How to Play the Yakuza Games in Chronological Order

Originally launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, the Yakuza series, known as Ryu ga Gotoku in Japan, has evolved into a cherished and extensive franchise. Set in the fictional Kamurocho neighborhood of Tokyo, the games delve into the intricate conflicts and schemes of yakuza families. In 2022, the series was rebranded to Like a Dragon, reflecting its original Japanese title.

The Yakuza games are renowned for their unique blend of action, melodrama, cinematic flair, and humor. Skipping the side quests would mean missing out on the series' distinctive charm. While it took years for the franchise to gain international acclaim, its reputation has been bolstered by consistent releases, including remakes, spin-offs, and new titles. The latest addition, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, follows fan-favorite Goro Majima in a new adventure 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 nine mainline Yakuza/Like a Dragon games, 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, the series has since been ported to Xbox and PC, with all games since Yakuza: Like a Dragon being released simultaneously across multiple platforms, except for the Nintendo Switch. Yakuza Kiwami became the first Like a Dragon game to be ported to the Switch in October 2024, as announced in the August 2024 Nintendo Direct.

In addition to the mainline series, Like a Dragon boasts a variety of spin-offs. Kurohyō: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinsho (2010) and its sequel Kurohyō 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen (2012) are PlayStation Portable exclusives featuring new protagonist Tatsuya Ukyo. Judgment (2018) and Lost Judgment (2021) introduce lawyer-turned-detective Takayuki Yagami, whose investigations in Kamurocho intersect with the Tojo Clan.

The zombie-themed Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011) places the series' classic characters in a dystopian setting. Yakuza Online (2018), a free-to-play TCG on mobile and PC, introduced Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (2018) brings the Yakuza gameplay to the iconic Japanese series.

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

In 2023, Like a Dragon: The Man Who Erased His Name was released, exploring Kiryu's story after Yakuza 6. The most recent spin-off, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, released in 2025, follows Majima as he navigates Honolulu with amnesia, set six months after the events of Infinite Wealth.

Which Yakuza Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, starting with Yakuza 0 or jumping straight to Yakuza: Like a Dragon offers a great entry point into the saga.

### Yakuza Kiwami

0Newcomers or those familiar with Yakuza 0 will appreciate the refined controls, excellent localization by SEGA, and a solid introduction to the franchise. 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)

Despite being the sixth game released, Yakuza 0 is the first in the series chronologically. Set in the late 1980s, it follows two protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu, a young member of the Dojima family framed for murder, and Goro Majima, a former Shimano family member working in a cabaret. Their stories intertwine around the Empty Lot, a key piece of land. By the game's end, Kiryu returns to the Dojima family, Majima spares Makoto, the rightful owner of the lot, and the Millennium Tower is built on the destroyed lot.

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

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

Yakuza begins with Kazuma Kiryu, who takes the fall for a murder he didn't commit, spending a decade in prison. Upon release, he's expelled from the Tojo Clan, and must navigate a missing ¥10 billion and the disappearance of his friend Yumi Sawamura. He meets Haruka, whose pendant is crucial to the mystery. The climax sees Kiryu confronting his best friend Nishikiyama, who becomes the antagonist. Kiryu briefly becomes the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan before resigning to care for 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 opens with Kiryu helping the Tojo Clan's Fifth Chairman, Terada, prevent a war with the Omi Alliance. After Terada's apparent death, Kiryu supports Daigo Dojima as the new chairman. He clashes with Ryuji Goda, the Omi chairman's son, and works with detective Kaoru Sayama to uncover her parents' fate.

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

4. Yakuza 3 (2009)

Set in 2007, Yakuza 3 finds Kiryu running the Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa, away from the yakuza life. However, trouble soon ensnares him in conflicts involving new yakuza families, assassinations, and even 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 expands the narrative through four protagonists. Alongside Kiryu, loan shark Shun Akiyama, escaped convict Taiga Saejima, and detective Masayoshi Tanimura navigate a complex web of crime and betrayal in Kamurocho.

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

6. Yakuza 5 (2012)

Yakuza 5 ups the ante with five protagonists and multiple settings. Kiryu moves to Fukuoka, Saejima escapes prison, Haruka pursues a career as a J-pop idol, Akiyama helps unravel a mystery, and new character Tatsuo Shinada seeks 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)

Marked as Kiryu's final chapter, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life begins with Kiryu in prison for past crimes. After release, he discovers Haruka in a coma and her son Haruto. Kiryu investigates in Hiroshima, uncovering ties to the Saio Triad and 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, introducing a turn-based combat system and new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga. Released from prison after 18 years, Kasuga navigates a changed world, confronting his former patriarch Masumi Arakawa and forming a new crew 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)

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth brings together Kiryu and Kasuga in a sprawling adventure from Japan to Hawaii. Set in 2024, the story follows Kasuga's quest to find his mother and Kiryu's battle with cancer, weaving a narrative involving multiple criminal organizations and global 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 story continues to evolve. While Infinite Wealth concluded its narrative, it left room for future developments. With the success of the latest spin-off, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, fans can anticipate more from the franchise. At the 2024 Game Awards, RGG announced the revival of Virtua Fighter and a new open-world game, "Project Century," at the February 2025 State of Play. However, details on the next Like a Dragon game remain under wraps.

For more video game timelines, explore these guides:

Grand Theft Auto Games in OrderGod of War Games in OrderAssassin's Creed Games in OrderResident Evil Games in Order