Steam, making it an affordable entry point for newcomers and a worthwhile purchase for longtime fans looking to revisit the series on the go.
For those still holding out hope for a physical version, there is a possibility that companies like Limited Run Games could step in to fill the void. Known for creating physical editions of digital-only titles, Limited Run Games has previously offered physical versions of titles like Persona 4 Golden after its port to the Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
While nothing has been confirmed, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Yakuza Kiwami could receive similar treatment down the line.
As it stands, Yakuza Kiwami will be available exclusively as a digital download when it launches on the Nintendo Switch on October 24, 2024. Whether or not a physical version materializes in the future, the game’s arrival on the Switch marks an exciting new chapter for the Yakuza series and its fans.
Originally released in 2016 as a remake of the first game in the beloved Yakuza series, Kiwami has since seen ports to PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One. Its arrival on the Switch marks the first time the game will be available on a Nintendo platform—a development many fans had long hoped for but never truly expected.
Despite the excitement surrounding the announcement, the news that Yakuza Kiwami will be a digital-only release on the Switch may temper some of that enthusiasm.
Latest Updates:
