The Yakuza series, also known in Japan as Ryū ga Gotoku, has been captivating players ever since it started back in 2005. With its mix of cinematic storytelling, deep character elements, and an open world that feels alive, it’s no wonder fans keep coming back. Over time, the franchise has grown from just a few mainline games into prequels, remakes, spin-offs – you name it – all exploring different eras or side characters within the same universe. But what’s the best way to play the Yakuza games in order? Here’s a full breakdown by release date and story progression:
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Looking at all Yakuza games in release date order shows how the series evolved technically and gameplay-wise, but if you go with the Yakuza games in chronological order, the story will make more sense and give you a smoother flow of events. Here’s a list of the core entries and major spin-offs, first by release date, then tagged with where they land in the timeline.
If you follow it by story progression, you should start with Yakuza 0, then go through the Kiwami remakes, the original numbered games, and end up at Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. While the spin-offs Judgment and Lost Judgment are not part of the main Kiryu saga, they fit around the events of Yakuza 7 (Like a Dragon) because they share locations and characters.
Image Credits: Sega
Launching the series’ backstory, Yakuza 0 is set in December 1988, long before Kazuma Kiryu becomes a legend in the Tojo Clan. Kiryu’s framed for a murder he didn’t commit, so he has to clear his name. Parallel to that, Goro Majima’s story shows how he goes down the rabbit hole of loyalty and madness. It’s well-loved for its energetic combat and tons of side activities – from running a cabaret club to flipping real estate – making it the perfect start if you’re looking for Yakuza games in order of story progression.
Image Credits: Sega
Dropped in 2016, Yakuza Kiwami remakes the original 2005 game with the shiny new Dragon Engine, plus a bunch of improvements that make the experience smoother. It bridges Yakuza 0 and Yakuza 2 in the story, so you get Kiryu’s ten-year stint in prison with up-to-date visuals and combat. If you want to play all Yakuza games in chronological order, Kiwami is the next stop.
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Following up on Kiwami’s success, Yakuza Kiwami 2 came out in 2017, redoing Yakuza 2 in the Dragon Engine and tacking on a new “Majima Saga” prequel chapter. It deepens that rivalry between Kazuma Kiryu and Ryuji Goda, while matching the latter entries’ slick combat and visuals, so it’s crucial whether you’re doing release order or narrative order.
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Originally from 2009, Yakuza 3 moves Kiryu to Okinawa, where he runs an orphanage under threat from a Tojo Clan-backed real estate plot. Sure, its graphics and gameplay feel dated next to the newer titles, but Kiryu’s bond with the kids remains one of the most emotional beats, and it sets up how his character grows later.
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In Yakuza 4 (2010), you get four playable leads – Kiryu, loan shark Shun Akiyama, convict Taiga Saejima, and crooked cop Masayoshi Tanimura, with each revealing pieces of a huge conspiracy in Kamurocho. The multi-perspective storytelling gives you a broader view of the underworld, making it a must-play when you’re tracking yakuza games in release order and want to see the series’ world-building widen.
Image Credit: Sega
By December 2012, Yakuza 5 spread the action across five Japanese cities, from Fukuoka to Sapporo. Kiryu, now driving a taxi, teams up with familiar faces like Akiyama and Saejima to deal with the splintering Tojo Clan and rising new factions. Its chapter-based narrative, deep mini-games, and polished combat make Yakuza 5 essential for gaming through the entire Yakuza storyline.
Image Credits: Sega
Wrapping up Kiryu’s arc in Yakuza 6 (2016), he comes home from prison to look into Haruka’s accident in Onomichi, Hiroshima. Running on the Dragon Engine, it delivers Kiryu’s sharpest combat yet and wraps up long-running plotlines in a way that fans will definitely appreciate.
Image Credits: Sega
Then there’s Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020), which takes a big swing by switching to Ichiban Kasuga as protagonist and introducing turn-based RPG combat. Set in Yokohama’s Isezaki Ijincho, it keeps the series’ usual mini-games and side tales but redefines combat and storytelling. It’s a good entry point for new players and marks a major shift in story order that changes the franchise’s path ahead.
Image Credits: Sega
Branching off from the mainline, Judgment (2018) stars private eye Takayuki Yagami as he hunts a serial killer in Kamurocho, mixing detective work with beat-’em-up action similar to Yakuza 0. It isn’t part of Kiryu’s story but adds a darker, mature side to the world, and it slots neatly around Like a Dragon if you want all Yakuza games in order with Judgment included.
Image Credits: Sega
Out in September 2021, Lost Judgment picks up Yagami’s investigations, dealing with bullying, sexual assault, and murder across Kamurocho and Ijincho. With stealth sections, refined combat, and deeper detective mechanics, it’s a standout in the spin-off line and follows Judgment in release order, complementing the main storyline timeline.
The newest mainline chapter, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2023), brings Kasuga and Kiryu back together in a globe-trotting story that builds on the RPG formula and explores their relationships more deeply. It’s the logical endpoint for both release order and narrative order, at least until Sega announces the next title.
In case you’re chasing the latest Yakuza thrills, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii dropped on February 21, 2025, sending Goro Majima on a high-seas adventure complete with naval combat, island exploration, and classic minigames. And don’t forget the Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut arrives on June 5, 2025, bringing 4K/60 FPS performance, a brand-new English dub with expanded localisation, over 20 minutes of new cutscenes, and an online Red Light Raid multiplayer mode.
So, whether you roll through Yakuza games in release order to see how the series grew, stick to Yakuza games in chronological order for a smooth story, or dive in with Judgement for every corner of the universe, this guide lays it out. From Kamurocho’s back alleys to Yokohama’s neon glow, each game proves why Sega’s storytelling, gameplay, and world-building keep players hooked for the long haul. Now that you know how the plot progresses, all that is left is to strap in and enjoy the ride through the underworld of the Yakuza saga.
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