Shenmue 3 Enhanced slated to arrive on PlayStation, Xbox Series S|X and Nintendo Switch platforms

The cult-classic action-adventure game Shenmue 3 is set to receive an overhaul with the announcement of Shenmue 3 Enhanced. The enhanced edition is a re-release, which is set to debut on the Xbox Series S|X and Nintendo Switch 2, along with its availability on the PS5 and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Shenmue 3 Enhanced Edition was unveiled by creator Yu Suzuki and publisher ININ Games ahead of Gamescom 2025 on X. What’s changed in Shenmue 3 Enhanced is a polished experience with “overhauled visuals, performance boosts, and quality-of-life updates.” The upcoming update aims to address complaints and issues regarding the 2019 release, while preserving the unique charm of the game. 

However, it’s yet to be known if the game will arrive just on the Nintendo Switch 2 or whether fans will also get to enjoy Shenmue 3 Enhanced on the original Switch. Furthermore, owners of the original PlayStation 4 and PC versions will enjoy an upgrade for the enhanced version, though it's still unconfirmed if the upgrade will be free or paid, with ININ Games promising further details down the road.

Shenmue 3 Enhanced is set to introduce a plethora of improvements to modernize the game, while staying true to the game’s roots. The major new implementations include sharper textures, blazing fast load times, and a smoother frame rate, alongside a 4K texture uplift to spruce up environments and characters. 

The game will also introduce upscaling implementations like DLSS and FSR on compatible hardware. To bring the village of Niaowu to life, the game will feature increased NPC density, populating the city streets with more characters. 

The game will also introduce a “Classic Camera Mode” inspired by Shenmue 1 and 2, which will allow players to toggle between the original D-pad movement, camera controls, and a modern perspective.

Long-standing fan criticism has been addressed in Shenmue 3 Enhanced, with optional Stamina System adjustments, health being restored before fights, and reduced money requirements to ease story progression. 

Players can now skip cutscenes and conversations, with an extended QTE timing window for better accessibility. ININ Games has promised UI overhauls to streamline navigation and purchase alerts. ININ Games has emphasized that all major changes are toggleable, meaning purists of the Shenmue series can retain the original 2019 experience or implement them selectively during their playthrough of the enhanced edition.