Tekken 3

"The best yet, and an arcade-perfect translation."

The Tekken series, we all know, is undoubtedly one of the best fighting game series ever made. Well, Tekken 3 for the PlayStation is the best yet, and is an arcade-perfect translation.

Graphics: 10/10

The graphics in this game are arcade-perfect. The polygonal fighters are perfectly animated, and the characters are incredibly well-constructed. The backrounds are also very detailed, and beautifully drawn. The lighting effects are really cool as well. The FMVs are great! I haven't seen such quality in a FMV that's not made by Square. Granted, they're not QUITE as good as Square's movies, but they're pretty damn close. Graphically, the game is quite a treat. Well done, Namco!

Music/Sound: 9/10

The music consists of cool upbeat fightin' music. If I had the money, I'd probably get the soundtrack.. the music really adds an element of excitement to an already heated fight. Be sure to crank the volume way up when you play this game. It helps you get into the game a lot more. The sound effects are also arcade-quality, from the sound of a simple jab to the sound of a cracking neck (as a result of a well-timed throw on your part).

Control: 9/10

The controls are very responsive and easy to learn. The Triangle and Square Buttons are used for the punches, and the Circle and X Buttons are used for the kicks. (I'm pretty sure.. I haven't played this game in awhile.. too busy with Brave Fencer Musashi!) The only thing I don't like about the controls is the somewhat sluggish way the Control Pad functions. I notice a little delay when I jab the Control Pad in a certain direction. Even though that's a minor flaw, it can get on your nerves after awhile. Also, Analog Pad compatibility would've been nice. (Actually, this game might have had compatibility with the Analog Pad, I'm just not sure. If it in fact does, consider my score a 10 for Control..)

Story: 9/10

The story, for a fighting game, is pretty cool. Each character in the game as their own reason for fighting in the tournament, and most of them are pretty good. Some of them are rather boring, but most are good. For example, Yoshimitsu has entered the tournament to get a vial of Ogre (the last enemy)'s blood, which happens to be the only thing that can save his friend, Dr. Boskonovitch. Nina, now brainwashed, is just a puppet controlled by her kidnappers. Lei is just out to prove himself (good story, eh?). Anyway, the stories are somewhat compelling.

Fun Factor: 10/10

This game is FUN. Not only because it's one of the best, if not THE best, fighting game ever made, but because there are SO MANY extra things to do. For starters, you can get a secret character for every normal character you beat the game with, plus two more secret characters: Gon, a little Japanese comic book dinosaur, and Dr. Boskonovitch. Then there's "Tekken Ball Mode", a volleyball style game in which you and the computer or a friend hit a ball back and forth over a net using your various techniques. There's also a mode called "Force Mode", which is a four-stage Streets of Rage type game, except you get to control a character from Tekken 3. And there's also "Theater Mode", where you can view any of the ending movies you've earned so far, in addition to the beginning movies. The real plus about this mode is that you can put in the Tekken 2 or Tekken 1 disc, and watch all the movies from those games without any prerequisites.. very cool. Also, in Theater Mode, you can listen to every music track in the game, and this goes for Tekken 2 and Tekken 1, as well. And then, of course, there's the normal modes: Arcade Mode, Vs. Mode, and the Survival Mode. There's also an extensive Options screen that lets you change a LOT of features. And get this: it can all be saved to memory card! Needless to say, it's gonna be hard to get bored with this one..

Overall: 9/10

Obviously, if you're a fighting game fan, this is a definite must buy, hands- down. It's simply a great game. The only other game I can think of that equals this as a fighting game is X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, for Saturn.. with the 4MB RAM Cart, it totally outperforms that PlayStation version. You will love this game, guaranteed.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 07/16/01