Tekken has long been a staple in fighting games and now stands out as one of the last major 3D fighters remaining among more popular 2D franchises. Despite its lasting legacy, many of the earlier Tekken games are now difficult to access on modern platforms. In a time when other iconic series like Street Fighter have been finding success in embracing retro collections that bring updates to older games, it would be a missed opportunity if every other major series in the genre didn't at least get the same treatment.
With Tekken 8 continuing the series' tradition of innovation and securing its status as a profitable endeavor after 30 years, it would make sense to now reflect on the path that has brought the franchise this far. However, with Bandai Namco seemingly lacking interest in revisiting these games of the past, they are in a more precarious position than other major titles of the arcade and early 3D eras.
The Creator of Tekken Isn't Particularly Interested in Releasing Tekken Retro Collections
Harada's Reservations About Tekken's Classic Entries Explained
It seems realistic that Tekken could have a few collections of older titles released for current-generation hardware given the precedent set by the likes of the Capcom Fighting Collection and Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. The many numbered entries and several spin-offs that have led up to T8 have been released across many generations, with not all of them available in digital stores. Despite the potential for making them more accessible and adding some new features, Katsuhiro Harada himself has not expressed enthusiasm about the prospect.
In an interview with TheGamer, Harada directly addressed fan desire for a classics collection by casting doubt on the quality of the series' older releases, stating:
"...But I wouldn't even see myself picking up Tekken 3 and playing against friends for an extended period of time. So yeah, there is a difference we feel between the 3D fighters and 2D fighters in that respect."
While it might be understandable that the rougher graphics of the first three Tekken titles may seem jarring when compared to newer titles, they were still groundbreaking at their time and have retained many fans. Between various incentives for Bandai Namco and players alike, there's too much to be gained from retro Tekken releases for them to be ignored.
Tekken Could Be Leaving a Goldmine Untapped Without a Classic Collection
The Value of Early 3D Era Nostalgia Shouldn't Be Underestimated
Hesitations make it seem unlikely, but recapturing some of the glory of Tekken's younger days has its own appeal. Harada may have specifically doubted the fun of returning to the third game, but Tekken 3 introduced Jin Kazama who still serves as a key part of the series' lore. It could be more realistic to see later entries like T5 and T6 released together with more comparable levels of fidelity, but all of their predecessors also stand as milestones of their own. If the pixelated look of many Capcom classics can still find appreciation among fans of their current games, it stands to reason that Tekken's original aesthetic could be capitalized on as well.
Tekken's History Deserves to Be Properly Archived
Beyond raw financial potential, keeping all the games available is a matter of preserving Tekken's decades-long legacy. A proper retro collection for the first trilogy, for example, could help to prevent cornerstones of the fighting game from fading into obscurity as actual playable experiences. If further content like developer insights and Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection's concept art comes with the package, this kind of record of Tekken's evolution might easily be a worthwhile purchase for many fans.
Tekken 8
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
- Released
- January 26, 2024
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment, Arika
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5 & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.
- Franchise
- Tekken
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
