Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has announced that Yakuza 3 Remastered will no longer be available as a standalone digital purchase following the February 12, 2026, release of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. Existing owners can continue playing the game, but newcomers seeking the original version must buy the Yakuza Complete Series bundle. The decision has drawn criticism from fans who prefer the unaltered story and characters.
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, the developer behind the Yakuza series, confirmed on January 17, 2026, that Yakuza 3 Remastered will be delisted from individual digital sales on platforms including the PlayStation Store, Steam, and Microsoft Store after the launch of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on February 12, 2026. The upcoming title will release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, and last-generation consoles.
The studio emphasized its commitment to the new release in a statement: "The release of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is now less than one month away. Everyone at the studio has poured their hearts into creating this title, and we are truly looking forward to the day everybody can finally play it." They added, "We place great importance on staying faithful to our creative direction, and we hope you will enjoy the completely new experiences we have envisioned for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties."
For those who already own Yakuza 3 Remastered, access remains unchanged. However, new players wanting the remastered version of the 2009 Japanese release—originally a PS3 exclusive that reached Western markets in 2010—will need to purchase the Yakuza Complete Series bundle, raising the cost from $19.99 to $129 digitally. A physical alternative exists in the Yakuza Remastered Collection, which includes Yakuza 3, 4, and 5 for around $29.99, though digital scarcity may affect future availability.
The remaster itself launched as a PS4 exclusive in 2018 before arriving on Xbox One and PC in 2021. Fan reactions have been largely negative, with one commenting, "So that means Yakuza 3 Remastered will be delisted and be only purchasable through the Yakuza Complete bundle? I hate the mentality that every old game needs to be totally remade in order to be ‘better.’ People like the original story and characters." Another stated, "If you are confident that this product can stand on its own, you shouldn’t delist the old version at all." Sega has not yet responded to the backlash.
Currently, Yakuza 3 Remastered is available digitally for £16 on PlayStation and Steam, or £18 on Xbox, providing a last chance for standalone buyers.
