Yakuza 3 Remastered will no longer be sold as a standalone title for new players and will instead be available exclusively through the Yakuza Complete Series bundle going forward. The change was confirmed by RGG Studio in a public statement addressing the upcoming release of Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, which is scheduled to launch in less than one month. Existing owners of Yakuza 3 Remastered will retain full access to the game.
In its message, RGG Studio thanked fans for their continued engagement and outlined its approach to future releases. The studio stated, “Those who already own ‘Yakuza 3 Remastered’ will still be able to continue playing it. For those new to the series who wish to experience the original version, it will be available with purchase of the ‘Yakuza Complete Series’ bundle.” The developer emphasized its commitment to its creative direction, adding that it values feedback from the global community, even if individual responses are not always possible.
The announcement arrives ahead of the release of Yakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark Ties, a new reimagining of the original title. RGG Studio described the project as one that the team has invested heavily in, noting that it hopes players will enjoy the “completely new experiences” envisioned for the release. The statement concludes by encouraging fans to look forward to upcoming titles and thanking them again for their support and feedback.
The decision to restrict access to Yakuza 3 Remastered through a bundle has drawn criticism from parts of the community. Comparisons have been made to previous Sega release strategies, where legacy titles remained technically available but only through higher-priced collections. In this case, the Yakuza Complete Series bundle includes multiple entries from the franchise, including Yakuza 3, 4, 5, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza 6, and Yakuza Kiwami 2. At present, the bundle is priced at approximately $130.
Some players have expressed frustration that accessing the original version of Yakuza 3 now requires purchasing a large collection rather than a single game. Concerns have also been raised around long-term preservation and accessibility of earlier entries in the series, particularly as the original versions of Yakuza 1 and 2 remain unavailable on modern platforms. For the time being, Yakuza 3 Remastered is still available for around $20 through existing storefront listings, though its future standalone availability appears limited.
As RGG Studio continues to expand the franchise with new releases, the handling of legacy titles remains a sensitive topic. While the studio has reassured players about continued access for current owners, the bundle-only approach signals a clear shift in how older Yakuza games will be distributed going forward.
