With Season 2 just starting and the Tekken World Tour set to begin soon, 2025 is shaping up to be another thrilling year for enthusiasts of Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series. Marking its origins on the original PlayStation, Tekken has not only been a staple in fighting games but also holds a deep-rooted connection with PlayStation consoles, continually evolving its gameplay and storyline. Let’s reminisce about the Mishima family saga and all the chaos they’ve unleashed on PlayStation gamers over the years.
The original Tekken made its debut in 1995, arriving on the arcade scene and later on home consoles. It introduced players to the nefarious Mishima clan, alongside establishing a foundational gameplay style with its unique four-button attack scheme. Contrary to the visuals and sounds downgraded for home releases of arcade games, Tekken’s port on the PlayStation was pristine, close to the arcade experience. Bandai Namco went further by including extras like end movies, unlockable characters, and the unforgettable Galaga mini-game challenge.
When Tekken 2 hit the arcades in late 1995, it did so with a twist—reintroducing Heihachi Mishima as the embattled patriarch seeking power. New fighters like Jun and Lei entered the scene, broadening the game’s appeal with a steady rollout of unlockable characters. By 1996, Tekken 2’s PlayStation rendition dazzled with its CG intros and expanded game modes like Team Battle and Survival, establishing Namco’s reputation for top-notch storytelling through cutscenes.
For many fans, Tekken 3 marked their first encounter with the franchise, gaining popularity with its arcade triumph and subsequent success on the PlayStation in 1998. Jumping 20 years ahead, the narrative spotlight moved to Jin Kazama. New faces such as Hwoarang, Bryan, and Xiaoyu joined the fray, while sidestepping mechanics made the most of the 3D environments. The home version delivered extra modes like Tekken Force and Tekken Ball, plus new characters, enhancing the game’s allure further.
As PlayStation 2 arrived on the scene in 2000, Tekken Tag Tournament showcased its power with a significant visual leap. Players formed two-fighter teams, a fresh dynamic for the series, and were treated to an extensive roster including characters from past games and the fan-favorite Tekken Bowl.
Tekken 4 shook things up with a more grounded fighting environment featuring walls and uneven terrain, while making bold story expansions through a dedicated Story Mode. Console players enjoyed added depth with modes like Tekken Force, reinvigorating the player’s combat experiences.
After some years, Tekken 5 made its entrance, continuing where its predecessor left off and introducing new characters such as Asuka and Raven. Offering character customization and incorporating feedback to refine gameplay mechanics, this installment became a fan favorite, complete with ports of earlier Tekken games and a highlighted Devil Within mode.
Tekken 5’s evolution came with Dark Resurrection, available initially on PSP and later for PlayStation, bringing fresh faces like Lili and Dragunov to players eager for more content. Tekken 6 further expanded the series in 2009 with new characters and gameplay mechanics, amid an engrossing storyline involving the Mishima family feud at its peak.
Feeling adventurous, Namco released Tekken Tag Tournament 2, revisiting the beloved tag system with a richer character ensemble and exhilarating gameplay, complete with music and features unique to its PlayStation 3 iteration.
The saga continued with Tekken 7, finally reaching consoles in 2017. This entry refreshed the fighting system, offering a compelling Rage mechanic and playable guest characters like Street Fighter’s Akuma. Its PS4 debut came alongside an engaging story mode and a steady stream of DLC content that delighted fans with new characters and other surprises.
Looking to the future, Tekken 8 promises more twists in the Mishima saga with ongoing DLC. As fans celebrate its anniversary on PS5, anticipation for new characters and story developments continues to grow, keeping the excitement alive for this timeless fighting series.
