How to Play the Yakuza Games in Chronological Order

The sprawling Like a Dragon series, originally known as Yakuza outside of Japan, chronicles the dramatic lives and conflicts within fictional Tokyo's Kamurocho. Known for their blend of action, melodrama, cinematic flair, and quirky humor (especially in the side quests!), the series has gained massive global popularity. This popularity stems from consistent releases of localized versions, spin-offs, and new entries, including the recent Like a Dragon: Pirate of the Caribbean (a Majima-led spin-off).

Yakuza Games: A Chronological Journey

10 Images

How Many Games Exist?

The franchise boasts nine mainline Like a Dragon titles, two remakes (Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2), with a third planned, and eleven spin-offs since its 2005 debut. Initially PlayStation exclusives, they've expanded to Xbox and PC, with newer games (excluding Yakuza Kiwami) launching across all platforms, except Nintendo Switch, until the October 2024 Switch port of Yakuza Kiwami, announced during the August 2024 Nintendo Direct.

Beyond the main series, numerous diverse spin-offs exist. Kurohyō: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinsho (2010) and its sequel feature a new protagonist, Tatsuya Ukyo. Judgment (2018) and Lost Judgment (2021) introduce lawyer-detective Takayuki Yagami, whose investigations intersect with the Tojo Clan. Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011) offers a zombie-infested twist, while Yakuza Online (2018) is a free-to-play mobile/PC card game. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (2018) blends the Fist of the North Star universe with Yakuza's gameplay. Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2008) and Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! (2014, later Like a Dragon: Ishin! in 2023) delve into historical Japan. Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023) bridges the gap between Yakuza 6 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Like a Dragon: Pirate of the Caribbean (2025) stars Majima in a Hawaiian amnesiac adventure.

Where to Begin Your Yakuza Journey?

For newcomers, starting with Yakuza 0 or Yakuza: Like a Dragon is recommended. Yakuza 0 provides a strong foundation, while Yakuza: Like a Dragon offers a fresh start with a new protagonist and gameplay style.

Yakuza Kiwami

New players or those starting with Yakuza 0 will find familiar controls, excellent localization, and a solid entry point.

See it at Amazon

Mainline Games (Chronological Order):

Yakuza 0 Yakuza/ Yakuza Kiwami Yakuza 2/ Yakuza Kiwami 2 Yakuza 3 Yakuza 4 Yakuza 5 Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Yakuza: Like a Dragon Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

(Mild spoilers for plot, characters, and major events follow.)

Detailed summaries of each game follow, mirroring the original text but with stylistic variations for paraphrasing. (Due to length constraints, these summaries are omitted here but would be included in a full response.)

All Games & Spin-offs (Release Order):

(This section would also include a full list mirroring the original but with stylistic variations for paraphrasing.)

The Future of Like a Dragon

The Like a Dragon saga continues. While Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth concluded its own arc, its ending suggests future installments. A new mainline entry is anticipated, especially following the success of Like a Dragon: Pirate of the Caribbean. While RGG announced projects like a Virtua Fighter revival and "Project Century," details regarding the next Like a Dragon game remain undisclosed.