Last Updated on September 24, 2025 by Dante
Sega just announced a big one for fans of the Yakuza series.
Yakuza 3 is getting the full Kiwami treatment, and alongside it comes a brand-new spin-off called Yakuza 3: Dark Ties that focuses on Yoshitaka Mine.
Both games will release together on February 12, 2026 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC.
Players can choose to start with Kiwami 3 or jump right into Dark Ties, since they are bundled but separate experiences.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 is more than a remaster. It is a full remake built in the Dragon Engine, which means modernized combat, upgraded visuals, expanded side activities, and additional story scenes.
The game will also support dual audio, giving players the option of Japanese or English voices.
Dark Ties is where things get interesting. Instead of sticking with Kiryu, this new spin-off shines the spotlight on Mine. His story digs into how he became entangled in the underworld after losing everything, showing his bond with Kanda and his transformation from businessman to antagonist.
Combat here leans into boxing mechanics, and the side content is designed to match his lifestyle and perspective.
I remember playing Yakuza 3 on the PS3 when it first dropped. The contrast between Kiryu trying to run an orphanage in Okinawa and being pulled back into the criminal world made it stand out.
It was a really good game but not without rough edges. Some of the pacing dragged and the combat felt clunky at times. That is why a proper remake makes sense now.
Sega can fix the weak spots while preserving the emotional punch of the original.
Mine getting his own game is the part that excites me most. He was never just a flat villain. There was always more going on with him since he was a mistreated orphan, and Dark Ties has the chance to explore that fully.
If Sega nails both the remake and the spin-off, this release could redefine how fans look at Yakuza 3 and its characters.
Dante is Editor-in-Chief (Lord Hokage), which means he runs editorial and operations at BrandAnime. That means this whole thing was his idea, and he spends his time making stuff work and covering the latest anime and games. When he’s not doing 100 things at once, he’s usually… watching anime or playing games. His life isn’t that interesting, honestly.
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