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With the second season upon us and the Tekken World Tour set to begin soon, fans of Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series have a lot to look forward to in 2025. The PlayStation has had a special connection with Tekken ever since it was among the first fighting games to grace the original console. Over the years, Tekken has evolved its gameplay and storytelling alongside the advancements in PlayStation technology. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and revisit the tumultuous journey of the Mishima family and the chaos they have brought to PlayStation gamers over the decades.
### Bloodline Origins
Tekken made its debut on the original PlayStation in Japan in early 1995, and it hit international shores in the fall of the same year. The game not only introduced the notorious Mishima family but also laid the groundwork for the franchise’s staple mechanics, including the four-attack-button control scheme. At a time when home ports were often pale shadows of their arcade versions due to hardware limitations, Tekken broke new ground with a flawless port, owing to its arcade hardware’s similarity to the PlayStation. Namco didn’t just stop at a perfect port; they enhanced it by adding features like character-ending movies, extra sub-bosses, and even a hidden character you could unlock by mastering a game of Galaga during load times.
In late 1995, Tekken 2 hit the arcades, switching focus to Heihachi Mishima—the former antagonist of the original game—and introducing new characters like Jun and Lei. This sequel was packed with an array of new characters, enticing players to keep coming back for more. When it arrived on PlayStation in 1996, Tekken 2 came with significant enhancements such as an exclusive CG intro and dramatic character endings, solidifying its reputation for excellent cutscenes. It also brought in new modes like Team Battle, Time Attack, Survival Mode, and Practice Mode.
For many, Tekken 3 was the definitive introduction to the series. It achieved massive popularity both in arcades and on the PlayStation upon its 1998 release. Fast-forwarding the storyline by 20 years, Jin Kazama, the son of Kazuya and Jun, took on the central role. Several returning characters had aged (albeit not always matured), while some were succeeded by new fighters who quickly gained a following, such as Hwoarang, Bryan, Eddy, and Xiaoyu. To make the most of its 3D environments, Tekken 3 introduced sidestepping for all characters, enriching the tactical dynamics. Its PlayStation version added modes like Tekken Force—a beat-em-up adventure—and Tekken Ball, a party game, along with additional characters such as Anna, Dr. Bosconovich, and the series’ first guest character, Gon the tiny dinosaur.
### Revenge Fueled by Emotion Engines
As the PlayStation 2 rolled out, Tekken Tag Tournament was among its inaugural titles, showcasing vastly improved visuals that capitalized on the PS2’s power. TTT innovated by letting players choose two fighters in battle, allowing for swaps on the fly. The expanded roster brought in characters from across the series’ timeline, and Tekken Bowl added a quirky twist to the gameplay.
Tekken 4 followed, reintroducing Kazuya to the mix while significantly altering gameplay. Previously battle stages had no boundaries, but Tekken 4 introduced arenas with uneven terrain and walls that encouraged new strategies and combo opportunities. This installment put a greater emphasis on storyline, featuring a full-fledged Story Mode and an expanded Tekken Force game.
Tekken 5 arrived a couple of years later, picking up from the events of Tekken 4, with Heihachi seemingly out of the picture and Jin’s devilish nature coming to the fore. Players embraced Tekken 5 for its refined gameplay, welcoming new characters like Asuka, Feng, and Raven. It also introduced customization options, letting players earn and spend in-game currency to personalize fighters. The PS2 version even made boss Jinpachi playable and offered an action-packed Devil Within mode featuring ports of Tekken 1, 2, and 3. But that wasn’t the last of Tekken 5.
### Devils from a CELL
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, an arcade update introduced Lili and Dragunov, alongside some visual updates and refined gameplay. Initially released on the PSP in 2006, it included Tekken Dojo mode, where players could share AI gameplay “ghosts” online. It later became downloadable on PlayStation Network, a feature that is fondly remembered by fans.
In 2007, Tekken 6 hit the arcades, introducing fresh faces like Bob, Zafina, Leo, and Miguel. The Mishima family drama escalated into corporate warfare, with Jin and Kazuya at the helm and Heihachi missing. Bloodline Rebellion, an update in late 2008, added Lars—a forgotten Mishima family member—and Alisa, fueling more chaos. Gameplay innovations included the Rage mechanic for extra damage at low health and the Bound system for extending combos.
The PS3 version, predominantly based on Bloodline Rebellion, launched in 2009, featuring the expansive Scenario Campaign mode where Lars and Alisa led a rebellion against Tekken Force and Mishima Zaibatsu. The PSP version, minus the Scenario Campaign, still shined with its stunning visuals and ad-hoc multiplayer.
The gap between major releases widened, leading to Tekken Hybrid in 2011, which combined an HD Tekken Tag Tournament remaster, a Tekken: Blood Vengeance film, and a Tekken Tag Tournament 2 demo. TTT2 retained the beloved tag-team mechanics and boasted a vast roster. Its PS3 debut in 2012 included legacy characters, a Snoop Dogg stage, and cinematic endings for each character.
Tekken Revolution, a free-to-play spin-off, emerged offering online matches and character unlocks via in-game currency, with updates continuing until 2017.
### The Battle Continues
Tekken 7 eventually reached PS4 in 2017, six years after its arcade debut. During its wait, updates like Fated Retribution brought Street Fighter’s Akuma into the mix, along with fresh characters like Lucky Chloe, Josie, Katarina, Claudio, and Shaheen. Responding to Tekken Revolution feedback, Tekken 7 refined its mechanics, introducing screw combo starters and an evolved Rage system with Rage Drives and Rage Arts—special moves accessible once per round.
Once on PS4, Tekken 7 featured an exclusive story mode and received a series of DLC expansions over subsequent years, tweaking gameplay, and adding new stages, music, and characters. Beloved returning characters joined alongside newcomers Leroy and Lidia, plus crossover stars like Geese Howard from Fatal Fury, Noctis from Final Fantasy XV, and Negan from The Walking Dead.
With Tekken 8 celebrating its first anniversary on PS5, fans can anticipate more exciting additions. Season 2 promises a vibrant mix of returning and surprising new characters, while recent story updates set the stage for more Mishima family drama.
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