The Yakuza series is no stranger to mini-games as many of them have returned again and again. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is no different with karaoke and the batting cages being two examples. However, this latest spinoff starring the ever-wacky Goro Majima puts a twist on some of these standard mini-games while introducing new ones too.
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Not every mini-game is created equally in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii though, and they can often feel like a drag if players are trying to finish a particular associated side quest. Removed from side quests, here are the best mini-games that are fun to play and are also worth investing time in. They will be ranked based on the overall fun factor.
7
The Ocean Hunter
And Other Retro Games
- Location: Anaconda Shopping Center
Playing emulated games in the Yakuza series has been a staple for a long time. Players can enjoy a collection of Sega Master System cartridges in Goro’s room and a plethora of arcade cabinets strewn throughout Honolulu. Among the many in the game, The Ocean Hunter sticks out. It’s a new addition and fits well with the motif of Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii as it’s also about treasure hunting. During single-player, players can enjoy it in the local mall. On the home screen, players can team up with a friend in co-op to fight off sharks and snakes while diving into the ocean for treasure.
6
Karaoke
Singing The Night Away
Karaoke is another classic mini-game in the Yakuza series which unlocks with the Revolve Bar and later the ship. The selection of songs is not as big as past entries but there is one song that players may want to enjoy again and again: “Song Of Departure – Journey To The New World.”
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This is the song that plays when Goro first gets his ship, setting the tone of the game as one big wacky adventure. The interactivity is minimal compared to other mini-games as players just have to line up button presses to the beat. The enjoyment comes from the character performances more so than the gameplay mechanics.
5
Bang Bang Batting
An Explosive Game Of Baseball
Bang Bang Batting is a remix of the batting cages from past Yakuza games. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii twists the idea on its head in Madlantis, the pirate haven players can get to in chapter two. Instead of baseballs, pirates with launch cannon balls at players, and Goro will have to deflect them back at exploding barrels. The more barrels exploded, the greater the points which can then be used to buy rewards. It’s a great example of an over-the-top version of a classic mini-game for this series.
4
Dragon Kart
Giving Mario A Run For His Money
- Location: Anaconda Harbor Park
Dragon Kart is a returning mini-game in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii which players can unlock via the Substory in chapter two, Dragon Kart in Paradise. After a quick mandatory race, players can then take on a heap of challenges and collect points to buy exclusive rewards. Anyone who has played a Mario Kart game before will know what to expect. Goro will race around small tracks, fighting off rivals with speed boosts and gadgets like rockets to get ahead of the competition. It’s not the most innovative kart racer around but it is fun for a mini-game.
3
Sicko Snap
Do These Men Have Jobs?
- Location: Honolulu (Trolley Stops)
Sicko Snap was first introduced in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth which directly preceded this spinoff. Players can start playing this mini-game once they finish the Snap Those Sickos Again Substory. It’s kind of like a more risqué Pokemon Snap wherein a tourist, Kuroki, asks players to ride the trolley around Honolulu to snap pictures of weird men in equally weird outfits. From clinging to the side of a building to rocketing past on a skateboard, these strangers are having a blast. It’s a good mini-game to invest in as the rewards are high like exclusive recruits in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii.
2
Crazy Delivery
Backflips And Burgers
- Location: Honolulu (Varied)
Crazy Delivery is another mini-game that started in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth which can be unlocked in this game via the Stay Crazy Substory. As the name implies, it’s an homage to another Sega game, Crazy Taxi. Instead of picking up NPCs and delivering them in record time, players have to gather food and bring it to customers but in an extreme way.
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It’s easier to earn points if players do a few tricks on their bike before delivering a stack of burgers, for example. Realistically doing a backflip can’t be good for the integrity of the food but customers seem to like it either way.
1
Pirates’ Coliseum
A Tournament Arc Like No Other
One of the central new mechanics in Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii gives Goro control of a classic galleon to sail around the islands of Hawaii. Players can get into ship battles on the high seas which is a core mechanic and fun albeit not something original. There is also a mini-game attached to ship battles once players reach Madlantis and open up the Pirates’ Coliseum. Here players can fight ship battles in an arena and then board rival ships to create a deck battle. There are different modes to tackle including some that exclude the ship battles and get straight to hand-to-hand combat.
- Released
-
February 21, 2025
- Engine
-
Dragon Engine
- ESRB
-
Mature 17+ // Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Steam Deck Compatibility
-
Unknown
- X|S Optimized
-
Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
-
45.03 GB
- Number of Players
-
Single-player
- OpenCritic Rating
-
Strong
- PC Release Date
-
February 21, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
-
February 21, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
-
February 21, 2025
