GameTimeline

Release & story order

Yakuza timeline

Like a Dragon (Yakuza) from the 2005 PS2 original through Infinite Wealth and Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2025)—US release dates, Kazuma Kiryu's chronology vs Ichiban Kasuga's saga, and FAQ for multiple play paths (0 first vs 0 after 5), Judgment after Yakuza 6, and Ishin.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Sega and RGG Studio shipped each chapter—PS2 (2006 US) through Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2025). Modern-store order differs from PS2 history (0 and Kiwami landed years after 3–5). Fist of the North Star, Streets of Kamurocho, and online spin-offs are FAQ-only.

  • Story-first newcomers → Yakuza 0 → Kiwami → Kiwami 2—clearest chronology on modern engines
  • Mystery-first path → Kiwami → Kiwami 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → Yakuza 0 → 6—preserves Majima reveals; see FAQ
  • Ichiban-only → Like a Dragon then Infinite Wealth—finish Yakuza 6 (and Gaiden) first for Kiryu payoffs
  • Release historians → PS2/PS3 originals through 2015, then 0, Kiwami remakes, and Like a Dragon rebrand
  • Skip PS2 originals if you play Kiwami 1 & 2—same stories, better combat
Story order tips

Default Story rows: Kiryu block 0 → Kiwami → Kiwami 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6, then Ichiban block Like a Dragon → Gaiden → Infinite Wealth → Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Judgment and Ishin are FAQ branches—not numbered Story rows.

  • Full Kiryu arc: 0 → Kiwami → Kiwami 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6—expect a gameplay step down at Yakuza 3 after Kiwami 2
  • Extended RGG path after 6: Judgment → Like a Dragon → Lost Judgment → Gaiden → Infinite Wealth → Pirate Hawaii
  • Yakuza 0 shipped late in release order but is story-first—do not confuse with the 2006 Yakuza Release row
  • Substories and minigames do not change Story order—main rows track Kiryu and Ichiban chapters only

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Yakuza

    Yakuza

    PS2PS3Action-adventureMainlineClassic

    Kiryu's debut—10 billion yen and Kamurocho betrayal.

    Overview
    Sega's open-district brawler RPG—heat actions and substories on PS2.
    In-game setting
    Story year ~1995–2005; remade as Yakuza Kiwami (2017).
    Should you play it?
    Release-order start; Story order after Yakuza 0—prefer Kiwami for gameplay.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch March 14, 2006. Japan December 2005.
  2. Yakuza 2

    Yakuza 2

    PS2PS3Action-adventureMainlineClassic

    Dual cities—Kamurocho and Sotenbori, Ryuji Goda.

    Overview
    Expanded map and boss scale on PS2.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel to Yakuza 1; remade as Kiwami 2.
    Should you play it?
    Story order after Kiwami; release order second numbered entry.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch September 9, 2008.
  3. Yakuza 3

    Yakuza 3

    PS3Action-adventureMainline

    Okinawa orphanage arc—Kiryu tries to leave the life.

    Overview
    First PS3 entry—two-city structure returns with tropical Okinawa.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2009; remastered on PS4/PC (2020 collection).
    Should you play it?
    Play Kiwami 2 first on Story order. Remaster is a 2009 game—expect older combat and visuals after Kiwami 2.
    Release date
    US PS3 launch March 9, 2010.
  4. Yakuza 4

    Yakuza 4

    PS3Action-adventureMainline

    Four playable protagonists—Akiyama, Saejima, Tanimura, and Kiryu.

    Overview
    Multi-hero structure and first-person detective segments.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2010; remaster in Yakuza Remastered Collection.
    Should you play it?
    Mid-Kiryu saga—Story order after 3.
    Release date
    US PS3 launch March 15, 2011.
  5. Yakuza 5

    Yakuza 5

    PS3Action-adventureMainline

    Five heroes, five cities—the series at peak scope on PS3.

    Overview
    Largest pre-Like a Dragon sandbox—Haruka playable.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2012; US digital-only PS3 release long after Japan.
    Should you play it?
    Essential before Yakuza 6. Some veterans replay Yakuza 0 after 5 for Majima context—see FAQ.
    Release date
    US PSN launch February 11, 2015. Japan December 2012.
  6. Yakuza 0

    Yakuza 0

    PS4Xbox OnePCAction-adventureMainlinePrequel

    1988 origin—Kiryu and Majima before the first game.

    Overview
    Dual protagonists in bubble-era Kamurocho and Sotenbori.
    In-game setting
    Story first chapter; shipped sixth in US release order.
    Should you play it?
    Best modern story entry point.
    Release date
    US PS4 launch January 24, 2017. Japan March 2015.
  7. Yakuza Kiwami

    Yakuza Kiwami

    PS4Xbox OnePCRemakeMainline

    Kiwami engine remake of Yakuza 1—Majima Everywhere.

    Overview
    Same story as 2006 Yakuza with expanded content and combat.
    In-game setting
    Story slot after Yakuza 0—replaces PS2 original on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Buy instead of PS2 Yakuza for gameplay.
    Release date
    US launch August 29, 2017.
  8. Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

    Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

    PS4Xbox OnePCAction-adventureMainline

    Dragon Engine finale for Kiryu's main arc—Onomichi and Haruka.

    Overview
    Concludes Kiryu's numbered run before Like a Dragon handoff.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2016; sets up Gaiden and Infinite Wealth cameos.
    Should you play it?
    Finish Kiryu block before Ichiban saga; Judgment slots after this on the extended RGG path.
    Release date
    US launch April 17, 2018.
  9. Yakuza Kiwami 2

    Yakuza Kiwami 2

    PS4PCRemakeMainline

    Dragon Engine remake of Yakuza 2—Cabaret Club Criterion DLC.

    Overview
    Rebuilds Yakuza 2 on Yakuza 6 tech.
    In-game setting
    Story placement after Kiwami—before Yakuza 3.
    Should you play it?
    Preferred over PS2 Yakuza 2 on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch August 20, 2018.
  10. Judgment
    Optional

    Judgment

    PS4Xbox Series X|SPCSpin-offOptional

    Takayuki Yagami detective spin-off—same Kamurocho timeline.

    Overview
    Legal thriller in the Like a Dragon world—not numbered Yakuza.
    In-game setting
    Story placement after Yakuza 6, before Like a Dragon—FAQ extended path.
    Should you play it?
    Optional detective branch; Lost Judgment follows after Like a Dragon on full RGG order.
    Release date
    US launch June 25, 2019.
  11. Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7)

    Like a Dragon (Yakuza 7)

    PS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SPCRPGMainlineIchiban era

    Ichiban Kasuga takes the lead—turn-based RPG combat in Yokohama.

    Overview
    Series rebrand in the West; new protagonist after Kiryu's arc.
    In-game setting
    Story year 2019—three years after Yakuza 6 events.
    Should you play it?
    Start Ichiban block here after Kiryu 6 on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch November 10, 2020.
  12. Lost Judgment
    Optional

    Lost Judgment

    PS4PS5Xbox Series X|SPCSpin-offOptional

    Yagami sequel—school bullying plot in Ijincho.

    Overview
    Direct Judgment follow-up—shared universe, separate cast focus.
    In-game setting
    Yagami sequel—play after Like a Dragon on extended RGG order.
    Should you play it?
    Optional; Gaiden vs Lost Judgment order is flexible after Like a Dragon.
    Release date
    US launch September 24, 2021.
  13. Like a Dragon: Ishin!

    Like a Dragon: Ishin!

    PS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SPCSpin-offAlternate setting

    1860s Bakumatsu retelling—historical alt-fiction with series faces.

    Overview
    Remake of Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin—not main timeline continuity.
    In-game setting
    Separate branch like Ishin always was—FAQ, not Story rows.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Like a Dragon (Y7) if you want to recognize character look-alikes.
    Release date
    US launch February 21, 2023.
  14. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

    Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

    PS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SPCAction-adventureMainlineSide story

    Kiryu undercover in Osaka—bridges Yakuza 6 and Infinite Wealth.

    Overview
    Action return for Kiryu between Ichiban main entries.
    In-game setting
    Story overlaps Like a Dragon timeline—play after LAD and before Infinite Wealth.
    Should you play it?
    Important for Kiryu fans before Infinite Wealth.
    Release date
    US launch November 9, 2023.
  15. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

    Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

    PS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SPCRPGMainlineIchiban era

    Honolulu and Yokohama—dual protagonists Ichiban and Kiryu.

    Overview
    Largest Like a Dragon to date—tropical open districts.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel to Like a Dragon and Gaiden.
    Should you play it?
    Current Ichiban saga peak as of June 2026.
    Release date
    US launch January 26, 2024.
  16. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

    Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii

    PS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SPCAction-adventureSpin-offMainline-adjacent

    Majima pirate comedy—set six months after Infinite Wealth.

    Overview
    First Majima-led Like a Dragon—naval combat and Hawaii return.
    In-game setting
    Latest franchise row as of February 2025 US launch.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Infinite Wealth on Story order.
    Release date
    US launch February 21, 2025.

FAQ

No single correct order—Release vs Story, 0 vs Kiwami entry points, Yakuza 3 expectations, full RGG path with Judgment, remasters, and Like a Dragon RPG shift.

Release order

Release order is when each game launched in the US (2006–2025)—including Yakuza 0 and Kiwami remakes years after the PS2 originals. Story order follows in-fiction years: Yakuza 0 (1988) first, then Kiwami through Yakuza 6, then Like a Dragon → Gaiden → Infinite Wealth → Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. There is no single "correct" order—Release shows franchise evolution; Story tracks Kiryu and Ichiban lore; some players delay 0 until after Yakuza 5 for Majima reveals (see FAQ).

Story-first (most recommended): Yakuza 0 → Kiwami → Kiwami 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6, then Ichiban games. Mystery-first: Kiwami → Kiwami 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → Yakuza 0 → 6—preserves Majima and Saejima reveals from the original saga, then 0 feels like a prequel recap. Ichiban-only: Like a Dragon → Gaiden → Infinite Wealth works, but Yakuza 6 and Gaiden payoffs land better with Kiryu context. Avoid PS2 Yakuza unless you want retro history.

Community extended path: Yakuza 0 → Kiwami → Kiwami 2 → Yakuza 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → Judgment → Like a Dragon → Lost Judgment → Gaiden → Infinite Wealth → Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Judgment is not a numbered Yakuza Story row but fits after Yakuza 6 and before Like a Dragon. Playing Judgment before 6 will not ruin either story, but Yagami's arc references the late Kiryu era. Gaiden and Lost Judgment can swap after Like a Dragon—Gaiden bridges more directly to Infinite Wealth.

Story & canon

Chronological (default Story rows): Yakuza 0 (1988) then Kiwami—clearest timeline; Kiwami 2's Majima Saga expects 0. Mystery-first: Kiwami → … → Yakuza 5 → Yakuza 0 → 6—0 shipped after 5 and spoils Majima if played too early; this path mirrors how veterans experienced reveals. Kiwami without 0: Possible, but you miss Kiwami side references and Kiwami 2's Majima epilogue. PS2/PS3 originals have Release rows for history; buy Kiwami on modern hardware.

Like a Dragon (2020) is set in 2019—three years after Yakuza 6's fiction. It introduces Ichiban Kasuga and turn-based combat. Core Story rows: finish Yakuza 6, then Like a Dragon → Gaiden → Infinite Wealth → Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. On the extended RGG path, play Judgment before Like a Dragon and Lost Judgment after. Kiryu still appears in Gaiden and Infinite Wealth.

Remasters & collections

Optional & spin-offs

Judgment and Lost Judgment star detective Takayuki Yagami in the same Kamurocho universe. Recommended extended order: finish Yakuza 6, then Judgment, then Like a Dragon, then Lost Judgment. They are not numbered Yakuza Story rows on this page. Judgment before Yakuza 6 is fine for spoilers but Yagami's story lands best after Kiryu's arc. Skip both for Kiryu/Ichiban core only.

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.