The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Yakuza 0 is the best mainline Yakuza game overall, balancing a gripping story, two memorable leads, excellent brawling and a richly realized 1980s Japan. For a first game, it is also the easiest recommendation. This is a subjective ranking of the Kiryu-to-Ichiban core series, including the Kiwami remakes as versions of the early games they remake. I weigh story and characters, combat and progression, setting and side activities, and how welcoming each game is to newcomers. If you prize combat, continuity or a particular protagonist more heavily, your order may differ.
What counts as a mainline Yakuza game?
This ranking covers the central story from Kazuma Kiryu through Ichiban Kasuga: Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami and Kiwami 2, Yakuza 3 through 6, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Kiwami and Kiwami 2 are ranked as the remake versions of the first two games, not as extra chapters in the chronology.
The franchise catalog also includes remakes, spin-offs and related series. Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Like a Dragon: Ishin!, Judgment, and Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii are not included in this mainline ranking. SEGA’s official lineup groups titles by their initial Japanese release year and mixes core games with other franchise entries, so the catalog itself is not a mainline-only list.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties is not ranked here. SEGA lists it in its 2026 lineup, but a listing establishes the release’s place in the catalog, not its quality relative to the other games. Until there is enough review evidence to judge it fairly, it is better treated as an upcoming remake rather than assigned a speculative position.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The mainline Yakuza games ranked
-
Yakuza 0
The strongest all-round entry pairs Kiryu and Goro Majima in a tightly linked crime story, with the excess and ambition of 1980s Japan woven into its setting. Their distinct fighting styles give the action variety, while substories and diversions make Kamurocho and Sotenbori feel alive beyond the main plot. Its dual-protagonist structure also gives newcomers a clear, satisfying introduction to the series. It is the best place to start and the best overall game in this ranking.
-
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
Ichiban Kasuga brings a new emotional center to the series, and the shift from real-time brawling to turn-based RPG combat is a genuine reinvention rather than a cosmetic change. The party system fits Ichiban’s generous, imaginative outlook, and Yokohama gives the game room to build a distinct identity. It is a strong entry point for players willing to meet a new protagonist and accept a different combat rhythm; familiarity with the older games adds context, but is not the main appeal.
Rank #2
Sale
Anker USB-C Hub, 5-in-1 USB Hub for Laptops, 4K HDMI Multiport Adapter- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
-
Yakuza Kiwami 2
This remake gives Kiryu’s next major chapter a more modern presentation while retaining the series’ mix of serious criminal drama and neighborhood absurdity. The story’s personal conflict and the expanded setting make it a compelling follow-up to Kiwami. It ranks below the top two because it is less self-contained as a starting point and depends more on having experienced Kiryu’s first story.
-
Yakuza Kiwami
Kiwami is the most approachable way to play the original Yakuza story today: it follows Kiryu’s return after a decade away and brings the early chapter into a remake format. Its direct connection to Yakuza 0 can make the characters’ history more resonant, though it also means that players who start here encounter some relationships without the prequel’s added context. As a remake of the first game, it is a natural next stop after 0.
DriversCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?PerformanceWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadDriversOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Rank #3
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 7in1 Multi-Port USB Adapter, 4K@60Hz USBC to HDMI Splitter- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
-
Yakuza 6: The Song of Life
Kiryu’s story reaches a more intimate register here, focusing on family, responsibility and the consequences of his choices. That emotional focus gives the game a strong identity, and its new setting helps distinguish it from the familiar Kamurocho routine. Its place in a long-running protagonist’s arc is also its main barrier: the payoff lands best after the earlier Kiryu games, making it a poor first entry.
-
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Infinite Wealth brings Ichiban and Kiryu together and adds Hawaii as a major new setting, with substantial side activities and the turn-based party combat introduced in Like a Dragon. The scale and optional content are a major draw, but the story’s dual leads and multiple plot threads can feel less focused than Ichiban’s first game. It is most rewarding after Like a Dragon and the Kiryu games it draws on, rather than as a standalone introduction. GamesRadar+ ranked it seventh in a feature that also includes spin-offs, and likewise praised its setting and side content while noting the potential for a muddled plot.
Rank #4
Sale
UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter Combo 4-Pack, 10Gbps USB C Converter Space Gray- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
-
Yakuza 5
Yakuza 5 is an expansive ensemble chapter in Kiryu’s saga, built around multiple protagonists and locations. That breadth can be a pleasure if you want a long tour through different lives and corners of the series; it can also make the central story feel less concentrated than the strongest entries. Its position reflects that trade-off and the amount of continuity it asks a newcomer to absorb.
-
Yakuza 4
Yakuza 4 widens the point of view beyond Kiryu, using several protagonists to approach the same criminal world from different angles. The structure brings welcome variety, but its interwoven plot is more dependent on returning to the series’ familiar setting and cast than the best entry points are. GamesRadar+ placed it tenth in its selected ten-game feature, which also includes spin-offs; that is one critic’s comparison, not a complete ranking of the mainline series.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.Best Value
Sale
Anker USB C Hub, 5-in-1 USBC to HDMI Splitter with 4K Display- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
-
Yakuza 3
Yakuza 3 shifts part of Kiryu’s story away from the city and toward his life caring for children at an Okinawan orphanage. That change in pace gives the character arc a distinctive, quieter dimension, but the game feels less welcoming beside the later remakes and releases. It works best as a chapter in Kiryu’s full story, not as a first taste of the franchise.
How to choose where to start
- For the best all-round introduction: Start with Yakuza 0, then play Kiwami and Kiwami 2 before continuing through Yakuza 3–6.
- For a fresh protagonist and turn-based RPG combat: Start with Yakuza: Like a Dragon. It begins Ichiban’s story and offers a different entry into the franchise’s world.
- For Kiryu’s complete arc: Play the Kiryu-led games in release-story order, beginning with Yakuza 0 and continuing through Yakuza 6. The Kiwami remakes cover the first two numbered stories.
- For the newest Ichiban chapter: Play Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth after Yakuza: Like a Dragon; it draws on both Ichiban’s story and Kiryu’s history.
Why this ranking is not a consensus list
GamesRadar+ offers one useful outside comparison, but its selected ten-game list includes spin-offs and omits some core installments. It ranks Yakuza 0 first, Yakuza: Like a Dragon second, Kiwami 2 third, Kiwami fourth, Yakuza 6 fifth, Infinite Wealth seventh and Yakuza 4 tenth. Those placements are that outlet’s judgments, not a definitive order for every mainline game. Its discussion highlights the same trade-offs that matter to players: the connected story and fighting styles of Yakuza 0, the turn-based shift and Ichiban-led story in Like a Dragon, and Infinite Wealth’s appealing setting and side content alongside a more diffuse plot.
Commercial popularity is a separate question from quality. SEGA Sammy reported that Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth shipped and sold one million units worldwide in its first seven days. The company’s internally calculated total combines physical units shipped to retailers with downloadable units sold to consumers across all platforms; SEGA described it at the time as the fastest-selling title in the series. That is a dated sales milestone, not evidence that Infinite Wealth is the best game or a statement of current sales.
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.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
