Yakuza 0 remains one of the most celebrated entries in SEGA’s long‑running crime saga, and the Switch 2 version, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut, makes a strong case for being the definitive way to experience it. As a launch‑window title, it brings the neon‑lit chaos of 1988 Tokyo and Osaka to Nintendo’s new hardware with surprising fidelity, while adding a handful of refinements that make this already essential prequel even more approachable. Few series straddle the line between gritty crime drama and absurd comedy as deftly as Yakuza. For nearly two decades, RGG Studio has built a reputation for weaving heartfelt stories of loyalty and betrayal into open‑world playgrounds filled with karaoke bars, batting cages, dancing shenanigans, and some of the most bizarre side-quests that will leave you in stitches. Yakuza 0, originally released in 2015, is the crown jewel of that formula, proving to be a prequel that introduces newcomers to the saga while giving long‑time fans a richer understanding of Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima’s origins.
The story remains as compelling as ever. Set in 1988 during Japan’s economic bubble, Yakuza 0 follows two protagonists whose paths run parallel before converging. Kiryu, a low‑ranking member of the Dojima Family, finds himself framed for murder after a debt collection goes wrong. His quest to clear his name pulls him deeper into the politics of the Tojo Clan and the fight for control of a small but valuable plot of land known as the Empty Lot. Meanwhile, Goro Majima – exiled from the Yakuza and forced to run a cabaret club in Osaka – is offered a chance at redemption if he carries out an assassination. His journey explores themes of loyalty, morality, and the cost of survival in a world where violence and betrayal are currency. The dual narrative structure may be confusing at first, for the uninitiated, yet it is one of Yakuza 0’s greatest strengths in the long-run. Switching between Kiryu’s stoic determination and Majima’s flamboyant unpredictability keeps the pacing fresh, and the added cut-scenes in the Director’s Cut give more weight to their arcs. These new sequences don’t radically alter the story, but they provide extra context that enriches character motivations and smooths transitions between chapters. Do be prepared to wiggle the Joy-Con sticks from time to time, though, as some of the scenes run for so long that your Switch will think you’ve walked away or nodded off, preparing to go into standby mode.
The big question for many fans when first announced was how well Yakuza 0 would run on Nintendo’s new hardware. The answer is impressively well. In docked mode, the game targets 60 frames per second, with only occasional dips during chaotic street brawls or densely populated areas. Handheld mode locks at 30fps, and while the lower frame-rate is noticeable if you’ve played on PS5 or PC, it remains consistent and smooth. Visually, the Director’s Cut sits between the PS4 Pro and PS5 versions. Lighting and textures are sharper than the original PS4 release, and the neon glow of Kamurocho’s nightlife looks fantastic on Switch 2’s LCD display. Character models retain their detail, and cut-scenes play out without stutter. Some compromises are evident in handheld mode, with reflections pared back, crowd density slightly reduced, and certain textures are softened, but the overall presentation is remarkably strong for a portable format. The trade‑off is storage. At over 40GB, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is one of the larger third‑party titles on Switch 2 so far, and many players will need a microSD Express card to accommodate it. It’s a small price to pay for portability, but worth noting for those with limited space.
Combat in Yakuza 0 remains gloriously over‑the‑top. Kiryu and Majima each wield multiple fighting styles, and switching between these styles mid‑battle is as satisfying as ever. Kiryu’s Brawler style offers balance, Beast turns him into a slow but devastating powerhouse, and Rush emphasises speed and dodging. Majima, meanwhile, brings flair with his Thug, Slugger, and Breaker styles, the latter turning street fights into impromptu dance battles. The Switch 2’s HD rumble adds punch to every Heat Action finisher, whether you’re smashing a thug’s head into a car door or suplexing them onto the pavement. The combat system doesn’t introduce new mechanics in the Director’s Cut, which may disappoint veterans hoping for fresh twists, but the sheer variety of styles and the absurd creativity of Heat Actions keep battles engaging throughout the 40‑plus hour campaign. Given how solid the fighting mechanics are, it’s no wonder Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has been enlisted for a new Virtua Fighter project.
Outside combat, the game’s side content is as rich as ever. Karaoke, disco dancing, slot car racing, darts, pool, and even mahjong are all present and accounted for… Oh, and some interesting video content to watch after collecting special idol/actress cards dotted around the city. Kiryu’s real estate empire and Majima’s cabaret club management mini‑game provide deeper diversions that can consume hours on their own. The substories, which are basically quirky side-quests that range from heartfelt to ridiculous, remain a highlight. Teaching a dominatrix how to scold clients, helping a Michael Jackson parody film a zombie music video, or breaking up a panty‑thief ring are just a few examples of the tonal whiplash that makes Yakuza 0 so unique. The Director’s Cut focuses on polishing and expanding story context through added cut-scenes rather than introducing brand‑new side content, so returning players may find fewer surprises beyond the added portability factor.
What truly sets Yakuza 0 apart is its atmosphere. Kamurocho and Sotenbori feel alive, bustling with NPCs, neon signs, background music pouring out of numerous establishments, and distractions around every corner. The Switch 2 version preserves this vibrancy, even if crowd density is slightly reduced in handheld mode. The sense of place is unmatched. These aren’t just backdrops, but living districts that invite exploration. Audio plays a huge role in that immersion. The pounding 80s soundtrack, from synth‑heavy battle themes to cheesy karaoke tracks, comes through cleanly. Voice acting remains top tier, with Takaya Kuroda’s stoic delivery as Kiryu and Hidenari Ugaki’s manic energy as Majima anchoring the drama (whether choosing Japanese or English VO, both are spectacular). The contrast between the serious main story and the absurd side content is heightened by the performances, which never break character even in the most ridiculous scenarios.
The “Director’s Cut” label might suggest sweeping changes, but in practice the additions are modest. The most notable are the extra cut-scenes, which flesh out certain plot beats and provide smoother transitions between story arcs. They don’t fundamentally alter the narrative, but they add texture and context that fans will appreciate. Quality‑of‑life tweaks are also present. Menus are slightly streamlined, load times are shorter thanks to Switch 2’s faster storage, and the game feels more responsive overall, plus auto saving is more frequent, rather than relying on saving at phone booths alone. However, there are no new substories, combat styles, or mini-games. For returning players, the main draw is the portability and the added story context rather than brand‑new content. It’s also worth noting what’s missing. The port doesn’t take advantage of Switch‑specific features like touchscreen menus or gyro aiming in mini-games. These omissions don’t hurt the experience, but they feel like missed opportunities to make the Switch 2 version stand out further.
The drawbacks of Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut are relatively minor, but they are worth acknowledging. Handheld mode’s 30fps cap and pared‑back effects are noticeable, although the stability makes them easy to accept. The lack of new gameplay content beyond cut-scenes means veterans may not find much incentive to replay beyond the convenience of portability. The large storage footprint is a practical hurdle, and the absence of Switch‑specific features is a small disappointment. However, none of these issues undermine the core experience. The heart of Yakuza 0 – its gripping story, absurd side content, and vibrant setting – remains intact, and the Switch 2 version delivers it with surprising polish.
