Like a Dragon, formerly known internationally as Yakuza, follows Kazuma Kiryu across decades before introducing Ichiban Kasuga as a new lead. The remakes let newcomers use a newer version of the first three adventures. They do not create extra chapters to play between the originals.
Choose order
Release order
Release order: main saga and connected spin-offs
Release years here refer to the games’ first release in Japan. Some titles arrived in other regions later. Yakuza 3, 4 and 5 also had remastered releases; those versions do not change their place in the story.
- Yakuza
- Yakuza 2
- Yakuza 3
- Yakuza 4
- Yakuza: Dead Souls
Optional alternate-story Game
- Yakuza 5
- Yakuza 0
Game prequel
- Yakuza Kiwami
Remake Game of Yakuza
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
- Yakuza Kiwami 2
Remake Game of Yakuza 2
- Judgment
Detective Game spin-off
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Game; also called Like a Dragon in some regions
- Lost Judgment
Detective Game sequel
- Like a Dragon: Ishin!
Remake Game of a 2014 historical spin-off
- Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
- Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
Remake Game plus new side-story campaign
Story order: Kiryu’s saga, then Ichiban’s
Optional historical stories: Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023 • Remake Game; 1860s) is a separate period drama with familiar actors and names in a historical setting, not a chapter in Kiryu’s modern story. Dead Souls (2011 • Game) is an alternate zombie spin-off. Dark Ties (2026 • Side-story Game campaign) explores Yoshitaka Mine before the events of Yakuza 3; for context, play it after reaching the third chapter.
- Yakuza 0
Game; 1988
- Yakuza (2005 • Game; 1995 and 2005) or Yakuza Kiwami (2016 • Remake Game; same main story)
- Yakuza 2 (2006 • Game; 2006) or Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017 • Remake Game; same main story)
- Yakuza 3 (2009 • Game; 2009) or Yakuza Kiwami 3 (2026 • Remake Game; same core chapter)
- Yakuza 4
Game; 2010
- Yakuza 5
Game; 2012
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Game; 2016
- Judgment
Detective Game; 2018; optional side story
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Game; 2019–2020
- Lost Judgment
Detective Game; 2021; optional side story
- Like a Dragon Gaiden
Game; overlaps Like a Dragon and bridges into Infinite Wealth
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Game; 2023–2024
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
Game; after Infinite Wealth
No entries match this selection.
Should I play Yakuza 0 first?
For story chronology, yes. For a first-time player who wants to experience the series as it developed, Yakuza Kiwami is also a strong start, followed by Kiwami 2 and then the later games. Kiwami includes additions that assume familiarity with Yakuza 0, so either beginning works with that caveat.
Peppermoon’s recommendation
Choose the Kiwami remakes for the first three Kiryu chapters if you want updated presentation. Continue with Yakuza 4, 5 and 6, then move into Ichiban’s games. Judgment is a good optional side path in the same modern setting.
Sources: SEGA’s Like a Dragon game catalogue (https://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/asia_en/lineup/); SEGA on Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties (https://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/asia_en/info/detail/003594.html); SEGA studio history (https://ryu-ga-gotoku.com/studio/en/).