With the launch of Season 2 and the upcoming Tekken World Tour, 2025 is shaping up to be another fantastic year for fans of Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series. As a pioneer among fighting games on the original PlayStation, Tekken has a special connection with the consoles, evolving its gameplay and storytelling alongside the hardware. Let’s take a nostalgic trip back through time and revisit the turbulent saga of the Mishima family, whose antics have left a lasting impact on PlayStation gamers.
### Bloodline Beginnings
Tekken originally hit the gaming scene in early 1995 in Japan, later captivating fighters worldwide in the fall. This debut introduced gamers to the notorious Mishima family, laying down the foundational elements of the series, like its distinctive four-attack-button system. Back in the day, players were accustomed to downgraded visuals and sound when arcade games were ported to home systems. However, Tekken broke this mold with a nearly perfect translation, thanks to its arcade origins on hardware akin to the PlayStation. Bandai Namco didn’t stop there, though. They upped the ante by adding extra content that fans couldn’t find in arcades—like ending movies, playable sub-boss characters, and even a secret character tied to mastering Galaga during game load times.
Tekken 2 arrived in arcades late in 1995, shifting the narrative focus to the ousted patriarch and villain from the first game, Heihachi Mishima, while also introducing players to newcomers like Jun and Lei. It expanded the character roster, which was unlocked over time, enticing players to return and experiment with fresh faces. The game’s PlayStation port in 1996 set new standards with an exclusive CG intro and endings that solidified the franchise’s legacy for stunning cutscenes. It also introduced exciting new modes: Team Battle, Time Attack, Survival, and Practice Mode.
For many, Tekken 3 marked their initiation into the series. Its success in arcades translated to a best-selling PlayStation hit globally in 1998. Propelling the story forward by two decades, the spotlight turned to Jin Kazama, Kazuya and Jun’s son. Many familiar characters returned, albeit older and sometimes wiser, while some were swapped out for newer favorites. New stars like Hwoarang, Bryan, Eddy, and Xiaoyu quickly claimed their spots in fans’ hearts. To better exploit the 3D arenas, sidestep dodges became a feature for all characters. The PlayStation version offered even more with the side-scrolling Tekken Force mode, party favorite Tekken Ball, and fresh characters like Anna Williams and the series’ first guest character, the tiny dinosaur Gon.
### Vengeance, Powered by Emotion Engines
As the PlayStation 2 debuted, it only made sense for a Tekken title to accompany it. Enter Tekken Tag Tournament in 2000, wowing players with its vastly improved visuals. It altered the fighting formula by letting players assemble two-character teams, adding a dynamic layer to gameplay. With an expanded roster featuring characters from across the timeline and the quirky but fun Tekken Bowl, TTT showcased the PS2’s capabilities beautifully.
A little over a year later, Tekken 4 emerged, reviving Kazuya’s story and shaking up gameplay with stages that had uneven terrain, walls, and other obstacles. These changes opened up new strategic possibilities in combat. Tweaks to movement and an enriched storyline came with the addition of a fully fleshed-out Story Mode and an expanded Tekken Force sub-game, giving players more reason to engage deeply.
### Devils Emerging from a CELL
Tekken 5 returned several years later, picking up where its predecessor left off. Heihachi seemed out of the picture, while Jin’s devil persona came to the forefront. Fans hailed Tekken 5 as a favorite as Namco adjusted previous gameplay elements. New characters like Asuka, Feng, and Raven joined the battle, and you could now customize characters with in-game-earned items. The PS2 port featured the playable boss Jinpachi and took center stage with the action-packed Devil Within mode, along with playable versions of Tekken 1, 2, and 3 arcade titles. Tekken 5 wouldn’t stop there, with an upgraded version bringing in fighters like Lili and Dragunov.
This evolution continued with Tekken 6, which debuted new faces like Bob and Zafina, amidst escalating tensions among the Mishima family. Jin and Kazuya controlled domineering corporations, while Heihachi remained elusive. The Bloodline Rebellion update introduced Lars and Alisa, further adding depth with mechanics like Rage and Bound systems, and dynamic environments.
### The Struggle Continues
Tekken 7’s arrival on the PlayStation 4 in 2017 built upon its arcade foundations with notable updates. Acclaimed crossover characters like Street Fighter’s Akuma, alongside new ones, expanded the series’ appeal. Adjustments inspired by Tekken Revolution led to the replacement of bounds with screw combos and advancements in the Rage system. Alongside the console-exclusive story mode, a robust lineup of DLC kept players engaged with new characters and crossover surprises like Geese Howard, Noctis, and even Neegan from The Walking Dead joining the roster.
With Tekken 8’s first anniversary on the PS5 just passed, fans eagerly anticipate more battles ahead. The upcoming Season 2 DLC hints at an exciting roster expansion, and recent story updates promise more intense Mishima drama. As the journey unfolds, Tekken continues to thrill and captivate fighters around the globe.
