Sega has announced that the upcoming remake of Yakuza 3 will feature 12 playable Game Gear titles when it launches on February 12, 2026, marking the first time the classic handheld console has been included in the series. The games will be available across all platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, and PC. Seven of the games will also support split-screen multiplayer, allowing players to compete with friends using the game's recreation of two Game Gear devices.
Background
The Yakuza series has long maintained a tradition of including retro games as a way for players to relax and enjoy classic entertainment within the game world. Previous entries in the franchise featured Sega arcade cabinets with titles like Out Run, Space Harrier, and Virtua Fighter 2. More recently, games like Lost Judgment and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii introduced Sega Master System consoles, allowing players to access a collection of 8-bit games.
The shift to Game Gear titles represents a new direction for the series. Game Gear was Sega's handheld gaming device released in the late 1980s and competed directly with Nintendo's Game Boy. While the handheld never achieved the same level of commercial success as its rival, it developed a dedicated following and featured several notable games during its lifespan.
Key Details
The 12 Game Gear titles coming to Yakuza Kiwami 3 include a mix of Sega originals and guest titles from Bandai Namco. The Sega games are Sonic Chaos, Sonic Drift, Streets of Rage, Columns, Fantasy Zone Gear, G-LOC: Air Battle, The GG Shinobi, Puyo Puyo, and Woody Pop. Bandai Namco is contributing three titles: Pac-Man, Mappy, and Galaga '91.
"This is a series first," according to the game's developers, as Bandai Namco titles have never appeared in a Yakuza game before.
Multiplayer Support
Seven of the included games will feature split-screen multiplayer functionality. These are Columns, G-LOC: Air Battle, Mappy, Pac-Man, Puyo Puyo, Sonic Drift, and Streets of Rage. This feature allows two players to enjoy the games together on a single screen, mimicking the experience of two people playing Game Gear devices side by side.
Additional Arcade Games
Beyond the Game Gear collection, Yakuza Kiwami 3 will also include several classic Sega arcade games. These additions include Emergency Call Ambulance, SlashOut, and Magical Truck Adventure. SlashOut marks the first appearance of a game from the Sega NAOMI arcade board in the Yakuza series, while Emergency Call Ambulance and Magical Truck Adventure represent Model 3 arcade titles.
What This Means
The inclusion of Game Gear games offers players a nostalgic break from the main story of Yakuza Kiwami 3. The game is a full remake of the 2009 action adventure originally released on PlayStation 3, and it will also include a brand new expansion called Dark Ties, which features the character Yoshitaka Mine in a new side story.
For longtime fans of the Yakuza series, these retro games serve as a continuation of a tradition that has become central to the franchise's identity. The games provide a way for players to experience gaming history while taking a break from the main narrative. The addition of Bandai Namco titles also signals a willingness from Sega to collaborate with other publishers to bring beloved classics to the game.
The multiplayer functionality adds another layer of appeal, particularly for players who want to share the experience with friends. The split-screen format recreates the feeling of handheld gaming from the 1990s, when playing Game Gear often meant sitting next to someone else with the same device.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 arrives on February 12, 2026, across all major platforms. Players will be able to access these retro games as part of the main package, with no additional purchase required.
