PlayStation Plus Users Left Frustrated, Blocked From New-Gen Upgrade

PlayStation Plus users are left feeling frustrated after being blocked from an upcoming new-gen upgrade.

Earlier this year, Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut launched on the Nintendo Switch 2, which has new story cut-scenes adding character backstory, a new co-op multiplayer mode, as well as an improved resolution and performance.

When Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut was announced for the Nintendo Switch 2, I, like many, looked on in envy, hoping that it would eventually be released on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. After all, this is my favourite game in this beloved SEGA series.

Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut Is Multiplatform

Thankfully, it was later announced that Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut is coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S after all, happy days! Though the co-op mode is arriving as a free post-launch update.

However, that was not all, because not only is Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut coming to PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, but so too are remasters of Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2.

What’s more, there will be upgrade paths from the last-gen to the new-gen versions, one of which is free. Please keep in mind, the ones that cost money have only been detailed in US dollars, but they will be available in other regions, including the UK.

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut, SEGA

As Announced By SEGA, Here Are The Yakuza Upgrade Paths:

• Yakuza 0 (PC/PS4/Xbox One) can upgrade to Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut for $14.99.
• Yakuza Kiwami (PS4/Xbox One) can upgrade to the new-gen version for $1.99.
• Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS4/Xbox One) can upgrade to the new-gen version for free.

There are a couple of exceptions to the above upgrades. Firstly, the upgrades do not apply to the physical versions of the games; it’s a digital deal only. This sucks, but I’m hoping SEGA will correct that at some point.

The second exception is that if you acquired any of the above games via PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass, you will not be eligible for the upgrade. That being said, there is a simple workaround. It's also worth noting that save progress will not carry over into the newer versions of the game.

There Is a Cost-Effective Alternative

At the time of writing, while not currently discounted, Yakuza 0 is sold digitally for £14.99 on Steam and Xbox One, and £15.99 on PlayStation 4. So if you were to buy the last-gen version, then the upgrade, it still works out cheaper, going by the price of the Director’s Cut on Switch 2 having an RRP of £44.99.

As for Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2, you can pick up the ‘Starter Pack' on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with an RRP of £24.99, which includes both games. It’s also currently discounted to £19.99 on the PlayStation Store. Doing it this way is much cheaper than buying the new-gen versions outright.

Sure, it might not be ideal for some PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass subscribers, but it is at least a cost-effective workaround that allows you to always access the games, should your subscription end.

Let's be honest, if you own the game, subscription service or not, everyone should be entitled to access this upgrade.

Yakuza 0: Director's Cut and the new-gen versions of Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 will launch for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on 8 December 2025.

Then Yakuza Kiwami 3 (and its ‘Dark Ties’ expansion) will be released on 12 February 2026 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2.