As we wave farewell to the first season and gear up for Season 2 and the Tekken World Tour, 2025 is set to deliver another thrilling chapter for enthusiasts of Bandai Namco’s legendary Tekken series. Ever since its early days on the original PlayStation, Tekken has enjoyed a special bond with consoles, with its gameplay and storyline evolving hand-in-hand with technological advances. Now’s a perfect moment to reminisce about the Mishima family’s epic journey and the chaos they’ve woven into the lives of PlayStation gamers.
The Mishima Legacy Begins
Tekken kicked off as one of the original fighting titles on the PlayStation, launching in early 1995 in Japan and later worldwide. It introduced players to the wicked Mishima family, laying down the foundational mechanics such as the four-attack-button scheme. At the time, players expected compromised ports with downgraded elements, but Tekken set a new standard with its flawless arcade port on home consoles. Namco even threw in extras: from cinematic endings and playable sub-bosses to unlocking a pivotal character through mastering Galaga during load time.
Tekken 2 hit the arcades in late 1995, pivoting the spotlight onto the dethroned patriarch Heihachi Mishima and brought new characters Jun and Lei into the mix. It continuously unlocked additional characters, encouraging gamers to return for fresh experiences. By 1996, the PlayStation port wowed with its exclusive CG intro and endings, and debuted modes like Team Battle and Survival Mode, solidifying Tekken’s reputation for cinematic brilliance.
For many, Tekken 3 was their inaugural encounter with the series. It ruled the arcades, later becoming a PlayStation phenomenon in 1998. Fast forward 20 years in its storyline, and Jin Kazama, son of Kazuya and Jun, took center stage, with characters aging or being succeeded. The game welcomed new fan-favorites like Hwoarang and Xiaoyu and expanded its 3D arenas with sidestep dodges. PlayStation bonuses included Tekken Force, a side-scrolling mode, and Tekken Ball, along with characters like Anna Williams and Gon, the series’ first guest character.
Advancing with Emotion Engines
As the PlayStation 2 era dawned, Tekken Tag Tournament launched alongside it in 2000, providing a visual treat and a shift in combat strategy to two-character team battles. With an expanded roster and the fun Tekken Bowl mini-game, it showcased the PS2’s capabilities marvelously.
Tekken 4’s PS2 debut in 2001 reintroduced Kazuya and shook up gameplay with non-infinite stages featuring walls and obstacles. This added strategic elements to battles, emphasizing the revamped Story Mode and a more profound Tekken Force.
Rising From a New Generation
Tekken 5 graced the stage in 2005, with a storyline directly picking up from its predecessor. Fan-favorite elements returned, alongside newcomers like Asuka and Raven. Players could now customize characters with earned rewards, and the PS2 port included the Devil Within mode, a character-driven experience complete with unlocked arcade classics.
A 2006 arcade update, Dark Resurrection, brought fresh faces like Lili and Dragunov, visual enhancements, and gameplay refinements. Its PSP version featured the unique Tekken Dojo mode, allowing players to challenge AI “ghosts” based on real gameplay. Due to fervent demand, Dark Resurrection made its console way to the PlayStation Network, adding online clashes in 2007.
In 2007, the arcade debuted Tekken 6 starring new characters Bob, Zafina, Leo, and Miguel. Family tensions escalated as massive corporate wars brewed between Jin and Kazuya, further complicated by Lars’ and Alisa’s arrivals in Bloodline Rebellion, which introduced the powerful Rage mechanic and interactive battle arenas.
The Mishima Drama Continues
By 2009, the PS3 got its Tekken 6, deeply inspired by Bloodline Rebellion, featuring expansive Story Mode gameplay. PSP versions boasted impressive visuals and multiplayer modes, although Scenario Campaign took a bow for this platform.
Tekken Hybrid in 2011 bundled an HD update of Tekken Tag Tournament with a CGI film and a Tekken Tag Tournament 2 demo. TTT2, on its official release, offered elaborate tag-match gameplay, an expansive roster, and, on the PS3, bonus content including music by Snoop Dogg and surprise characters.
Enter Tekken Revolution in the mix–a free-to-play variant focused on online matches–allowing players to unlock characters gradually and upgrade attributes over time until it ended in 2017.
The Journey Presses On
Tekken 7 arrived on PS4 in 2017 after lingering in arcades. By this time, it had welcomed characters like Akuma from Street Fighter and new contenders such as Katarina and Shaheen. With refined mechanics and the introduction of Rage Drive and Rage Art, it improved upon feedback gathered from earlier titles.
Once it reached PS4, Tekken 7 unfolded a story mode and a suite of DLC updates that unfolded new terrains, tunes, and characters–including unexpected guests like Geese Howard from Fatal Fury.
With Tekken 8 celebrating its first anniversary on PS5 this January, gamers can anticipate more delightful surprises. Season 2 promises a gamut of beloved and unexpected characters, as the Mishima saga promises to intensify with high-stakes drama and intrigue.
