Yakuza Series: A Chronological Play Guide

Originally launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, Yakuza, known as Ryu ga Gotoku in Japan, has evolved into a cherished series that chronicles the intricate conflicts and schemes of yakuza families within the fictional Kamurocho district of Tokyo. In 2022, the series was rebranded to "Like a Dragon," which is the English translation of Ryu ga Gotoku.

These games are renowned for their action-packed sequences, melodramatic storytelling, cinematic flair, and delightfully goofy elements. The side quests, in particular, are a treasure trove of humor and are essential for experiencing the full charm of the games. Despite taking years to gain international acclaim, the franchise's reputation continues to flourish, fueled by a steady stream of localized re-releases, spin-offs, and new entries, including the latest addition, "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii," starring the fan-favorite Goro Majima in a unique Hawaiian setting.

The Yakuza Games In (Chronological) Order

10 ImagesHow Many Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games Are There?

Since its debut in 2005, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released nine mainline Yakuza/Like a Dragon games, along with two remakes, "Yakuza Kiwami" (2016) and "Yakuza Kiwami 2" (2017), with a third promised in the future, and 11 spin-offs. Initially exclusive to PlayStation, these games have been ported to Xbox and PC platforms. Every new game since "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" has been released simultaneously across multiple platforms, except for the Nintendo Switch, which saw its first Like a Dragon game, "Yakuza Kiwami," in October 2024.

In addition to the mainline entries, the Like a Dragon series boasts a diverse array 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 a new protagonist, Tatsuya Ukyo. "Judgment" (2018) and "Lost Judgment" (2021) feature Takayuki Yagami, a lawyer-turned-detective, and have a peripheral connection to the main series through encounters with Tojo Clan affiliates.

The zombie-themed "Yakuza: Dead Souls" (2011) brings back familiar faces in a dystopian setting. "Yakuza Online" (2018) is a free-to-play trading card game on mobile and PC, introducing Ichiban Kasuga, who later becomes the protagonist of "Yakuza: Like a Dragon." "Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise" (2018) reimagines the iconic Japanese series with gameplay elements similar to Kiryu's adventures.

Two spin-offs, "Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan!" (2008) and "Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin!" (2014), are set in historical Japan and feature real historical figures. "Like a Dragon: Ishin!" was released in the West in 2023.

In 2023, "Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name" was released, detailing Kiryu's activities following "Yakuza 6: The Song of Life." The most recent spin-off, "Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii," follows Majima as he navigates life in Honolulu post-"Infinite Wealth."

Which Yakuza Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers eager to dive into this expansive saga, starting with "Yakuza 0" offers a chronological entry point, or you can leap to "Yakuza: Like a Dragon" for a fresh start with a new protagonist and gameplay style.

Yakuza Kiwami

For those new to the series or fans who started with "Yakuza 0," "Yakuza Kiwami" provides familiar controls, excellent localization, and a solid entry point into the franchise.

Mainline Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games in 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

Beware: Mild spoilers for the plots, characters, and some major events of each game follow.

1. Yakuza 0 (2014)

Set during Japan's economic boom of the late 1980s, "Yakuza 0" introduces us to two protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu, a young member of the Dojima family framed for a murder at the Empty Lot, and Goro Majima, a former Shimano family member tasked with killing a blind woman, Makoto, who turns out to be the rightful owner of the lot. By the game's end, Kiryu returns to the Dojima family, Majima allows Makoto to live her life, and the Empty Lot is destroyed, making way for the Millennium Tower.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN’s Yakuza 0 Review

2. Yakuza (2005) / Yakuza Kiwami (2016)

The original "Yakuza" follows Kiryu after his release from a 10-year prison sentence for a murder he didn't commit. He finds himself expelled from the Tojo Clan, with ¥10 billion missing and his friend Yumi Sawamura missing. Kiryu meets Haruka, whose pendant is key to the missing money. After confrontations and revelations, Kiryu briefly becomes the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan before resigning to raise Haruka as his adopted daughter.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Yakuza Kiwami), PS2 | IGN’s Yakuza Review | Yakuza Kiwami Review

3. Yakuza 2 (2006) / Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017)

In "Yakuza 2," Kiryu is tasked by the Fifth Chairman, Yukio Terada, to prevent a war with the Omi Alliance. After Terada's apparent death, Kiryu supports Daigo Dojima to become the new chairman. Kiryu's rivalry with Ryuji Goda, son of the Omi chairman, escalates, and he helps 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" finds Kiryu running the Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa in 2007. His peaceful life is disrupted by new yakuza conflicts, assassinations, and even the involvement of the CIA.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (The Yakuza Remastered Collection), PS3 | IGN’s Yakuza 3 Review

5. Yakuza 4 (2010)

Set a year after "Yakuza 3," "Yakuza 4" introduces four protagonists: Kiryu, Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, and Masayoshi Tanimura. Their interconnected stories involve the Tojo Clan, the Ueno Seiwa Clan, and a mysterious woman named Lily, leading to a complex tale of crime and betrayal.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (The Yakuza Remastered Collection), PS3 | IGN’s Yakuza 4 Review

6. Yakuza 5 (2012)

"Yakuza 5" expands the narrative with five protagonists across different Japanese cities in 2012. Kiryu, Saejima, Haruka, Akiyama, and new character Tatsuo Shinada each have their own storylines that converge on the brewing conflict between the Tojo Clan and the Omi Alliance.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (The Yakuza Remastered Collection), PS3 | IGN’s Yakuza 5 Review

7. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (2016)

In "Yakuza 6: The Song of Life," Kiryu returns to Kamurocho after three years in prison. He learns that Haruka is in a coma following a car accident and has a child, Haruto. Kiryu's investigation leads him to Onomichi, Hiroshima, and involves rival groups, the Saio Triad, and the Jingweon Mafia.

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" marks a significant shift with a turn-based combat system and introduces Ichiban Kasuga. After serving 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Kasuga returns to a changed world where the Omi Alliance has defeated the Tojo Clan. His journey takes him to Isezaki Ijincho, where he forms a new team to uncover the truth behind his former patriarch's betrayal.

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" brings together Kiryu and Kasuga in a sprawling adventure that spans Japan and Hawaii. Set in 2024, Kasuga seeks his mother, believed to be dead, while Kiryu, grappling with cancer, assists in the search. Their journey involves various criminal organizations, a religious cult, live streamers, and global corporations.

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)

17. 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 saga is far from over. "Infinite Wealth" may have concluded its own narrative, but it left room for future stories. Fans can expect announcements about new mainline and spin-off games, especially after the success of "Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii." RGG Studio also teased new projects at the 2024 Game Awards and the February 2025 State of Play, though details on the next Like a Dragon game remain under wraps.

For more video game timelines, explore these guides:

• Grand Theft Auto Games in Order
• God of War Games in Order
• Assassin's Creed Games in Order
• Resident Evil Games in Order