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For a first playthrough, use a release-aware order: Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Yakuza 3 (or Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties), Yakuza 4, Yakuza 5, Yakuza 0 as an optional release-era prequel, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7), Like a Dragon Gaiden, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and finally Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. This keeps major character introductions and reveals close to the context in which the series originally presented them.
If you care more about the story timeline than release context, begin with Yakuza 0 and then follow the numbered saga. Neither route is an official mandate; they serve different kinds of first-time players.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Yakuza Remastered Collection Standard Edition (PS4) | $25.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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The Yakuza Remastered Collection (Playstation 4) | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Yakuza: Like A Dragon - Xbox Series X | $15.88 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Yakuza 4 - Playstation 3 | $35.55 | Buy on Amazon |
What order should I play the Yakuza games in?
The best default is a release-aware sequence that uses the modern remakes for the first two entries and gives Yakuza 0 a deliberate pause after Yakuza 5. That placement may look unusual, but 0 was released as a prequel after the fifth game. Playing it there preserves the way its callbacks and character history were originally revealed.
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|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yakuza Kiwami | Remake of the first Yakuza story | Introduces Kazuma Kiryu, Kamurocho and the series’ central relationships in the modern format. |
| 2 | Yakuza Kiwami 2 | Remake of the second story | Continues Kiryu’s arc while expanding the setting and supporting cast. |
| 3 | Yakuza 3 or Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties | The third mainline chapter | Use the remastered original if you already own it, or the 2026 remake if you want the newest presentation. |
| 4 | Yakuza 4 | A multi-protagonist continuation | Its story assumes familiarity with the first three games and broadens the playable cast. |
| 5 | Yakuza 5 | A large-scale continuation of the original saga | It develops several character threads that matter to the later games. |
| 6 | Yakuza 0 (optional at this point) | Prequel set before the first game | Placed here for release-era context; it is also a valid starting point for a chronology-first playthrough. |
| 7 | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life | Closes Kiryu’s principal numbered arc | Play after the games that established his history, including 0 if you chose the release-aware route. |
| 8 | Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7) | Begins Ichiban Kasuga’s mainline story | It is a new protagonist’s entry point while still drawing on the earlier saga. |
| 9 | Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name | Side story overlapping Like a Dragon | Play after Like a Dragon so its parallel events and returning characters have context. |
| 10 | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | Next mainline chapter | It follows the events and character changes of Like a Dragon. |
| 11 | Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii | Majima-led spin-off | Current franchise chronology references place it after Infinite Wealth; treat it as optional. |
SEGA’s official lineup identifies the series entries, remakes and release-year groupings in its catalog: official Like a Dragon/Yakuza lineup.
#1 Best Overall
- Complete the journey of the Dragon: the Yakuza remastered collection brings the final missing chapters in Kiryu's story to the PlayStation 4. From Yakuza 0 to Yakuza 6: the song of life, players can now experience the full story of the Dragon of Dojima, all on a single platform
- remastered and refreshed: all three games in the collection have received impressive graphical and performance upgrades, from 720p at 30FPS to 1080p at 60FPS and have also gone through a rigorous re-localization process. Missing content from the original Western releases has been re-added to the remastered versions, and the full English scripts have been reviewed, revised, and had portions rewritten for accuracy alongside the original Japanese releases
- Playstation 4
Why put Yakuza 0 after Yakuza 5?
Yakuza 0 takes place before the first game, but it was created and released later. By waiting until after Yakuza 5, you experience its character revelations as a prequel designed for an audience that already knows the older games. This is not a requirement: a new player who wants the earliest in-universe events can start with 0, accepting that some later references will feel different.
Where does Kiwami 3 fit?
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the remake route for the third story. SEGA describes it as a reimagining of the 2009 game and includes a separate new Dark Ties story. It released on February 12, 2026 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Steam: SEGA’s announcement and release notice. It replaces, rather than precedes, the original Yakuza 3 in your sequence.
Chronological order: the story timeline
For a strict broad chronology, use this order:
- Yakuza 0
- Yakuza Kiwami
- Yakuza Kiwami 2
- Yakuza 3 or Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- Yakuza 4
- Yakuza 5
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
- Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7)
- Like a Dragon Gaiden, whose events overlap the seventh game
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
The overlap is important: Gaiden is not a simple “game eight” that starts after every event in Like a Dragon. It follows a parallel slice of the same period. Playing it after the seventh game avoids asking a new player to understand returning characters and simultaneous events without the mainline setup. A secondary franchise chronology places Gaiden in that overlapping position and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii after Infinite Wealth: franchise chronology reference.
Release-aware or chronological: which route is better?
| Consideration | Release-aware route | Chronological route |
|---|---|---|
| First-time recommendation | Strong default for players who want the series’ intended reveal rhythm. | Best for players who prioritize the fictional timeline above all else. |
| Character introductions | New faces and returning roles arrive in the order long-time players encountered them. | Later-created prequel material can establish relationships before the original games introduce them. |
| Spoilers and reveals | Usually safer for twists that depend on knowledge of earlier releases. | Starting with a prequel can change the impact of later reveals and references. |
| Remakes | Kiwami and Kiwami 2 modernize the opening stories without changing their place in the saga. | The same remakes still occupy the second and third chronological positions after 0. |
| Optional games | Keep Gaiden after Like a Dragon and Pirate Yakuza after Infinite Wealth; leave unrelated branches aside. | Use the same placements, because chronology does not make every spin-off essential. |
There is no single SEGA-prescribed order. The choice is about whether you want historical release context or the earliest fictional events first.
What each mainline era expects from you
The first six numbered games form the Kiryu-led foundation. Kiwami and Kiwami 2 establish the people, organizations and locations that later stories repeatedly revisit. Yakuza 3, whether played in its remastered form or through Kiwami 3, shifts the series into its next phase; its position matters because 4, 5 and 6 build on consequences from that chapter rather than resetting the cast.
Yakuza 4 broadens the playable perspective, so it is a poor starting point even though its individual stories can be followed on their own. Yakuza 5 is an even larger continuation and rewards remembering the threads introduced in the previous games. If you are tempted to jump from Kiwami 2 directly to Like a Dragon, you will miss the context that makes the later Kiryu appearances meaningful.
Yakuza 6 is the closing point for Kiryu’s principal numbered arc. After it, Like a Dragon changes the lead character to Ichiban Kasuga and introduces a different mainline identity while retaining the wider series history. That handoff is why playing the older numbered run first is useful even for readers most interested in the newer role-playing format.
Rank #2
- Inkl. die Spiele Yakuza 3, Yakuza 4 und Yakuza 5
- Alle drei Spiele in der Sammlung haben beeindruckende Grafik- und Leistungsverbesserungen von 720p bei 30 fps auf 1080p bei 60 fps erhalten
- The Yakuza Remastered Collection kommt mit einem auffälligen roten Inlay welches mit Kiryus Drachentattoo verziert ist
Infinite Wealth follows the character and plot changes established in Like a Dragon; it is not the recommended introduction to Ichiban. Gaiden is valuable context for the period around the seventh game, but it is a side story, not a replacement for that game. Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a Majima-led optional continuation placed after Infinite Wealth in current franchise chronology references.
Choosing editions: remakes, remasters and originals
Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2
For most new players, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 are the practical versions of the first two stories. They are remakes rather than extra chapters, so do not play the original and Kiwami versions back-to-back unless you specifically want to study their differences. Starting with the Kiwami editions also gives you a consistent modern entry point before the later numbered games.
Yakuza 3 or Kiwami 3
If you already own the remastered Yakuza 3, it remains a valid way to play the third chapter. If you are buying now and your platform supports it, Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is the current remake option. The additional Dark Ties story is separate content bundled with the remake; it does not create a new chronological slot between the numbered games.
Do not confuse remake and spin-off labels
The word “Kiwami” marks a remake or reimagining in this sequence. Like a Dragon Gaiden, Ishin Kiwami and other side projects are not replacement versions of every mainline entry. Check the title’s role before inserting it into the numbered run.
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There is no reliable single price for this series: discounts, regional editions, physical stock and platform storefronts change regularly. Instead of relying on an old price claim, confirm the exact game, edition and system at the time you buy. A listing for Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties should clearly identify the remake and its bundled Dark Ties story, not an unrelated soundtrack or older Yakuza 3 release.
SEGA’s February 12, 2026 release notice lists Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Steam. Confirm that platform generation before ordering, particularly when a retailer uses similar cover art for several editions. Also check whether a physical copy is actually in stock in your region; digital and boxed availability do not always match.
If you prefer a collection, read the included-title list rather than assuming that every numbered game is present. A genuine multi-game bundle can be convenient, but it may omit 0, 6, Gaiden or the newest entries. Buying the games individually is fine when it lets you follow the sequence without paying for duplicate originals and remakes.
Rank #3
- Ichiban Kasuga, a low-ranking grunt of a low-ranking yakuza family in Tokyo, faces an 18-year prison sentence after taking the fall for a crime he didn't commit.
- Never losing faith, he loyally serves his time and returns to society to discover that no one was waiting for him on the outside, and his clan has been destroyed by the man he respected most.
- Confused and alone, he embarks on a mission to discover the truth behind his family's betrayal and take his life back, becoming an unlikely hero for the city’s outcasts on his journey.
- Experience dynamic RPG combat like none other. Switch between 19 unique Jobs ranging from Bodyguard to Musician, and use the battlefield your weapon. Take up bats, umbrellas, bikes, street signs, and everything else at your disposal to crack some skulls!
- When you're not busy bashing heads, relax by hitting up the local arcade for classic SEGA games, compete with locals in a no holds barred go-kart race around Yokohama, complete 50 substories, or just take in the scenery of a modern-day Japanese city.
A practical route for different kinds of players
New player who wants the safest story experience
- Start with Yakuza Kiwami and continue through Yakuza 5.
- Play Yakuza 0 next if you want its prequel material with release-era context.
- Finish Kiryu’s numbered arc with Yakuza 6.
- Move to Like a Dragon, then Gaiden, then Infinite Wealth.
- Add Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii only if you want the optional post-Infinite Wealth spin-off.
Player who wants the earliest events first
- Begin with Yakuza 0.
- Use Kiwami and Kiwami 2 for the first two numbered stories.
- Continue through Yakuza 3 or Kiwami 3, 4, 5 and 6.
- Play Like a Dragon, then the overlapping Gaiden story.
- Finish with Infinite Wealth and, optionally, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
Returning player who stopped before the new-generation games
Resume with Yakuza 6 if you completed 0 through 5. If you skipped 0, you can play it before 6 for additional background, or continue directly and return to the prequel later. After 6, Like a Dragon is the required bridge into Ichiban’s story; Gaiden is context-rich optional material rather than a substitute for it.
Where do Judgment, Lost Judgment and other side games belong?
Judgment and Lost Judgment share the broader setting but follow a different protagonist and investigative format. They can be treated as an optional branch instead of interrupting the mainline order. The available evidence does not establish a single spoiler-safe insertion point for every side project, so do not force them between numbered games simply because they use familiar locations.
Ishin and Ishin Kiwami are historical spin-offs rather than chapters in Kiryu’s or Ichiban’s modern story. Play them whenever you want a self-contained detour. Other arcade, mobile and crossover projects likewise are not required to understand the mainline sequence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Platform and release notes for the current lineup
SEGA’s catalog is the best place to verify which entry and platform edition you are looking at, because regional naming and supported systems vary across the franchise: SEGA’s lineup catalog. As of February 12, 2026, Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is listed for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S and Steam. Availability of older remasters, physical copies and regional editions can change, so check the store for your specific system before buying.
For scale, SEGA reported that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth reached one million units shipped to retailers plus downloadable units sold worldwide in its first seven days, making it the series’ fastest-selling title at that time: SEGA’s February 1, 2024 announcement. SEGA’s February 2026 release notice also says the franchise had surpassed 27.7 million standalone game sales worldwide. Those figures do not change the play order, but they show how the Ichiban-led era and the wider catalog have become central to the franchise.
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Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting with Infinite Wealth: it follows Like a Dragon and assumes you know its character changes.
- Playing Gaiden first: its overlapping structure is easier to follow after the seventh mainline game.
- Treating 0 as mandatory before every game: it is a prequel and an excellent entry point, but release-aware players may prefer it after 5.
- Counting Kiwami 3 as an additional numbered sequel: it is the remake choice for Yakuza 3, with Dark Ties as bundled new content.
- Mixing every spin-off into one list: keep Judgment, historical spin-offs and other side projects in an optional branch unless you specifically want them.
- Buying the wrong regional edition: verify the exact title, platform generation and included content, especially for the 2026 remake.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start with Yakuza 0 if I have never played the series?
Yes. It is the earliest major story chronologically and works as an entry point. The trade-off is that later games may feel less surprising because you will already know background that the original release order revealed gradually.
Do I need to play the original Yakuza 1 and 2 before Kiwami?
No. Kiwami and Kiwami 2 are remake versions of those stories. Playing both the originals and remakes is optional and mainly useful if you want to compare presentations.
Rank #4
- Get lost in the infamous "sin-city district" of Tokyo, as you walk and fight in back alleys, main streets, city rooftops and underground areas
- Discover and experience Tokyo's adult nightlife including hostess bars, karaoke pickup bars, massage parlors, and pachinko palaces
- Additional activities include: video arcades, golf and bowling, batting cages, pool and darts, blackjack, Texas hold’em and more
- Experience a deep and twisting crime story where you play all four characters
- Take on all challengers with a deeper fighting system and new street chase functionality
Is Dark Ties a required extra chapter?
No. It is a separate story bundled with Kiwami 3. Complete the remake as the third mainline entry; add Dark Ties when you want its additional perspective.
Can I skip the spin-offs and still understand the main story?
Yes. Judgment, Lost Judgment, Ishin and other side projects are optional branches. The essential modern sequence runs through the numbered games, Like a Dragon, Gaiden for its overlapping side story, and Infinite Wealth.
Should I play Gaiden before or after Like a Dragon?
Play it after Like a Dragon. Gaiden overlaps that game’s events and is easier to understand once you know the seventh game’s characters and setup.
Where does Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii go?
Treat it as an optional Majima-led spin-off after Infinite Wealth. It is not a replacement for the next numbered mainline game.
Is Yakuza 3 still worth playing if Kiwami 3 is available?
Yes. The remastered original remains a valid way to experience the third chapter. Kiwami 3 is the newer remake option and adds the separate Dark Ties story, so choose based on platform, presentation preference and availability.
Do I have to buy every edition to follow the story?
No. Choose one version of each story. Kiwami replaces the original first game for most newcomers, Kiwami 2 replaces the second, and Kiwami 3 replaces Yakuza 3 in a remake-focused run.
Is there an official SEGA order?
No single SEGA-mandated play order is identified. Release-aware sequencing is an editorial recommendation for preserving reveal context, while chronological sequencing puts the prequel first.
Can I play Judgment or Ishin between mainline games?
You can, but you do not need to. Keep them as optional detours unless you have a specific spoiler-safe placement in mind; they are not required chapters in the modern Kiryu-and-Ichiban sequence.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Start with Yakuza Kiwami and follow the release-aware list for the safest first experience. Put Yakuza 0 first only if fictional chronology matters more to you, and remember that Gaiden belongs after Like a Dragon while Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is an optional post-Infinite Wealth detour.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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