Yakuza Kiwami 3 Revives Classic Sega Game Gear Games for Players to Enjoy In-Game
Yakuza fans have been buzzing ever since Sega revealed that Yakuza Kiwami 3 is bringing the Sega Game Gear into the series for the first time. The announcement dropped alongside a wave of new details about the remake, and it immediately sent the community into a nostalgia‑fueled spiral. People want to know why this matters, what’s actually included, and whether Kiryu is really about to sit down and play Pac‑Man on a handheld from 1990. Here’s the full breakdown — what happened, why it’s a big deal, and what’s coming next.
What Happened
Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have been steadily rolling out updates for Yakuza Kiwami 3 ahead of its February 12 release, but the latest reveal hit differently. Instead of another substory or a new karaoke track, they announced that players will be able to pick up a virtual Sega Game Gear and play a full lineup of retro titles inside the game. This is a first for the series — and it instantly became the headline.
The reveal came through a press update confirming that twelve Game Gear titles will be playable, including three Bandai Namco classics: Pac‑Man, Mappy, and Galaga ’91. These join Sonic Chaos, Columns, Puyo Puyo, G‑LOC, Sonic Drift, Streets of Rage, and others. Seven of the games even support split‑screen multiplayer, which is hilarious when you remember the original Game Gear could barely keep itself alive for more than twenty minutes on AA batteries.
This isn’t the only new content coming to the remake. Sega also confirmed new substories, a social platform called LaLaLa Loveland, phone customization, new outfits for Kiryu, updated karaoke songs, and a handful of other modern touches. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will launch on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, and PC.
Why It Matters
The Game Gear addition isn’t just a cute retro nod — it says a lot about how the Yakuza series continues to evolve. These games have always blended serious crime drama with absurd side activities, but the Game Gear takes that tradition in a new direction. Instead of sticking to arcades or the Master System, RGG Studio is digging deeper into Sega’s history and giving fans a new way to escape the chaos of Kamurocho.
There’s also a cultural angle here. Retro gaming is having a moment, and the Game Gear is one of those consoles people remember fondly even if they never actually owned one. Including it inside Yakuza Kiwami 3 taps into that nostalgia in a way that feels playful rather than forced. It’s the kind of detail that makes the world feel lived‑in — like Kiryu really would pick up a handheld and kill time between fistfights.
From an industry standpoint, this move helps distinguish Kiwami 3 from the previous remakes. The original Yakuza 3 was already a turning point for the series, and giving the remake its own identity helps it stand out in a franchise that’s constantly expanding. It also shows that RGG Studio isn’t afraid to experiment with the formula, even when revisiting older titles.
And let’s be honest: the Game Gear is trending because it’s unexpected. Nobody predicted this. Nobody asked for it. But now that it’s here, everyone wants to see how it fits into the world of Yakuza.
Reactions
Fans reacted exactly the way you’d expect — with excitement, memes, and a lot of “I can’t believe they actually did this.” Some players are thrilled to revisit Pac‑Man and Galaga ’91 in a completely different context. Others are amused by the idea of Kiryu quietly playing Mappy in between street brawls. Influencers have already started ranking the Game Gear lineup, debating which titles will become the new fan favorites.
There’s also a wave of appreciation for how much effort RGG Studio puts into these side activities. Even people who don’t care about retro games are impressed by the attention to detail. The funniest reactions come from fans pretending they grew up with the Game Gear despite having been born long after it stopped being relevant.
What’s Next
With the release date approaching, Sega will likely continue dropping small reveals to keep the hype rolling. The Game Gear lineup feels like just one piece of a larger celebration of the series’ history. Dark Ties — the new spin‑off starring Yoshitaka Mine — adds even more weight to the package, giving players a fresh story alongside the full remake.
In the short term, fans will be watching for any last‑minute announcements about additional retro titles or gameplay features. In the long term, the Game Gear’s debut might signal that future Yakuza games will continue expanding their retro offerings. If the Game Gear can make it in, who knows what’s next — maybe the Dreamcast will finally get its moment.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is shaping up to be more than a remake. It’s a love letter to the franchise’s past, wrapped in a handheld‑sized burst of nostalgia that nobody saw coming.
Conclusion
Yakuza Kiwami 3 has sparked major conversation across social media, and the story continues to evolve. As more updates come in, we’ll keep tracking the latest developments.
