Weirdest Yakuza Games, Ranked

Yakuza/Like a Dragon is one of the deepest and most rewarding series that players can sink their teeth into. It may seem daunting, but RGG Studio has done a great job of giving players multiple avenues of entry, based on what genres they prefer and how much stock they put into following a story chronologically.

One thing that the Yakuza games are known for is an iconic brand of weirdness that embraces the joy of playing a video game over everything else. While the series’ odd side took a while to manifest, most popular Yakuza games do a great job of embodying this weirdness and letting players enjoy some cathartic action games where enemies can be taken out in style.

8

Yakuza Kiwami 2

Clan Creator And Cabaret Club Are Both Delightfully Weird, Even If They Aren’t Original Additions

The faithful recreation of Yakuza 2‘s story means that the Kiwami treatment will struggle to add some elements of weirdness to the story. Sure, Majima’s inclusion coupled with some ridiculous plot twists make this experience a unique one, but the true weirdness of Yakuza Kiwami 2 stems from its side content.

Clan Creator is a fun RTS tower-defense minigame that is more fleshed out than its first appearance in Yakuza 6, while fans of Majima’s side activity in Yakuza 0 will be glad to know that Cabaret Club makes a return too. They may not be original inclusions, but they still do a great job of making this remake a weird experience in every way.

7

Lost Judgment

The Plot Can Get A Bit Too Wonky At Times

Yagami’s reception as a protagonist has been a bit of a mixed bag, and Lost Judgment doesn’t help things. The high school setting and the realities of bullying are eye-opening to witness, but a lot of the story’s impact is dampened when Yamagi doesn’t shy away from smacking some sense into high school students in the most brutal manner possible if required.

This, coupled with its fair share of hilarious side activities that place the detective in some compromising scenarios, makes it clear why Lost Judgment is one of the weirder Yakuza games players can enjoy. As long as they warm up to this protagonist during his second outing, they’ll have a great time playing as Yagami in a spinoff with tantalizing real-time combat.

6

Yakuza 5

The First Game To Really Lean Into The Weirdness Of The Yakuza Series With Great Results

Players who love the Yakuza series for its unique brand of weirdness have the fifth game to thank for introducing this weird balancing act that fans have grown to love. Sure, some of the side activities could do with a bit of polishing (with Saejima’s hunting being infamous for how slow it can be), but the experience on a whole is an eccentric affair that fans will love.

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It’s rare for a game that focuses on action-packed brawling to suddenly turn into an idol simulator and not lose the attention of fans. While the formula was eventually perfected to make Yakuza‘s weird side more prominent than ever, players willing to look at Yakuza 5 with an open mind will love its odd activities and hilarious substories.

5

Yakuza Kiwami

Majima’s Sudden Appearances Are Almost Always Hilarious

The first Yakuza game was a tantalizing tale that took itself seriously, so it was hard to see how Yakuza Kiwami would be able to do justice to this story while still maintaining a balance of serious and weird moments. This was achieved with the help of Majima and his wacky personality.

It may be a bit grindy, but players love encountering Majima in the most unlikely locations to improve Kiryu’s Dragon Style. Majima’s overbearing presence can lessen his impact on the story, but this is a price fans are willing to pay to enjoy a remake that is perfect for those who want to experience Yakuza‘s story from the very first title.

4

Yakuza 0

Both Cabaret Club Czar And Real Estate Royale Are Weird Gems That Fans Adore

Yakuza 0 is one of the most important games in the series, providing a fresh jumping-on point for new players interested in checking out the rising popularity of the Yakuza series. The incredible story of Kiryu and Majima, coupled with the hilarious nature of their side activities, turn Yakuza 0 into a must-play title in the series.

It helps that most of the substories serve as a treat for long-time fans who encounter the iconic Ryuji Goda before he becomes the Dragon of Kansai and listens to a fortuneteller who accurately predicts Kiryu’s fate. Despite how weird it can be, Yakuza 0‘s intensity comes at the right moments and helps them become immersed in the Yakuza‘s underworld dealings — right after they bowled multiple strikes and hired a chicken as a manager for their real estate management minigame.

3

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

The JRPG Transition Helped The Yakuza Series Become Weirder Than Ever Before

Players who were worried about the shift to turn-based combat for the Yakuza series forgot just how much this series reveled in being odd and different. Classic JRPG battles ensured that RGG Studio could lean more heavily into the series’ weirdness and let players enjoy one of the most bizarre and enjoyable turn-based JRPGs ever made.

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Hardest Yakuza Games, Ranked

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While most of the Yakuza games provide a fair challenge for players to overcome, this isn’t the case for every entry in the beloved action series.

Ichiban’s headcanon justifies the turn-based battles in a refreshing manner. Every character can take on a bevy of odd jobs that look ridiculous in battle, only to wow players with their tactical efficiency.

2

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Using Real-Life People As Pokemon Is About As Weird As It Gets

Given how Yakuza: Like a Dragon was a resounding success, it’s easy to see why the sequel would be just as bizarre, if not more. The new setting of Hawaii serves as a refreshing change of pace from other Yakuza games while letting players enjoy even more outlandish jobs and side content.

Sujimon is an obvious highlight here, with new jobs letting characters become a hula dancer who looks hilarious in battle — only to surprise players with how effective this job is. If Yakuza‘s shift to turn-based combat clicked with fans, then it’s easy to see why Infinite Wealth will appeal to these players too.

1

Yakuza: Dead Souls

A Spinoff So Weird That Even The Most Devoted Yakuza Fans Couldn’t Give A Pass

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Yakuza: Dead Souls

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While the Yakuza series revels in its weirdness, the gameplay of these titles is strong enough for players to stick with them in their slow moments. This is where Yakuza: Dead Souls failed, serving as a rare dud in the series that has been mocked for its lack of quality numerous times.

The idea of everyone’s favorite Yakuza characters being stuck in a zombie apocalypse and relying on firearms to deal damage was fresh, but the shooting gameplay was too barebones, and it bored players in no time. As a result, Dead Souls failed critically and commercially despite being the weirdest game in the Yakuza series.

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Yakuza: Every Amon Fight, Ranked

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For those looking for more content in the Yakuza games, fighting the Amon Club makes an incredible challenge for players