Yakuza

From Sega Retro

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  • NTSC-U
  • NTSC-J
  • PAL

Yakuza title.png

Yakuza PS2 JP SSTitle.png

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Yakuza
System(s): PlayStation 2
Publisher: Sega Corporation (JP), Sega Korea (KR), Sega of America (US), Sega Europe (EU)
Developer:
Supporting companies:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:
  • 日本語
  • English
  • Deutsch
  • Français
  • Italiano
  • Español
    		•
    Release Date RRP Code
    Sony PlayStation 2
    JP     		¥6,800 (7,140)[2] SLPM-66168
    CERO: 18
    Sony PlayStation 2
    JP
    (The Best)     		¥1,800 (1,890)[3] SLPM-74234
    CERO: D
    Sony PlayStation 2
    JP
    (The Best Red)     		¥1,800 (1,890)[4] SLPM-74253
    CERO: D
    Sony PlayStation 2
    JP
    (The Best Red (Rerelease))     		¥1,800 (1,890)[5] SLPM-74269
    CERO: D
    Sony PlayStation 2
    US     		$49.99 SLUS-21348
    ESRB: Mature 17+
    Sony PlayStation 2
    DE     		SLES-54171
    INL-P54171-GE
    USK: 18
    Sony PlayStation 2
    ES     		SLES-54171
    INL-P54171-SP
    PEGI: 18+
    Sony PlayStation 2
    FR     		SLES-54171
    INL-P54171-FR
    PEGI: 18+
    Sony PlayStation 2
    UK
    (Promo)     		SLES-54171
    BBFC: Suitable only for adults (18)
    Sony PlayStation 2
    UK     		£39.99 SLES-54171
    INL-P54171-UK
    BBFC: Suitable only for adults (18)
    Sony PlayStation 2
    IT     		SLES-54171
    INL-P54171-IT
    PEGI: 18+
    Sony PlayStation 2
    RU
    ELSPA: 18+ OK
    Sony PlayStation 2
    AU     		SLES-54171
    INL-P54171-AU
    OFLC: Mature Accompanied (MA 15+)
    Sony PlayStation 2
    KR     		SLKA-25342
    KMRB: 18
    Sony PlayStation 2
    KR
    (BigHit)
    GRB: 18
    Sony PlayStation 2
    ZA     		R 499.99[8]
    Sony PlayStation 2
    EX     		SLES-54171
    INL-P54171-EX
    PEGI: 18+

    Yakuza, known as Ryu ga Gotoku (龍が如く lit. "Like a Dragon") in Japan, is an open world action game developed by New Entertainment R&D Dept. #1 and published by Sega for the PlayStation 2 in 2005. It marks the start of the Yakuza series, a set of successful first party games centered around the world of Japanese organised crime.

    Though not directly related, Yakuza is often seen as a spiritual successor (and lower budget alternative) to Shenmue. It was produced by Toshihiro Nagoshi of Super Monkey Ball and Sega AM2/Amusement Vision fame. During development the project was known as Project J.

    Story

    Taking place in 1995 in Kamoro-cho, a fictional district in Tokyo (which modelled after Shinjuku) story follows Kazuma Kiryu, a young Yakuza working under Dojima Family of Tojo Clan, a powerful Yakuza organization in the Kanto area of Japan. Kiryu's life changes irreversibly when one day his love interest Yumi is kidnapped by Dojima, leader of the family Kiryu is serving. His close friend Akira Nishikiyama attempts to save Yumi from Dojima and ends up killing him. Kiryu decides to take the blame for killing (Nishkiyama's sister is in deathbed) and spends 10 years in prison for murder.

    In prison, Kiryu receives a letter of ex-communication and removed from Tojo Clan. Although he is visited by Shintaro Kazama, his adopter father who is also a Yakuza leader, he doesn't hear anything from either Yumi or Nishikiyama.

    Eventually released in 2005, Kiryu attempts to bring his life together and find Yumi. On the way, he meets Haruka, a mysterious little girl. After being targeted by Yakuza families all around the Tokyo for "10 billion Yen" and realizing that Haruka could be the key to finding Yumi, Kiryu takes Haruka under his protection and resolves to solve the mystery.

    History

    Ryu Ga Gotoku was Sega's largest project since Sakura Taisen in 1996 and Shenmue in 1999. Staff from Sega's high profile Nintendo GameCube (Super Monkey Ball) and Xbox (Jet Set Radio Future) exclusives were brought together, and much external staff for writing supervision, mocap and real world advertising tie-ins, brought in a very large scope. Toshihiro Nagoshi was initially responsible for the concept of a hard boiled Yakuza crime story. However Masayoshi Kikuchi and Masayoshi Yokoyama came in to round out the project, with Kikuchi bringing in a softer and emotional side to the crime story, and Yokoyama writing the script.

    A smashing success in it's home country, Sega was quick in expanding the franchise. Yearly entries followed with only a 10 month development cycle of each game. The scope for advertising the franchise itself, as well real world brand tie-ins also expanded rapidly with each entry. Despite the short development cycle, each game earned praise for it's story, quality of gameplay and overall humor, and kept fans engaged.

    The original PlayStation 2 Yakuza is the only game in the series to feature a full English voice cast, including Hollywood stars Michael Rosenbaum (Nishkiyama), Michael Madsen (Shimano), Eliza Dushku (Yumi), Rachel Leigh Cook (Reina) and Mark Hamill (Majima). Subsequent entries (and re-releases of this game) have only English subtitles.

    The games Western release flopped heavily, despite an overall effort of advertising and high profile voice actors. Due to this, the game's have not had a consistent localization rate, often being delayed, or stuck in limbo in general.

    A soundtrack album for the first two games, Ryu ga Gotoku & Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Original Sound Track, was released on 25 January 2007.

    The game was later remade for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 using the Yakuza 5 engine under the title Ryu ga Gotoku Kiwami. It was released on 21 January 2016 in Japan, it's unknown if the remake will get a release in western regions.

    Versions

    Localised names

    Also known as
    Language Localised Name English Translation
    English Yakuza Yakuza
    English (US) Yakuza Yakuza
    Japanese 龍が如く Ryu ga Gotoku
    French Yakuza Yakuza
    German Yakuza Yakuza
    Spanish Yakuza Yakuza
    Italian Yakuza Yakuza
    Korean 용과 같이 Yonggwa Gachi

    Production credits

    Main article: Yakuza/Production credits.

    Magazine articles

    Main article: Yakuza/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    SOE Yakuza PressRelease FINAL.pdf
    PDF
    Announcement press release
    SOE Yakuza PressRelease FINAL.pdf
    Yakuza Celebrity Annc Draft8.pdf
    PDF
    Celebrity cast press release
    Yakuza Celebrity Annc Draft8.pdf
    SegaPRFTP Yakuza Yakuza OneSheet FINAL.pdf
    PDF
    Fact sheet
    SegaPRFTP Yakuza Yakuza OneSheet FINAL.pdf
    Yakuza PS2 US PrintAdvert.jpg
    US print advert
    Yakuza PS2 US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Artwork

    • Yakuza logo.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza date bust01 tyouseiC.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza haruka bust01 tyouseiC.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza kazama bust01 tyouseiC.png
    • Yakuza nishikiyama bust.jpg
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza reina bust01 tyouseiA.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza sera bust01 tyouseiC.png
    • Yakuza simano bust.jpg
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza yumi 10years ago bust01 tyouseiCC.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza yumi 10years ago bust02 tyouseiCC.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza haruka all01 tyouseiA.png
    • Yakuza kiryu.jpg
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza kiryu tatoo hadasi tyouseiOFF.png
    • SegaGC2006EPK Yakuza Art Nishiki Koi Back.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza nishikiyama all01 tyouseiA.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza reina allA tyousei.png
    • Yakuza yumi.jpg
    • SegaGC2006EPK Yakuza Art Dragon.png
    • Yakuza tattoo koi.jpg
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza YakuzaPS2 FOB 5106.jpg
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza keyvisual 0730.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza keyvisual 0730 01.png
    • SegaPRFTP Yakuza keyvisual 0730 02.png

    Physical scans

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    84
    80 October 2006, p84
    85 October 2006, p76
    80 October 2006, p112
    95 September 2006, p52
    85 October 2006, p72
    Sony PlayStation 2
    		 85
    Based on
    6 reviews
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    77
    		[9]
    Weekly Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
    93
    		[10]
    gamecentral
    70
    		[11]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    84
    		[12]
    Hyper (AU) PAL
    86
    		[13]
    Sony PlayStation 2
    		 82
    Based on
    5 reviews

    Yakuza

    PlayStation 2, US
    Yakuza PS2 US Box.jpg
    Cover
    Yakuza PS2 US Disc.jpg
    Disc
    Yakuza PS2 US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    PlayStation 2, JP
    Yakuza PS2 JP cover.jpg
    Cover
    Yakuza ps2 jp disc.jpg
    Disc
    PlayStation 2, JP (PS2 the Best) white
    Yakuza PS2 JP thebest cover.jpg
    Cover
    Yakuza PS2 JP disc best1.jpg
    Disc
    Yakuza PS2 JP disc2 best1.jpg
    Promotion DVD
    PlayStation 2, JP (PS2 the Best) red
    Yakuza PS2 JP thebest2 cover.jpg
    Cover
    Yakuza PS2 JP disc best2.jpg
    Disc
    Yakuza PS2 JP disc2 best2.jpg
    Promotion DVD
    PlayStation 2, JP (PS2 the Best) red (Rerelease)
    Yakuza PS2 JP cover best3.jpg
    Cover
    Yakuza PS2 JP disc best3.jpg
    Disc
    PlayStation 2, EU
    Yakuza PS2 EU cover.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, UK (Promo)
    Yakuza PS2 UK Box Promo.jpg
    Box
    PlayStation 2, UK
    Yakuza PS2 UK cover.jpg
    Cover
    Yakuza PS2 UK Disc.jpg
    Disc
    PlayStation 2, FR
    Yakuza PS2 FR Box.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, DE
    Yakuza PS2 DE Box.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, ES
    Yakuza PS2 ES cover.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, IT
    Yakuza PS2 IT Box.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, AU
    Yakuza PS2 AU cover.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, KR
    Yakuza PS2 KR Box.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, KR (Big Hit)
    Yakuza PS2 KR Box BigHit.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, RU
    Yakuza PS2 RU Box.jpg
    Cover
    PlayStation 2, EX†
    Yakuza PS2 EX cover.jpg
    Cover

    Technical information

    Main article: Yakuza/Technical information.

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sony PlayStation 2
     ?
    CRC32 abfb3855
    MD5 49744021edc7d94d5d3b49e445f4766c
    SHA-1 3b390ff621de7409f590d473abd7e2abd9b40c80
    		4,468,178,944 DVD-ROM (EU) SLES-54171 (V1.00)
    Sony PlayStation 2
    ✔
    CRC32 9cef539e
    MD5 08dff8053d27f492c49464d05d0b763f
    SHA-1 f6d8f3a37bcc4956b2b0cbb4d72423980b2345d8
    		4,552,491,008 DVD-ROM (JP) SLPM-66168 / SLPM-74234 / SLPM-74253 / SLPM-74269 (V1.02)
    Sony PlayStation 2
     ?
    CRC32 294babbd
    MD5 251059e4d54fb61369e1139b5d4d5e6c
    SHA-1 54697fdb616c7d30327bfc62be3f193eae466f94
    		4,390,912,000 DVD-ROM (US) SLUS-21348 (V1.00)
    Sony PlayStation 2
     ?
    CRC32
    MD5
    SHA-1
    		2006-07-03 DVD-R[14] Page

    External links

    References

    1. ↑ http://www.sega.com/games/allgames.php (Wayback Machine: 2006-10-18 23:05)
    2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm66168.html (Wayback Machine: 2006-10-29 03:02)
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm74234.html (Wayback Machine: 2006-10-18 22:13)
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm74253.html (Wayback Machine: 2007-11-23 11:55)
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.jp.playstation.com/software/title/slpm74269.html (Wayback Machine: 2009-04-28 01:26)
    6. ↑ https://v.daum.net/v/20060127171019894
    7. ↑ http://www.playstation.co.kr/game/775 (archive.today)
    8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.wwe.co.za/releaseschedule.aspx?catid=1 (Wayback Machine: 2006-10-02 12:10)
    9. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 2006" (US; 2006-09-12), page 112
    10. ↑ Weekly Famitsu, "2005-12-16" (JP; 2005-12-02), page 1
    11. ↑ GAMECENTRAL, "2006-09-19"
    12. ↑ GamePro, "October 2006" (US; 2006-09-12), page 81
    13. ↑ Hyper, "September 2006" (AU; 2006-08-09), page 46
    14. ↑ Hidden Palace: Yakuza (Jul 3, 2006 prototype)
    Yakuza

    Yakuza title.png

    		Main page | Comparisons | Credits | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Video coverage | Reception | Bootlegs
    Books: Ryu ga Gotoku Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (2005) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (2006) | Yakuza Official Strategy Guide (2006)



    Yakuza/Ryu ga Gotoku series of games
    Yakuza (Kiwami) (2005) | Yakuza 2 (Kiwami 2) (2006) | Yakuza 3 (Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties) (2009) | Yakuza 4 (2010) | Yakuza 5 (2012) | Yakuza 0 (Director's Cut) (2015) | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life (2016) | Yakuza: Like a Dragon (2020) | Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (2024)
    Spin-offs
    Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2008) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou (2010) | CR Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (2011) | Yakuza: Dead Souls (2011) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku: Ishin! (2014) | CR Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Tenshou Gion-hen (2015) | Pachislot Ryu ga Gotoku of the End (2015) | Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise (2018) | Judgment (2018) | Ryu ga Gotoku Online (2018) | Streets Of Kamurocho (2020) | Lost Judgment (2021) | Like a Dragon: Ishin! (2023) | Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (2023) | Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (2025) | City of Wars Powered by Ryu ga Gotoku (2025) | Stranger Than Heaven (202x)
    Compilations
    Ryu ga Gotoku 1&2 HD Edition (2012) | Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and Yakuza 0 Digital Bundle (2018) | The Yakuza Remastered Collection (2020) | Yakuza: Like a Dragon & Like a Dragon Gaiden Bundle (?) | Yakuza Kiwami & Yakuza Kiwami 2 Digital Bundle (2025)
    Yakuza/Ryu ga Gotoku related media
    Music
    		 Ryu ga Gotoku 4 Densetsu wo Tsugumono Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2010) | Ryu ga Gotoku 4 Densetsu wo Tsugumono Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2010) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2011) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2011) | Entenka / Shonan no Kaze (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5 Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5 Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Featured Songs (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5 Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2012) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Original Soundtrack Vol.1 (2014) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Original Soundtrack Vol.2 (2014) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Original Soundtrack Side A (2015) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Original Soundtrack Side B (2015)
    Music
    		 Ryu ga Gotoku & Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Original Sound Track (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Original Soundtrack (?) | Loser (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 3 Original Soundtrack (?) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou Original Soundtrack (?) | Ryu Uta: Ryu ga Gotoku Karaoke Best Selection (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku The Best Original Sound Track (?) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen Original Soundtrack (?) | Ryu Uta: Ryu ga Gotoku 5 The Best Songs Collection (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Series Best Soundtrack (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho - 80's Hits! Collection (?) | CR Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Tenshou Gion-hen Original Sound Track (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kiwami Original Soundtrack (?) | Kiryu Best: Ryu ga Gotoku Kiryu Kazuma Karaoke All Time Best Collection (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta Original Soundtrack (?) | Majima Best: Ryu ga Gotoku Goro Majima Karaoke All Time Best Collection (?) | Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon Original Soundtrack (?) | Lost Judgment: Sabaka Rezaru Kioku Original Soundtrack (?) | Yakuza 0 (?) | Yakuza: Like a Dragon (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden Na wo Keshita Otoko Original Sound Track (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 8 Original Soundtrack (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden Pirates in Hawaii Captain Majima -EP (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden Pirates in Hawaii Original Soundtrack (?)
    Book
    		 Ryu ga Gotoku Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Yakuza Official Strategy Guide (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 2 Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 3 Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 3 Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu o Tsugumono Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 4: Densetsu o Tsugumono Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Thank You no Sho (?) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Kurohyou: Ryu ga Gotoku Shinshou (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku of the End Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Kurohyou 2: Ryu ga Gotoku Ashura Hen Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5: Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 5: Yume, Kanaeshi Mono Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Ishin! Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 0: Chikai no Basho Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku Series 10 Shuunen Kinen Hon Ryuu Taizen (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 6: Inochi no Uta Kouryaku Shinan no Sho (?) | Hokuto ga Gotoku Tenha no Sho (?) | Judge Eyes: Shinigami no Yuigon Perfect Report (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7: Hikari to Yami no Yukue: Kasuga Ichiban Tabidachi no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7: Hikari to Yami no Yukue Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Lost Judgment: Sabakarezaru Kioku Perfect Report (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 7 Gaiden Na wo Keshita Otoko Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 8 Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?) | Ryu ga Gotoku 8 Gaiden Pirates in Hawaii Kanzen Kouryaku Kyoku no Sho (?)
    Film
    		 Ryu ga Gotoku: Joshou (?) | Like a Dragon (?) | Butai "Ryu ga Gotoku" (?) | Majima no MajiROCK (?) | Like a Dragon: Yakuza (?) | Yakuza Powered by Nihon Touitsu (?)
    Other List of Yakuza merchandise
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