Namco Bandai Tekken 6 Tekken 6 video game for PlayStation3

Fighting its way back to the top

The Tekken series is perhaps the most beloved fighting game series of all time, with some of the most memorable characters. Now it's back in its best version yet, with Tekken 6. This is the first time a Tekken disc has been made for the PS3. And wow, it's worth the wait. In the latest edition in the Tekken series, the fighting you love so much is back, with a couple fun additions. Don't worry, all the best characters are back too. In fact, Tekken 6 has the largest cast of any Tekken game yet with over 40 different characters including all the classics and six new players (plus two bonus characters). On top of that, it looks better than ever, has a couple new modes, and even a huge character customization area. If you're a fighting fan, this is the game you can't afford to miss.

The story behind the battle

In case you're not familiar with the Tekken series, you may want to know a little bit about the story behind the fighting. The series follows a tournament called the "Tournament of the Iron Fist" (Tekken is translated as "Iron Fist"). Each numerical release corresponds to the same numerical tournament. Players can choose which one of the game's characters they would like to enter the tournament with. Once they are enlisted in the tournament, the player must fight their way through successive levels to eventually win the tournament. Each character has their own personal reasons for entering the tournament, oftentimes relating to the overarching story, although sometimes more personal. After they have won, a video is unlocked showing the events after they win. For the next game in the series, only one ending is considered the "true" ending. In the first, Heihachi hosted the tournament, ultimately being defeated by his vengeful son Kazuya. In the second, Heihachi gained his revenge. In the third, Jin, who is Kazuya's son, is the ultimate victor. The fourth tournament again sees Jin come out on top. He then defends his title again by winning the fifth tournament. In the latest installation to the series, Jin is using the company he earned control of to attempt to take over the world. Meanwhile, Kazuya commands the opposing G Corporation, and places a bounty on Jin's head. In response, Jin announces The Tournament of the Iron Fist 6, drawing competitors from far and wide to the world's ultimate martial arts showdown.

Choose your warrior . . . and make them your own

The cast of Tekken 6 is the biggest so far, bringing back many characters from the earlier games in the series as well as adding a few more to the mix. All told, there are over 40 characters in the game. And each character has their own story, their own reasons for entering the tournament, their own style and technique, and their own ending for winning the tournament. Some of them are related to the main story or to other characters' stories, and some are isolated. But not only can you choose which of the fighters to use in the story, you can make them your own with a wide variety of pre-made styles or custom options. For a full list of characters, please see below.

Let your rage flow free

When you're fighting, sometimes beating your opponent in the arena just isn't satisfying enough. Sometimes you wish you could literally knock them through the floor or throw them through a wall for more excitement. Well . . . what if you could? Tekken 6 features dynamic stages, allowing either in-game events like those mentioned, or uncontrolled actions like a helicopter attack to move you to a different area.

What if . . . ?

Ok, so what do you do once you've beaten the tournament as each character? That's a question that Namco Bandai now has an answer for. With the new Scenario Campaign Mode, you can choose to either play solo, or with an online friend in a variety of situations. In Scenario Campaign Mode, there are many more possibilities than fighting alone. Certain weapons can be picked up and used, and the objectives might be very different. Unlike the tournament, which only involves taking on an opponent, there are a lot of different scenarios that you may encounter in Scenario Campaign Mode, from taking on hordes of foes to fighting against NANCY, a giant robot. And then at the end, you're scored on your performance. It's an addictively-fun departure from traditional gameplay.

Prove your mettle

However, the co-op Scenario Campaign Mode is not the only type of online play Tekken 6 offers. There is an extensive online competitive system that allows you to fight against friends or other people from around the globe. Anyone with a copy of Tekken 6 and access to the PlayStationNetwork can enjoy the fight online. If you think winning the game's tournament is tough, just try to be the top dog online!

Lookin' good

Tekken 6 is also the most graphically-advanced Tekken game yet, with advanced HD graphics, 3D animation technologies, sun-shaft, glare, flare, depth of field effects, and new shading systems for greater visual depth. These subtle gameplay improvements make this the best-looking Tekken ever!

Important rating information

The ESRB has given Tekken 6 a rating of "T" for Teen, designating that no one under the age of 13 may buy, and probably shouldn't play Tekken 6. It was noted as having an alcohol reference, crude humor, mild language, suggestive themes, and, least surprisingly, violence. It's a great fighting game, but kids being kids might be tempted to try to re-create their characters' on-screen moves, so it might be best to wait until they're a little older to let 'em play. But, like any game, the rating is just a guideline, so if you've got kids wanting to play, be sure to review the game yourself and decide whether or not it's right for them.

Who's who?

The cast list for Tekken 6 includes all of the following characters: Anna Williams, Nina Williams, Marshall Law, Paul Phoenix, Julia Chang, Bryan Fury, Bob (new), Steve Fox, Marduk, Heihachi Mishima, Lars Alexandersson (new), Miguel Caballero Rojo (new), Leo Kliesen (new), Christie Monteiro, Eddy Gordo, King, Lili Rochefort, Sergei Dragunov, Alisa Bosconovich (new), JACK-6 (updated from JACK-5), Raven, Armor King, Zafina (new), Wang Jinrei, Ling Xiaoyu, Lei Wulong, Feng Wei, Jin Kazama, Lee Chaolan, Ganryu, Asuka Kazama, Devil Jin Kazama, Roger Jr., Kuma, Mokujin, Yoshimitsu, Kazuya Mishima, Hwoarang, and Baek Doo San. Additionally, there are two new non-playable enemies, Azazel, and NANCY-MI847J.