Given the name change from Yakuza to Like a Dragon, someone might find it confusing when trying to play the games in chronological order. This is especially true when it comes to recent entries that completely forgo numbers, like Yakuza 2 or 3, and instead offer different subtitles after Like a Dragon to differentiate them. We’re here to help!
Originally released in 2006, Yakuza gained a dedicated following in North America and Europe. While the franchise wouldn’t see a sudden explosion in popularity following the release of Yakuza 0 in 2015, the series received numerous entries. This has included mainline titles, spin-off games, with some set in alternate universes. And with the franchise rebranding in North America and Europe to keep in line with its Japanese counterpart, it might be a little confusing to people who are looking to get into the franchise.
Yakuza, or Yakuza: Like a Dragon, are in the same series. Known as Ryu ga Gotoku in Japan, that title roughly translates to “Like a Dragon.” However, early localization saw the franchise dubbed Yakuza in North America and Europe, and kept it up until the release of Ryu ga Gotoku 7, or Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
Now Sega is looking to rebrand the franchise with the release of Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin, which is being released as Like a Dragon: Ishin, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Basically, they’re one in the same. The exception is that Yakuza: Like a Dragon features an all new protagonist, Kasuga Ichiban. Yakuza 0 through Yakuza 6 starring Kazuma Kiryu, who is sometimes joined by playable side characters in later titles.
But don’t worry, if you’re looking to get into the franchise or play the games in chronological order, we’ve created a list that get you started.
Please keep in mind that this will not include spin-off titles like Yakuza: Kenzan, Like a Dragon: Ishin (Yakuza: Ishin), Yakuza: Dead Souls or the Black Panther: Like a Dragon games.
All mainlineYakuza games in chronological order according to their release dates:
To help with finding copies of titles, platforms are also included for each one.
- Yakuza (PS2, PS3, Wii U in Japan)
- Yakuza 2 (PS2, PS3, Wii U in Japan)
- Yakuza 3 (PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Yakuza 4 (PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Yakuza 5 (PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Yakuza 0 (PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Yakuza Kiwami (PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC) – This is a remake of the original game.
- Yakuza 6 (PS4, Xbox One, PC)
- Yakuza Kiwami 2 (PS3, PS4, Xbox One, PC) – This is a remake of Yakuza 2
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC)
- Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC)
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PC)
All mainline Yakuza games in chronological order based on the story:
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza / Yakuza Kiwami
- Yakuza 2 / Yakuza Kiwami 2
- Yakuza 3
- Yakuza 4
- Yakuza 5
- Yakuza 6
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
- Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
I would advise you to play the games in chronological order according to release, including the titles Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2. As while both games are ground-up remasters of the original releases, they include extra story content and in same cases different licensed music. This can create an entirely different experience or understanding of certain characters for players. That said, the original PlayStation 2 releases of Yakuza and Yakuza 2 can be hard to find, and don’t have the same quality of life improvements as their remastered counterparts.
Ultimately, what order you choose to play in is up to you! But it’s definitely recommended that you play each game as opposed to reading the synopsis provided in later releases like Yakuza 6, for example, since those tend to sometimes gloss over significant story events.
Related: Review: Yakuza Like A Dragon on Destructoid
