The Evolution of PlayStation – PlayStation.Blog

As the excitement builds for Season 2 and the Tekken World Tour, 2025 is shaping up to be another thrilling year for devotees of Bandai Namco’s iconic Tekken series. With roots that trace back to some of the earliest fighting games on the original PlayStation, Tekken has grown in tandem with Sony’s gaming platforms, both in its gameplay and story depth. Let’s take a nostalgic journey through the Mishima family’s saga and the chaos they’ve stirred up across the years for PlayStation players.

The first Tekken was a groundbreaking entry, arriving in 1995 and setting a whole new standard with its debut on the PlayStation. It not only introduced us to the cunning Mishima family and their complex dynamics but also established essential mechanics like its unique four-attack-button control scheme. This game set itself apart by offering a port that matched the arcade version’s quality, thanks to the advanced PlayStation-compatible arcade hardware. Namco went further by adding exclusive content: cinematic ending movies, playable sub-boss characters, and even a hidden character discoverable through a Galaga mini-game.

Tekken 2 graced arcades later in 1995, bringing a fresh narrative focus with Heihachi Mishima taking the spotlight amidst a wave of new characters like Jun and Lei. Namco’s PlayStation port in 1996 made significant strides, dazzling players with CG intros and high-quality cutscenes, while adding modes like Team Battle and Survival, which enriched the gameplay experience.

For many, Tekken 3 represented their first encounter with the series. It was a phenomenon both in arcades and on the PlayStation upon its 1998 release. Jumping ahead two decades in the storyline, it introduced Jin Kazama, son of Kazuya and Jun, bringing new characters like Hwoarang and Xiaoyu to the forefront. Recognizing the potential of 3D environments, the game introduced sidestep dodges and additional modes like Tekken Force and the fan-favorite Tekken Ball.

When the PlayStation 2 entered the scene, Tekken Tag Tournament was there, showcasing a leap in graphics and gameplay style by introducing tag-team battles. This iteration expanded the character roster significantly and included the quirky yet entertaining Tekken Bowl.

Tekken 4, on the other hand, redefined gameplay by adding stages with walls and obstacles, enhancing the strategic depth of fights. It also leaned heavily into its narrative, offering a more robust Story Mode and a richer Tekken Force experience.

Following up on this, Tekken 5 answered fan feedback by refining stage design and movement mechanics while introducing a new character customization feature. Its PS2 release tailored a more engaging story mode and offered retro arcade versions of its legendary predecessors.

With the PlayStation 3 era, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection and Tekken 6 further expanded the universe, introducing fresh characters and gameplay tweaks such as the Rage system and more interactive stages. Tekken 6’s gripping Scenario Campaign fleshed out the lore further with a sprawling narrative.

Tekken Hybrid brought a mishmash of past and present with revamped versions of classics and introduced Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Meanwhile, Tekken Revolution experimented with a free-to-play model, focusing on online play and customization.

Finally, Tekken 7 arrived on PS4 after its arcade origins, enriched by updates and new characters, including a unique crossover with Street Fighter’s Akuma. The console release featured an expansive story mode and a steady stream of DLC that kept the experience growing with fresh content.

As the PS5 celebrated its anniversary with Tekken 8, fans were treated to even more twists in the saga. With the launch of its second season DLC, the series promises an enticing mix of familiar and surprising new characters, ensuring the Mishima family’s drama continues to captivate us.