As we gear up for the excitement of Season 2 and the upcoming Tekken World Tour, it’s clear 2025 is set to be another fantastic year for Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series. With its inception as one of the pioneer fighting games on the original PlayStation, Tekken’s journey has been inextricably linked to these consoles, evolving alongside them both in gameplay and storytelling. Let’s journey back and delve into the saga of the Mishima family, whose dramatic tale has been captivating PlayStation players for years.
The debut of Tekken on the original PlayStation back in early 1995 was groundbreaking. It wasn’t just about introducing the scheming Mishima family or establishing its foundational mechanics like the innovative four-attack-button control scheme. It set a new standard for arcade game adaptations, thanks to having been developed on hardware closely resembling the PlayStation. Unlike previous ports that suffered from weaker hardware constraints, Tekken came home in arcade-perfect form. Namco didn’t stop there, adding exclusive features like ending movies, sub-boss characters, and a hidden unlockable character—discovered through a unique Galaga minigame—that would later play a significant role in the series.
Tekken 2 followed the same groundbreaking path, hitting arcades in late 1995 and shifting the narrative’s focus to the ousted Heihachi Mishima while introducing exciting newcomers like Jun and Lei. Returning players found even more reasons to stick around with a slew of additional characters unlocked progressively. In 1996, the game’s PlayStation version impressed with better graphics and a sophisticated CG intro movie and endings. The addition of new modes like Team Battle, Time Attack, Survival, and Practice further solidified its place in gaming history.
For many fans, the real introduction to the Tekken universe happened with Tekken 3 in 1998. This installment not only achieved massive arcade success but also shattered records on PlayStation. Jumping the narrative ahead by 20 years, it brought Jin Kazama, son of Kazuya and Jun, into the spotlight. Returning characters aged and evolved, while new names like Hwoarang, Bryan, Eddy, and Xiaoyu made their unforgettable entrance. The shift to 3D arenas ushered in sidestep dodging, with PlayStation adaptations adding Tekken Force and Tekken Ball modes, as well as characters like Anna Williams and the delightful dinosaur Gon.
When the PlayStation 2 launched, Tekken was right there. Tekken Tag Tournament arrived in 2000, showcasing PS2’s graphic potential with visuals that surpassed its arcade origins. The game twisted the classic combat style by introducing tag-team dynamics, expanding its character roster significantly. It even threw in a mini-game—Tekken Bowl—for some lighthearted fun.
Tekken 4, debuting a year after TTT’s advent on PS2, brought Kazuya back into the fold and shook things up with new gameplay mechanics. Introducing stages with environing obstacles created fresh combat opportunities, altering movement dynamics from previous games. Console versions highlighted the narrative with a comprehensive Story Mode and a revamped Tekken Force experience.
Tekken 5 eventually landed, picking up the chaotic plot threads where Tekken 4 left off. With Heihachi presumed dead and Jin’s devil side growing influential, it became an all-time fan favorite. Dialing back on some earlier changes, it integrated new characters like Asuka, Feng, and Raven. Customizable character cosmetics offered deeper engagement, complemented by the addition of a Devil Within mode and playable ports of earlier Tekken installments.
In 2006, Tekken 5’s Dark Resurrection revision introduced Lili and Dragunov with refined visuals and gameplay. The PSP benefitted first, with a Tekken Dojo mode allowing players to share and battle against AI “ghosts.” Responding to demand, the game reached PlayStation Network, eventually updating to enable online battles—cementing its legacy as a beloved franchise installment.
As the Mishima saga unfolded, Tekken 6 wasn’t far behind, ramping up family tensions with Jin and Kazuya at corporate warfare. The Bloodline Rebellion update further stirred the pot with new fighters like Lars and Alisa and exciting gameplay innovations like Rage mechanics. In 2009, the PS3 release took cues from Bloodline Rebellion, offering a robust Scenario Campaign that pushed the storyline through the eyes of Lars and Alisa.
Between releases, fans got a nostalgic blend with Tekken Hybrid in 2011, including an HD remaster of TTT, a CG film, and a sneak peek at Tekken Tag Tournament 2. The latter, once made accessible on PS3, resurrected its tag-team format alongside a vast roster and engaging new features.
The free-to-play Tekken Revolution offered an online-focused experience with earnable character unlocks and adjustable attribute boosts, keeping players on their toes with updates until 2017.
Tekken 7 held the community on its toes, arriving on PS4 in 2017. Famed for introducing crossover characters like Akuma and newcomers like Lucky Chloe, Josie, and Claudio, the game significantly overhauled its systems. The Rage Drive and Rage Art skills added strategic depth, incentivizing risky, decisive play.
With Tekken 8 celebrating its first PS5 anniversary this January, there’s much to anticipate. The second season of DLC hints at introducing even more beloved characters, and recent story updates promise further gripping Mishima drama on the horizon.
