The always-surprising Like a Dragon series might be taking its hardest left turn yet with Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, but if past ventures are anything to go by, it’ll find a way to stick the landing. Announced at the developer’s 2024 RGG Summit, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii follows a succession of games that mix dramatic Yakuza stories with fun side content and a lot of heart. Although they traditionally take place in urban Japan, 2024’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth introduced Hawaii as a setting, and the tropical flavor isn’t going away quite yet.
Rather than following the recent series protagonist Ichiban Kasuga or original headliner Kazuma Kiryu, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii puts the chaotic Goro Majima in the driver’s seat. True to its name, the game is embracing the buccaneer spirit, giving Majima a tricorne hat to match his eyepatch and a wooden brig to captain across the seas. It’s an absurd but undeniably eye-catching premise, and Majima is the perfect character to pull the whole concept together.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii Release Date
When To Expect The Newest Like A Dragon Game
Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is set to release on February 28, 2025, a year and change after the January 2024 release of Infinite Wealth. Following the same model as other recent Like a Dragon games, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii will release on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The Nintendo Switch isn’t in the lineup, but considering the recent reveal of a Yakuza Kiwami port for the platform, it’s possible that other games in the series will eventually start making their way to the Switch’s upcoming successor.
Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii Pre-Orders & Editions
Prices & Bonuses For Each Option
Pre-orders are already available for Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, and locking in a pre-order for any version of the game comes with a couple of bonuses. The Ichiban Pirate Crew Set adds Ichiban Kasuga as a crewmate and his crayfish Nancy as a supporter, and the Ichiban Special Outfit Set adds outfits based on his appearance in both Yakuza: Like a Dragon and Infinite Wealth. Both of these sets can also be purchased separately after the game releases.
Digital and physical editions of the standard version cost $59.99, a slight step down from the price of Infinite Wealth. A digital deluxe edition bumps things to $74.99, adding a Legendary Outfit Pack, Ship Special Customization Pack, and Extra Karaoke & CD Pack. The ultimate option for major fans is the $129.99 physical collector’s edition, with a Majima acrylic standee, pirate flag, eye patch, and treasure coin pin alongside all previous bonuses.
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It’s been a while since the Like a Dragon series has offered this many physical perks for a release in North America, although the price may deter some potential buyers. Regardless, it’s nice to have options, and the eye patch is a particularly charming inclusion.
Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii Confirmed Characters
Like A Dragon’s Newest Cast Centers Around Majima
The protagonist of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, Goro Majima, is a long-time staple of the Like a Dragon games (formerly called Yakuza in North America). Originally appearing in the first Yakuza as a chaotic, largely antagonistic character, Majima was eventually fleshed out through later games to cement his status as a fan-favorite. Yakuza 0 revealed a nobler and more empathetic side to Majima in his younger days, and his status as the sole protagonist of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii builds on his joint protagonist role in that prequel.
Beyond Majima, the official website of Ryu Ga Gotoku studio provides a list of other characters appearing the game. Although the Like a Dragon series often features many recurring characters, all the ones noted on the website are new.
- Noah Rich
- Jason Rich
- Masaru Fujita
- Teruhiko Shigaki
- Rodriguez
- Mortimer
- Goro
The reveal trailer also provides a couple more clues for Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii characters. The most influential criminal figure on the island of Madlantis is revealed to be a woman called Queen Michele. Wrestler Samoa Joe appears briefly in the trailer, as does Etsuko, a recurring side character also called the Obatarian.
Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii Story Details
A Plot That Shifts Majima’s Fortunes
Unlike other outrageous Like a Dragon spin-offs, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii appears to be slotting directly into the standard canon of the series. Sometime during or after the events of Infinite Wealth, an amnesiac Majima washes up on Rich Island, a location not far from Hawaii. There, he runs into modern-day pirates that dress and act the part of Golden Age swashbucklers. Majima takes out a captain and consequently earns himself a sailing ship, setting up a seafaring arc that diverges from franchise’s typical urban focus.
An island called Madlantis is at the heart of things, playing host to a variety of criminal syndicates and a hunt for the “Lost Treasure of the Esperanza.” Accompanied by a father and son who helped him out on Rich Island and a larger motley crew, Majima sets out to acquire treasures and become a legend of the sea. This journey takes him across the locations of Rich Island, Nele Island, Madlantis, and Hawaii, allowing him to learn a new Sea Dog fighting style along the way.
Although the overall scope of Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is presumably less ambitious than Infinite Wealth, Like a Dragon games are consistently rich with interesting content. It’s likely that more characters, minigames, and side stories will be revealed in the months leading up to the game’s release. Even with limited details currently available, Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii looks set to be one of the most memorable games of 2025.
Source: SEGA/YouTube
