Tekken (universe)

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Tekken (universe)
Developer(s)	Bandai Namco
Publisher(s)	Bandai Namco
Designer(s)	Seiichi Ishii Katsuhiro Harada
Genre(s)	Fighting
Console/platform of origin	Arcade
First installment	Tekken (1994)
Latest installment	Tekken (Mobile) (2018)

The Tekken universe (鉄拳, Iron Fist) refers to the Super Smash Bros. series' collection of characters, stages, and properties hailing from the long-running series of fighting games created and owned by Bandai Namco (formerly Namco). Originating in 1994 for arcades, the series centers around a feud among the members of the Mishima family surrounding the inheritance of Heihachi Mishima, a recurring antagonist in the series. One of Bandai Namco's flagship franchises and its best-selling one, the Tekken series has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide during its lifespan and is considered a pioneer in the fighting game genre, being one of the first to utilize 3D animation and CGI in its gameplay, unheard of for the genre at the time. The series was originally represented in Super Smash Bros. 4 through a downloadable content costume for Mii Brawlers based on Heihachi Mishima, while joining the roster with Kazuya Mishima in Fighter's Pass Vol. 2 of Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

Franchise description

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The earliest version of Tekken can be traced back to an internal test case at Namco in the early 1990s. The purpose of this test was to experiment with the animation of 3D character models, which was a new trend at the time. The team for this test later started playing with texture mapping, which the company had worked on with the 1993 arcade game Ridge Racer. As the project slowly morphed into a fighting game, Seiichi Ishii, former designer for Virtua Fighter was brought on to direct the project. While this new game, called Rave War at the time, would be fundamentally similar to Ishii's previous work, there would be some fundamental differences. Virtua Fighter used small stages with the "ring out" system of a fighter instantly losing if they step out of bounds and a 3 button control scheme: punch, kick, and defense. Tekken experimented with infinite stages that had no boundaries and a 4 button control scheme: left arm, right arm, left leg, and right leg. Other minor differences include more detailed textures and a higher frame rate. The name was eventually changed to Tekken late in development.

The first entry released in arcades in 1994 on the System 11 arcade board. The game features 8 playable fighters, a non playable sub-boss for each character, and a non playable final boss. The game has 11 stages, which are unique among the series in that they are based on real world locations. This concept was abandoned in favor of original locations in future installments. The game was a critical and financial success in the arcades, enough to warrant a home console release. A port was made on the Sony PlayStation in 1995. Difference from the arcade version include downgraded textures and sound effects, as well as the music being completely remade to work on the different soundboard. All boss character are now made playable, bringing the total roster to 17 fighters. Character animations like in victory cutscenes or the character select screen were either downgraded or cut entirely. However, a full opening movie and endings for each character were added, as well as a full options menu. There are several other minor differences.

The game was the first PlayStation game to ever surpass one million units sold, and was overall praised as being an impressive port, although some issues like the PAL release being less optimized than the other versions were raised. This inspired Namco to make a sequel, Tekken 2, which released in 1995 in arcades and 1996 on PlayStation. Most of the original roster returned, many with moveset overhauls to differentiate themselves, along with several new characters. All the stages from the previous game are replaced with original locations. New modes include Survival Mode, Team Attack Mode, and Time Attack Mode. All of this and other minor changes like improved gameplay and graphics made Tekken 2 superior to the original in the public's eyes, with even better review and higher sales numbers.

Another sequel, Tekken 3 was released in 1997, this time on the new System 12 arcade board and in 1998 on PlayStation. This game is the first entry Katsuhiro Harada got to direct. He would later become the main director of the franchise going forward. The game features a roster of mostly new fighters, with only six returning from the previous game—the game marked the first inclusion of a guest character, being Gon from the titular manga series. This game is notable as the first in the series to allow side stepping, a technique that would become a staple of the 3D fighting game sub-genre. The PlayStation port also included new modes that expanded upon the gameplay: Tekken Force, a stage-based beat-'em-up game, and Tekken Ball, in which players fight by hitting a ball back and forth and damage is determined by whether one of the players can hit the ball back or not.

Next came the first spin-off entries to the franchise. The first is Tekken Card Challenge, released in 1999 on Wonderswan. The game is similar to Yu-Gi-Oh, in that players used cards of various effects against opponents that do the same thing. The game ends when one player runs out of cards or life points. The major difference is the inclusion of elements from the Tekken series, including fighting, blocking, and juggling for extra damage. The next entry is Tekken Tag Tournament, also released in 1999 in arcades and in 2000 on PlayStation 2 as a launch title for the system. The game was the first to introduce a tag mechanic where a player picks two different fighters and can swap between them during a match. Both fighters have different health bars, but the match ends when only one health bar is depleted.

The next entry is Tekken 4, released on the System 246 arcade board in 2001 and on PlayStation 2 in 2002. The game features most characters from Tekken 3 returning, as well as several newcomers. After the release of Tekken 3, players started complaining about the infinite stages, which encouraged strategies of getting a few hits in and running away until the time ran out. The team addressed by not only experimenting with boundaries like walls, but also uneven terrain, ceilings, and obstacles. The walls were praised for offering new strategies like wall splat, but most other changes were received poorly for interrupting the flow of the match. This led to this game being the most controversial entry in the series, with significantly worse reviews and sales.

That same year, Tekken Advance was released. It is a downgraded, sprite traced version of Tekken 3 exclusive to Game Boy Advance. The game was praised as an impressive piece of software able to cram the entire arcade game into a single cartridge. While ultimately inferior to the original, it is a serviceable entry for Tekken on the go.

The next entry is Tekken 5, released on the System 256 arcade board in 2004 and on PlayStation 2 in 2005. The game features most characters from Tekken 4, as well as several newcomers. The development team addressed the complaints from the previous entry by removing most of its addition. The game was praised for these changes, as stages were now integral to matchups, specifically how easy one fighter can take another fighter to a wall. The game pulled Tekken out of the rut the previous game put it in and became the best selling game in the series. The arcade version received a free upgrade, called Tekken 5.1, which changed aspects like UI and gameplay balance. The game also got an enhanced port on PlayStation Portable, titled Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, which added new modes, characters, and further gameplay balances.

The next entry is Tekken 6, released on the System 257 arcade board in 2007. Most of the characters from Tekken 5 return, as well as several new characters. The game expanded on the functionality of walls and added the ability to break them, as well as introduce breakable floors, which served as combo extenders. This was done tor preemptively remove most potential infinite combos. While not given as favorable a response or selling as well as the previous entry, the game is still seen as an excellent entry in the series. The game received a major update in 2008, titled Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion, which introduced new characters, stages, items and customization option. This version of the game was ported to and on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation Portable in 2009. The game is notable for being the first multi-platform entry on consoles.

The franchise next released a slew of spin-off titles. The first is the 2010 java mobile game Tekken Mobile, later renamed to Tekken Resolute. The game is the first proper 2D Tekken fighting game and is notable among mobile games at the time for offering local wireless multiplayer via Bluetooth. Next is the 2011 PlayStation 3 title Tekken Hybrid, which contains the feature film Tekken: Blood Vengeance, an HD remaster of Tekken Tag Tournament, and a demo called Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Prologue. This demo is for Tekken Tag Tournament 2, which released on the System 369 arcade board in 2011 and on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 later that year. A Wii U version was released after, based on the arcade update Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Unlimited, and included exclusive content like costumes based on Nintendo characters. Next is Tekken Bowl a free mobile app released in 2011 based on the side mode introduced in Tekken Tag Tournament. Next came Tekken 3D: Prime Edition, a stripped down port of Tekken 6 for Nintendo 3DS in 2012. While the game was praised for functioning very well for the system it was on, it was criticized for its overall lack of content. Next is Street Fighter X Tekken a crossover game with the Street Fighter universe. While The Tekken team had little involvement with this entry, 25 of their characters did appear in this game. Another game titled Tekken X Street Fighter was in the early stages at the same time, but was indefinitely shelved after the poor reception of its sister title. Next was Tekken Revolution, a modified version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 released on the PlayStation Store in 2013. The game was pulled from the European store in 2016 and support officially ended in 2017. Next is Tekken Card Tournament A digital trading card game similar to Tekken Card Challenge, except it is truly turn based. Next is Tekken Arena, a mobile MMORPG in 2013. The player makes their avatar with special stats to defeat bosses and other players.

The next entry is Tekken 7, released on the System ES3 arcade board in 2015. Most of the characters from Tekken 6 return, as well as several new characters. This game is notable for being the first mainline entry to introduce true guest characters. These include characters from Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, Final Fantasy, and even The Walking Dead. The game also introduce several new mechanics, including additional "Rage" family of systems, which are often comeback mechanics when low on health. The game received an update titled Tekken 7: Fated Retribution in 2016, which introduced new characters, stages and mechanics. This version provided the basis for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Microsoft Windows versions in 2017. While still not received as well as Tekken 5 critically, the game has gone on to be the best selling Tekken game in history at over 7 million copies sold.

The team also collaborated with The Pokémon Company to develop Pokkén Tournament, which released in arcades in 2015 and on Wii U in 2016. The game is notable for having different stages and characters between both versions, and using the same compatible memory card on both versions can unlock the missing content in both. The game recieved an enhanced port titled Pokkén Tournament DX on Nintendo Switch in 2017, which combined the content in the arcade and Wii U version and added new content.

Aside from a Tekken skin created for Galaga, the lastest entry is Tekken Mobile which released for mobile devices in 2018. The game uses touch screen inputs to use the fighter and has gacha elements known as Waza cards, which do unique effects.

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Heihachi Mishima, the main antagonist and mascot of the series, appears as a Mii Costume. Heihachi was considered as a fighter, but was decided against since implementing his movements would be too difficult.

Mii Costume

Outfit

• Heihachi Outfit (DLC)

Headgear

• Heihachi Wig (DLC)

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

In the base game, one of Pac-Man's sprites in his Namco Roulette taunt is a Heihachi sprite. The series would gain more content through DLC.

Fighter

• 81.
  
  Kazuya: Revealed during E3 2021, Kazuya Mishima is set to appear as a playable character in Ultimate as part of Challenger Pack 10. Retaining his appearance from Tekken 5 and Tekken 6, he also has an alternate costume based on his default outfit in Tekken 7.

Stage

• File:SSBU-Tekken stage.png
  Unnamed Tekken stage: A stage based on Tekken is to be released alongside Kazuya. While the stage is still unnamed, it bears resemblance to the Mishima Dojo stage in Tekken 7. Heihachi Mishima can be seen in the background of the stage.

Mii Costume

Outfit

Heihachi's Mii Costume returns as DLC. It released in the sixth wave of DLC Mii Costumes, alongside Min Min.

• Heihachi Outfit (DLC)

Headgear

• Heihachi Wig (DLC)

Music

Original Tracks

• "Kazuya Mishima, Devil Kazuya", also known as "Emotionless Passion": A remix of the Eternal Darkness stage theme from Tekken 2.

Other

• "Kazuya Mishima, Devil Kazuya" from the arcade version of Tekken 2 was used in Kazuya's trailer and "Character Select" from the arcade version of Tekken 3 was used during the showcase of Kazuya's moves following the trailer. In addition, "Dust Thins Out (Character Select)" from Tekken 6 was used during the Heihachi Mii costume reveal for both SSB4 and Ultimate. It is unknown if these songs will be used in the game.

Games with elements from or in the Super Smash Bros. series

Tekken

• Playable Characters:
  • Kazuya appears as a playable character.
  • Kazuya's devil form is an alternate outfit present in the PlayStation version.
  • 10 Hit Combo is a recurrent move sourced from the game.
  • Heihachi appears as a costume for the Mii Brawler.
• Stage elements:
  • Heihachi appears as a background character in the unnamed stage.

Tekken 2

• Playable Characters:
  • Devil Kazuya appears as a separate playable character.
• Music:
  • "Kazuya Mishima, Devil Kazuya": Both a retrieved track and an arrangement from the Arcade version. Used for Kazuya's reveal trailer during E3 2021.

Tekken 3

• Music:
  • "Character Select": The retrieved track from the Arcade version. Used during the E3 2021 preview of Kazuya's moves.

Tekken 5

• Playable Characters:
  • Kazuya's appearance is primarily based on his appearance here.
• Stage elements:
  • Heihachi's appearance is primarily based on his appearance here.

Tekken 6

• Playable Characters:
  • The first appearance of an universal Rage Mode when a character's health is low.
• Music:
  • "Dust Thins Out”: Taken directly from Tekken 6, this track originally plays in the character select screen. Used for the Heihachi Mii Costume reveal in both SSB4 and Ultimate.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2

• Playable Characters:
  • Heihachi's Mii costume is based off the Young Heihachi design from this game.
  • Devil Kazuya becomes part of his moveset transformation since the end of Tekken 4, and remains wearing outfits as his human counterpart.
• Other:
  • Heihachi's Sprite in Pac-Man's Namco Roulette Taunt is taken from this game.

Tekken 7

• Playable Characters:
  • The first appearance of very own Super/EX moves similar to SNK's Samurai Shodown, the Rage Art and Rage Drive.
  • Kazuya's business suit outfit is taken from this game.
  • Kazuya's ultimate devil form act as a form used in Final Smash sequence.
• Stage
  • Mishima Dojo originates from this game.
• Other
  • The tagline from Kazuya's reveal trailer is based on the versus mode notice from this game (which is used in versus screens since Tekken 4), including the exact same font.

Trivia

• Tekken is the fourth major fighting game universe to appear in Smash, following Street Fighter, Fatal Fury, and ARMS.
• Tekken is the second fighter-based universe to come from Bandai Namco, the first being Pac-Man.
• Tekken is the second third-party universe to feature a playable villain, the first being Final Fantasy.
  • Ultimate is also the second time Tekken, Final Fantasy, Street Fighter and Fatal Fury cross over in a fighting game. Tekken 7 has Kazuya, Noctis Lucis Caelum from Final Fantasy XV, Akuma from Street Fighter and Geese Howard from Fatal Fury as guest characters.
• Tekken is one of two major universes in Smash to also have a fighter in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, with the other being the Metal Gear series.
  • Of the two, Tekken is the only one whose playable character in that game, Heihachi, has a somewhat major role in Smash, having a Mii costume and being a background character, whereas Raiden, Metal Gear's representative, only appears as a sticker in Brawl and a spirit in Ultimate.
• Tekken is the only third-party universe to debut as a minor universe and later become a major one.

External links

• Article on the Tekken Wiki.