Tekken: How PlayStation made it famous

Tekken: How PlayStation Made it Famous

A Console Revolution

This article explores how the partnership between Sony and Namco propelled Tekken from arcade hit to global phenomenon on the original PlayStation. The author recounts personal experiences playing Tekken, highlighting the game’s stunning graphics and complex moves which felt revolutionary compared to other fighting games of the time.

The PlayStation’s success significantly broadened Tekken’s appeal, moving it beyond hardcore arcade fans. The console’s popularity, coupled with Namco’s other PlayStation exclusive, Ridge Racer, made Tekken a must-have title.

Arcade to Home: A Seamless Transition

The article features interviews with Katsuhiro Harada, Tekken’s development chief, and Ryan Hart, a renowned Tekken champion. Harada discusses Namco’s arcade-first approach and Sony’s strategic role in Tekken’s Western success. Hart shares his experience of winning a PlayStation and Ridge Racer, transforming his gaming habits and practice.

Both emphasize the remarkably high quality of Tekken’s PlayStation ports; so good, in fact, that many didn’t even perceive them as ports at all, rather, the arcade experience, brought home.

Accessibility and Mainstream Appeal

The introduction of characters like Eddy in Tekken 3 is discussed as a key factor in Tekken’s mainstream appeal. Eddy’s accessibility, allowing for effective play even with button-mashing, opened the game to a broader audience. This aligned perfectly with the PlayStation’s ambition to reach casual gamers, resulting in countless hours of gameplay, even among those not typically drawn to fighting games.

Tekken 3’s immense success on the PS1, selling 8.36 million copies, cemented its place in gaming history. The article concludes by reflecting on the lasting impact of this symbiotic relationship between Sony and Namco, and how it helped to define the PlayStation’s early success.