having recently finished Yakuza 3(amazing game btw). I'm interested on what Yakuza fans consider their favorite game in the series...

P.S I've never actually played Yakuza 1 and 2 but I do know the backstory thanks to the extra cutscenes Yakuza 3 provides. should I get them?

3. And yes, you should.

The first one by far.

It had the best story, characters, drama....best everything.

I also loved the diversity in Y1&2  like fighting on a moving truck, inside dungeon style locations, fighting tigers!!!

Yakuza 3 had the weakest story in the series & wasn't as diverse as the first two gameplay wise (with the high

dev costs this gen i understand why), but it had the best fighting mechanics.

Not to mention Y3 didn't have enough Majima

Y3 is my least favorite in the series (still awesome tho & my ps3 Goty)

So in short:

Yakuza 1 > Yakuza 2 > Yakuza 3 > nen-suer

You really should play the first two.

I'm currently on the hunt for a copy of Kenzan. Hopefully i will be able to find one soon.

3 is the best out in the west. Though from what iv been told 4 is even better

3 but yakuza of the end is not out yet.

Yakuza 3. only if you want to.