Yakuza Kiwami 2 Delivers Engaging Action on Nintendo Switch 2: Performance and Gameplay Review

SEGA’s celebrated Yakuza series, recently rebranded as Like A Dragon in the West, has historically seen limited releases on Nintendo consoles.

In an exciting reversal of fortune, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 owners are now receiving robust support, with Yakuza Kiwami 2 making its Nintendo Switch 2 debut.

This comes on the heels of Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut and newly optimized versions of Yakuza Kiwami, signaling SEGA's commitment to offering the franchise’s thorough narrative and brawler experience to a wider hardware audience. Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a full remake of the 2006 PlayStation 2 classic Yakuza 2, rebuilt by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio using the advanced Dragon Engine first introduced in Yakuza 6: The Song of Life.

This port stands out for being based on PlayStation 4 specifications, resulting in a game world that is visually richer, more detailed, and packed with enhanced character models and environments.

"The visual boost and sophisticated geometry in Yakuza Kiwami 2 raise the bar for the series on Nintendo hardware," SEGA representatives noted upon the game’s announcement. Within Japan, the original Yakuza 2 was a commercial and critical triumph, ensuring the future of the series even as early Western launches struggled to gain traction.

It wasn’t until the global success of Yakuza 0—launched in the West on PlayStation 4 in 2015—that the franchise found a substantial international audience.

This revitalized interest led to the remakes of earlier games, including Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2, now available for Switch 2 users. Functionally, Yakuza Kiwami 2 delivers on its action-RPG pedigree and introduces significant modernizations.

The main storyline traces series protagonist Kazuma Kiryu’s escalating rivalry with Ryuji Goda, intertwining personal drama with organized crime intrigue.

The narrative is further enriched by the Majima Saga, an entirely new scenario focusing on fan-favorite Goro Majima, offering players extended insight and gameplay variety.

As with other series entries, a wealth of side stories and robust mini-games like Virtua Fighter 2 and Virtual-On are available—marking Virtua Fighter’s first playable appearance on Nintendo hardware. From a technical perspective, Yakuza Kiwami 2’s Nintendo Switch 2 version is ambitious but not flawless.

While combat and essential gameplay sequences maintain solid performance, framerate dips are noticeable in crowded open-world segments.

These occasional slowdowns are not game-breaking but stand in contrast to the smoother experiences seen in the Switch 2 versions of Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut and the newly optimized Yakuza Kiwami.

Still, the overall package offers a compelling, content-rich experience.

As with previous entries, the updated Switch 2 ports greatly improve over their Nintendo Switch predecessors, both in performance and visual fidelity. For those new to the series or returning for another trip through Kamurocho and Sotenbori, the recommended approach is to begin with the Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 bundle, available via the eShop.

Both games include helpful story recap features, but firsthand play is highly encouraged for full immersion in the series’ expertly woven character arcs. In conclusion, Yakuza Kiwami 2 stands as a worthy addition to the Switch 2 library, offering deep storytelling, rewarding combat, and extensive side content—despite minor technical shortcomings.

SEGA’s push to make the Yakuza franchise accessible on Nintendo hardware marks a significant chapter in the series’ evolution and is a win for franchise fans and new players alike.

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