With the arrival of Season 2 and the excitement of the Tekken World Tour just around the corner, 2025 is shaping up to be another stellar year for admirers of Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series. Known for its deep-rooted history with PlayStation, Tekken has grown alongside the consoles, continuously enhancing its gameplay and narrative. Let’s revisit the enthralling Mishima family saga and all the chaos they’ve brought to PlayStation enthusiasts over the years.
#### Bloodline Beginnings
When Tekken first hit the scene back in early 1995 in Japan and later that year globally, it became one of the original PlayStation’s earliest fighting games. Beyond introducing us to the sinister Mishima clan and fundamental mechanics like the four-button control scheme, it set the bar high for future home console adaptations. Players, who were typically accustomed to lesser quality ports of arcade games, encountered a new standard with Tekken. Thanks to its advanced arcade hardware similar to that of PlayStation, Tekken delivered an arcade-perfect experience at home. Namco didn’t stop there; they expanded the offerings with new content such as ending movies, unlockable sub-boss characters, and even a hidden character found through mini-games.
Tekken 2 hit arcades in late 1995, surprising fans by shifting focus back to Heihachi Mishima, a previous antagonist, and introduced new characters like Jun and Lei. This installment swelled with additional characters unlocked progressively, enticing players to return. By 1996, Namco’s PlayStation port took things further with improvements, dazzling CG intros, and exclusive modes like Team Battle and Time Attack, enhancing its reputation for cinematic brilliance.
Many fans were introduced to Tekken through the massive popularity of Tekken 3, released in 1998 on PlayStation. With a storyline leap of 20 years, new protagonist Jin Kazama and returning matured or replaced characters kept the narrative fresh. Popular new characters like Hwoarang, Bryan, Eddy, and Xiaoyu were introduced, alongside new gameplay developments such as sidestep dodging. Tekken 3’s PlayStation version brought exciting new modes, including the side-scrolling Tekken Force, Tekken Ball, and guest character Gon.
#### Vengeance, Powered by Emotion Engines
With the PlayStation 2 launch, Tekken Tag Tournament showcased the system’s graphic capabilities, featuring enhanced visuals and dynamic gameplay changes. Rather than controlling a single fighter, players now formed teams of two and swapped characters during battle in an extensive roster. The beloved mini-game, Tekken Bowl, made its debut here too.
Following Tekken Tag Tournament, a year later saw the arrival of Tekken 4, reintroducing Kazuya and significantly altering gameplay. Arenas were no longer infinite; uneven ground, walls, and obstacles introduced new strategic elements like additional damage and combos. The storyline gained prominence, with console-exclusive Story Mode and a richer Tekken Force sub-game, deepening the game’s narrative experience.
The series continued its momentum with Tekken 5, keeping fans hooked by picking up directly after Tekken 4’s dramatic events. Responding to community feedback, Namco dialed back several gameplay alterations, making Tekken 5 a cherished entry. New characters Asuka, Feng, and Raven expanded the roster, alongside character customization options. Tekken 5’s PS2 port added exclusive features like playable bosses and the Devil Within mode, supplementing the narrative with ports of Tekken 1, 2, and 3.
#### Devils Emerging from a CELL
In 2006, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection introduced new fighters Lili and Dragunov and further gameplay refinements. Following its PSP success mid-2006, it made its way to consoles as a PS Network download with online play features. Its reception cemented its place as a fan favorite.
The Tekken 6 arcade launch saw new faces like Bob, Zafina, and Miguel join the chaotic Mishima family feud. The Bloodline Rebellion update brought in fierce new combatants like Lars and Alisa, and introduced gameplay mechanics like the Rage system, breaking into interactive environments. The PS3 version expanded with the Scenario Campaign, providing a rich narrative experience, while the PSP version excelled with impressive visuals and multiplayer action.
In the interim before Tekken’s resurgence, 2011’s Tekken Hybrid delivered an HD remaster of Tekken Tag Tournament, a CG movie, and a demo of Tekken Tag Tournament 2. TTT2 revived tag match gameplay and expanded the character roster, adding legendary stages and tracks, including a notable collaboration with Snoop Dogg.
Exploring new territories, Tekken Revolution presented a free-to-play experience focused on online matches, where players unlocked characters and enhanced attributes as gameplay evolved until 2017.
#### The Struggle Continues
Tekken 7 took its time reaching PS4, finally arriving in 2017, building anticipation with various arcade updates like Fated Retribution, featuring Akuma from Street Fighter. New characters and stages enhanced the experience, while gameplay improvements included the Rage system, adding dynamic elements like Rage Drive and Rage Art skills.
Tekken 7’s arrival on PS4 introduced a story-rich single-player mode and consistent DLC rollout, reinventing characters and stages, with guest appearances by characters like Geese Howard, Noctis, and Neegan.
Tekken 8’s first anniversary on PS5 brought more excitement with ongoing Season 2 developments. New characters and thrilling story updates kept fans on edge, promising more Mishima family intrigue and adventures ahead.
As the Tekken series continues to evolve, its legacy on PlayStation remains a testament to its enduring appeal and innovation within the fighting game genre.
