SEGA’s highly-anticipated "Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties" is officially coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 with a global release date of February 12, 2026.
Building on the legacy of the critically acclaimed Yakuza series, this new title delivers both a remastered classic and a fresh narrative expansion, further cementing SEGA’s commitment to engaging Nintendo audiences with its signature narrative-driven action games. A showcase broadcast, the Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Direct, offered fans an in-depth look at the game’s new features, upgraded visuals, and expanded content designed specifically for the hardware capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2.
The presentation placed a spotlight on the addition of new modes, immersive side stories, and robust character-driven gameplay, as well as enhancements that make full use of the next-gen platform. Yakuza Kiwami 3, the core title, invites players back to the dynamic streets of Okinawa and Tokyo.
Leveraging the Switch 2’s advanced hardware, environments and combat sequences have been overhauled to provide heightened realism and smoother action.
Enhanced cutscenes and additional story beats enrich the emotional depth and complexity that Yakuza is celebrated for.
According to SEGA’s presentation, players can expect to explore new side activities and sub-stories that immerse them in the series’ bittersweet blend of drama and humor. "Dark Ties," a major expansion bundled with the release, brings a new dimension to the franchise.
This standalone experience tells the story of Yoshitaka Mine, tracing his fall from a promising entrepreneur to a formidable figure within the yakuza underworld.
As players guide Mine through his quest for redemption, they will encounter a dramatic boxing-inspired combat system and a host of side activities.
This expansion promises meaningful character development and a fresh perspective on the established Yakuza universe. Among the most notable reveals from the recent Direct broadcast are two innovative gameplay features.
First, "Bad Boy Dragon" mode in Kiwami 3 follows Kazuma Kiryu as he teams up with the Haisai Girls, a biker gang dedicated to keeping Okinawa’s streets safe.
Players can participate in gang battles, take on large-scale Rumble encounters, or assault enemy strongholds on motorcycle.
The Haisai Girls themselves are fully customizable, allowing for deep personalization and engaging role-play. Meanwhile, in the Dark Ties expansion, players can enter "Hell’s Arena," an underground fighting club where Yoshitaka Mine faces brutal combat to defend the interests of the Nishikiyama Family.
This mode offers both classic one-on-one matches and Survival Hell, a challenging gauntlet where participants must outlast relentless waves of adversaries in a dungeon setting. With its February 2026 release on the Nintendo Switch 2, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties continues SEGA’s tradition of delivering robust narrative action experiences to a growing global audience.
Whether returning to iconic streets with Kiryu or exploring Mine’s saga in Dark Ties, fans can look forward to a wealth of fresh content and gameplay innovations optimized for Nintendo’s latest hardware.
Stay tuned for further updates as the launch approaches.
Building on the legacy of the critically acclaimed Yakuza series, this new title delivers both a remastered classic and a fresh narrative expansion, further cementing SEGA’s commitment to engaging Nintendo audiences with its signature narrative-driven action games. A showcase broadcast, the Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Direct, offered fans an in-depth look at the game’s new features, upgraded visuals, and expanded content designed specifically for the hardware capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2.
The presentation placed a spotlight on the addition of new modes, immersive side stories, and robust character-driven gameplay, as well as enhancements that make full use of the next-gen platform. Yakuza Kiwami 3, the core title, invites players back to the dynamic streets of Okinawa and Tokyo.
Leveraging the Switch 2’s advanced hardware, environments and combat sequences have been overhauled to provide heightened realism and smoother action.
Enhanced cutscenes and additional story beats enrich the emotional depth and complexity that Yakuza is celebrated for.
According to SEGA’s presentation, players can expect to explore new side activities and sub-stories that immerse them in the series’ bittersweet blend of drama and humor. "Dark Ties," a major expansion bundled with the release, brings a new dimension to the franchise.
This standalone experience tells the story of Yoshitaka Mine, tracing his fall from a promising entrepreneur to a formidable figure within the yakuza underworld.
As players guide Mine through his quest for redemption, they will encounter a dramatic boxing-inspired combat system and a host of side activities.
This expansion promises meaningful character development and a fresh perspective on the established Yakuza universe. Among the most notable reveals from the recent Direct broadcast are two innovative gameplay features.
First, "Bad Boy Dragon" mode in Kiwami 3 follows Kazuma Kiryu as he teams up with the Haisai Girls, a biker gang dedicated to keeping Okinawa’s streets safe.
Players can participate in gang battles, take on large-scale Rumble encounters, or assault enemy strongholds on motorcycle.
The Haisai Girls themselves are fully customizable, allowing for deep personalization and engaging role-play. Meanwhile, in the Dark Ties expansion, players can enter "Hell’s Arena," an underground fighting club where Yoshitaka Mine faces brutal combat to defend the interests of the Nishikiyama Family.
This mode offers both classic one-on-one matches and Survival Hell, a challenging gauntlet where participants must outlast relentless waves of adversaries in a dungeon setting. With its February 2026 release on the Nintendo Switch 2, Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties continues SEGA’s tradition of delivering robust narrative action experiences to a growing global audience.
Whether returning to iconic streets with Kiryu or exploring Mine’s saga in Dark Ties, fans can look forward to a wealth of fresh content and gameplay innovations optimized for Nintendo’s latest hardware.
Stay tuned for further updates as the launch approaches.
