The King of the Iron Fist Tournament Returns: Tekken 3 Added to PS Plus Classics
Bandai Namco has resurrected an incredible fighting game, Tekken 3; the 1998 classic is now available for modern consoles under the PlayStation Plus Classic lineup, keeping intact the original feel of the game that defined a generation of fighting games.
A Landmark Evolution of 3D Fight
After the successful Tekken 2, Tekken 3 took the series forward and pushed some tectonic shifts in gameplay. It introduced side-stepping, adding a layer of counter-play to movement, but restricted jumping in such a way that the combats felt grounded and realistic. Moreover, the release included the experimental modes that made the original unforgettable, namely the beat-'em-up minigame Tekken Force and the unique Tekken Ball mode.
A New Generation of Fighters Introduction
The plot of the game revolves around Heihachi Mishima continuing the King of the Iron Fist tournament, as fighters around the world begin to go missing. Amid this chaos arises a young man Jin Kazama, seeking revenge and the personalized face for this franchise.
Tekken 3 was the first appearance for some of the series' most iconic characters such as:
- Jin Kazama
- Ling Xiaoyu
- Eddy Gordo
- Hwoarang
- Julia Chang
- Bryan Fury
- King II
The game is also responsible for directly inspiring the 2022 Netflix anime Tekken: Bloodline in terms of story and characters.
Modern Features and How to Play
And while game mechanics stay close to the textbook definition, some quality-of-life improvements have been put in, such as video filter customizations, rewind options, and quick saves. However, no online multiplayer options.
You can access Tekken 3 on both PS4 and PS5 in two main ways:
- As part of the PlayStation Plus Classic library for subscribers.
- As a separate standalone purchase for $9.99 USD.
