Yakuza Series: Chronological Play Guide

Originally launched as a PlayStation 2 exclusive in 2005, Yakuza—known as Ryu ga Gotoku in Japan—has blossomed into a beloved and expansive video game series. Set in the fictional Kamurocho district of Tokyo, the saga delves deep into the intricate conflicts and schemes of yakuza families. In a notable rebranding in 2022, the series adopted the name Like a Dragon, which translates directly from Ryu ga Gotoku.

The Yakuza games are renowned for their blend of action, melodrama, cinematic storytelling, and humor, especially evident in the side quests that add a unique flavor to the series. While it took years for the franchise to gain international acclaim, its consistent output of localized re-releases, spin-offs, and new titles has significantly boosted its global reputation. A recent addition to the series, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, stars the fan-favorite Goro Majima in a thrilling spin-off set in Honolulu.

The Yakuza Games In (Chronological) Order

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

Since its inception in 2005, Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released a total of **nine mainline Yakuza/Like a Dragon games**. Alongside these, two remakes have been produced—Yakuza Kiwami (2016) and Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017)—with a third remake on the horizon. Additionally, the series boasts 11 spin-offs. Initially exclusive to PlayStation, the games have since been ported to Xbox and PC, with all entries post-Yakuza: Like a Dragon being released simultaneously across multiple platforms, except for the Nintendo Switch. However, Yakuza Kiwami made its way to the Switch in October 2024, following an announcement at the August 2024 Nintendo Direct.

The Like a Dragon series also includes a variety of unique spin-offs. Kurohyō: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinsho (2010) and its sequel Kurohyō 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen (2012) are PlayStation Portable exclusives featuring a new protagonist, Tatsuya Ukyo. Judgment (2018) and Lost Judgment (2021) introduce Takayuki Yagami, a lawyer-turned-detective who investigates mysterious murders in Kamurocho, intersecting with the main series through connections to the Tojo Clan.

Other spin-offs include the zombie-themed Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011), featuring the classic cast in a dystopian setting, and Yakuza Online (2018), a free-to-play TCG that introduced Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. The popular Fist of the North Star series received a Yakuza-style treatment with Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (2018). Historical settings are explored in Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2008) and Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! (2014), the latter being released in the West as Like a Dragon: Ishin! in 2023.

In 2023, RGG released Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name, which parallels the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon and explores Kiryu's journey post-Yakuza 6. The most recent spin-off, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, follows Goro Majima as an amnesiac protagonist in Honolulu six months after the events of Infinite Wealth.

Which Yakuza Game Should You Play First?

With a vast saga at your fingertips, deciding where to start can be daunting for newcomers. For a true chronological experience, begin with Yakuza 0. Alternatively, dive into the new generation with Yakuza: Like a Dragon, which offers a fresh start and a different gameplay style.

Yakuza Kiwami

For those new to the series or those who have experienced Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami provides familiar controls, exceptional SEGA localization, and a solid entry point into the Yakuza universe.

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)

Despite being the sixth game released, Yakuza 0 is the first in chronological order. Set during Japan's economic boom of the late 1980s, it follows 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 working in a cabaret. Their stories intertwine around the Empty Lot, which ultimately leads to the construction of the Millennium Tower, a significant location in the series.

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

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

The original Yakuza game follows Kazuma Kiryu post-prison, where he served time for a murder he didn't commit. Upon release, he's expelled from the Tojo Clan, and must navigate the theft of ¥10 billion and the disappearance of his friend Yumi. The game introduces Haruka, who holds a pendant key to the missing funds, and sees Kiryu's best friend, Nishikiyama, turn antagonistic.

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 assisting the Tojo Clan's Fifth Chairman, Terada, in preventing a war with the Omi Alliance. After Terada's apparent death, Kiryu seeks to install Daigo Dojima as the new chairman while facing off against Ryuji Goda, son of the Omi chairman. The game also introduces detective Kaoru Sayama, who aids Kiryu while searching for her missing parents.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC (Yakuza Kiwami 2), PS3 | IGN's Yakuza 2 Review | Yakuza Kiwami 2 Review

4. Yakuza 3 (2009)

In Yakuza 3, the first PS3 release, Kiryu seeks peace at the Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa. However, he's drawn back into the yakuza world due to new threats, including assassinations, betrayals, arms smuggling, and even the CIA.

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 with four protagonists, including Kiryu, Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, and Masayoshi Tanimura. Their stories weave together around the Tojo Clan's conflicts with the Ueno Seiwa Clan and other criminal elements.

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

6. Yakuza 5 (2012)

Yakuza 5 introduces five protagonists across different settings in 2012. Kiryu, now in Fukuoka, faces new challenges as the Tojo Clan's peace is threatened. The game follows Saejima's prison escape, Haruka's pursuit of becoming a J-pop idol, Akiyama's investigation into a staged suicide, and Tatsuo Shinada's quest to clear his name in baseball.

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

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

Presented as Kiryu's final chapter, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life sees him released from prison after three years. He learns Haruka is in a coma and has a child, Haruto. Kiryu's journey takes him to Onomichi, Hiroshima, to uncover the truth behind Haruka's accident and Haruto's father, amidst threats from rival groups.

Available on: PS4, Xbox One, PC | IGN's Yakuza 6: The Song of Life Review

8. Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)

Marking a major shift, Yakuza: Like a Dragon introduces a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, and a turn-based combat system. After serving 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, Kasuga returns to a changed world and uncovers betrayal within his yakuza family, leading to new alliances and adventures in Yokohama.

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)

The latest mainline entry, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, unites Kiryu and Kasuga in a dual-protagonist narrative that spans Japan and Hawaii. Set after the events of Yakuza: Like a Dragon, the story involves a search for Kasuga's mother, Kiryu's battle with cancer, and a complex web of international crime and intrigue.

Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PC | IGN's Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review

All of 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 saga continues to evolve. While Infinite Wealth concluded its narrative, it left room for future developments. The franchise's success, highlighted by Infinite Wealth's record-breaking sales, suggests more mainline and spin-off titles are on the horizon. RGG Studio's recent announcements, including the revival of Virtua Fighter and a new open-world game, "Project Century," indicate a busy future, though details on the next Like a Dragon installment remain under wraps.

For those interested in other 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