Originally launched as a PlayStation 2 exclusive in 2005, the Yakuza series (known as Ryu ga Gotoku in Japan) has evolved into a cherished and expansive saga. The narrative revolves around the tumultuous lives of yakuza families within the fictional Kamurocho district of Tokyo. In 2022, the series was rebranded as Like a Dragon, reflecting its original Japanese title, Ryu ga Gotoku.
The games are celebrated for their unique blend of action, melodrama, cinematic flair, and humor, with side quests playing a crucial role in showcasing the series' light-hearted moments. It took time for the franchise to gain international acclaim, but its consistent release of remakes, spin-offs, and new titles has bolstered its reputation. The latest addition, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, features Goro Majima navigating the Hawaiian islands.
The Yakuza Games In (Chronological) Order
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How Many Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games Are There?
Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released a total of nine mainline Yakuza/Like a Dragon games, accompanied by two remakes – Yakuza Kiwami (2016) and Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017), with a third on the horizon – and 11 spin-offs since the series debuted in 2005. Initially exclusive to PlayStation, the series has since expanded to Xbox and PC platforms, with every game since Yakuza: Like a Dragon being released simultaneously across multiple systems, excluding Nintendo Switch until Yakuza Kiwami's Switch port in October 2024.
In addition to the mainline titles, the Like a Dragon series boasts a variety of spin-offs. Kurohyō: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinsho (2010) and its sequel Kurohyō 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen (2012) are exclusive to the PlayStation Portable and introduce Tatsuya Ukyo. Judgment (2018) and Lost Judgment (2021) center on Takayuki Yagami, a lawyer-turned-detective delving into mysterious cases in Kamurocho, with connections to the Tojo Clan.Notably, Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011) presents a zombie-themed spin-off, while Yakuza Online (2018) is a free-to-play trading card game that introduced Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (2018) adapts the popular Japanese series into the Yakuza gameplay style.
Two historical spin-offs, Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2008) and Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! (2014), the latter of which was released in the West as Like a Dragon: Ishin! in 2023, feature historical figures as protagonists.
In 2023, RGG released Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name, which parallels the timeline of Yakuza: Like a Dragon and details Kiryu's life after Yakuza 6. The most recent spin-off, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, follows Goro Majima as he explores Honolulu.
Which Yakuza Game Should You Play First?
For newcomers, starting with Yakuza 0 provides a chronological entry point into the saga, while Yakuza: Like a Dragon offers a fresh start with a new protagonist and gameplay style.
### Yakuza Kiwami
0Newcomers or those who began with Yakuza 0 will appreciate the familiar controls, excellent SEGA localization, and a solid introduction to the franchise's rich narrative world. See it at AmazonMainline Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games in Chronological Order:
Yakuza 0Yakuza / Yakuza KiwamiYakuza 2 / Yakuza Kiwami 2Yakuza 3Yakuza 4Yakuza 5Yakuza 6: The Song of LifeYakuza: Like a DragonLike a Dragon: Infinite WealthBeware: Mild spoilers for the plots, characters, and some major events of each game follow.
1. Yakuza 0 (2014)
Yakuza 0, the sixth game in the series but the first chronologically, transports players to the economic boom of the late 1980s. The game follows two protagonists: a young Kazuma Kiryu, embroiled in a plot over the Empty Lot, and Goro Majima, who is working at a cabaret club as penance. Their intertwined stories culminate in the destruction of the Empty Lot and the construction of the Millennium Tower, a pivotal location in the series.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Yakuza 0 Review
2. Yakuza (2005) / Yakuza Kiwami (2016)
Yakuza follows Kazuma Kiryu as he leaves prison after serving a sentence for a murder he didn't commit. The narrative weaves through the mystery of the missing ¥10 billion and Kiryu's quest to find Yumi and protect Haruka. The game concludes with Kiryu briefly becoming the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan before relinquishing the position to raise Haruka.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Yakuza Kiwami), PS2 | IGN’s Yakuza Review | Yakuza Kiwami Review
3. Yakuza 2 (2006) / Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017)
Yakuza 2 sees Kiryu attempting to prevent a war between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance. His journey involves navigating alliances and confrontations, particularly with Ryuji Goda, while also helping detective Kaoru Sayama uncover her past.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Yakuza Kiwami 2), PS3 | IGN’s Yakuza 2 Review | Yakuza Kiwami 2 Review
4. Yakuza 3 (2009)
Yakuza 3 introduces a peaceful interlude for Kiryu as he manages the Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa. However, the tranquility is short-lived as he becomes entangled in a web of yakuza politics, assassinations, and international intrigue.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (The Yakuza Remastered Collection), PS3 | IGN’s Yakuza 3 Review
5. Yakuza 4 (2010)
Yakuza 4 expands the narrative scope with four protagonists, including Kiryu, Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, and Masayoshi Tanimura. Their intertwined stories explore themes of betrayal, crime, and redemption within the backdrop of Kamurocho's underworld.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (The Yakuza Remastered Collection), PS3 | IGN’s Yakuza 4 Review
6. Yakuza 5 (2012)
Yakuza 5 ambitiously weaves together the perspectives of five protagonists, including Kiryu, Saejima, Haruka, Akiyama, and Tatsuo Shinada. Their journeys span multiple cities and delve into complex plots involving yakuza conflicts, idol dreams, and baseball scandals.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (The Yakuza Remastered Collection), PS3 | IGN’s Yakuza 5 Review
7. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (2016)
Yakuza 6 marks the culmination of Kazuma Kiryu's saga. After serving time for his past actions, Kiryu returns to find Haruka in a coma and sets out to uncover the truth about her son, Haruto, and the events in Onomichi.
Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Review
8. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon introduces Ichiban Kasuga and a new turn-based combat system. Kasuga's story begins after his release from an 18-year prison sentence, as he navigates the changed landscape of the yakuza world and uncovers a conspiracy involving his former patriarch.
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon Review
9. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024)
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth unites Kiryu and Kasuga in a dual-protagonist adventure that spans from Japan to Hawaii. The narrative explores themes of family, redemption, and the impact of past decisions, set against a backdrop of international crime and personal struggles.
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PC | IGN's Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review
All of the the Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games and Spin-Offs in Release Order
Mainline Yakuza games are marked in bold with an asterisk.
1. Yakuza (2005) / Yakuza Kiwami (2016)*
2. Yakuza 2 (2006) / Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017)*
3. Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2008)
4. Yakuza 3 (2009)*
5. Yakuza 4 (2010)*
6. Kurohyō: Ryū ga Gotoku Shinshō (2010)
7. Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011)
8. Kurohyō 2: Ryū ga Gotoku Ashura Hen (2012)
9. Yakuza 5 (2012)*
10. Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! (2014) / Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023)
11. Yakuza 0 (2015)*
12. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (2016)*
13. Yakuza Online (2018)
14. Judgment (2018)
15. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)*
16. Lost Judgment (2021)
18. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023)
19. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024)*
20. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2025)
What’s Next for Yakuza/Like a Dragon?
The Like a Dragon series continues to evolve with no signs of slowing down. While Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth concluded its own narrative, it left room for future developments. Fans eagerly anticipate the next mainline installment, especially following the release of the latest spin-off, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.RGG Studio also announced the revival of Virtua Fighter and a new open-world game, "Project Century," at recent gaming events. However, details on the next Like a Dragon title remain under wraps, keeping fans on the edge of their seats for what's to come.
Looking for more video game timelines? Check out these guides:
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