Ranking the Yakuza games

Hello. Currently deflowering myself in this franchise, and given the praise and cult like status it's generated, must say, have mix feelings. Their are many things I like, but others, disagreeable.

Shall we rank the Yakuza games? Need more informed opinions from aficionados, ingratiated, immersed and positively rolling around in Japanese Wakanda.

yazuka 0

Judgement

Yazuka 5

Yazuka kiwami 1

Yazuka 6

Kiwami 2

Yazuka 3

Yazuka 4

I got into the series over the last few years. Played Yakuza 0 through Yakuza 7. I played in order, so I may be having a recency bias, but here is my ranking, from top to bottom:

1. Yakuza 6: this was my favorite type of Yakuza game. Not too long (20 hours), really good side quests, fun combat, engaging story, best graphics (even better than Yakuza 7). It was also Kiryu's last game, which made it extra special.
2. Yakuza 0: got me into the franchise. This was Kiryu's coming of age story. Lots of great content, great humor, one of my favorite supporting characters (Makoto). Also loved Mojima here. We got to see him before he gets crazy lol.
3. Yakuza 5: it's the longest in the series, and at times, really tedious, but it was their most ambitious game and I enjoyed what they did here for the most part. But by the time I got to this game, I was experiencing series fatigue, so I think that had something to do with it.

As for the rest, it's been a while since I played, but I think Kiwami 2 was great. Yakuza 3 had a great setting, and personal story for Kiryu. Kiwami was ok. 4 was ok, but didn't really stand out to me. Yakuza 7 is great, but weird to put in this list since it's a new protagonist. It also feels like it should be treated more as a spinoff. Sad that it's considered the main story now.

Probably like this. I vastly prefer Yakuza 5 story over others but nostalgia kept forcing me to pick Y4 as 1 and Yakuza 0 has best polished side missions.

Hated Yakuza 6 cause its a pretty shit end to Kiryu story and I really dont care for the whole WW2 battleship conspiracy. Never played Y7, waiting for PS5 upgrade.

Yakuza 4 > Yakuza 0 > Yakuza 5 > Yakuza 2 > Yakuza 3 > Yakuza > Yakuza 6

Never played any. Too much stupid shit in these games for me to spend money on.

1 - Yakuza Kiwami 2

2 - Yakuza 0

3 - Yakuza 7

4 - Yakuza 4

5 - Yakuza Kiwami

6 - Yakuza 5

7 - Yakuza 3

8 - Yakuza 6 (I really did not like the story)

1. Yakuza 4
2. Yakuza 0
3. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
4. Yakuza
5. Yakuza 5
6. Yakuza 2
7. Yakuza 6
8. Yakuza 3
9. Judgement
10. Yakuza: Dead Souls

I’ve just recently got into this franchise and so far have only played Yakuza 0 and Yakuza: Like a Dragon. I’ve only played a little of Yakuza 0 but it seems like I’ll really enjoy it.

As for Yakuza: Like a Dragon I finished it not too long ago and I absolutely loved it. Would give it a 9/10 myself.

mini-games achievements or trophy in yakuza are not welcome,otherwise good game

1. Yakuza 0
2. Yakuza Ishin
3. Yakuza Kiwami 2
4. Yakuza 5
5. Yakuza 6
6. Yakuza 2
7. Yakuza 4
8. Yakuza Kenzan
9. Yakuza 3
10. Yakuza Kiwami 1
11. Judgement
12. Yakuza Dead Souls
13. Yakuza 1
14. Yakuza: Like a Dragon
15. Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise

Zero and Ishin I could flip depending on my mood, and the same with 5 & 6 over Kiwami 2.

Zero, then whatever order.

@Renegade_Fury: What order should I play them in if I wanna get into the series?

I still need to finish Like A Dragon, and that is the only one I played minus a but of dabbling in Zero.

I've played Kiwami 1 and 2, 0 and 3 remastered. Need to start 4 sometime, but I also have Judgement so not sure which i'll get to next.

1. 0 (just insane)

2. Kiwami 2 (very good despite 30fps on ps4)

3. Kiwami 1

4. 3 (combat felt the most dated but that's to be expected, but I loved the story.)

Yakuza 0

Yakuza Kiwami 2

Yakuza Kiwami

Right now I'm playing Yakuza 3.

@sheevpalpamemes: Play Y0 first, since it's the both the best entry point and overall best game in the franchise. If you want more, play Kiwami 1 since it sets up the plot for the rest of the series, albeit not being nearly as good a game as Zero. From there, however, you can basically tackle it any order you want, though if you have the time, nothing beats going in numerical order.

Judgement can also be played as a standalone title since none of the regular characters make appearances.

I haven't played all of them yet, but I'd probably rank them:

Yakuza 0

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Yakuza Kiwami 2

Yakuza 6

Judgement

Fist of the North Star

Yakuza Kiwami 1

Yakuza 3

@sheevpalpamemes: numerical order. Start with 0. It's that simple.

Pretty much.

I popped my Yakuza cherry once it came to GP and none have to come close to Zero.

Haven't played any of the Weirdkuza games.

I've only played part of Kiwami still. But I DO really like It. Just got too much going on and get distracted easily. Been drawn off into Tyranny....

Nice list. I'd also put 6 at the top of my list. I like the story of Kiryu, who is nearly 50 years old, learning what it means to be a father through the series of events. This is a really good theme to conclude his story, and the ending draws a very moving conclusion, at least for me. The performance of the cast and cinematography are also amazing.

7 is still in my backlog looking forward to it but a bit apprehensive about the turn based combat.