My journey with the Tekken series began at the tender age of 6, sparking a lifelong passion for this iconic fighting franchise. It was here that I dabbled in my first clumsy fanfiction at just 7 years old and indulged in online forums pretending to be 13 when I was still 8. Tekken isn’t just a game for me; it feels like reconnecting with an old friend.
Many fighters have lovingly honed their skills over the years, and for them, Tekken embodies the essence of muscle memory. The series artfully blends seriousness with a touch of humor, creating an engaging experience. In this analysis, I will rank each mainline installment, setting aside remasters, mobile adaptations, and console ports, and basing my ranks on personal preference despite the generally positive acclaim for most entries.
10 Tekken
The Classic That Started It All
Despite its perceived outdated graphics and gameplay, revisiting Tekken is akin to a nostalgic journey back to its roots. Players who have mastered the mechanics of newer installments may find themselves feeling disoriented when they return to this original game. The introduction of Galaga adds a fun twist for unlocking Devil Kazuya, yet the overall depth of the game is limited.
Subsequent titles have undoubtedly improved on the groundwork laid by this initial release. It wouldn’t be surprising if a remake is in the cards in the future. The soundtrack, albeit repurposed in later games, would benefit from a modern reimagining, especially the beloved Marine Stadium stage, possibly as downloadable content in a forthcoming title.
9 Tekken 6
Drawbacks of Slow Loading Times
Introducing the rage system, Tekken 6 allowed players to increase their power as their health dwindled. The inclusion of Tekken-Force mode in the storyline provided additional engagement, and Azazel stood out as one of the most formidable final bosses.
While the overarching war narrative was compelling, certain characters were relegated to comic relief. Asuka Kazama, my go-to character, appeared to have significant ties to the Mishima family’s story but became embroiled in a rivalry with Lili de Rochefort in successive entries.
On the customization front, Tekken 6 offered the best options in the series, but long loading times for offline matches were a notable drawback. Progression beyond 1st Dan was restricted to online play, creating challenges for players with unreliable internet connections.
8 Tekken 4
Unwarranted Criticism
As the first entry to incorporate walls into the gameplay, Tekken 4 divided opinion among fans. Katsuhiro Harada faced significant criticism following its launch.
Nevertheless, the character-driven narratives were exceptional, featuring detailed prologues and epilogues that added depth to the overall experience. The familiar Mishima family saga persisted, and one memorable scene involved Marshall Law humorously confronting a critic of his culinary skills. The audio landscape of this entry, including its soundtrack, was outstanding.
7 Tekken 7
A Brief Experience
With its introduction of rage arts and power crush mechanics, Tekken 7 blurred the lines with features borrowed from competing franchises. The appearances of iconic characters like Noctis from Final Fantasy XV and Negan from The Walking Dead added a fresh twist to the roster. However, the omission of modes like Survivor and Team-Battle left some fans longing for the past.
Although the storyline concluded the longstanding Kazuya-Heihachi rivalry, the delivery felt lackluster due to a dry narrative style. I cleared the game in just a day, resulting in the lowest playtime among all Tekken titles. Fans of legacy characters were disappointed to find favorites like Lei Wulong and Anna Williams relegated to paid DLC, fueling frustration amongst long-term players.
6 Tekken 8
Connecting Generations of Players
Tekken 8 has faced its share of backlash, particularly regarding changes to the rage system, yet it aims to serve as a bridge for both new players and veterans of the series.
The replay system encourages players to learn from their strategies, while customization options—previously offered for free—now require players to earn them through a paid battle pass, which has kept me engaged in the game much more than its predecessor, Tekken 7.
Moreover, fans celebrated the return of Jun, who has been absent since Tekken 2. Although the offline arcade mode was relatively short, it contributed valuable content once the main story concluded.
5 Tekken Tag Tournament 2
Delightfully Non-Canon
The excitement when Tekken Tag Tournament 2 was announced was palpable, as this game is where the series embraces its more whimsical aspects. Wang Jinrei’s comedic ending remains one of the highlights, and even Snoop Dogg makes an entertaining appearance!
Despite the nostalgic joy of gameplay, I find myself longing for more downloadable content that could have enhanced the experience. The online community is still thriving, but my buried PS3 makes participation a challenge. This title held a significant place in my college days as a busy student.
4 Tekken Tag Tournament
Nostalgic Moments
This title was a landmark release for the PS2, featuring every beloved character up to that time along with remastered stages. The introduction of the Tekken Bowl mini-game offered an enjoyable diversion while retaining the option for solo play.
Many players, like myself, faced the eventual heartbreak when our PS2 systems stopped functioning, but troubleshooting efforts only strengthened my fond memories of this game. Also, the soundtrack is one of the best, setting a musical standard that has influenced character selection screens in subsequent titles.
3 Tekken 5
A Marvelous Fusion of Elements
Tekken 5 successfully encompassed the best features of its predecessors, establishing a flawless balance between gameplay and narrative. The introduction of character customization and a ranking system provided a new dimension to player engagement.
Timed perfectly with the series’ 15th anniversary, the console edition allowed nostalgic players to revel in arcade versions of the first three installments. Jin Kazama’s unique “The Devil Within”mode added intrigue regarding the potential return of Jun to the storyline, further captivating fans.
The opening space mini-game harkened back to the feel of Tekken 1 and made Tekken 5 feel like a grand celebration of the franchise at its peak.
2 Tekken 2
Solidifying the Legacy
This entry is particularly memorable for its unique Easter eggs, including the quirky Big-Head mode and the ability of characters to express thoughts during idle practice. The challenge to unlock fan favorites like Roger or Alex through specific gameplay tasks added an element of motivation.
Interesting connections to later installments also reside here, with Tekken 7 referencing subtle details from Heihachi’s stage in its storyline. Plus, Tekken 2 boasts the best end credits song in the series, along with characters having stages that added layers of personality beyond the manual’s details.
This classic remains accessible for online play with others via the PlayStation’s Share Play feature, allowing new generations to experience its charm.
1 Tekken 3
The Pinnacle of the Series
For many veteran players, Tekken 3 holds a special place as their first entry into the franchise and rightfully earns the top rank. It served as an excellent point of entry for newcomers, introducing several fresh characters set 20 years after the events of Tekken 2.
The arrival of beloved characters, such as my former main Ling Xiaoyu, along with Mokujin’s chaotic presence, added excitement to gameplay. Notably, Tekken 3 was the first to feature a guest character, Gon, who brought his whimsical fart mechanics into the mix, enhancing the silly fun when enjoying the game with friends. The addition of Tekken Ball further solidified its reputation as a fan favorite.
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