Best Yakuza Game (2026)

The Like a Dragon series, long known in the West as Yakuza, has grown into one of gaming’s most beloved sagas, blending soap-opera drama with slapstick comedy and brawling combat. Deciding on the best Yakuza game in 2026 means choosing between grounded crime dramas starring Kazuma Kiryu and the wild turn-based RPG adventures of Ichiban Kasuga.

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Whether you are a newcomer wondering where to jump in or a veteran ranking your favorites, this guide breaks down eight essential entries. Every title is a real, widely available game, so you can pick a starting point with total confidence.

Comparing the Best Yakuza Game Entries

What Defines the Best Yakuza Game

The finest entries balance heartfelt storytelling with the series’ trademark absurdity, from managing a cabaret club to racing pocket cars. Combat variety, a memorable cast, and a dense district packed with minigames all elevate a Yakuza game above mere brawling. Because these adventures run dozens of hours and reward exploration, comfort counts. If you are settling in for a long crime saga, our gaming controller buying guide and gaming headset buying guide can point you toward gear that makes those marathon nights in Kamurocho more enjoyable.

Yakuza 0: The Best Yakuza Game to Start With

Set in the neon-soaked bubble economy of 1988, Yakuza 0 is almost universally recommended as the ideal entry point. You alternate between young Kiryu and the flamboyant Goro Majima, learning the series’ rhythms through tight brawling and unforgettable side stories. The real estate and cabaret management minigames alone could fill a separate release. For newcomers, this prequel is the clearest answer to the best Yakuza game question.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

This entry reinvents the franchise by swapping real-time brawling for turn-based, party-driven combat inspired by classic JRPGs. New hero Ichiban Kasuga is endlessly likable, and the job-class system lets you turn allies into everything from breakdancers to musicians. It is a bold reinvention that expanded the audience without losing the series’ soul.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Widely regarded as one of the strongest recent releases, Infinite Wealth sends Ichiban to Hawaii while reuniting players with an aging Kiryu. Its enormous map, refined turn-based combat, and a Pokemon-style creature collecting side mode make it staggeringly generous. The dual-protagonist structure delivers real emotional weight alongside the usual comedic chaos.

Yakuza Kiwami

Kiwami is a ground-up remake of the 2005 original, telling Kiryu’s foundational story with modern visuals. It introduces the rivalry with Nishikiyama that anchors the entire saga, and the Majima Everywhere system has the eccentric antagonist ambushing you throughout the city. It is essential for understanding the series’ emotional core.

Yakuza Kiwami 2

Built on the Dragon Engine, Kiwami 2 looks gorgeous and lets you wander seamlessly between combat and exploration. Its substories are among the funniest in the series, and returning cabaret management adds dozens of optional hours. A smooth, high-refresh display really shows off the Dragon Engine’s detail, so our gaming monitor buying guide is worth a look.

Yakuza 6: The Song of Life

As the emotional conclusion of Kiryu’s original journey, Yakuza 6 trades sheer size for focus and heart. Its story about family and legacy hits hard, and the seamless Dragon Engine world makes the seaside town of Onomichi feel alive. It is a fitting, tearful send-off for the Dragon of Dojima.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Ishin transplants the familiar cast into 1860s Japan, casting Kiryu’s likeness as a samurai swordsman. Its four-style combat, mixing blades and pistols, feels distinct from the modern-day brawling, and the historical setting offers a refreshing change of scenery while keeping the series’ melodrama intact.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon Gaiden

Subtitled The Man Who Erased His Name, Gaiden returns Kiryu to real-time action in a leaner, focused story that bridges major plot gaps. Its flashy Agent style, complete with spider-like wire gadgets, makes combat a spectacle. A responsive controller and a capable graphics card keep those stylish battles crisp, so browse our graphics card buying guide before diving in.

How to Choose the Best Yakuza Game for Your Taste

If you crave the definitive origin experience, start with Yakuza 0 and continue through the Kiwami remakes. Prefer turn-based RPG systems? Begin with Like a Dragon and its sequel Infinite Wealth. Those chasing standalone spin-offs will enjoy Ishin or Gaiden. Because you will pour dozens of hours into whichever you pick, a comfortable setup matters, and pairing your game with a reliable gaming mouse buying guide or a solid gaming keyboard buying guide for the PC versions helps keep those long sessions in Kamurocho feeling great.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Yakuza game to play first?

Yakuza 0 is the near-unanimous recommendation because it is a prequel, so it requires no prior knowledge of the story. It also teaches the series’ systems gradually and introduces the two most beloved characters, making it the perfect gateway for newcomers to the franchise.

Are the Yakuza games connected in one story?

Yes, the mainline Kiryu games form a continuous saga best played in release order, while the Ichiban Kasuga entries begin a new arc. Spin-offs like Ishin! stand alone. Newcomers can safely start with Yakuza 0 or Like a Dragon without feeling lost or confused.

Do I need to play every game to enjoy the newest ones?

Not at all. Each major sub-series offers a natural starting point, and the games include recap features summarizing earlier events. That said, playing chronologically deepens your emotional connection to recurring characters, so committed fans often prefer experiencing the full journey from beginning to end.

Are Yakuza games action or role-playing games?

It depends on the entry. The Kiryu-led titles are real-time action brawlers with RPG-style progression, while Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Infinite Wealth are full turn-based role-playing games. Both styles share the same humor, drama, and dense minigame-filled cities that define the series.