Yakuza 0 is the best Yakuza game according to GamesRadar+’s July 2026 ranking, and it is also the strongest starting point for most newcomers: its prequel story follows younger Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, and its real-time combat makes the series’ brawler roots clear. But the right first game depends on whether you want action combat or a turn-based RPG, and whether you want to follow Kiryu or newcomer Ichiban Kasuga.
GamesRadar+’s 10 best Yakuza games
This is one publication’s editorial ranking, not an objective score or a consensus across reviewers. Its list spans numbered entries, remakes, and spin-offs; it is more accurate to call it a ranking of Yakuza-universe games than a list of mainline games alone.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties - PlayStation 5 | $49.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Yakuza 0: Director’s Cut - PlayStation 5 | $42.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Yakuza Remastered Collection Standard Edition (PS4) | $25.93 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Yakuza Kiwami 2 - Nintendo Switch 2 | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Yakuza 0 — The prequel and recommended entry point, with connected Kiryu and Majima stories set during Japan’s 1980s economic boom.
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon — Introduces Ichiban Kasuga and replaces the series’ real-time brawling with turn-based, party-based combat.
- Yakuza Kiwami 2 — A Dragon Engine remake centered on Kiryu’s conflict with rival Ryuji Goda.
- Yakuza Kiwami — A remake of the first Yakuza story.
- Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
- Judgment — A spin-off set in the same universe.
- Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth — Continues Ichiban’s story and brings Kiryu back as a co-star.
- Like a Dragon: Ishin! — A historical spin-off.
- Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii — A spin-off featuring Majima.
- Yakuza 4
GamesRadar+’s case for Yakuza 0 rests on its accessible introduction, intertwined leads, side activities, and multiple fighting styles. It praises Like a Dragon for Ichiban’s fresh lead role, party system, and emotional story; for Kiwami 2, it points to the remake’s Dragon Engine and Kiryu’s rivalry with Goda.
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Which Yakuza game should you play first?
Choose Yakuza 0 for the classic action series
Start with Yakuza 0 if you want real-time street fights, Kiryu and Majima, and a story set before the events of the earlier Kiryu games. Its prequel position gives newcomers a natural starting point without asking them to begin at a later numbered sequel.
#1 Best Overall
- A LEGEND IS REBORN AND A NEW LEGACY BEGINS: Two men will walk different paths that converge to shake the very foundations of fate.
- Yakuza Kiwami 3: Continue the story of ex-yakuza Kazuma Kiryu as he fights to protect those he loves in an extreme remake of Yakuza 3 that evolves every aspect of the beloved game.
- Dark Ties: Experience the brand-new tale of Yoshitaka Mine from Yakuza 3 in an included separate game.
Choose Yakuza: Like a Dragon for turn-based RPG combat
Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the better fit if you prefer a party RPG to an action brawler. Ichiban’s story begins a new protagonist arc, though it arrives after many earlier franchise entries and exists within the series’ larger world.
Save Infinite Wealth for after Like a Dragon
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth follows Ichiban and features Kiryu as a co-star. Because it continues character arcs, newcomers will get more context by playing Yakuza: Like a Dragon first and learning more of the series’ earlier history before moving on.
Rank #2
- Crushing Combat - Three unique fighting styles to dynamically switch between, using your fists, makeshift weapons, and more.
- Director's Cut - Deeper insight into key incidents and character backstories with never-before-seen cutscenes. English voiceover & French, Italian, German, and Spanish subtitles are also now available.
- Online Battles - Red Light Raid lets you join forces with friends and choose from 60 playable characters to take down hordes of enemies.
How to choose between the main styles
| What you want | Good fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time brawling | Yakuza 0 or earlier Kiryu-era entries | These games use direct, real-time fighting rather than turn-based party battles. |
| Turn-based party combat | Yakuza: Like a Dragon | It introduces Ichiban and a party-based RPG format. |
| A prequel entry point | Yakuza 0 | It is set before the Kiryu-era events and was recommended by GamesRadar+ as an introduction. |
| Ichiban’s continuing story | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth | It is a sequel to Yakuza: Like a Dragon and brings Kiryu back into Ichiban’s story. |
Check platform and edition before buying
Availability differs by title and system, so check SEGA’s official game catalog for the specific game and platform you want. SEGA’s catalog includes, among other titles, Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Its franchise ordering by original Japanese release year is not the same as the in-world story chronology.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties release details
SEGA’s release notice gives Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties a release date of February 12, 2026, and lists PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam). In the Japanese release described in the notice, there are package and digital editions; Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Deluxe Edition are digital-only. Those details may not describe every market, so verify the local listing and edition before purchasing.
Rank #3
- 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
What the series is about
SEGA says the series “was created in 2005 with a concept of making a game that appealed to a more mature audience.” The publisher describes its stories as exploring love, humanity, and betrayal while depicting life in entertainment districts. SEGA also reports 27.7 million units sold worldwide for total standalone game sales; the release notice does not specify the measurement cutoff, and the figure refers to units sold, not unique players.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE DRAGON.
- A year after the 10-billion-yen incident, the dragons of East & West clash, and an intense battle unfolds to determine the one true dragon.
- Endless Exploration. Brutal Brawling Action. Bonus Majima Saga.
- Game-key card: 45 GB Full game download via internet required.
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