LogFAQs > #977248986

If we were honestly going to ask the question of which game in the series (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Gaiden, 8) has the least to contribute to the greater narrative, the answer would in fact actually be 0, and I'm kinda surprised someone did in fact mention it in the topic.

It is its own self-contained narrative, and the fallout from it is nothing that isn't already explained in 1. Curse of being a prequel and all. The only counterpoint to that would be the attention it gives Majima, but if you look at the series as a whole, Majima isn't really that prominent of a character anyway, despite his popularity.

Which is kinda funny, because 0 would be the game that from my own perspective I'd say is the last one you should skip from a general sense, given its overall quality.

5 does contend, though. Except it introduces Watase who ends up being important in later games.

With the way Gaiden is going, I wonder if the answer will end up being 6, lol. >_>

But really, if you're invested in the series, don't skip any games. They all have something to offer.

And if you're not invested in the series, play which ones you want to play, skip around all you want, and let no one tell you otherwise.