Yakuza Kiwami 3 just got accidentally confirmed in the most unexpected way possible. Sharp-eyed fans discovered traces of the highly anticipated remake on RGG Studio’s official website, sending the gaming community into overdrive just days before the Tokyo Game Show.
The Accidental Leak That Confirmed Everything
Reddit users on the GamingLeaksAndRumours community struck gold when they discovered Japanese text for Yakuza Kiwami 3 listed in the categories section of RGG Studio’s website. The leak was spotted by searching specific Japanese characters along with the site domain on Google, which returned results showing the unannounced remake.
The studio quickly scrubbed the reference from their website, but not before multiple screenshots captured the evidence. This type of accidental website leak isn’t uncommon in the gaming industry, and it often signals that an official announcement is just around the corner.
Why Yakuza Kiwami 3 Matters So Much to Fans
Unlike its predecessors, Yakuza 3 never received the full remake treatment that fans felt it deserved. While Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 completely rebuilt the first two games from the ground up using modern engines, Yakuza 3 only got a remaster in 2019.
The original 2009 PlayStation 3 release suffered from several issues that made it feel dated compared to newer entries:
- Clunky combat system often called “Blockuza” by fans
- Outdated graphics and animations
- Slower pacing that felt jarring after playing modern Yakuza games
- Missing quality-of-life improvements found in later titles
Perfect Timing for the RGG Summit
The leak comes just one week before RGG Studio’s annual summit on September 24, 2025, during Tokyo Game Show. This timing isn’t coincidental – major gaming announcements often leak shortly before official reveals, whether accidentally or as part of marketing strategies.
Series director Masayoshi Yokoyama previously hinted at Yakuza Kiwami 3 during an April 2024 interview, stating he would “do Kiwami 3 at some point” and was “sure” they’d make it someday. That someday appears to be now.
What to Expect from the Yakuza Kiwami 3 Remake
Based on the previous Kiwami releases, fans can likely expect significant improvements across multiple areas. The remake will probably feature the modern Dragon Engine that powered Yakuza 6, Kiwami 2, and recent entries in the series.
Key improvements should include:
- Completely overhauled combat system
- Enhanced graphics and character models
- Improved pacing and mission structure
- Additional substories and content
- Modern control schemes and user interface
The Okinawa setting of Yakuza 3 offers incredible potential for visual upgrades. The tropical environments and beach locations could look absolutely stunning with modern rendering techniques and lighting systems.
What This Means for Future Kiwami Games
The confirmation of Yakuza Kiwami 3 raises questions about potential remakes of Yakuza 4 and 5. However, many fans argue that these later PS3 titles hold up better than Yakuza 3 and may not need full remakes. Yakuza 5 particularly runs on an engine closer to modern standards.
RGG Studio will likely focus on Yakuza Kiwami 3 first before considering additional remakes, especially given their busy schedule with new Like a Dragon entries and other projects like Stranger Than Heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Yakuza Kiwami 3 be officially announced?
Based on the leak timing, the official announcement will likely happen during the RGG Summit on September 24, 2025, or possibly at a Sony State of Play event rumored for the same timeframe.
What platforms will Yakuza Kiwami 3 release on?
While not confirmed, previous Kiwami games launched on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The remake will likely follow the same multi-platform approach, possibly including Nintendo Switch 2.
Will Yakuza Kiwami 3 fix the combat problems from the original?
Yes, the remake should completely overhaul the combat system using modern engines and mechanics, eliminating the “Blockuza” issues that frustrated players in the original version.
How long has Yakuza Kiwami 3 been in development?
The exact development timeline isn’t public, but director comments from April 2024 suggest the project has been in planning stages for at least a year, with active development likely starting more recently.
Will the story change in Yakuza Kiwami 3?
Major story beats will likely remain the same, but expect additional substories, expanded character development, and possibly new scenes that weren’t in the original game, similar to previous Kiwami releases.
Do I need to play previous Yakuza games before Yakuza Kiwami 3?
Yes, Yakuza 3 continues directly from the events of Yakuza 2. Playing Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 first is highly recommended to understand the story and character relationships.
The Wait Is Almost Over
After years of fan requests and speculation, Yakuza Kiwami 3 appears ready to give one of the series’ most important entries the modern treatment it deserves. The accidental leak suggests RGG Studio is confident enough in their progress to prepare marketing materials, which usually indicates a release timeline within the next 12-18 months.
For longtime Yakuza fans who struggled through the original’s clunky mechanics, this remake represents a chance to experience Kiryu’s Okinawa adventure with the polish and quality expected from modern gaming. The story beats that set up the entire latter half of the Yakuza series finally get the technical execution they’ve always deserved.