My first experience with the Yakuza series was Kiwami 1 on the Nintendo Switch, and ever since, I’ve been hooked. Despite some minor framerate hiccups, it was an outstanding port that captured the charm and chaos of Kamurocho remarkably well. Now, Yakuza Kiwami 1 and 2 have arrived on the Switch 2, bringing noticeable visual upgrades and smoother performance. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, this is the chance to experience Kiryu’s story in a more polished and immersive form. Let’s dive in and see how Kiwami stacks up, and whether the $16 AUD upgrade is worth your hard-earned cash.
If you’re searching the eShop for an “upgrade pack,” you won’t find one. Yakuza Kiwami follows Hogwarts Legacy’s approach by offering a discounted price for an entirely new digital game, rather than a free patch. The discounted price is $16 AUD, and if you want both Yakuza 1 and 2 in a bundle, the discount applies there as well, making it a convenient option for fans looking to upgrade both games. While Hogwarts Legacy needed this method because the Switch 1 version ran on a custom-built engine, it isn’t entirely clear why Yakuza Kiwami followed the same route. The good news is that save files transfer seamlessly, so moving your progress from the Switch 1 version to Switch 2 is completely painless. All you need to do is download the new game, and your characters, completed missions, and stats are ready to continue. The Switch 2 version of Kiwami takes up 20.2GB of storage, which is actually smaller than the Switch 1 version at 22.9GB, saving a bit of space on your system without compromising quality.
Diving into the streets of Kamurocho, it’s immediately clear that the Switch 2 version runs nearly capped at 60fps, while the Switch 1 version mostly holds steady at 30fps. On the Switch 1 version, running through crowded areas would occasionally reveal frame pacing issues, particularly in busy sections, but these interruptions are completely absent on Switch 2. The smoother performance makes simply walking around the city feel more fluid and responsive.
Switching to combat, the improved framerate keeps performance consistent, with smooth frame pacing throughout, even during intense encounters. The Switch 1 version still has minor hiccups during combos or when multiple enemies are on screen, but the Switch 2 experience feels slick and fluid, making fights significantly more satisfying. Every punch, kick, and throw lands with a sense of weight, and those combos never fail to satisfy.
Take a battle in the batting cages, where Kiryu is confronted by a group of wannabe gangsters. While standard combat mechanics hold up well on both consoles, the difference becomes striking when performing power moves. On Switch 1, these super moves can occasionally feel stuttered or jarring, but on Switch 2, they flow seamlessly, with smooth animation and impact that feels as cinematic as intended. Moments like this highlight how the improved framerate transforms both the look and the feel of combat, giving each encounter more punch and fluidity.
On the streets of Kamurocho, the increased resolution immediately brings out finer details in the environment. Neon signs glow more sharply, shop textures appear crisper, and Kiryu’s suit displays significantly more intricacy. Even small details, like the buttons on his cuffs or the subtle folds in the fabric, are now clearly visible. Street surfaces, shop windows, and distant objects gain clarity, making exploration a richer visual experience.
Reflections also gain more depth and realism, particularly on wet pavement after rain, which now mirrors the surrounding lights and characters more accurately. The improved rain effects, glistening surfaces, and subtle environmental animations all contribute to a sense of life in Kamurocho. These upgrades add layers of immersion that make the city feel lived-in and dynamic, enhancing the atmosphere without changing the fundamental layout or design. While video footage captures some of this, the improvements are most striking on the console’s display, where motion, lighting, and reflections come together seamlessly.
All of these enhancements, from sharper textures to richer reflections and more detailed environments, work together to elevate Kamurocho as a whole. The streets feel more vibrant, shop fronts and signage pop with clarity, and character models display finer details that make them more lifelike. Even subtle touches, like rain running down the streets or light bouncing off wet surfaces, add to the sense of realism. Taken together, these upgrades create a polished and immersive world that rewards players who notice the little details.
When it comes to value, the $16 AUD price tag puts the upgrade on the same level as the recent Zelda games, and much like Overcooked 2, it feels fair for what you get. Considering the smoother framerates, enhanced textures, and overall improved experience, I think it’s worth paying a little extra to play the best possible version of Kiwami 1 on Nintendo’s platforms. For returning fans, the upgrade enhances every familiar moment, and for newcomers, it delivers a more polished entry into the series.
If you’re a fan of the series or just getting started, the Switch 2 upgrade makes Kamurocho feel sharper, more fluid, and more alive than ever. Be sure to stay tuned for an updated review of Kiwami 1, and a Kiwami 2 review is coming soon as well.
