7 great mini-games in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise

The Yakuza/Like a Dragon series is incredibly well-known for their unique ability to mix some of the best storytelling with fantastic side content. These include sub-stories, side missions, and, of course, mini-games that can be played during the times when you have free-roam control of your character. Minigames have been a part of the franchise since the first entry, and each subsequent release has expanded upon them.

While there are a whole lot of minigames to choose from, some stand out from the rest. Below are seven great minigames in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series that are worth trying out.

Note: The contents of this article are subjective in nature.

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7 great minigames across the Yakuza/ Like a Dragon games

1) Spearfishing (Yakuza 6)

Yakuza 6's spearfishing mode allows you to use underwater harpoon guns (Image via Sega)

Found in Onomichi, the Spearfishing mode allows you to take Kiryu underwater in the pursuit of taking down some sea creatures with a harpoon gun. Kiryu's health is limited, and the spear gun also has limited ammo, making for a unique challenge under the depths of the sea.

As you play this mode, you can also unlock better harpoon guns and newer areas to fish. Beware of the Emperor Squid and the final level's Shark, as they put up a formidable defence!

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2) Tatsu-ya noodles (Yakuza 5)

Tatsu-ya Noodles made just the sole appearance in 2012's Yakuza 5 (Image via Sega)

Nagasugai in Yakuza 5 has many attractions, but nestled on the southwest end of the map, not too far from Kiryu's apartment, is a small ramen shop called Tamasa. Here, apart from indulging in the wonderful cuisine and gulping down delicious ramen, you can also choose to help the chef with cooking duties.

Customers will request various levels of hardness for their noodles, so press the button at the correct time to satisfy all your customers' needs. As the mode progresses, so does its speed, which can make it difficult. However, the fantastic background soundtrack will be sure to keep spirits high.

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3) Karaoke (Multiple Games)

A still from Yakuza Kiwami for the Karaoke minigame (Image via Sega)

2009 saw the arrival of Yakuza 3 on the PS3, and with it came one of the most-loved minigames across the series, Karaoke. It is a rhythm game that requires you to press buttons with correct timing, and the songs featured in this mode have transcended the series and made their way into popular culture.

Be it Bakamitai or 24-Hour Cinderella, the songs and their voice actors' rendition of it make this one of the best pastimes across all main games starting from Yakuza 3 onwards. A special cutscene plays if you press enough buttons correctly, where the character reminisces on the story's events while the song continues playing.

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4) Batting cages (Multiple Games)

A still of the batting cages from Yakuza 3 (Image via Sega)

Baseball is one of the world's most popular sports, and the Japanese are rather fond of it. It is no surprise that baseball has been a staple of the series ever since the first title was released on the PS2 back in 2005 and poses a number of challenges or goals to the player.

Scoring the maximum points or achieving repeated home runs is the goal at hand, all of which relies on the timely button press when the baseball draws ever closer. There are various difficulty levels and challenges, and the rewards for completing each level also scale upwards. The batting center in Kamurocho has also been the venue for some of the series' most iconic moments.

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5) Dragon Kart (Yakuza: Like a Dragon)

Dragon Kart is among the best minigames in the modern releases, starting with 2020's Like a Dragon (Image via Sega)

2020's Yakuza Like a Dragon brought with it the rather enjoyable Dragon Kart minigame, which has you control Ichiban as he zooms across the map in a kart. Competing against AI opponents, you can also customize and upgrade the kart exactly to your liking to increase the chances of winning.

The mode did not appear in 2024's Infinite Wealth but is slated to return in the upcoming Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii title. Once the engines are started, collect all the coins and make sure to aim for the powerups!

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6) Dance Battles (Yakuza 5)

The dance battles provided a unique approach to the game (Image via Sega)

Not too long after the incredible prison escape saga in Saejima's chapter of Yakuza 5 begins Haruka's chapter. A rather refreshing change of pace has you destroy the dance floor, as opposed to doing so to random enemies on the street. Found across the streets of Sotenbori are Dance Battles, which pair you against opponents of varying skill levels.

Much like Karaoke, you must time your button presses in the right order and ensure you stay ahead of your opponent. However, it is not only Haruka who can partake in this, for Akiyama can also participate in a few of these during his chapter!

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7) Cabaret Club Management (Yakuza 0, Yakuza Kiwami 2)

The full-fledged cabaret minigame only made appearances in two games (Image via Sega)

An unmissable part of the campaign modes in Yakuza 0 and Yakuza Kiwami 2 is the Cabaret Club story arc, which is completely optional but a very enjoyable game mode. Found in Sotenbori, the task at hand is to customize the appearance of the various hostesses, with the ability to customize elements such as accessories, hair, makeup, and much more in order to attract customers.

The storyline also involves battling rival clubs and beating them to proceed, which culminates with your club becoming the number one across the town. A rudimentary version of the mode also exists in Yakuza 3 Remastered and Yakuza 4, but the rendition in 0 and Kiwami 2 is more enhanced. In addition, the background music for the mode perfectly fits the setting it is based in.

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Read more Yakuza/ Like a Dragon articles below:

• Every spinoff game in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise
• Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii combat features explored