Tekken 3

"By far the best 3-D fighting game ever made!!!"

Namco has definitely proven that they really took pride in their work, creating PlayStation games that were better than their arcade version. Time crisis, Tekken 2, Soul Edge etc were some of the examples. For example, Time Crisis has a special mode whereby you can't find it in the arcade and is only exlusive to the PlayStation version. Namco, you are perfectionist. I like your attitude.

When Virtua Fighter 3 was shown to the public, many thought that the Saturn could not handle such high-end graphics, so the game was saved for Dreamcast. This shows Sega's attitude. They have never taken pride in their work and has never been serious enough to support the Saturn. What happened to Saturn might happen to Dreamcast anytime! Okay, back to the main topic.

When Tekken 3 was first shown to the public, like Virtua Fighter 3, it was previously thought that Namco faced a dilemma situation as Sega, that was to port the game into the PS, yet keeping it arcade-perfect or even better. But Namco has done it, not only better than the arcade version, it definitely shows that they are serious about it unlike some company mentioned above ^, and mostly importantly, it shows that in terms of 3-D graphics,the PlayStation are far more superior than Saturn.

Tekken 3 runs on Namco's system 12 board, the technology successor to Tekken 2's system 11 board, and Namco has boasted that the new technology is 50% more powerful than Tekken 2. This isn't a lied, but it definitely shows in the game. Polygonal characters are now larger, smoother and have finer textures and sport a higher polygon count than Tekken 2. Characters have very realistic and lifelike physical appearances, including hands [You can see the individual fingers quite clearly], outfits and a lot of attention has been paid to the realistic backgrounds and moves.

Fighting combat is essentially the same as the previous tekken series. Even Though characters are in 3-D polygons, combat takes place in a 2-D plane, still you will feel that as if it is a 3-D game. In Tekken 3, a new feature has been introduced to the game. By tapping the controller either up or down, it will allow the characters to move into and out of the plane or combat, thus giving a more realistic 3-D feeling, and leads to some new strategies. Clearly, Tekken fans have to learn this.

Though some say that Virtua Fighter 3 has slighly better graphics than Tekken 3, i prefer Tekken 3 more because of its frenetic pace and chain-combo craziness. It is not that easy to master all the combos; some are unique whereas some hard ones requires good timing. One of the best features from Tekken is the raw speed whereby character dashes toward your opponent. The fast pace of the combat is hard to be believed and must be seen to experience it. No doubt, it's by far the best game.

It seems that Tekken 3 may be the last of it series for PlayStation. Like any normal Namco fighting game, you have to fight through stages to discover hidden characters, hidden options or modes etc. Tekken 3 features a large cast of playable characters, with over 20 characters and each of the characters has its background origin fully explained through CG. While the CG or FMVs may not be up to Final Fantasy VIII or Parasite Eve's standard, it is definitely one of the best. Just to add on, the hidden theatre mode will allow you to watch all the FMVs and sound/musics test from all Tekken series, including Tekken 1 and 2, provided that you own these games. Besides the usual survival, time attack mode etc, Tekken 3 has included a few other new modes, like Tekken Ball Mode, Tekken Force Mode etc.

The Tekken Ball mode allows you to play with 'ball' of course, but using any moves that you have, you have to try and kick or punch the ball into your opponent's side and if it hits the ground, your opponent will get hurt, sort of like playing volleyball. Once your character's HP runs out, you will win. Damage can also accumulate in the ball too. And, in my opinion, it's by far the most addicting mode in the whole of Tekken 3.

The Tekken Force mode plays you in a story mode whereby you control any character and defeat enemies and bosses to get over to different stages. Along the way, you find items like chicken to boast your strength. My only complaint for Tekken Force is that the control isn't that precise as i have thought when trying to walk up and down the plane.

Nevertheless, Tekken 3 is by far the best 3-D fighting game ever and in my opinion, far more superior than Virtua Fighter 3 in almost every aspect and no diehard fighting gamers should live without it. No doubt, Tekken 3 is definitely a must for all PlayStation owners.

Story : 7.0/10.0
Graphics : 10.0/10.0
Concept : 10.0/10.0
Control : 10.0/10.0
Music : 9.0/10.0
Sound : 9.0/10.0
Gameplay : 10.0/10.0
Replay : 10.0/10.0
Challenge : 9.0/10.0
Presentation : 8.0/10.0
Overall : 10.0/10.0

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/28/00, Updated 12/16/02