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The Tekken franchise set a precedent for 3D combat in fighting games thanks to its amazing gameplay and storyline. Since 1994, each game in the series has brought its own flair and celebrated diversity by introducing characters from all corners of the globe that use fighting styles native to their region. However, the series isn’t afraid to get weird with characters like the massive bear Akuma or the boxing kangaroo, Roger.
The franchise has released multiple titles over many platforms, each with its own pros and cons. With so many titles, it’s hard to know which entry is truly the best at a glance. By averaging the scores from Internet Games Database and MetaCritic, though, it becomes apparent that fans are into Tekken for one thing: blistering fighting game action.
17. Tekken 7: Fated Retribution – N/A
Originally an arcade update to Tekken 7, Fated Retribution saw itself brought to home consoles as DLC rather than a single upgrade as had been done previously. Fated Retribution included some truly massive changes, like new arenas, collectibles and characters, including new additions like Lidia Sobieska and Fahkumram alongside guest fighters like Noctis from Final Fantasy XV and Geese Howard from The King of Fighters. This method of elongating updates as DLC helped keep players engaged with the title over a longer period of time, but it means it never got a proper critical score as other upgrade releases did.
16. Death By Degrees – 48.5
Unlike other games in the series, Tekken’s Nina Williams in Death by Degrees isn’t a fighting game. Instead, it’s a third-person adventure that sees Nina Williams infiltrating a criminal organization. The title is a continuation of the Tekken Force mini-games from Tekken 3 and 4. Critically speaking, the game received mixed reviews, largely due to its unorthodox gameplay and control scheme. The combat was handled solely through the right analog stick, with simple flicks resulting in bone-shattering attacks rather than traditional face buttons. Sadly, the lukewarm reception seems to have put a stop to any further solo titles.
15. Tekken 3D – 59.5
Tekken 3D was a standard fighter that was released for the Nintendo 3DS. The game features all the fighters from Tekken 6 and even has a great framerate and visuals for a portable title, but that didn’t save the game from earning mixed reviews by critics. Still, a ton of collectibles can be earned, although the only game modes are a standard arcade ladder and a laggy multiplayer mode. The game suffers from being too simple, offering little in the way of content that can bring players back for more.
14. Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion – 60
Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion was a major revision released in arcades a year after Tekken 6, offering some new features to get players interested. The biggest appeal of the upgrade is the new fighters, which include the return of Lars and Alisa from the base version and new bosses like Azazel and NANCY-MI847J. Bloodline Rebellion is a great upgrade but ultimately just another version of Tekken 6.
13. Tekken – 75
The original Tekken expanded the growing 3D fighting game trend in big ways. The original game features Kazuya Mishima as the game’s main protagonist, setting up early on just how much the story will eventually change and how the characters will evolve. It also features a whopping 17 characters, many of which are still in games today, like Lee Chaolan. The combat itself is still top-notch and serves as a foundation for future installments. Tekken received positive reviews upon release but now, nearly 30 years later, offers mostly nostalgia compared to its more advanced sequels.
12. Tekken Revolution – 75
Tekken Revolution was a free-to-play online fighter that was released on the PlayStation 3 in 2013. Reusing assets from Tekken Tag Tournament 2, it consists of 29 fighters and various game modes, including an Arcade ladder and online. Overall, the title was entertaining from a gameplay perspective and brought the fun of arcades to home consoles. However, its biggest drawback was its pay-to-win mechanic. To grow stronger, characters had to level up and obtain skill points, but they could speed up the process by buying Gold. Today, Revolution is mostly a footnote, having shut down its servers in 2017.
11. Tekken 6 – 78.5
Tekken 6 may be the most divisive entry in the mainline franchise. While its gameplay is just as entertaining as previous entries, the story mode has characters perform grim or outright uncharacteristic acts. Most infamously, the game features longtime series protagonist Jin Kazama starting a World War, killing millions in the process, to awaken a demon that could rid him of the Devil Gene. Even for an anti-hero like Jin, the decision seemed out of character. That being said, the game offers some great new characters like Lars and Zafina, all while further continuing the Mishima family saga.
10. Tekken 4 – 79
Of all of the entries in the franchise, Tekken 4 may be the most solid in terms of gameplay and story. The story continues the Mishima family’s feud with Jin Kazama forging his own path to defeating his father and grandfather and introduces now-iconic characters like Marduk and Steve Fox. Tekken 4’s reception upon release was largely positive thanks to improvements made possible by the jump to PlayStation 2 and is still one of the most popular entries in the series today.
9. Street Fighter x Tekken – 82
Street Fighter X Tekken was set to be a literal game-changer, giving Tekken characters the rare opportunity to be seen fighting in 2D arenas, not to mention brawling with Street Fighter characters. It was an ambitious idea that mostly paid off; reviews for the title were largely positive upon release, but the game wasn’t without its fair share of controversy. After its launch, it was discovered that planned post-launch DLC characters were not only completed but already on the game’s disc. The planned companion game Tekken x Street Fighter was ultimately canceled, but this crossover lives on today with Akuma’s appearance in Tekken 7.
8. Tekken Advance – 82
Unlike Tekken 3D, Tekken Advance keeps things simple. Released for Game Boy Advance in 2001, Tekken Advance translates some of Tekken 3‘s roster to a smaller screen, delivering 3D combat on the go. Gameplay was modified heavily to account for the GBA’s limited buttons, including only one button for kicking and the other for punching. In addition, stun options were included to compensate for the change in controls that altered the experience for the better. The title has since received positive reviews and is a surprisingly fun addition to the franchise.
7. Tekken Tag Tournament 2 – 83
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 built on its predecessor’s 2 vs. 2 combat but takes tag team fighting to a new level by introducing tag combos. Now, when switching between characters, they can combo attack an opponent before completing the switch. Like the first game, the story is still not considered canon; however certain endings are followed through in Tekken 7. The game features a massive roster of over 40 characters, ensuring hours of gameplay variety. The title was a massive success, thanks in no small part to keeping what made the first one such a success.
6. Tekken 7 – 83.5
Tekken 7 was released in arcades in 2015 but wouldn’t reach consoles in 2017, where it allowed fans to experience the emotional final battle between Heihachi Mishima and his son Kazuya. While the game closes the chapter on one part of the story, it’s far from the end. The game also wows with a massive list of new characters, including kickboxer Josie Rizal and Wing-Chun master Leroy Smith. It’s the most fluid entry yet in terms of gameplay and received hugely positive reviews, proving that the future of Tekken is still incredibly promising.
5. Tekken: Dark Resurrection – 84.5
Like Bloodline Rebellion, Tekken: Dark Resurrection is an updated version of Tekken 5 that takes the game’s original story and introduces some quality-of-life tweaks. This includes new ranks, ways to keep track of player statistics, better character balancing and more customization options. Dark Resurrection also introduces brand new fighters like Lili, Dragunov and Armor King II. Tekken 5 was already a hit, and reviews for Dark Resurrection reflected that strong lineage, with largely positive reviews for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 versions.
4. Tekken Tag Tournament – 85
Tekken Tag Tournament’s tag mechanic may seem unnecessary to Tekken‘s already beloved gameplay, but it was a significant shot in the arm while fans were waiting for Tekken‘s next entry to make its way to the then-new PlayStation 2. There are more stakes than ever as players now must manage their health and tactics to ensure that at least one of their fighters can last long enough to win. While the game isn’t canon to other titles, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment, as critics loved how the game took the best things about the franchise and expanded on them.
3. Tekken 5 – 89
Tekken 5 marks the dawning of a new age in the Tekken franchise. Not only was it a continuation of Jin’s story, but it also showcases upgrades to the fighting mechanics. Combat became even more fluid and faster than before, and gameplay saw a huge update with new juggle mechanics that have since become a mainstay in the franchise. Tekken 5 also introduces new characters that have since become iconic in their own right, like Jin’s cousin Asuka Kazama and Raven. Critically, Tekken 5 fared better than its predecessor, even helping to bring in new fans to the series.
2. Tekken 2 – 89.5
Tekken 2 capitalized on the lessons learned from the original to create an even more fluid fighting game. Storywise, the game sees the beaten Heihachi return as the Mishima Corporation, now a corrupt entity under the leadership of Kazuya Mishima, announces a new King of Iron Fist Tournament. Tekken 2 would become one of the most important fighting games in history, introducing iconic characters like Lei Wulong and Jun Kazuma while laying the foundation for the future by introducing the Devil Gene to the franchise. Critically, the game was a massive success that won over critics and fans with its engaging gameplay and a truly massive story.
1. Tekken 3 – 96
Even today, 23 years after its home console release, Tekken 3 is considered by many to be the greatest fighting game of all time. Aside from being the last entry for the original PlayStation, the game introduces a new generation of characters. Jin Kazama is introduced as he trains under his grandfather, Heihachi Mishima, to avenge his mother Jun’s death at the hands of Ogre. Unbeknownst to him, Heihachi plans to use Jin to draw out Ogre for his own nefarious means. With the introduction of iconic characters like Jin’s rival Hwaorang, Ling Xiaoyu and Bryan Fury, Tekken 3 changes the franchise forever with the reveal that Jin has inherited his father’s Devil Gene, cementing the supernatural as a recurring theme in Tekken‘s narrative.
For over two decades, the Tekken franchise has proven that the key to success isn’t always to change what is established. Instead, success means improving on what works while offering more options to explore these improvements. It’s no surprise that even the worst Tekken games are so well received by critics thanks to the series’ focus on quality and narrative. For now, the future of Tekken is unknown, but Tekken 8 is almost sure to keep the tradition alive.
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