Summary
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth features a brand-new life simulator called Dondoko Island, where players can customize their own island and invite NPCs to stay.
The game includes other classic mini-games like darts, mahjong, and karaoke, as well as new additions like a dating app and a monster-collecting combat game called Sujimon Battle.
It’s not always about beating up baddies in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. Sometimes, players need to blow off a little steam after a main story mission, and the next installment of the Yakuza series will provide plenty of opportunities to do just that. In the drawn out, dramatic cutscenes of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, returning characters and perennial protagonists Kiryu Kazuma and Ichiban Kasuga will team up, facing off against a new Yakuza threat that stalks the white sand beaches of Hawaii. But in between street fights, they’ll find plenty to be distracted by.
Mini-games have always been par for the course in the Yakuza series. Some of these are so lengthy and complicated that they’re practically full games in their own right. Whether it’s perfect preservations of Sega arcade classics like Virtua Fighter, Motor Raid, and Toylets, or more original creations like the Cabaret Club simulator, Clan Creator, and kart racing, the series has always stunned when it comes to mini-games. And of course, there are the good old-fashioned classics like bowling, batting, and billiards. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth includes many of these tried-and-true mini-game staples, along with some totally new ideas. Here are all the mini-games confirmed so far.
7 Dondoko Island
A brand-new life simulator in Infinite Wealth
Revealed in a jam-packed, extended trailer at October 25, 2023’s Xbox Partner Preview, Dondoko Island is Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth’s Animal Crossing-inspired life sim. Players can customize an island of their own making, placing buildings, statues, and other attractions to their hearts’ content. Then, they can invite NPCs from throughout the game to come and stay on their slice of paradise, making new friends, meeting their needs, and exchanging gifts. With the right materials, Ichiban can even craft furniture for a little bit of interior design.
This could probably be called the game’s primary side activity, as it looks to be huge and intricately detailed. Oh, and Ichiban has to ride a dolphin to get to and from the island.
6 Darts
A Yakuza series staple
Darts have almost always been part of the Yakuza series, first appearing in 2009’s Yakuza 3. They’re usually played either at Club Sega arcades or at classy whiskey bars. Kiryu can either play alone, find an opponent, or call in a friend to go head-to-head. There are three different darts games available in the Yakuza titles where they appear: 01, Cricket, and Count-Up. The darts mini-game hasn’t seen much change over the years, although its controls were updated to prioritize timing over accuracy in Yakuza 6. It’ll probably remain largely unchanged in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
5 Mahjong
Another classic Yakuza mini-game
Mahjong is another recurring Yakuza mini-game. A meld-making tile game originating in 19th-century China, mahjong is popular throughout the world today. There are many different variants of mahjong, but the one usually played in the Yakuza series follows the Japanese set of rules, also known as riichi mahjong. Kiryu and Ichiban can bet money on mahjong, so it’s worth the time it takes to learn the rules – it can be an easy way to rack up some cash.
4 Crazy Delivery
Fast-paced bike courier action
Based on the Sega arcade classic Crazy Taxi, Crazy Delivery is all about getting from point A to point B as quickly – and unscathed – as possible. But Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth turns the classic concept on its head. Instead of picking up passengers, Ichiban is picking up pizza, and delivering it to hungry customers throughout the city. If it’s anything like its namesake, it’ll revolve around completing as many jobs as possible within a time limit, with extra tips rewarded for speedy service. It looks like there are also extra piquant pick-ups along Ichiban’s delivery routes, with haute American cuisine like burgers and hot dogs lining the roads.
3 Dating App
The next evolution of a Yakuza classic
In the past, Yakuza games have featured dating sim elements in the form of cabaret clubs and telephone hotlines. But Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth brings it into the 21st century by giving Ichiban access to a dating app. This will probably play out just like dating sim mini-games have in the past, just on a smartphone instead. Ichiban will probably have to choose a series of correct dialogue options before asking someone out. These dates usually tie into the other mini-games; in the past, Kiryu has been able to take dates out for bowling, darts, or karaoke, and his performance would affect their affection.
2 Sujimon Battle
Monster-collecting combat
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth will also have Pokémon-style monster battles in the mini-game Sujimon. As the name implies, this is probably based on the Sujidex from the previous Like a Dragon, which was basically a glorified enemy bestiary. This offered some light rewards to incentivize completion, but Infinite Wealth takes that to a whole new level by letting players pit captured enemies against each other. This will likely take inspiration from another series with a lot of influence on Like a Dragon: Dragon Quest, which prominently features monster battle gauntlets in Dragon Quest 8 and the Dragon Quest Monsters spin-off series.
1 Karaoke, Of Course
Dame da ne…
It just wouldn’t be a Yakuza game without karaoke. Singing mini-games first appeared in Yakuza 3, and have reappeared in every single mainline entry since (as well as some of the spin-offs). These play out as simplified rhythm games, in which players must tap the controller’s face buttons in sync with on-screen cues. But there’s a lot to love in the music, especially with recurring tracks like the angsty anthem “Machine Gun Kiss” and the beloved ballad “Bakamitai.” Kiryu has also been able to invite hostesses to karaoke in past Yakuza games, so it’s possible Ichiban will go on some musical dates in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.
Those are all the mini-games already confirmed to be appearing in Infinite Wealth, but there are almost certainly more to come. There’s been no word on other series staples like batting cages, pool, or casino games, or anything about which arcade cabinets will be included this time around. Players will have to wait and see what’s included when Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is released on January 26, 2024.
Source: Sega/YouTube
Franchise: Yakuza
Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Released: 2024-01-26
Developer(s): Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Publisher(s): Sega
Genre(s): Action, Adventure, RPG, Simulation
ESRB: M
Prequel(s): Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Yakuza 5, Yakuza 4, Yakuza 3, Like a Dragon: Ishin!, Yakuza Kiwami, Yakuza Kiwami 2
