In a recent Seganama broadcast (also featuring Sonic Boom: Fire and Ice, and Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA X), Toshihiro Nagoshi broached the possibility of remasters of Yakuza 2 through Yakuza 5 on Playstation 4. These comments come in response to strong sales of Yakuza Kiwami, the ground-up remake of the first game for Playstation 4. Of Sega’s Japanese brands that have a presence in the console games market segment, Yakuza has always been one of the relatively steadier and healthier names in sales.
We’ll have to remember that Yakuza 6 is the last mainline title to feature Kazuma Kiryu as a lead (and only) protagonist. Once Yakuza 6 is released, the franchise will be in an interesting state of flux. Personally, I would think that a new protagonist or set of protagonists would lead the next title – perhaps even some characters that we already now. With being said, one would wonder when these remasters, if they are made, would be released, considering new characters would have to lead any future Yakuza mainline titles (and that new titles take time to develop.)
If these remasters were released in the West, how would they be received? The West will be playing catch-up with regards to Yakuza releases for quite some time. While Yakuza 5‘s release is comparatively recent, depending on how the games are sold (individually or compiled together somehow) you have to wonder how to make it properly appeal to any interested fans.
Let us know your thoughts on how to release these remasters in Japan, Asia, and the West, if they end up being developed!
Credit to DualShockers for the initial news posting.