Play Order (Release = Chronological)Recommended
0 / 14 playedMainline saga plus Gaiden and Judgment spinoffs in release order. Start at 0 for Kiryu or Like a Dragon for Ichiban.
Main saga
- 1 Yakuza Play the Yakuza Kiwami remake (2016).
- 2 Yakuza 2 Play the Yakuza Kiwami 2 remake (2017).
- 3 Yakuza 3 Play the Yakuza Kiwami 3 remake (2026).
- 4 Yakuza 4
- 5 Yakuza 5
- 6 Yakuza 0 Prequel and best entry point for Kiryu's story.
- 7 Yakuza 6: The Song of Life End of Kiryu's mainline story.
- 8 Yakuza: Like a Dragon New hero Ichiban Kasuga; series becomes turn-based RPG.
- 10 Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Gaiden spinoffs
- 9 Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Kiryu side story set around Like a Dragon.
- 11 Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Majima-led action spinoff set after Infinite Wealth.
- 12 Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties Remake of 3 plus a Mine-led prequel campaign.
Judgment spinoffs
- 13 Judgment Same Kamurocho, new hero; playable standalone.
- 14 Lost Judgment
About Yakuza
Yakuza, renamed Like a Dragon worldwide in 2022, follows Kazuma Kiryu's crime saga from 2005's Yakuza through Yakuza 6, then hands the lead to Ichiban Kasuga for the turn-based RPGs Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Infinite Wealth. The Kiwami remakes replace the first three originals for modern players, and the Gaiden games (The Man Who Erased His Name, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Dark Ties) fill gaps around the mainline story. Release order is the recommended play order.
Newcomers can start at Yakuza 0, a prequel that introduces Kiryu and Majima, or at Yakuza: Like a Dragon for the new cast. The Judgment duology shares Kamurocho but stars detective Takayuki Yagami and can be played after Yakuza 6 or on its own.
Good to know
Years use first release in any region. The Kiwami remakes (Kiwami 2016, Kiwami 2 2017, Kiwami 3 2026) are the modern way to play 1 through 3; Kiwami 3 ships with the Dark Ties prequel campaign. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii launched February 21, 2025 after a one-week move-up. RGG Studio says the Kiwami line ends with 3 and a new series direction is planned, but no next mainline game is dated. Judgment shares the setting with no story crossovers, per the studio. Period spinoffs (Kenzan, Ishin) and Dead Souls sit outside this list.
