The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is not only one of Sega’s longest-running series in its own right, but in many ways has become a haven for introducing fans to many classic Sega titles. Since Yakuza 5 on the PS3, RGG Studios’ series has included playable versions of classic Sega arcade and console games. It’s been confirmed that Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will include games from another publisher, Bandai Namco.

While the Club Sega chain of real-world Japanese arcades (which unfortunately no longer exist) were first introduced in Yakuza 2 for the PS2, they wouldn’t go on to feature real Sega games until Yakuza 5. Following this, each subsequent Yakuza/Like a Dragon game has featured a plethora of playable Sega classics, taking inspiration from the studio’s prior open-world series, Shenmue. Recent entries have even included more modern titles such as Virtua Fighter 5: Final Showdown, which was featured in Yakuza 6, Judgment, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

Today Sega has revealed that Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties will feature a playable version of the company’s iconic 1990 handheld, the Game Gear. While first-party classics like the Game Gear version of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Chaos will also be playable, Game Gear versions of Bandai Namco games such as Pac-Man, Galaga ’91, and Mappy, will also be playable on Kiryu’s handheld (Credit: Gematsu).

This isn’t the first time Sega and Bandai Namco have collaborated for Yakuza arcade games, with Taiko no Tatsujin also featuring in Yakuza 5. This is the first time another publisher’s games have been playable on one of the in-game consoles however, with Lost Judgment’s Mega Drive/Genesis console only featuring Sega games.

This reveal comes after a series of collaborations between Sega and Bandai Namco, including Pac-Man showing up in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, and Sonic respectively showing up in Pac-Man World 2 Re-Pac. Perhaps the dream of seeing Ichiban Kasuga or Kazuma Kiryu make their way to Tekken is still alive?

Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties releases February 12 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox Series X/S.