Originally released as a PlayStation 2 game in 2005, Yakuza (known as Ryu ga Gotoku in Japan) has evolved into a cherished and extensive video game series. Set in the fictional Kamurocho district of Tokyo, the series chronicles the intricate conflicts and schemes among yakuza families. In 2022, the series was rebranded as Like a Dragon, which is the English translation of Ryu ga Gotoku.

The Yakuza games are celebrated for their blend of action, melodrama, cinematic storytelling, and humor, often showcased through engaging side quests that add a unique flavor to the gaming experience. While the franchise initially struggled to gain international acclaim, its reputation has soared thanks to a consistent stream of localized re-releases, spin-offs, and new titles. The latest addition, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, features the beloved character Goro Majima in a thrilling new setting.

The Yakuza Games In (Chronological) Order

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How Many Yakuza/Like a Dragon Games Are There?

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio have released nine mainline Yakuza/Like a Dragon games, alongside two remakes—Yakuza Kiwami (2016) and Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017)—with a third on the horizon, and 11 spin-offs since the series debuted in 2005. Initially exclusive to PlayStation, these games have since been ported to Xbox and PC. Every game since Yakuza: Like a Dragon has been released simultaneously across multiple platforms, except for Nintendo Switch. However, Yakuza Kiwami was announced for a Switch port in October 2024, as revealed in the August 2024 Nintendo Direct.

In addition to the mainline series, Like a Dragon boasts a variety of diverse 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 character, Tatsuya Ukyo. Judgment (2018) and Lost Judgment (2021) follow lawyer-turned-detective Takayuki Yagami as he investigates murders in Kamurocho, with connections to the Tojo Clan.

Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011) presents a dystopian scenario with the classic characters battling zombies. Yakuza Online (2018) is a free-to-play trading card game available on mobile and PC, introducing Ichiban Kasuga, the protagonist of Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (2018) brings the Yakuza gameplay to the world of the popular Japanese series.

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

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

Which Yakuza Game Should You Play First?

For newcomers, starting with Yakuza 0 offers a chronological entry point with a compelling narrative, while Yakuza: Like a Dragon provides a fresh start with a new protagonist and gameplay style.

Yakuza Kiwami

0Newcomers or those whose Yakuza experience started with Yakuza 0 will appreciate the familiar controls, top-notch SEGA localization, and a solid entry into the franchise. See it at Amazon.

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)

The sixth game released, Yakuza 0 is the first in chronological order. Set during Japan's economic boom in the late 1980s, it follows two protagonists: Kazuma Kiryu, framed for murder at the Empty Lot, and Goro Majima, who is working in a cabaret to atone for past deeds. By the end, Kiryu returns to the Dojima family, Majima frees Makoto, 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 first Yakuza game follows Kazuma Kiryu after he serves a decade in prison for a crime he didn't commit. Upon release, he's expelled from the Tojo Clan, and the plot thickens with missing money, the disappearance of Yumi, and the introduction of Haruka. Kiryu ultimately becomes the Fourth Chairman of the Tojo Clan but steps down to raise 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 sees Kiryu helping Terada prevent a war with the Omi Alliance. After Terada's apparent death, Kiryu assists Daigo Dojima and faces off against Ryuji Goda. Detective Kaoru Sayama's personal quest intertwines with Kiryu's mission.

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, Kiryu runs the Morning Glory Orphanage in Okinawa, but his peaceful life is disrupted by 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)

Yakuza 4 introduces four protagonists, including Kiryu, Shun Akiyama, Taiga Saejima, and Masayoshi Tanimura. Their interconnected stories delve into family dynamics, betrayals, and crime in Kamurocho.

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 locations. Kiryu, Saejima, Haruka, Akiyama, and Tatsuo Shinada each contribute to a sprawling tale involving the Tojo Clan, the Omi Alliance, and various personal quests.

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

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

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life marks the end of Kazuma Kiryu's journey. After three years in prison, he returns to find Haruka in a coma and learns about her child, Haruto. Kiryu's investigation leads him to Onomichi, Hiroshima.

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 introduces a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga, and a turn-based combat system. After 18 years in prison, Kasuga discovers the Tojo Clan's downfall and seeks answers from his former patriarch, Masumi Arakawa.

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 dual-protagonist story spanning Japan and Hawaii. Kasuga's search for his mother intertwines with Kiryu's battle against cancer, leading to a complex narrative involving international mob groups and more.

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)
17. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023)
18. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024)*
19. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2025)

What’s Next for Yakuza/Like a Dragon?

The Like a Dragon saga continues to expand, with Infinite Wealth setting the stage for future developments. Though it concluded its narrative arc, it left ample room for sequels. RGG Studio also announced the revival of Virtua Fighter and a new open-world game called "Project Century" at the February 2025 State of Play, but details on the next Like a Dragon game remain undisclosed.

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