Tekken Video Game Series
A best-selling brawler series, originating on consoles and gaming machines; however, since 2017, its main installments have also been coming to personal computers. The series was created by the Japanese company Namco (later renamed Bandai Namco Entertainment) as competition to such brands as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat.
The roots of the series date back to the mid-1990s. The first installment of the series, titled simply Tekken, was released in 1994 for game machines, and a little later also for the PlayStation console. The title quickly gained a lot of popularity, especially among Japanese gamers. This prompted Namco to prepare a sequel - Tekken 2 (1996) i Tekken 3 (1997). A new chapter in the history of the brand was opened by the appearance of the PlayStation 2 console, for which the next two main parts of the series arrived -. Tekken 4 (2002) i Tekken 5 (2005). The next installment of the series, namely Tekken 6 (2009) came not only to the PlayStation 3, but also to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation Portable. For the seventh installment of the series, viz. Tekken 7, released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC, had to wait until 2017. Tekken 8, developed for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, meanwhile, debuted in 2024.
In the meantime, the series lived to see a number of side releases and even a crossover with one of its competitors. Among the side productions, the sub-series, launched in 2000, leads the way. Tekken Tag Tournament and the game Street Fighter X Tekken, in which characters from the series face off against each other. Tekken and Street Fighter.
The storyline of most games under the banner of Tekken are events related to the King of Iron Fist tournament, organized by the powerful Mishima Zaibatsu corporation. Usually the prize in the struggle is the opportunity to take control of the company and thus act as the host of the next competition.
The gameplay in the productions of the series Tekken does not deviate from the genre patterns. The player controls the actions of one of the participants of the tournament and faces a series of duels against computer artificial intelligence or live opponents. In addition to the standard set of attacks, each character has unique skills, which in certain situations allow you to gain an advantage over your rivals.
Unlike competing series, duels in games in the series of Tekken are usually fought in three-dimensional arenas, which allows players to move freely and, in some cases, to use environmental elements. From the very beginning, the series is distinguished by high-quality audiovisual design. Fights are presented from dynamic camera shots, and the blows dealt are often accompanied by special effects or animated interludes.
Tekken is popular all over the world. The brand has also lived to see adaptations in the form of film and animated series, as well as comic books. In May 2012, a museum dedicated to the series opened in Osaka.
Tekken Series Evolution
2024
Tekken 8
2018
Tekken Mobile
2017
Tekken 7
2013
Tekken Revolution
2013
Tekken Card Tournament
2012
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
2012
Tekken 3D: Prime Edition
2011
Tekken Hybrid
2009
Tekken 6
2007
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
2006
Tekken: Dark Resurrection
2005
Tekken 5
2002
Tekken 4
Tekken 8
January 26, 2024
Tekken 8 is a new installment in one of the most popular series of fighting games. It revolves around one-on-one brawls against AI-controlled enemies or other players.
Tekken Mobile
February 15, 2019, End of Life
Tekken is a mobile fighting game developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is a side installment of a popular series of fighting games. It was developed exclusively for smartphones and tablets. The title is using a free-to-play distribution model with microtransactions. The gameplay mechanics consist of duels one on one, in which the players are using an action-based combat system that enables them to move through the arena and use variety of techniques. Collecting characters is the key aspect of the game. There are more than one hundred warriors to be obtained. Each of them has unique special attacks that the player must first unlock and then upgrade with experience points. The title features story mode, in which the player faces artificial intelligence and multiplayer mode which enables the player to face other players via Internet and to participate in faction wars. Additionally, the players can their replays that are used for teaching AI new tactics.
Tekken 7
June 2, 2017
The seventh major installment in one of the most famous fighting game series developed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, which originally launched back in 1994 on the first PlayStation. The debut of the franchise on the eight generation consoles brings back all the key elements of the previous installments, i.e. dynamic duels on 3D arenas featuring interactive objects. The story revolves around the King of Iron Fist tournament, organized by a powerful corporation. The new game also presents a cast of well-known characters with their unique special attacks. Additionally, there's no shortage of playable characters, who appear in the series for the first time. In contrast with the previous games, powered by a proprietary game engine, Tekken 7 is based on Unreal Engine 4, offering high-quality graphics even on less powerful platforms.
Tekken Revolution
June 11, 2013
The Tekken Revolution is based on the Namco Bandai Free-2-Play fighting model. Playing is about fighting with other people or artificial intelligence. The game is enriched by the hero development system, which allows you to modify their parameters and skills.
Tekken Card Tournament
April 4, 2013
Tekken Card Tournament is a duely-oriented online card game. The game consists in strategic fights with the use of martial arts masters. Individual attacks and techniques are activated by playing specific cards. The game is based on a free model with micropayments.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2
September 11, 2012
An arcade fighting game developed by Bandai Namco. It is the second installment in the subseries focusing on fights 2vs2. The plot is non-canonical here, serving the purpose of the background for spectacular fighting. The game features over fifty well-known fighters participating in the titular tournament. The player can change both their appearances and weapons to one's liking. Before the fight begins, the player selects two combatants to be used interchangeably. The second installment of the Tag Tournament subseries improves and expands the tag mechanics, allowing the player to perform special attacks, such as complex combos or throws executed by two fighters together. Interactive elements of the in-game arenas can be used in combat as well, by hitting the opponent's head against a wall for example. Tekken Tag Tournament 2 offers regular game modes, including Tutorial, Training, as well as Versus and Arcade. Apart from the solo experience, the game features multiplayer competition for up to four players.
Tekken 3D: Prime Edition
February 14, 2012
Tekken 3D: Prime Edition is the next installment of the legendary fighting series for the Nintendo 3DS portable console. The game, of course, takes advantage of the device's greatest asset, which is the display of three-dimensional images.
Tekken Hybrid
November 22, 2011
Tekken Hybrid is a collection that includes a remastered version of Tekken Tag Tournament from PlayStation 2, a demo of the second part and Tekken's animated film Blood Vengeance, which can be viewed in stereoscopic 3D.
Tekken 6
October 27, 2009
Another installment in a series of popular fighting games and the first one to be released on platforms other than PlayStation. The plot has its roots in the events of Tekken 5. Jin Kazama is the new antagonist here - the great-grandson of Jinpachi Mishima, who took control over Mishima Zaibatsu. G Corporation led by his father is the only thing standing in his way to obtain the absolute power. Soon, the sixth edition of King of Iron Fist Tournament is announced. Tekken 6 offers over forty playable fighters, including nearly all of the characters from Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection and eight new ones. Each fighter has their own style based on real world martial arts and requiring the player to employ different tactics. Among the innovations, the players will find the ability to block aerial attacks and the Rage System, allowing the players to prevent their fighter from losing. Battles take place on three-dimensional arenas with destructible elements.
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
March 2, 2007
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection is a special edition of the last battle from under the banner of this famous series, released on PlayStation 2. "This edition was originally dedicated to coin-op machines, then slightly modified for PlayStation Portable, and finally made available to PlayStation 3 owners.
Tekken: Dark Resurrection
July 25, 2006
Tekken: Dark Resurrection at PSP is the next installment of the legendary fighting series that Namco is responsible for creating. The model for the pocket edition was a special edition of Tekken 5, available only on slot machines.
Tekken 5
February 24, 2005
Another installment in one of the most popular series of fighting games developed for years by Bandai Namco Entertainment. In the fifth edition of King of Iron Fist Tournament a set of well-known fighters makes its appearance alongside three new ones (Asuka, Raven and Feng). Each character has their own motivation and goals, which constitutes the background for spectacular duels. Tekken 5 employs the well-known mechanics of its predecessors. As usual, the features four types of strikes (weak/strong punch, weak/strong kick) intuitively assigned to gamepad buttons. Combat takes place on three-dimensional arenas, where several interactive elements can be found, such as walls, columns or statues - these objects can be used in combat. Apart from the main tournament, Tekken 5 offers various game modes, such as versus, training or the adventure mode requiring the player to fight his way through waves of incoming enemies.
Tekken 4
September 18, 2002
The fourth Iron Fist Tournament organized by Heihachi once again attracted a group of the best warriors from all over the world. The winner of the prize will receive authority over the Mishima organization.
Tekken Advance
March 29, 2002
Namco exclaimed one of his best titles on the portable Nintendo consoles. The game is based on the third part of the game with PsOne, a similar system of blows, characters. Graphics, although 2D, perfectly imitates the one known from Sony console.
Tekken Tag Tournament
October 25, 2000
The Tekken Tag Tournament is an improved version of the third part of the Tekken fighting series. Developers from Namco took care of a more effective visual setting of their work and introduced a number of changes in the mechanics of the game. The novelties include pair fights, additional heroes in which you can take on the role and new costumes for warriors.
Tekken 3
April 29, 1998
The third installment of the cult series of three-dimensional fights. The action of Tekken 3 takes place a dozen or so years after its predecessor, which served as a pretext for exchanging a large part of playable characters. The production introduced a lot of changes to the gameplay mechanisms, putting a bigger aspect on rolling fights in full three-dimensional and limiting the height of jumps.
Tekken 2
March 29, 1996
Reedition of the second part of the cult fight from the PS One console. The action of the game takes place 2 years after the events known from its predecessor and concentrates around the next martial arts tournament, in which Kazuya Mishima and his father Heihachi, among others, will once again face each other. The game offers a total of 25 playable characters, including 8 brand new ones. The tactics of combat was significantly expanded, and warriors gained a large array of new plays.
Tekken
November 7, 1995
One of the most popular series in its genre. In the game we take part in an elite tournament called King of the Iron Fist. One of the key characters is Kazuy Mishima, who wants to take revenge on his father.
Tekken X Street Fighter
cancelled
A fighting game developed by Namco combining the features of two competing series: Tekken and Street Fighter, each representing a somewhat different approach to the genre and contending for the title of best virtual fighting game. Production of this title began simultaneously with the development of Capcom's Street Fighter X Tekken, but unlike its competitor it features the mechanics and visuals of the Tekken series. Compared to earlier titles from said franchise, the game stands out due to slightly different set of characters to choose from. Aside from well-known characters, the roster also includes fighters borrowed from the Street Fighter series. The crucial task for the creators of Tekken X Street Fighter was adapting the guest warriors' models, move sets, fighting styles, and special attacks to Tekken’s setting and the game's arenas, which are fully three-dimensional.
Tekken Series News
Tekken 8 disappointed players at EVO Japan 2025. „Collective despair and disappointment” with new DLC
The EVO Japan 2025 tournament brought a lot of excitement and some news about fighting games, not necessarily positive. Tekken 8 once again irked fans, despite promising changes.
video games
May 12, 2025
Father of Tekken doesn't mess around with fans. Harada criticizes „pointless” and „disrespectful” complaints about new Anna Williams design
Katsuhiro Harada responded to the complaints of the (few) Tekken 8 fans who didn't like Anna Williams' new look.
video games
February 27, 2025
Tekken 8 sold 3 million copies. Bandai Namco revealed Season 2 first character
Anna Williams will return to Tekken 8 at the start of Season 2. Along with her, Bandai Namco's fighting game will receive more than 1,500 balance changes and important improvements.
video games
February 25, 2025
Modern Gamers Can’t Take a Loss? Tekken Producer Wants More Team Elements in Fighting Games
Katsuhiro Harada wants to see more team elements in fighting games. The reason: the alleged inability of modern gamers to accept defeat and blame others for their failures.
video games
April 4, 2024
Tekken Dev Comments on Criticism of Microtransactions. “If We Simply Do Nothing, the Game Will Simply Stop Running in a Few Months.”
The announcement of the addition of microtransactions to Tekken 8 infuriated players, but in turn these complaints annoyed Katsuhiro Harada. The father of the series hinted at how much game production costs have risen.
video games
February 29, 2024
All Hidden Achievements in Tekken 8 and How to Get Them
Tekken 8 has 12 hidden achievements, which don't quite explain how to get them. Our guide will tell you what you need to do to unlock them all.
How to
January 31, 2024
Enshrouded More Popular on Steam Than Tekken 8 and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Combined
Independent RPG Enshrouded turned out to be the biggest launch of the week on Steam, leaving behind the much more publicized Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and new Tekken 8.
video games
January 29, 2024
Tekken 8 - All Ranks in Order
If you want to learn more about divisions in Tekken 8, read our article. We have prepared all ranks in order.
How to
January 29, 2024
Tekken 8 - How to Win Group Match and Complete Achievement
Are you having trouble getting the Please Don't Tell My Father achievement in Tekken 8? In our guide you will learn how to do a group match and get this trophy.
How to
January 29, 2024
Tekken 8 - Steam Deck Fatal Error Fix
Tekken 8 on Steam Deck has some problems. Fatal error causes the game to fail to start. In this guide you will learn how to fix it.
How to
January 26, 2024