Tekken 6
Coming to PS3 and Xbox 360, the world’s most popular fighting game summons its biggest roster and additional gameplay modes to make an impact this autumn.
Currently the most-played videogame in Japanese arcades, Tekken 6 Bloodline Rebellion continues the march of the seemingly unflappable Namco franchise. Since 1994 the series has sold more than 34 million copies worldwide. Tekken 5 alone sold six million on PlayStation 2, and four million of those were in Europe. Don’t call this a comeback because popularity has never waned.
The version of Tekken 6 coming to consoles and for the first time on a platform other than PlayStation is the very latest iteration of the popular coin-operated machine. It looks every bit as impressive, with 40 characters to choose from offering the most in-depth experience in series history if not for fighting games of this ilk overall. Tekken 6 is also the most technologically advanced brawler you’ll bear witness to in 2009, with dramatic motion-blur effects running at 60-frames-per-second and interactive stages that let you bash through walls and crash through ceilings. In addition to extending the play area in such a way, each character’s combat skills are enhanced using an all-new Rage system that kicks in when their stamina is running low.
Home versions of all Tekken games have traditionally brought a host of extra features, including new characters and adventure modes. We’ve had Tekken Bowling and Beach Ball before now. Possibly Namco is still reserving something special as a surprise, but for now we know of a Scenario Campaign mode that plays out like street-fighting adventure for one or two players across Xbox LIVE or PlayStation Network. Other than providing some variety to the whole package, Scenario Campaign gives players opportunity to earn new items for character customisation which will contribute to kudos in online one-on-one battles.
Publisher Atari is going all out to support Tekken 6 when it arrives in October. There’s going to be a UK tournament that kicks off in Fresher Week at Universities and Colleges, with chance for younger and older-should-no-better players to enter at shopping centres and other public locations. The grand finals are currently planned to take place in November. There will be a couple of special edition versions of the game to buy too – one that includes a purpose-built wireless joystick developed by renowned Japanese hardware giant Hori, plus an artwork book (£149.99); the other is a Collector’s Edition comprising the game, Tekken 6 Hoodie, artwork book and poster (£69.99). Standard retail price for Tekken 6 alone is £49.99.
Top spot in the toughest arcade scene in the world should be enough to convince you of the game’s credibility. After 15 years it’s good to see that the Tekken team at Namco has lost none of its sass and class. We’re greatly looking forward to Tekken 6.
