All Yakuza Games in Order (2005-2025); Listed in Release and Story Order

The Yakuza sequence, additionally identified in Japan as Ryū ga Gotoku, has been charming gamers ever because it began again in 2005. With its mixture of cinematic storytelling, deep character parts, and an open world that feels alive, it’s no surprise followers maintain coming again. Over time, the franchise has grown from just some mainline video games into prequels, remakes, spin-offs – you title it – all exploring totally different eras or aspect characters inside the identical universe. However what’s one of the simplest ways to play the Yakuza video games so as? Right here’s a full breakdown by launch date and story development:

All Yakuza Video games in Order By Launch

all Yakuza video games in launch date order reveals how the sequence developed technically and gameplay-wise, however in case you go along with the Yakuza video games in chronological order, the story will make extra sense and provide you with a smoother movement of occasions. Right here’s an inventory of the core entries and main spin-offs, first by launch date, then tagged with the place they land within the timeline.

Yakuza (2005)
Yakuza 2 (2006)
Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2008) (spin-off)
Yakuza 3 (2009)
Yakuza 4 (2010)
Yakuza: Useless Souls (2011) (spin-off)
Yakuza 5 (2012)
Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin! (2014) (spin-off)
Yakuza 0 (2015)
Yakuza Kiwami (2016) (remake)
Yakuza 6: The Music of Life (2016)
Yakuza Kiwami 2 (2017) (remake)
Judgment (2018) (spin-off)
Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020)
Misplaced Judgment (2021) (spin-off sequel)
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2023)
Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023) (remake)
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Identify (2023)
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (February 21, 2025) (spin-off)
Yakuza 0 Director’s Minimize (2025) (expanded re-release)

For those who observe it by story development, you need to begin with Yakuza 0, then undergo the Kiwami remakes, the unique numbered video games, and find yourself at Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Whereas the spin-offs Judgment and Misplaced Judgment aren’t a part of the primary Kiryu saga, they match across the occasions of Yakuza 7 (Like a Dragon) as a result of they share areas and characters.

All Mainline Yakuza Video games in Chronological Order

Yakuza 0 (Prequel)

Picture Credit: Sega

Launching the sequence’ backstory, Yakuza 0 is about in December 1988, lengthy earlier than Kazuma Kiryu turns into a legend within the Tojo Clan. Kiryu’s framed for a homicide he didn’t commit, so he has to clear his title. Parallel to that, Goro Majima’s story reveals how he goes down the rabbit gap of loyalty and insanity. It’s well-loved for its energetic fight and tons of aspect actions – from operating a cabaret membership to flipping actual property – making it the right begin in case you’re on the lookout for Yakuza video games so as of story development.

Yakuza Kiwami (Remake of Yakuza 1)

Picture Credit: Sega

Dropped in 2016, Yakuza Kiwami remakes the unique 2005 recreation with the shiny new Dragon Engine, plus a bunch of enhancements that make the expertise smoother. It bridges Yakuza 0 and Yakuza 2 within the story, so that you get Kiryu’s ten-year stint in jail with up-to-date visuals and fight. If you wish to play all Yakuza video games in chronological order, Kiwami is the following cease.

Yakuza Kiwami 2 (Remake of Yakuza 2)

Picture Credit: Sega

Following up on Kiwami’s success, Yakuza Kiwami 2 got here out in 2017, redoing Yakuza 2 within the Dragon Engine and tacking on a brand new “Majima Saga” prequel chapter. It deepens that rivalry between Kazuma Kiryu and Ryuji Goda, whereas matching the latter entries’ slick fight and visuals, so it’s essential whether or not you’re doing launch order or narrative order.

Yakuza 3

Picture Credit: Sega

Initially from 2009, Yakuza 3 strikes Kiryu to Okinawa, the place he runs an orphanage underneath menace from a Tojo Clan-backed actual property plot. Positive, its graphics and gameplay really feel dated subsequent to the newer titles, however Kiryu’s bond with the youngsters stays one of the emotional beats, and it units up how his character grows later.

Yakuza 4

Picture Credit: Sega

In Yakuza 4 (2010), you get 4 playable leads – Kiryu, mortgage shark Shun Akiyama, convict Taiga Saejima, and crooked cop Masayoshi Tanimura, with every revealing items of an enormous conspiracy in Kamurocho. The multi-perspective storytelling offers you a broader view of the underworld, making it a must-play while you’re monitoring yakuza video games in launch order and need to see the sequence’ world-building widen.

Yakuza 5

Picture Credit score: Sega

By December 2012, Yakuza 5 unfold the motion throughout 5 Japanese cities, from Fukuoka to Sapporo. Kiryu, now driving a taxi, groups up with acquainted faces like Akiyama and Saejima to cope with the splintering Tojo Clan and rising new factions. Its chapter-based narrative, deep mini-games, and polished fight make Yakuza 5 important for gaming via all the Yakuza storyline.

Yakuza 6: The Music of Life

Picture Credit: Sega

Wrapping up Kiryu’s arc in Yakuza 6 (2016), he comes residence from jail to look into Haruka’s accident in Onomichi, Hiroshima. Operating on the Dragon Engine, it delivers Kiryu’s sharpest fight but and wraps up long-running plotlines in a manner that followers will certainly admire.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7)

Picture Credit: Sega

Then there’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020), which takes an enormous swing by switching to Ichiban Kasuga as protagonist and introducing turn-based RPG fight. Set in Yokohama’s Isezaki Ijincho, it retains the sequence’ regular mini-games and aspect tales however redefines fight and storytelling. It’s a very good entry level for brand new gamers and marks a serious shift in story order that modifications the franchise’s path forward.

Judgment

Picture Credit: Sega

Branching off from the mainline, Judgment (2018) stars personal eye Takayuki Yagami as he hunts a serial killer in Kamurocho, mixing detective work with beat-’em-up motion much like Yakuza 0. It isn’t a part of Kiryu’s story however provides a darker, mature aspect to the world, and it slots neatly round Like a Dragon if you’d like all Yakuza video games so as with Judgment included.

Misplaced Judgment

Picture Credit: Sega

Out in September 2021, Misplaced Judgment picks up Yagami’s investigations, coping with bullying, sexual assault, and homicide throughout Kamurocho and Ijincho. With stealth sections, refined fight, and deeper detective mechanics, it’s a standout within the spin-off line and follows Judgment in launch order, complementing the primary storyline timeline.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

The latest mainline chapter, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2023), brings Kasuga and Kiryu again collectively in a globe-trotting story that builds on the RPG components and explores their relationships extra deeply. It’s the logical endpoint for each launch order and narrative order, a minimum of till Sega publicizes the following title.

Newest Yakuza Video games

In case you’re chasing the most recent Yakuza thrills, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii dropped on February 21, 2025, sending Goro Majima on a high-seas journey full with naval fight, island exploration, and traditional minigames. And don’t overlook the Yakuza 0 Director’s Minimize arrives on June 5, 2025, bringing 4K/60 FPS efficiency, a brand-new English dub with expanded localisation, over 20 minutes of latest cutscenes, and a web based Crimson Mild Raid multiplayer mode.

Conclusion

So, whether or not you roll via Yakuza video games in launch order to see how the sequence grew, stick with Yakuza video games in chronological order for a easy story, or dive in with Judgement for each nook of the universe, this information lays it out. From Kamurocho’s again alleys to Yokohama’s neon glow, every recreation proves why Sega’s storytelling, gameplay, and world-building maintain gamers hooked for the lengthy haul. Now that you know the way the plot progresses, all that’s left is to strap in and benefit from the experience via the underworld of the Yakuza saga.

Source link