Get ready to relive your retro gaming dreams—or discover them for the first time! Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is bringing a treasure trove of nostalgia to Xbox Series X and S on February 12th, and it’s not just about the main story. But here’s where it gets exciting: nestled within this modern masterpiece are 12 SEGA Game Gear titles that will transport you back to the golden age of handheld gaming. Yes, you read that right—games like Sonic Chaos, Pac-Man, and Streets of Rage will be fully playable, right inside the Yakuza universe. And this is the part most people miss: many of these classics even support split-screen multiplayer, so grab a friend and dive into the pixelated past together.
Here’s the full lineup of these retro gems:
- Columns
- Fantasy Zone Gear
- Galaga 2
- G-LOC: Air Battle
- Mappy
- Pac-Man
- Puzlow Kids
- Sonic Chaos (Sonic & Tails)
- Sonic Drift
- Streets of Rage
- The GG Shinobi
- Woody Pop
But wait, there’s more! And this is where it gets controversial: alongside these Game Gear titles, at least three old-school SEGA arcade games—Emergency Call Ambulance, SlashOut, and Magical Truck Adventure—will also be part of the package. While this collection feels like a retro gamer’s dream come true, there’s a growing debate online. Some fans are disappointed that these classics aren’t playable outside of Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. Is this a missed opportunity, or is there something uniquely special about experiencing these games within the Yakuza/Judgment/Like a Dragon universe? We’ll let you decide.
Here’s the bold question we’re posing: Should retro games like these be standalone releases, or does their inclusion in modern titles like Yakuza Kiwami 3 add a layer of charm and context that standalone releases can’t match? Let’s spark a conversation—share your thoughts in the comments below!
Before you go, we’ve included a few more Game Gear screenshots from Yakuza 3, along with a peek at one of the arcade games, to fuel your nostalgia. Whether you’re a die-hard retro fan or a newcomer to these classics, this release promises to be a trip down memory lane—or a brand-new adventure. What’s your take? Are you hyped, or do you think these games deserve their own spotlight? Let us know!
