Minigames of the Yakuza series

The popular video game franchise has become known for its inclusion of several minigames as part of its core gameplay, beginning with the original Yakuza. Participation and progression in these minigames GeneRally will not affect the main game, but can often offer many items, prizes, "power ups" and PlayStation Network Trophies that are either very rare, or simply otherwise unavailable. They can also offer a diversion to the main story, and add a few more hours of gameplay.

Board games

Shogi was introduced in Yakuza 2.
  • Mahjong: this classic table game is available in Yakuza 2 and the eastern releases of Yakuza 3.
  • Shogi: this Japanese chess is available in Yakuza 2 and the eastern releases of Yakuza 3.

Card games

  • Koi-koi

Casino games

Blackjack is part of the casino games.
  • Baccarat
  • Blackjack
  • Roulette

Cue & ball games

Eight-ball is available in Yakuza 3.
  • Pool (nine-ball, rotation, eight-ball): pool minigames are available in Ryukyugai's Aquasky's bar. 2-player mode is added through DLC in the Eastern releases but is exclusive to the time limited Challenge Pack in the North American version.

Dating sims

  • Flirt with Hostesses

Dice games

  • Chinchirorin
  • Chō-han

[...] games

  • Aromatherapy massage (standard massage and oil massage & ear pick courses). This [...] rhythm game is available in Kamurocho's Love in Heart (since Yakuza). In the estern releases of Yakuza 3, the character Ayaka Tsubaki, which is modeled after the Japanese TV personality Ayana Tsubaki, is associated with this minigame. This minigame was removed from the western releases of Yakuza 3.
  • Libido waterfall. This [...] rhythm game is available in the eastern markets only spinoff Ryu Ga Gotoku Kenzan!. The associated female character is modeled after Yinling of Joytoy.

Gambling games

  • Oicho-Kabu
  • Toba

Challenges

  • Haruka's Requests: This minigame consists in several challenges that Kazuma Kiryu must take in order to please is adoptive daughter Haruka Sawamura, in turn she will reward him with rare items. This feature was introduced in Yakuza and is available in Yakuza 3.

Merchandisers

Sega's UFO Catcher crane game is one the series first minigame.
  • UFO Catcher: a product placement of Sega's arcade claw vending machine. The play spot is located in Kamurocho's Club Sega game centers (since Yakuza). The UFO-shaped crane gave the game its name.

Playground games

  • Mack's Training (A, B, C, Final formations): There are four variants, called "Formation", of this tag game available in Yakuza 3. The character associated with this minigame is Mack Shinozuka.
  • Survival Tag (サバイバル鬼ごっこ): This tag game is an extra mode that is available in the eastern versions of Yakuza 3 through a downloadable content. The character associated with this minigame is Bob Utsunomiya.

Quiz games

  • Answer & Answer: this is a port of Sega's arcade quiz game available in the Eastern releases of Yakuza 3. A 2-player mode and a Yakuza series extra questions set are added through DLC. This minigame was removed the western releases.

Redemption games

Koi-koi card game was introduced in the Kenzan! spin-off.
  • Pachislot: these slot machines are located in Kamurocho's Volcanic Volcano (Yakuza, Yakuza 2) and Sotenbori's Slotland Sunrise (Yakuza 2).

Music games

  • Karaoke: this rhythm game is available in the Karaoke Kan (カラオケ館) buildings located in both Kamurocho and Ryukyugai (Yakuza 3). This minigame is a tie-in with the Japanese brand Karaoke Kan.

Sports

Minigames include sports such as ten-pin bowling.
  • Arena: an underground arena is located in Kamurocho's Purgatory area (since Yakuza). It holds several mixed martial arts competitions.
  • Batting cage: this amusement spot is located in Kamurocho's Yoshida Batting Center (吉田バッティングセンター) building (since Yakuza). This major Kabukicho landmark is featured in the original game's Movie Version.
  • Ten-pin bowling: the bowling play spot is located in Kamurocho's Shunjiku Mach Bowl.
  • Golf
  • Golf cage: this play spot is located in the Yokobori Golf Center (横堀ゴルフセンター) in Yakuza 2.
  • Surf fishing: this casting minigame is available in the Asagao orphanage's cove. Fished animals can be sold at the Public Market's fishmonger located in the Karyoshi Arcade (Yakuza 3).

Throwing games

Pub games like darts were introduced in Yakuza 3.
  • Darts (01 game, cricket, count-up): this classic pub game is available in Kamurocho's Bantam and Ryukyugai's Aquasky (Yakuza 3).

Video games

Fighting games

  • Inner Fighter 7: a prototype machine of YF6's sequel is located in a yard within Kamurocho's Champion Quarter (Yakuza 3). This minigame host by Doctor Minamida features six fighters Tetsuo Tamashiro, Tsuyoshi Kanda, Goro Majima, Lau Kar-long, Joji Kazama and Kazuma Kiryu, beating them will unlock new fighting techniques.
  • YF6: this first person view fighting game is available in Yakuza 2.

Shoot 'em up games

  • Boxcellios: this 3D scrolling shooter is available in Kamurocho's Club Sega game centers (Yakuza 3). It features a leaderboard.
  • Boxcellios 2: this shooting game in available in the Japanese version of Yakuza 4.