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Kiryu is again on Nintendo Switch 2, with Yakuza Kiwami 2 – a remake of the second installment in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s famed and celebrated sequence. This is a port, and arrives eight years after Kiwami 2 first launched in Japan on the PS4.
Review data
Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC
Release date: November 13, 2025 (Switch 2)
This sport is a direct follow-up to the occasions of Yakuza Kiwami, and continues the story of ex-Yakuza Kazuma Kiryu. Without spoiling an excessive amount of, the sport follows Kiryu’s journey to discover a new chairman for his former employer, the Tojo Clan, and forestall an all-out battle between the Clan and its rival, the Omi Alliance. It’s a really sturdy follow-up, and the stress operating all through the narrative actually sucked me in – I might barely put Kiwami 2 down.
But how does the Nintendo Switch 2 port maintain up? Is this a great way to play the sport? After spending hours brawling by way of Kiwami 2 on Nintendo’s newest {hardware}, I’ve received a couple of ideas, so let’s dive in.
A visible improve that comes at a price
Before I discuss concerning the sport itself, I need to talk about the standard and efficiency of Kiwami 2’s Switch 2 port.
Visually, this hits the type of ranges you’d count on. It runs at 1080p, as I additionally skilled when enjoying it on PS4. Character fashions and environments are replicated nicely on Switch 2, though after all, they do present their age. Still, it is a flashier wanting sport than Yakuza Kiwami, largely because of its improvement on the extra superior Dragon Engine. The intricacies of clothes, character expressions, and lighting of retailers look extra detailed and glossy on this entry.
But with the extra superior visuals and results comes a worth. Yes, Yakuza Kiwami 2 solely runs at 30fps. And on condition that I’d performed Yakuza Kiwami proper earlier than this – a sport that runs comfortably at 60fps on Switch 2 – that drop down was all too apparent.
As comprehensible as it’s, this does imply that motion and navigation lacks the fluidity you’d expertise with Kiwami and even Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut.
Best bit
Fairly early on you get to battle it out towards The Dragon of Kansai, and it is actually epic. He’s received a ton of well being, so it’s important to fastidiously block and dodge, then strike when there’s a gap. There are additionally weapons hidden within the bushes which you should utilize to actually batter him. It’s a face-off that prepares you for the harder one-on-ones that lie forward, and was tremendous satisfying after I landed the ending blow.
Also, there are sadly a couple of body drops to contest with, as was the case on PS4. When strolling by way of busy components of Kamurocho or coming into into high-octane sequences, I observed a couple of dips, which might be fairly irritating. This is the case in docked or handheld mode.
Is efficiency unhealthy? No – it’s about on-par with what the PS4 might plate up, and body drops by no means made fight really feel more difficult than it ought to do, crucially. But in the event you’re anticipating the graceful 60fps gameplay of the not too long ago launched PS5 model, you’re going to be upset.
All in all, this port is first rate. You get to take pleasure in Kiwami 2 on the go, and that in itself is a significant constructive. Sure, it’s not the definitive method to play, however in the event you’re in search of portability over top-tier efficiency, that is nonetheless a worthwhile method to play. Oh, and for these questioning, the inexperienced filter remains to be alive and kicking on Switch 2.
Two Dragons
So, the Switch 2 edition of Yakuza Kiwami 2 is solid overall, but how about the game itself?
I’ll put my cards on the table – I had an absolute blast with Kiwami 2. First of all, the story is kept tight and is gripping from start to finish. The narrative is paced fantastically well, and the cast of characters is excellent once more. This time around, there’s a ‘big bad’ who you’re introduced to right from the off, Ryuji Goda. He refers to himself as The Dragon of Kansai, and serves as the ultimate rival to Kiryu – himself known as The Dragon of Dojima.
There are plenty of twists and turns to navigate, and there’s a brief set of chapters where you can play as the sadomasochistic Goro Majima, which are pretty entertaining. Of course, there are plenty of whacky substories to complete too, running from claw machine antics through to defeating a band of men dressed up in diapers.
Anyway…something I really appreciated about Kiwami 2 – coming straight off playing the first Kiwami game – was the streamlined nature of its gameplay. There’s a technical side to that, like the lack of loading screens when Kiryu walks into restaurants or other buildings, for example. But also, I liked how the multitude of combat styles were substituted for a more singular approach to battle.
In Kiwami, you had to learn skills for specific styles, whereas now, every ability you learn is available to you through a unified Dragon style. Personally, I prefer this more centralised approach – being able to use all of my flashy new moves without having to change into a different mode is a significant upgrade. Some may miss the variety of unique styles, but luckily, I’m not ‘some’!
More generally, combat is awesome. It’s simplistic yet rewarding, and piecing together killer combos on seriously beefy bosses feels exhilarating. Heat actions also let you crush your foes in style, and you’ll unlock more of these as you progress, making it genuinely feel as if Kiryu grows in strength as the story unfolds.
Before I wrap up, I also want to pay kudos to the excellent, electrifying soundtrack that runs throughout this game. I love the music in Yakuza games, and it sounds as good as ever in Kiwami 2. Japanese voice acting is also superb, and the mid-2000s setting is captured beautifully, with background music, murmuring passers-by, and the sound of pouring rain creating an incredibly immersive atmosphere.
All in all, Yakuza Kiwami 2 is a great game, and a must-play for any fans of the Yakuza series on Switch 2. Sure, its drop down to a targeted 30fps can feel jarring at times, and I did pick up on a few frame drops, but visually it’s still enticing, and when you combine that with addictive combat and a top-notch story, there’s just so much to like.
Should you play Yakuza Kiwami 2 on Nintendo Switch 2?
Play it if…
Don’t play it if…
Accessibility features
As was the case on Yakuza Kiwami, there are a few useful customization options available in the settings menu. For instance, you can change camera controls, enable subtitles in a wide range of languages, and alter difficulty as well as blood levels. There’s also an option to toggle display tips on or off. Unfortunately, there are no colorblind modes, though.
How I reviewed Yakuza Kiwami 2 on Nintendo Switch 2
I clocked more than 15 hours of playtime on Yakuza Kiwami 2. During this time, I completed a handful of substories and minigames, but mainly focused on the main story. I spent most of my time playing in handheld mode on Nintendo Switch 2, sometimes enjoying game audio with my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. However, I additionally tried the sport out in docked mode, with my console linked to the Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar.
Before taking over this title, I performed by way of Yakuza Kiwami on Nintendo Switch 2, however I’m typically an enormous fan of the Yakuza sequence, with 0 standing as my favourite entry within the franchise.
More typically, I’ve been a Nintendo Switch 2 proprietor from launch, and have reviewed a variety of video games for the console. This consists of different RPGs like Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake and Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army, but in addition titles from different genres, like Kirby Air Riders and Drag x Drive.
First reviewed December 2025