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SEGA Faces Backlash Over Yakuza 20th Anniversary Updates and Delistings

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SEGA Delisting Original Yakuza 0 for 20th Anniversary Re-releases

SEGA and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have announced updated versions of their beloved crime drama titles for next-gen consoles and PC to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Like a Dragon (formerly Yakuza) series. While the versions dropping on December 8 come with discount upgrade paths for existing owners, the studio is facing fierce criticism over several anti-consumer decisions.

The controversy centers primarily on the original Yakuza 0—widely considered the entry point for the franchise—being scrubbed from digital storefronts, alongside the inability to transfer save data to the new versions.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut: New Features, Old Problems

The fan-favorite Yakuza 0 is arriving on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam as a Director’s Cut. This definitive edition includes features previously unavailable in the original release:

  • Newly added cutscenes.
  • ‘Red Light Raid’ online co-op mode.
  • Full English dub option.
  • Expanded text support for French, Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese.
  • The inclusion of the theme song “Bubble,” which was absent from the original Western release.

The Upgrade Path and The Delisting: Current owners of Yakuza 0 (PS4, Xbox One, Steam) can upgrade to the Director’s Cut for $14.99, provided they own the game before December 8 at 4:29 PM GMT. After launch, the standard price will be $49.99.

However, the news souring the anniversary is the fate of the original game. As of December 8, the original PS4, Xbox One, and Steam versions of Yakuza 0 will be delisted. While existing owners can still download and play their copies, new players will be forced to purchase the more expensive Director’s Cut. Furthermore, save data does not carry over to the new version. This also implies that the extensive library of community mods created for the original PC version will essentially be rendered obsolete for new buyers.

Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2 Updates

The Kiwami remakes of the first two games are also receiving the 20th-anniversary treatment.

Yakuza Kiwami:

  • Expanded language support.
  • Restoration of the tracks “Receive You [Reborn]” and “Bleed,” which were missing from the Western release.
  • Owners of the PS4 or Xbox One versions can upgrade to the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S versions for $1.99.

Yakuza Kiwami 2:

  • Includes new text language support.
  • Current owners are eligible for a free upgrade to next-gen versions.

Steam upgrade details for both titles will be shared upon release on December 8. Like Yakuza 0, save data transfer is not supported. It is also important to note that these upgrade offers do not apply to users accessing the games via Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus.

Community Backlash: “Goodwill Squandered”

Following the announcement, social media and forums have been ablaze with criticism directed at RGG Studio. Fans argue that the goodwill the studio earned over the last decade with Yakuza 0 and the Like a Dragon rebranding is being eroded by what they perceive as corporate greed.

Key points of contention include:

  • Delisting the Original: Gamers are calling it “shameful” to force a more expensive version on consumers by deleting the affordable original, especially for a game that is often discounted heavily.
  • Save Data Incompatibility: The inability to transfer hundreds of hours of progress to the “definitive” version is a major dealbreaker for veterans.
  • Broken Trust: Many fans feel the studio has abandoned its fan-first approach. One viral comment on X (formerly Twitter) summed up the sentiment: “The manner in which you’ve washed away so much community goodwill within a year’s time is something that needs to be studied, documented, and taught on what notto do.”

Yakuza Kiwami 3

Amidst the controversy, SEGA did drop a major reveal regarding the future of the series. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is officially scheduled for release on February 12, 2026. The title is confirmed to launch on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch 2.