With the advent of Season 2 and the Tekken World Tour approaching fast, it looks like 2025 is shaping up to be another thrilling year for fans of Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series. As one of the pioneering fighting games on the original PlayStation, Tekken’s evolution runs parallel with Sony’s consoles, with its gameplay and story evolving along the way. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the dramatic tale of the Mishima family and the chaos they’ve unleashed for PlayStation gamers over the years.
The original Tekken hit Japanese arcades in early 1995 and made its way to the rest of the world by fall. It introduced the notorious Mishima family while setting the groundwork for the series’ core mechanics, like its unique four-button control scheme. Beyond its gripping story, Tekken’s PlayStation port was noteworthy for being virtually arcade-perfect thanks to the similarities between the arcade and home hardware. Namco went a step further by adding exclusive content, including ending movies and unlockable sub-boss characters. Interestingly, one hidden character would go on to play a pivotal role in future games, only accessible if players mastered Galaga during loading screens.
Tekken 2 landed in arcades in late 1995, shifting the narrative spotlight to Heihachi Mishima, the previous villain who had been dethroned, and introducing fresh characters like Jun and Lei. This installment also brought new characters into the mix gradually, keeping players coming back for more. When Tekken 2 arrived on PlayStation in 1996, it did so with several enhancements. Stunning in its execution, the PlayStation version boasted exclusive CG movies and endings, along with new gameplay modes like Team Battle, Time Attack, Survival Mode, and a Practice Mode.
The game-changer for many fans, Tekken 3, became a phenomenon in arcades and a global bestseller when it launched on PlayStation in 1998. Moving the narrative 20 years forward, Jin Kazama takes center stage as the lead, with many returning characters either older or replaced by successors. The game introduced beloved newcomers such as Hwoarang, Bryan, Eddy, and Xiaoyu, each making their mark. Tekken 3 also incorporated sidestep dodges, enhancing the 3D arena experience. The PlayStation version enriched the experience further, adding Tekken Force, a side-scrolling beat-’em-up, and Tekken Ball, a fan-favorite party mode, along with new characters like Anna Williams and the guest character, Gon the dinosaur.
Fast forward to the PlayStation 2, where Tekken Tag Tournament showcased the console’s visual prowess with upgraded graphics and an expanded character roster, including pre-timeskip favorites. This game introduced tag team mechanics, allowing players to switch between two characters during battles. Its console release also added a quirky mini-game called Tekken Bowl.
A year later, Tekken 4 offered a fresh take on the series by reintroducing Kazuya and shaking up the combat dynamics. This installment featured stages with uneven terrain, walls, and obstacles to intensify combat and create new combo opportunities. It also placed a heavier emphasis on storytelling, with a new Story Mode and an expanded Tekken Force sub-game.
It wasn’t until Tekken 5 emerged that fan expectations were again shattered. Continuing from where Tekken 4 left off, this installment featured Heihachi’s presumed death and Jin’s growing darkness. With characters like Asuka, Feng, and Raven, Tekken 5 delighted fans with customization options and a PS2 port that incorporated the first three games. It also featured the action-packed, narrative-driven Devil Within mode.
Following up with Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, players met Lili and Dragunov. This installment tweaked visuals and gameplay, with a PSP port introducing the Tekken Dojo mode, which allowed players to share AI “ghosts” for others to battle. A PSN downloadable version later allowed for online matches, solidifying its status as a beloved entry in the franchise.
In the years that followed, Tekken 6 brought fresh characters and mechanics to the mix, including the Rage and Bound systems. Its release on PlayStation 3 featured the biggest story mode yet, the Scenario Campaign, which followed Lars and Alisa’s rebellion against the Mishima Zaibatsu, while retaining impressive visuals on PSP.
Between major releases, Bandai-Namco kept fans engaged with Tekken Hybrid and free-to-play Tekken Revolution, expanding the roster and experimenting with online focused gameplay.
Finally, Tekken 7 made its debut on the PS4 in 2017, with an updated roster including returning favorites and newcomers from the arcade iteration. The game introduced new mechanics, like screw starters, and further developed the Rage system, allowing for powerful Rage Drives and Arts. With ongoing DLC, Tekken 7 kept players engaged by adding ever more characters and stages while surprising everyone with guest characters like Geese Howard and Noctis.
As Tekken 8 celebrated its first birthday on PS5 in January, fans eagerly anticipate what comes next. With more DLC and an unfolding story full of inter-family drama, Bandai Namco promises the saga will only get more exciting.
