The Evolution of PlayStation – A Journey on PlayStation.Blog

With the dawn of Season 2 and the Tekken World Tour just about to commence, the year 2025 is shaping up to be another stellar one for fans of Bandai Namco’s esteemed Tekken series. Tekken, one of the pioneering fighting games on the original PlayStation, has a special bond with gaming consoles, evolving both its gameplay and narrative in line with the platforms. Let’s rewind and relive the exploits of the Mishima family and the chaos they have unleashed on PlayStation gamers over the years.

The journey began in the early ’90s when the original Tekken made its debut on PlayStation. Released in early 1995 in Japan and later worldwide, Tekken not only introduced the notorious Mishima family but also set the foundation for many of the series’ core mechanics, such as the distinctive four-button control scheme. The game was a groundbreaking port from arcade to home console, maintaining its visual and audio integrity due to its advanced hardware. Namco surprised fans by including new content like ending movies, playable sub-bosses, and even a secret character unlocked through mastering a Galaga mini-game.

When Tekken 2 hit arcades in late 1995, players were thrown a curveball with the focus shifting back to Heihachi Mishima, the former villain. This sequel also welcomed new faces like Jun and Lei. For the home console adaptation, released in 1996, Namco went above and beyond with a PlayStation-exclusive intro, detailed CG endings, and new gameplay modes—Team Battle, Time Attack, Survival Mode, and a Practice Mode—that kept gamers coming back for more.

Many players first encountered the series with Tekken 3, an arcade sensation and global hit on PlayStation in 1998. The narrative leapt 20 years forward, placing Jin Kazama—Kazuya and Jun’s son—at the forefront. The beloved cast featured newcomers like Hwoarang and Xiaoyu, respecting the legacy but adding fresh energy. The addition of sidestep dodges revolutionized the 3D fighting arenas, and the PlayStation version upped the ante with Tekken Force, a side-scrolling beat ’em up, and the fan-favorite Tekken Ball.

As the PlayStation 2 rolled out, it made sense for a Tekken title to accompany it. In 2000, Tekken Tag Tournament showcased breathtaking visuals that defined what was possible on the new console. The game introduced a new combat system of tag battles, allowing players to swap between two characters during a fight. The expanded roster and the enjoyable Tekken Bowl mini-game added layers of fun and replayability.

Following TTT, Tekken 4 arrived with significant gameplay changes—brilliantly introducing walled stages and uneven terrains that players could leverage for extra damage. Addressing the community’s critiques, it also emphasized the story with an insightful Story Mode and a refined Tekken Force side game.

A few years later, Tekken 5 captured fans’ hearts again, revamping the series with fine-tuned mechanics and new characters like Asuka and Raven. The game’s ability to let players customize characters was another step forward, and the PS2 port brought more with the playable boss Jinpachi and the intriguing Devil Within mode. This iteration even included ports of the first three arcade games, a delight for long-time fans.

Dark Resurrection, a 2006 update of Tekken 5 for arcades, saw characters like Lili and Dragunov join the fray. When it came to the PSP, the new Tekken Dojo mode allowed players to battle online through AI-controlled “ghosts.” Due to popular demand, it eventually became a downloadable title on PlayStation Network, later offering online match capabilities—a beloved feature cementing its legacy.

Arcades introduced Tekken 6 in 2007, paving the way for new characters and deepening the Mishima family tangle. With Jin and Kazuya at opposing corporate war fronts, the saga grew more intense. The game incorporated the Rage mechanic, Bound system, and destructible environments.

The PS3 rendition carried these updates forward, offering the most extensive narrative so far with Scenario Campaign Mode. Meanwhile, Tekken Hybrid delivered an HD remake of TTT alongside a CG movie and TTT2 demo, further stoking community excitement. Tekken Revolution, a free-to-play variant, kept players engaged online until 2017.

When Tekken 7 finally hit PS4 in 2017, following its arcade launch, it featured substantial updates, like introducing Akuma from Street Fighter. The remarkable set of new features, including screw combo mechanics and enriched Rage systems, kept the battles fresh and dynamic. The DLC continued to expand the roster with iconic gaming characters and exclusive story content.

As Tekken 8 celebrated its first year on PS5 this January, fans eagerly anticipated what was next. The encore season of content teases fresh and familiar faces, alongside storylines promising more Mishima intrigue and high-stakes drama—a testament that the legendary Tekken flame continues to burn bright.