When it comes to the Yakuza series, there are a lot of different minigames that have come to define the franchise. From karaoke to chucking bicycles at goons, there’s something for every kind of player in this gangster-themed series. However, no one minigame captures the essence of Yakuza better than its karaoke. There’s just something about seeing a tough man sing the most ridiculously catchy tunes with a completely straight face that really makes the experience. Whether it’s Kiryu singing Bakamitai or Nishikiyama belting out her love for Kiryu, the karaoke songs in the series are all incredibly entertaining to watch.
Initially introduced in Yakuza 3, the karaoke minigame is an iconic aspect of the series that has seen some minor changes in subsequent games, but it still holds up as a fantastic way for players to express themselves. It’s not as complex as the other side activities in the game, with a simple setup where players can use the Jukebox at Survive Bar to select from a playlist of classic and new tracks to perform a song in front of an audience. Using the song selection system and the microphone, players will need to press buttons at just the right moment to match the beat of the music and earn high scores.
Although the karaoke system in Yakuza 3 is pretty basic, it was an instant hit and remains a fan-favorite. Its sequel, Yakuza 5 (Ryu ga Gotoku Zero), added some new tracks but also gave players the chance to get more involved in the song selection by allowing them to choose from a variety of vocal enhancements. Those that opt for a more challenging performance can even challenge other players to duels where they try to outscore the other singer by sung a song with the highest notes and the most impressive vocal range.
The newest addition to the series, Yakuza Kiwami, combines some of the best aspects from its predecessors while adding in some features that were introduced later in the series like a more fleshed out story and karaoke. While a few of the songs may be a bit repetitive, this is a solid installment that manages to keep players coming back for more.
For those looking to get the most out of karaoke in the Yakuza series, the upcoming vinyl release of Yakuza 0 by Laced Records should be on your radar. Set to feature 90 tracks including fan-favorites such as “24-hour Cinderella” and the iconic “Bakamitai,” this 6LP box set will be pressed on deep blue and red vinyl and housed in a sturdy hardboard box. You can pre-order the set now through SEGA’s official website.
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