How To Beat Every Rival Match In Like A Dragon Gaiden

The Pocket Circuit is back in Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name and with it comes a gang of unruly rivals looking to challenge you. These Rival Matches are a great way to earn some extra points to spend in the shop. This makes it the perfect place to turn to when you have made some poor purchasing decisions and are low on funds.

Related: Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – All Pocket Circuit Part Locations

This guide will take you through each Rival Match you can encounter in the game. We’ll give you everything you need to beat your opponents. That includes a winning build for your slot car as well as helpful advice for when you should boost or prepare to focus. Follow our advice and you will crush all your rivals!

Kensuke – 20

Kensuke is a pretty remarkably weak rival. We don’t know what his car is supposed to do well, but it certainly isn’t going fast. Just use beginner parts aimed at speed and you will easily crush Kensuke. You will never even be required to boost.

Kanami – 20c

From Kensuke to Kanami you don’t need to change a single part. You will trounce Kanami just as easily as Kensuke. Once again, no boost is necessary.

Yusuke – 20c

Yusuke will be the first rival that will require us to use non-starter parts. So, we wouldn’t recommend facing off against him until you have completed the “Introductory Race”.

The below build is far too fast for Yusuke to keep up with. Even without boosting, you will defeat Yusuke easily. However, this build has pretty poor grip, cornering, and balance. So, you may need to occasionally hit the focus button when you hit those giant turns just before the finishing line.

Hammerhead – 20c

The only thing we are going to swap out here are the tires. We’ll switch to the Low Profile Tires Plus so that the ramp doesn’t launch us. Otherwise, everything can remain the same as it was for the race against Yusuke. This build will absolutely crush Hammerhead.

Kazuko – 25c

You can use the same build as the Hammerhead race, but just switch out the Low Profile Tires Plus for the Spiked Tires Plus. This build is just barely fast enough to beat Kazuko convincingly.

You will want to use your boost tactically to give yourself a clean win. Boost before you cross the starting line when you are on the green track (the inside track). This will help you speed through the loop. However, the raised ramps will make it more likely that your car will lose traction, meaning you’ll need to hammer that focus button.

Shiori – 25c

Shiori is another rival who you will be able to beat with a slight iteration of the same car we’ve used to defeat the last three rivals. You will have a clear advantage in this race. However, you can seal the deal by boosting just before the loop when you are on the inside lane.

Toru – 30c

In order to beat Toru, we’ll need to upgrade our parts. You’ll need to complete the Rookie Race so that we can use Extra-type parts. Using the suggested build down below, you will smoke Toru easily.

Not only is boost not required but it isn’t recommended. It is far too easy to get launched off the track.

Katsuyuki – 45c

It is easy to look at Katsuyuki’s expensive car and fear that he will crush you, but actually, you can use the exact same setup as the one you used to beat Toru and effortlessly crush Katsuyuki. Where did you spend all that money, my man? Why is your car so bad?

Yuko – 30c

Your eyes do not deceive you. There has not been a mistake. You can beat Yuko by using the exact same car that you used to beat Katsuyuki. And no, it isn’t any closer.

Saburo – 30c

Well, would you look at that, it would appear that our build crushes another rival. The only thing we need to do is swap out the tires. With Extra Spiked Tires to deal with the grass strips, Saburo won’t stand a chance.

Tomoya – 35c

Tomoya will be our first big bump in quite some time. The build we’ve been using for so long will no longer be able to match up favorably, we’re going to need to step things up. All the parts here will require you to have finished the Veteran Race. This build will beat Tomoya cleanly, but you may need to focus on occasion.

That being said, this build will beat Tomoya without the need for any boosting, so you will be able to beat him with worse parts, you’ll just need to boost thoughtfully.

Akame – 45c

The build we used to beat Tomoya will actually easily win against Akame as well. In fact, even if you forgot to switch the battery to the faster “regular battery” you will still win.

The only thing to look out for is the steep ramp at the top of the course. We did need to focus during that section on occasion (specifically when traveling along the outside track).

Masashi – 40c

We’ll be able to use the exact same build we beat Akame with to crush Masashi. The only danger here is the ramp on the left side of the track, and the grass section just before the loop. Just be ready to focus before those sections.

Keiko – 45c

Keiko’s track is truly brutal. It is hard to build a machine that is capable of gaining the speed necessary to win without losing traction and launching off of the track. We feel like this is the point where you need to have access to the Ultra-class parts. That means the build we are providing below will require you to have completed the Official Race.

Momozo – 45c

We’re going to have to alter quite a bit in order to have a car that will be able to beat Momozo. We’ll stay in the Ultra class of part, but we’ll be loading our car up with speed-based components. This build will easily crush Momozo.

Ami – 45c

Well, if you’ve already beaten Momozo, then you have everything you need to crush Ami. Just use the exact same car. You don’t even have to keep your eyes open for a potential focus, as your car is never in danger on this track. This is a set-it-and-forget-it type of race.

Gou-Ou – 45c

The car we used to crush Ami and Momozo is more than fast enough to destroy Gou-Ou, but unfortunately, that car won’t stay on the track. So, what we need to do is swap out the Ultra Slim Tires for Ultra Spiked Tires, we’ll also switch the Ultra Speed Frame for the Ultra Rocket Frame, and finally, we’ll upgrade our motor to the Godspeed Motor Mark II that we won from the Momozo match.

With this build, you will easily beat Gou-ou. However, you will maybe want to keep your finger hovering over the focus button during the snaking part of the track. That is the one place you may lose traction.

Masaru – 45c

Masaru is one of the final three and, as expected, he’ll be the toughest racer you have faced off against yet. You’ll need to use your boosts here thoughtfully. The best time to boost will be after you land off of the big ramp at the back end of the track. You can use the Ultra Boost Gears instead of the Super Boost Gears, but you will still need to utilize boosts thoughtfully.

Ran – 45c

With Ran we are well past the point of simply using the next level of component and calling it a day. Overpowering isn’t an option. Now it is all about finding the perfect equilibrium. We need a certain amount of speed, but we also want to avoid being launched off of the track. This build will give you everything you need to beat this crafty commentator!

Much like with Masaru, we’ll need to boost thoughtfully. You will want to boost when you are hitting the large slanted ramp that follows the snaking section of track. Never boost when you are on the inside portion of the track, as you will dismount once you hit the track switchover.

Manager – 50c

With Manager, you have one of the toughest builds to come up with. You need a very balanced car to be victorious. Ultimately, you end up flying over most of those sections, so having tires better suited to traveling through them doesn’t help you a great deal. You are better off with the superior top speed of the Ultra Slim Tires.

This is another race that will require your full attention. For starters, this build is just able to thread the needle on the speed, acceleration, and stability front. However, there will be moments where you need to focus. Especially after a boost, and you will need to boost. So, make sure you are always ready to hammer that focus button!

Speaking of the boost, you will want to use it when you are on the inside section of the track just before you hit the loop. Just prepare to stabilize with the focus button once you hit the grass section of the track on the left side of the stage.

Next: Like A Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name – Pocket Circuit Best Builds For Each Race