This did it. Yakuza 0 is phenomenal

Still bummed yakuza is gonna get gay and go turn based in the next game

0, Kiwami, or 1 on PS2. There's not really a definitive answer for this question because they all have downsides.

There are way less mini games and stuff. Zero was a brand new game from the ground up. Kiwami 2 has a different combat engine but is a vastly more improved experience.

5 and 4 are some of the best games in the series, I'd take either over either Kiwami any day.