It looks like Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio may have accidentally let the next chapter of the Yakuza remake series slip early. Earlier this week, sharp-eyed fans spotted a brief listing for Yakuza Kiwami 3 on the official RGG Studio website. The entry appeared alongside the previous Kiwami titles before it was quickly pulled down, but not before screenshots and cached versions began circulating online.
The timing of the leak couldn’t be more suspicious. RGG is set to host its RGG Summit on September 23, where the studio traditionally rolls out big announcements. With the page vanishing almost as quickly as it appeared, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this was a case of the news going live ahead of schedule.
If the remake is indeed on the way, it would mark the next logical step for the series. Sega and RGG have already revisited the first two entries with Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2, modernizing the PS2 and PS3 classics with updated visuals, tighter combat, and expanded side content. Fans have been speculating for years about when (or if) Yakuza 3 would receive the same treatment, especially since the original release is showing its age compared to the studio’s more recent work.
What makes this particularly exciting is the potential for restored content. When Yakuza 3 first launched in the West back in 2010, several side activities and story beats were cut from the localization. A full remake could give the team an opportunity to bring those back while also modernizing the game’s pacing and presentation.
Right now, there are no details about platforms, release windows, or what sort of overhaul to expect. Given that RGG’s latest games have launched across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, it’s a safe bet the studio will continue that trend. Whether the project is a full ground-up remake in line with Kiwami 2 or something closer to a remaster with quality-of-life changes remains to be seen.
With the RGG Summit just days away, the wait for confirmation shouldn’t be long. Until then, the sudden appearance and disappearance of Yakuza Kiwami 3 has already set the fanbase buzzing.
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