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In this article, we shall go over all the thirteen mainline Yakuza Like A Dragon games and rank them in order.
The Yakuza Like A Dragon series is a curious case. The fascinating crime drama series is almost two decades old, yet was mostly known in the west as a “GTA clone in Japan” for almost half of its existence. Yet, the developers never felt disheartened and leaned hard into what made Yakuza truly Yakuza – stories full of heart and substories full of humor. This lethal combination pushed the series into the mainstream, and now the series is an absolute juggernaut for Sega.
With 13 mainline games and several other spinoffs, the series has established its own niche in gaming, its own legacy, and its own dedicated fanbase. Each game has a distinct identity and sets the building blocks for the games that come after. With so many games in the series, we took it as our responsibility to rank them. So here we are with this list where we rank all the mainline Yakuza Like A Dragon games.
13) Yakuza
Kicking off our list is the game that started it all. The original Yakuza released in Japan on December 8, 2025. But it was only a year later, in September of 2006, that the game saw an international release. The game’s plot was a standard crime drama, carried by a charismatic Kiryu and a chaotic Majima. The real highlight of the game, however, was its rendition of Kamurocho, which drew immense praise for its design and art style. While the game has its positives, it is one that has aged poorly, and we would not recommend picking it up in 2025.
12) Yakuza 2
While Yakuza 1 introduced us to Kiryu Kazuma and Kamurocho, the sequel expands upon the Tojo Clan and introduces us to the rival Omi Clan. The game also introduces us to Ryuji Goda, a character who goes on to become an iconic rival to Kiryu. Holding the same principles as Kiryu, Goda mirrors what Kiryu could’ve been in another life. The clash between the two is the highlight of this game and one of the best series of boss battles in the franchise.
11) Yakuza Kiwami
Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the original Yakuza, made using the same engine as Yakuza 0. The game features crisper visuals, tighter combat, and an expanded yet coherent narrative. The story still suffers from poorly executed plot twists but is much better paced this time around. The game also features an abundance of side activities and substories, all of which expand upon the bizarre world of Yakuza.
10) Yakuza 3
Perhaps the most polarizing entry in the series, Yakuza 3 is a game that drastically slows down the crime thriller pace to pursue a more slice-of-life story (atleast for the first half). The game sees Kiryu managing an orphanage for the better part of the first half, which means the game severely lacks action for a good chunk of its runtime.
Still, this first half expands upon Kiryu’s character and motivation a lot, as well as giving a glimpse of his upbringing. The second half suffers from the same narrative pitfalls of the first game, worsened by a repetitive combat system.
9) Yakuza 4
Yakuza 4 is a tough one to rank. This title is certainly ambitious, introducing four playable characters to the series. All of these four have their own narrative arcs that tie into the game’s grand climax. Furthermore, the game expands upon Kamurocho, adding verticality to the map in the form of underground sections and rooftops. Side activities are available in dozens, and substories will keep you engaged for hours.
Where the game really falls short is its narrative. The story’s biggest fault is its unwillingness to let Kiryu go. The narrative seems structured in a manner where it plays up the other three characters as potential successors but sidelines them later to shine the spotlight back on Kiryu. While we have no issues with more Kiryu, we feel the narrative suffers for it in this one.
8) Yakuza 6
By far the most personal story in the series, Yakuza 6 sees Kiryu on the hunt for his missing surrogate daughter. The sixth mainline entry marks the series’ shift to the Dragon Engine. This engine introduces a new, smoother combat system paired with realistic visuals.
Yakuza 6 also introduces players to the small town of Onomichi, a map about half the size of Kamurocho yet packed doubly so with personality. The game’s smaller, more personal story leaves a lasting impact on players, and the soundtrack is the icing on the cake.
7) Yakuza Kiwami 2
While Yakuza 6 marked the series’ shift to the Dragon Engine, it wasn’t until Yakuza Kiwami 2 that RGG really mastered the engine. This remake of Yakuza 2 expands upon the combat debuted in Yakuza 6. The game also empowers the player with several cool abilities and upgrades.
The visuals are jaw-dropping, and the story is much the same as it was in Yakuza 2, with Ryuji Goda being a highlight. The game features a remade soundtrack of the original Yakuza 2, tuned up to match the much faster and modern pace of the remake. This is the definitive way to experience the story of the second game.
6) Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name
While the title of the game may be a mouthful, Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name is one of the shorter games in the series, and intentionally so. This Gaiden story serves as a bridge between Yakuza 6, Yakuza: Like A Dragon, and Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth. The story is short and compact, yet it packs a strong emotional punch. The story also marks the beginning of the final chapter of Kiryu’s story.
The game’s combat is exceptionally well executed, introducing a new Agent style that sees Kiryu using gadgets to dispose of his enemies. In addition to the stellar story and combat, Like A Dragon Gaiden also expands upon customization options, allowing you to customize Kiryu as you see fit for the first time in the series.
5) Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The latest entry in the series, Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, serves a similar role as Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. This game is intended as a bridge between Like A Dragon and Infinite Wealth, but this is no reason to write the game off. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is by far the most bizarre and unique game in the series, introducing a whole naval combat system like the one seen in AC Black Flag.
After years of fans begging for it, Majima once again returns as protagonist but is not given enough of a story to chew on. The narrative proves to be the game’s downfall, partly due to the lack of emotional stakes in Majima’s story. Still, the Pirate combat and mind-numbingly crazy story are a joy to play through regardless of emotional investment.
4) Yakuza 5
One of the most ambitious games in the series, Yakuza 5 features five different protagonists, spread across five distinct cities. This game features the largest amount of side content and substories and is one of the longest campaigns in the series.
This ambition also leads to the game’s downfall, keeping it out of the top 3. While the idea of five protagonists is admirable, the story suffers heavily for it. The game has to follow five different story arcs, with five different protagonists and several different antagonists, all spread across the entirety of Japan. It’s safe to say that the story is an absolute mess, but do not let that stop you from trying this one. If you’re into Yakuza for the side content, it does not get better than this.
3) Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Coming into the top 3 of the series, we have Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth in third place. Infinite Wealth is the eighth numbered entry in the series and features Kiryu and Ichiban as double protagonists. The game, for the first time ever, also takes us to a location outside Japan. The game is set in Hawaii and sees Ichiban searching for his mother.
Infinite Wealth’s combat is one of its highlights. The combat is turn-based, much like it was in Yakuza: Like A Dragon, but it features greater options for roles and classes, allowing you to mold your party to your liking. The substories, too, are exactly what you’d expect from the franchise. The game suffers from the same plot issues that Yakuza 4 does, where it sidelines Ichiban for Kiryu towards the late game.
2) Yakuza: Like A Dragon
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is a special game. The game had an uphill battle to fight from the moment it was announced. The devs announced that they would be shifting the series towards a turn-based style, which drew backlash and apprehension. The backlash doubled when the devs announced that they would be sidelining Kiryu for a new protagonist, Kasuga Ichiban. Despite the mounting pressure, the devs pushed on with their vision, and Yakuza: Like A Dragon was released worldwide in 2020.
The fans were proven wrong, and the game was released to widespread critical acclaim. Ichiban, with his bubbly and emotional personality, made for a stark contrast to Kiryu’s stoicism, yet won fans over in no time. His story is personal, full of heart, and all about friendship. Yakuza: Like A Dragon is a special game and one of the best games ever.
1) Yakuza 0
You probably knew this was coming, and here it is. At number 1, we have Yakuza 0, and it really couldn’t be any other way. Yakuza 0 was the game that really pushed the franchise into the mainstream and paved the way for the global success it would eventually become.
A prequel to the entire Yakuza saga, Yakuza 0 follows the story of Kiryu and Majima as they navigate their way around the hostile underworld of Japan. Kamurocho and Sotenbori drown in a gorgeous gold aesthetic, signifying the economic boom of the 80s. The story ties into this economic boom, which is all about money, yet still remains personal for both of our protagonists. Mix in a solid combat system, absolutely hilarious substories and side content, and a soundtrack for the ages, and Yakuza 0 is the best game in the series and a game you must experience in your lifetime.
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