With Like a Dragon Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii already out, Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio and Sega again prove they don’t shy away from doing something unusual with the franchise. Let’s explore this and other spin-offs worth playing!
While the main Yakuza video games are full of the wildest storylines, unforgettable personalities, and insane combat mechanics, their spin-offs prove the sky’s the limit when it comes to inventiveness in gaming.
These titles almost completely abandon everything done in the mainline games to recreate fan-favorite characters within the most unpredictable concepts. You don’t even have to play the main titles to enjoy these alternative releases set in completely unconnected environments. See for yourself!
| Game | Release | Genre |
|---|---|---|
| Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii | February 21, 2025 | Action-adventure, beat 'em up |
| Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise | October 2, 2018 | Action-adventure, beat 'em up |
| Like a Dragon: Ishin! | February 21, 2023 | Action-adventure |
| Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan! | March 6, 2008 | Action-adventure |
| Yakuza: Dead Souls | June 9, 2011 | Action-adventure, shooter |
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
| Release date: | 2025-02-20 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii follows Goro Majima as he embarks on a pirate adventure in search of his identity and legendary treasure. Featuring the DMC-tier action-based combat the franchise was once known for, the title exudes a joyful spontaneity lacking in the main games.
While it may not be visually the best installment, the title makes up for it with thrilling naval combat, memorable crew management, and the player’s freedom in choosing what to do next. Moreover, Goro Majima excels in the role of a charismatic fellow, leading a gang of unruly rogues looking for trouble on the high seas!
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Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
| Release date: | 2018-03-08 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
Imagine a Yakuza game in a post-apocalyptic, unforgiving setting – that’s Lost Paradise. Featuring the story of the warrior Kenchiro, the title perfectly merges the beat em up style of the core series with the visuals and combat straight out of the Fist of the North Star manga and anime.
Lost Paradise is all about the hero’s search for his girlfriend and unrealistic yet incredibly fun, manga-inspired combat. As with other installments in the series, you can expect a multitude of mini-games, brutal confrontations, and a gripping storyline. It feels like the classic Yakuza, but the sense of verticality and plot twists make this game stand out from the rest of the series’ titles.
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Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin!/Like a Dragon: Ishin!
| Release date: | 2023-02-21 |
| Genre: | Action-adventure game |
| Developer: | Ryū Ga Gotoku Studios |
This installment takes us to 19th-century Japan during the late Edo period to unravel the story of the historical figure Sakamoto Ryoma in the body of our favorite Kazuma Kiryu. As if that wasn’t enough, NPCs are other Yakuza heroes transported to the times of feudal Japan!
Like a Dragon: Ishin is like Rise of the Ronin movie, meeting Samurai Champloo anime. Players get to experiment with four switchable combat styles, historically accurate mini-games, and very Yakuza 0-like mechanics. It’s a must-play for anyone enjoying digital entertainment set in the Edo period!
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Yakuza: Dead Souls
| Release date: | 2011-06-09 |
| Genre: | Action-adventure game |
| Developer: | Sega |
Dead Souls sees our favorite characters from the series dealing with an unexpected zombie outbreak in Kamurocho. As if that wasn’t enough, they soon discover that bloodthirsty hordes of undead are not the only culprits of the entire city’s devastation.
Yakuza: Dead Souls phenomenally embraces the popularity of the zombie theme in the iconic style of the franchise. Players get to play as four iconic characters from the series who fight their way through a zombified version of the familiar reality boosted with an action movie-like structure. And the best part is, there’s plenty of extra content for hours of memorable fun.
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Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan!
| Release date: | 2008-03-06 |
| Genre: | Action-adventure game |
| Developer: | Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio |
As the first spinoff in the series, Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan takes us to 17th-century Japan to let us play as Miyamoto Musashi himself. Familiar to fans of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the famed swordsman now tackles the disturbing intrigue in true Yakuza style!
Ryū ga Gotoku Kenzan unravels the story of Miyamoto Musashi living under the alias of Kazuma Kiryu. Stumbling upon a trail of disturbing intrigue, the man unravels its details while constantly learning new fighting styles from the surrounding environment. It’s a fascinating mechanic, allowing for a satisfying way to develop the hero’s skills. It’s a must-play title if you’re looking for a Yakuza-inspired immersive experience in feudal Japan.
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Did any of our recommendations catch your eye? If you’ve already played Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii and seek a similar experience, any of these games should meet your expectations. They all share the legendary Yakuza style while providing us with unexpected scenarios featuring our favorite characters. But most importantly, each feels unique, bringing novelty to the immensely innovative Yakuza series.