The complete official numbered-game release order is Sakura Wars (1996), Sakura Wars 2 (1998), Sakura Wars 3 (2001), Sakura Wars 4 (2002), Sakura Wars V (2005), and Shin Sakura Wars (2019 in Japan; 2020 in the West). That is the clearest order to follow if you want to play the numbered series. It is a release sequence, however—not a verified, complete timeline of when every game’s events occur.
What order should you play the Sakura Wars games in?
For the numbered games, follow their release order. SEGA’s official history identifies six numbered entries, beginning with the 1996 original and ending with Shin Sakura Wars. The English-market release of the latter is titled Sakura Wars.
| Order | Game | Original release details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sakura Wars | September 27, 1996, for Sega Saturn. SEGA’s official series history. |
| 2 | Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die | April 4, 1998, for Sega Saturn. SEGA’s official series history. |
| 3 | Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning? | 2001. SEGA’s history also lists a PC edition dated September 18, 2003; that is a later edition, not the original release year. SEGA’s official series history and SEGA’s history timeline. |
| 4 | Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens | March 21, 2002, for Dreamcast. SEGA’s official series history. |
| 5 | Sakura Wars V: Farewell, My Love / So Long, My Love | 2005. The title differs between the Japanese game and its familiar English-market release. SEGA’s official series history. |
| 6 | Shin Sakura Wars / Sakura Wars | December 12, 2019, for PS4 in Japan; April 28, 2020, for PS4 in the West. SEGA’s official series history, SEGA of America’s Western release announcement on PlayStation Blog, and SEGA’s Japan release announcement. |
English subtitles shown here are common renderings; titles can vary by region and release. SEGA’s numbered-title history presents the Japanese titles.
Does release order match the story chronology?
Not necessarily, and the available official sources do not establish a definitive in-universe date and placement for every entry. SEGA’s history verifies the numbered release sequence, but it is not a full story timeline. In particular, the relationship of Sakura Wars V and Shin Sakura Wars to every earlier game’s events should not be presented as settled chronology on this evidence.
#1 Best Overall
- Launch Edition includes: Sakura Wars PS4 game, Reversible artwork and sticker set
- dramatic character interplay Engage with a colorful cast through the dynamic lips dialogue system where what you say and how you say it has a Profound impact on relationships off and on the battlefield.
- exciting combat payoffs Your bonds with team members flow into the high energy combat finale of each Episode, featuring action packed fights with giant steam powered Mech a.
- brilliant anime production gorgeous animated sequences, a lush soundtrack, and characters designed by anime and RPG luminaries will transport you into a vibrant 1940s steampunk Tokyo.
- main character design: tite kubo.guest character design: yukiko horiguchi, bunbun, fumikane Shimada, Ken sugimori, Noizi Ito, Shigenori Soejima.cast: yohei azakami, Ayane Sakura, maaya uchida, hibiku yamamura, ayaka fukuhara, saori hayami, yuichiro umehara, sumire uesaka, nobunaga shimazaki, manami numakura, Nana mizuki, rie kugimiya
So, if you want a supported order for a narrative-first playthrough, use the release sequence above and understand that this recommendation is based on publication order. A strict chronology would require explicit story-date evidence beyond the release records.
Can you start with Sakura Wars (2019/2020)?
Yes, it is a reasonable starting point if the older games are inaccessible or you want to try the modern entry first. In its February 13, 2020 announcement of the Western PS4 release, SEGA of America described it as “an all-new narrative designed to be enjoyed by both parties”—newcomers and longtime fans. That is SEGA’s newcomer-friendly framing, not a guarantee that the game contains no references or context from earlier entries.
Rank #2
- The Imperial Combat Revue takes the stage as Tokyo’s defense force against a demon threat in this extravagant adventure.
- Soldiers in wartime, but theater performers in peacetime, the Revue’s Flower Division is not living up to their legacy and is at risk of being shut down. As newly appointed captain Seijuro Kamiyama, it’s up to you to turn the team around.
- Dramatic Character Interplay — Engage with a colorful cast through the dynamic LIPS dialogue system where what you say and how you say it has a profound impact on relationships off and on the battlefield.
- Exciting Combat Payoffs — Your bonds with team members flow into the high-energy combat finale of each episode, featuring action-packed fights with giant steam-powered mecha.
- Brilliant Anime Production — Gorgeous animated sequences, a lush soundtrack, and characters designed by anime and JRPG luminaries will transport you into a vibrant 1940s steampunk Tokyo.
Do spin-offs count as numbered entries?
No. The six games above are SEGA’s numbered-title roster. The franchise also includes related games and spin-offs; SEGA’s history lists titles such as Sakura Wars: Mysterious Paris, Sakura Wars V Episode 0, and Dramatic Dungeon Sakura Wars: Because You Are There. Treat those as separate related releases rather than inserting them into the six-game numbered sequence.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Additional in-game activities and functionality including Broadway performances with AI Stars teammates, in-game photo functionality, secret events and a quiz game.
- Anime-style storytelling featuring tons of anime movie scenes.
- Adventure Mode allowing the player to explore New York City and build relationship with in-game AI teammates.
- A strategy RPG battle system allowing for coordinated control of a team of diverse female fighters, each operating Mech battlesuits that can fight both on the ground and in the air.
- High replay value through the various different endings possible, each of which hinges on the bonds created between characters in-game.
Rank #4
- High Quality Components – 32 dice, 1 double-sided playing board (in 2 pieces), 4 playing figures with 4 stands, 13 diamond tiles, 30 task tiles (17 normal and 13 pro tasks), and instructions.
- A Wonderful Gift – Fans of manga and anime will love the original character artwork!
- Easy To Learn – Clear instructions mean you can start playing right away!
- Great Replay Value – One game takes 10 minutes! You’ll want to play this fast-paced racing game again and again. “Pro tasks” let you adjust the challenge level.
- Quality You Trust – Ravensburger has been making quality games, puzzles, and toys for over 130 years.
Rank #3
- ACTION-PACKED DUELING GAME: Sakura Arms is a stylish dueling card game from Japan that combines gorgeous art, deep tactics, and huge variety to minimalist duels. Choose two martial goddesses and combine their capabilities to out play your opponent in a tense 1-on-1 battle.
- STRATEGY CARD GAME: Choose two goddesses and combine their powers to form your own unique deck and challenge your opponent to a battle. Each goddess provides ten cards, which take the form of attacks, utilities or enchantments. Will you build to bolster your strengths, cover your weaknesses or explot your opponent's limitations?
- YATSUHA BOX: This box contains the most recently released goddesses, who possess very unique abilities. This set includes 6 goddesses, each with unique powers and mechanics at their disposal. Quick-deckbuilding guides to help you jump into your favorite goddess right away.
- UNLIMITED REPLAYABILITY: With 153 Goddess pairings and over 190,000 possible builds per pairing, your options are endless. Each game in the Sakura Arms series is a stand-alone game, but you can combine multiple games boxes to mix-and-match goddesses and discover even more strategies and tactics!
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This fast-paced dueling card game is made for two players and is suitable for ages 16 and older. Average playtime is approximately 20 minutes.
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