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The safest order for the six numbered Sakura Wars games is their release order: start with Sakura Wars (1996), continue through Sakura Wars V (2005), then play Shin Sakura Wars (2019 in Japan; released in the West in 2020). SEGA’s official history identifies these six as the numbered titles. It does not establish a definitive in-universe timeline for every game, so release order is the clearest complete sequence to follow.
Numbered Sakura Wars games in release order
These are the six games SEGA lists as numbered titles. Dates below distinguish original release years from later ports or Western releases where the official sources provide that detail.
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| Order | Game | Original release context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sakura Wars | Sega Saturn, September 27, 1996. SEGA official series history. |
| 2 | Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die | Sega Saturn, April 4, 1998. SEGA official series history. |
| 3 | Sakura Wars 3: Is Paris Burning? | Original release year: 2001. SEGA’s history also records a PC edition released September 18, 2003; that is a later edition, not the original release year. SEGA official series history; SEGA official timeline. |
| 4 | Sakura Wars 4: Fall in Love, Maidens | Dreamcast, March 21, 2002. SEGA official series history. |
| 5 | Sakura Wars V: Farewell, My Love / So Long, My Love | Released in 2005. The English-market release is commonly known as So Long, My Love; naming differs by market. SEGA official series history. |
| 6 | Shin Sakura Wars / Sakura Wars | PS4 release in Japan: December 12, 2019. Western PS4 release: April 28, 2020. The localized Western title is Sakura Wars. SEGA official series history; SEGA of America’s PlayStation Blog announcement. |
What order should you play the Sakura Wars games in?
For the original numbered sequence
Play them in the numbered release order shown above. That is the most defensible narrative-first recommendation when you can access the earlier entries: it follows the order in which the numbered games appeared, without assuming an unverified story-date sequence.
If you are starting with the modern game
Shin Sakura Wars, localized in the West as Sakura Wars, can be a practical starting point if you cannot access the older games. In its February 13, 2020 announcement, SEGA of America described it as “an all-new narrative designed to be enjoyed by both parties”—newcomers and longtime fans. That is SEGA’s stated framing, not a guarantee that the game contains no references to earlier entries. Read the announcement.
#1 Best Overall
- Launch Edition includes: Sakura Wars PS4 game, Reversible artwork and sticker set
- dramatic character interplay Engage with a colorful cast through the dynamic lips dialogue system where what you say and how you say it has a Profound impact on relationships off and on the battlefield.
- exciting combat payoffs Your bonds with team members flow into the high energy combat finale of each Episode, featuring action packed fights with giant steam powered Mech a.
- brilliant anime production gorgeous animated sequences, a lush soundtrack, and characters designed by anime and RPG luminaries will transport you into a vibrant 1940s steampunk Tokyo.
- main character design: tite kubo.guest character design: yukiko horiguchi, bunbun, fumikane Shimada, Ken sugimori, Noizi Ito, Shigenori Soejima.cast: yohei azakami, Ayane Sakura, maaya uchida, hibiku yamamura, ayaka fukuhara, saori hayami, yuichiro umehara, sumire uesaka, nobunaga shimazaki, manami numakura, Nana mizuki, rie kugimiya
Is there a definitive story chronology?
The official sources cited here verify the numbered release sequence, but do not provide a complete in-universe timeline covering every entry. In particular, they do not establish a definitive placement for Sakura Wars V and Shin Sakura Wars relative to the earlier games by story date. Treat release order as a verified play order, not as proof of exact chronology within the fiction.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What counts as a numbered game?
The six titles in the table are SEGA’s numbered-game roster. The franchise also includes related games and spin-offs, which should not be added to that sequence as if they were further numbered installments. SEGA’s history, for example, lists Sakura Wars: Mysterious Paris, Sakura Wars V Episode 0, and Dramatic Dungeon Sakura Wars: Because You Are There separately. See SEGA’s series history.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Additional in-game activities and functionality including Broadway performances with AI Stars teammates, in-game photo functionality, secret events and a quiz game.
- Anime-style storytelling featuring tons of anime movie scenes.
- Adventure Mode allowing the player to explore New York City and build relationship with in-game AI teammates.
- A strategy RPG battle system allowing for coordinated control of a team of diverse female fighters, each operating Mech battlesuits that can fight both on the ground and in the air.
- High replay value through the various different endings possible, each of which hinges on the bonds created between characters in-game.
Rank #4
- High Quality Components – 32 dice, 1 double-sided playing board (in 2 pieces), 4 playing figures with 4 stands, 13 diamond tiles, 30 task tiles (17 normal and 13 pro tasks), and instructions.
- A Wonderful Gift – Fans of manga and anime will love the original character artwork!
- Easy To Learn – Clear instructions mean you can start playing right away!
- Great Replay Value – One game takes 10 minutes! You’ll want to play this fast-paced racing game again and again. “Pro tasks” let you adjust the challenge level.
- Quality You Trust – Ravensburger has been making quality games, puzzles, and toys for over 130 years.
Rank #3
- ACTION-PACKED DUELING GAME: Sakura Arms is a stylish dueling card game from Japan that combines gorgeous art, deep tactics, and huge variety to minimalist duels. Choose two martial goddesses and combine their capabilities to out play your opponent in a tense 1-on-1 battle.
- STRATEGY CARD GAME: Choose two goddesses and combine their powers to form your own unique deck and challenge your opponent to a battle. Each goddess provides ten cards, which take the form of attacks, utilities or enchantments. Will you build to bolster your strengths, cover your weaknesses or explot your opponent's limitations?
- YATSUHA BOX: This box contains the most recently released goddesses, who possess very unique abilities. This set includes 6 goddesses, each with unique powers and mechanics at their disposal. Quick-deckbuilding guides to help you jump into your favorite goddess right away.
- UNLIMITED REPLAYABILITY: With 153 Goddess pairings and over 190,000 possible builds per pairing, your options are endless. Each game in the Sakura Arms series is a stand-alone game, but you can combine multiple games boxes to mix-and-match goddesses and discover even more strategies and tactics!
- NUMBER OF PLAYERS AND AVERAGE PLAYTIME: This fast-paced dueling card game is made for two players and is suitable for ages 16 and older. Average playtime is approximately 20 minutes.
Rank #2
- The Imperial Combat Revue takes the stage as Tokyo’s defense force against a demon threat in this extravagant adventure.
- Soldiers in wartime, but theater performers in peacetime, the Revue’s Flower Division is not living up to their legacy and is at risk of being shut down. As newly appointed captain Seijuro Kamiyama, it’s up to you to turn the team around.
- Dramatic Character Interplay — Engage with a colorful cast through the dynamic LIPS dialogue system where what you say and how you say it has a profound impact on relationships off and on the battlefield.
- Exciting Combat Payoffs — Your bonds with team members flow into the high-energy combat finale of each episode, featuring action-packed fights with giant steam-powered mecha.
- Brilliant Anime Production — Gorgeous animated sequences, a lush soundtrack, and characters designed by anime and JRPG luminaries will transport you into a vibrant 1940s steampunk Tokyo.
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