You may have missed it as it was announced in the middle of the night, but Sega revealed what the next release in the Like a Dragon series (formerly called Yakuza) will be. It’s Yakuza 3 Kiwami, a full remake of a PS3 game that will launch next year.
In addition to the standard improvements you’d expect from looking at previous Yakuza Kiwami games, this remake adds more story content. That doesn’t just come in the form of some new dialogue or cutscenes, but a whole new story called Dark Ties.
When will Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties be released?
We don’t have to wait that long for the next Like a Dragon game
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties was revealed during a livestream hosted by developer RGG Studio. It used the event to reveal the remake and confirm it will release across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and even Nintendo Switch 2 on February 12, 2026. It’ll cost $60.
Currently, the only other major release slated for that date is Mario Tennis Fever, which debuted in the last Nintendo Direct. This release is one way Sega is celebrating the series’ 20th anniversary. It’ll also do so by bringing Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami, and Yakuza Kiwami 2 to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X on December 8.
As for what to expect from the game itself, it follows Kazuma Kiryu as he defends an orphanage in Okinawa from Japanese, American, and Yakuza forces that want to take over the land it sits on. Of course, this melodramatic plot will often devolve into fist fights where players can switch between different fighting styles to wipe the floor with their enemies.
Sega promises that the remake will feature new cutscenes and side quests, but the most significant new addition is Dark Ties. It follows Yoshitaka Mine, one of the antagonists of Yakuza 3, fleshing out their backstory while offering players the chance to play him. I’m definitely going to be interested in learning more about Mine after playing through this game for the first time.
I’m a big fan of Sega’s Like a Dragon series, but I still have some blind spots within the wider series. I started playing with the release of Yakuza 0 and have checked out every new game and remake in the franchise since. That said, its PS3-era titles like Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 have eluded me, and I’ve only ever experienced them through the context of recaps within the Like a Dragon games themselves or YouTube videos explaining the franchise’s lore.
From what I know of its narrative, particularly its portrayal of American imperialism and the behind-closed-doors business dealings of the elites, this game thematically feels like it will be more relevant than ever. As such, I’m really excited to now have a chance to play Yakuza 3 for the first time, thanks to Yakuza 3 Kiwami & Dark Ties.
I can only hope that Yakuza 4 and 5 also get the Kiwami treatment in the future. And why don’t we throw in a re-release of the zombie shooter Yakuza: Dead Souls while we’re at it?
- Released
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February 11, 2026
- ESRB
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Rating Pending
- Developer(s)
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Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
- Publisher(s)
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Sega
- Prequel(s)
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Yakuza Kiwami 2, Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
- Franchise
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Yakuza
- Number of Players
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Single-player
