Tekken 6 Greatest Hits Edition (Sony Playstation 3, 2009)

Fighting game fans have had quite a few things to be happy about this year. Street Fighter IV, Soulcalibur IV and BlazBlue all found their way to consoles these past several months and each game was very well received. If those fantastic fighters weren't enough for you -- or they just didn't float your boat -- a little game called Tekken 6 might be what you were waiting for. Following in a long line of arcade fighters, Tekken 6 continues the one-on-one, 3D tradition with the franchise's biggest roster yet, and some nice gameplay refinements.

Tournament-level players won't have much to learn, mechanics wise, from this article besides the fact that this is a great game and it works well on consoles. For Tekken newcomers, however, I'll tell you that Tekken 6 -- like its predecessors -- combines a pick-up-and-play mentality with the potential for seriously in-depth strategies and mind games. While Tekken is not for everybody, Tekken 6 should appeal to a fairly wide variety of fighting game fans.

Although the Campaign Scenario story mode might seem like the primary mode in Tekken 6, it's no more than a simple distraction from the real fighting at hand. What's most important here is the offline modes and online multiplayer, which all use the standard Tekken fighting engine in one way or another.

If you're planning on playing Tekken 6 on your own, you'll be able to enjoy the Arcade, Ghost Battles, Time Trial, Survival and Practice modes. The only things here that might be unfamiliar to fighting game fans are the Ghost Battles. This mode is actually one of my favorite elements in the single-player equation, as you're pitted against a steady stream of new AI opponents, or ghosts, that possess different ranks. At the end of the battle, you can use the D-pad to select your next opponent out of a list of three, or you can opt to end the Ghost Battle session. This mode is made even more palatable thanks to the monetary reward you receive after every victory.

You'll be earning some sweet coin for almost everything you do in Tekken 6. The primary use of money is to purchase extra customization items for every character on the roster. For example, earn enough cash and you can buy a sweet new jacket for your favorite fighter. Or perhaps you'll pay more than 1.5 million dollars on a ponytail haircut for Lili (I'm guilty of that one). Being able to constantly earn money for unlocking costumes is a great way to reward players that keep coming back for more.

Character customization is no fun if there isn't some rewarding gameplay to back it up. Fortunately, Tekken 6 has some extremely enjoyable gameplay to sink your teeth into. Once again, there are really only four buttons you need to worry about: one assigned to each limb of your character. With two punches, two kicks and then basic movement, almost anyone can pick up a controller and start mashing away to execute some basic attacks. However, there's a surprisingly deep system underneath the simple interface. Once you begin to study parries, counters, ukemis (falling and/or getting up from being knocked down) juggles, wall hits and more, you'll soon see that Tekken 6 is hardly a button-masher.

Although beginners can get by in Tekken 6 by mashing buttons, the real fun comes from learning the game's intricate sub-systems and developing a sense of the mind games that play out about between two skilled opponents. Tekken 6 has a lot to offer, including a massive roster, refined gameplay, plenty of modes, online multiplayer and an absurd amount of character customization options.

It's a shame that the game's load times aren't better, because the awkward pauses between matches interrupt the otherwise frantic and heart-pounding pacing of combat. That, coupled with the dry Campaign Scenario, keep Tekken 6 from being the absolute best it could be. With that said, Tekken fans will certainly gobble it up and I think gamers unfamiliar with the franchise should give it a shot. The unique mix of an easy-to-use interface with intensely deep strategies is definitely worth checking out.

7.0 Presentation
The story really doesn't make any sense at this point. Load time are tolerable, but could have been a lot better.
7.5 Graphics
In-game character models are quite nice, but certain environments (like the water-filled Mystical Forest) fail to impress.
7.5 Sound
Decent tunes mix with an odd combination of numerous languages. Characters speak in English, Japanese and Chinese. How do they understand each other?!
8.5 Gameplay
Approachable, but still a very deep game with a steep learning curve for those interested in mastering a character or two. Campaign Scenario is a fine distraction, but could have been better.
9.0 Lasting Appeal
Learning every character could take ages. And it would take just as long to unlock all the costumes in this game.

8.8
Great OVERALL

This game is available in my eBay store at a good price:
http://stores.shop.ebay.c​om/Mariio128-Gamemate

The game so nice I bought it twice! Owning it for Xbox 360, and recently purchased for PS3. Tekken 6 has a lot of replay value, es-specially if you are in to fighting games. You can customize character, by mix and matching different hair styles, tops, bottoms, head gear, default colors. Endless combination's are possible to make them look amazing for every fighter online to see. I haven't found a character online that looks exactly like mine, yet! The story mode isn't so good, but allows a easy way of making money for customization. This game is made for online play, without it, it has very little replay value unless you have friends that enjoy it as well. Overall It's a game so good I had to buy twice, and the one I play the most frequently out of 22 games I already own. It's a must have for fans of fighting games like Dead or Alive or Virtual Fighter!

This is a great game. I best feature of this game would have to be the bounce system in my opinion. Its creative and keeps you busy in pratice trying to master it.The character customization on Tekken 6 is a huge improvement from the previous title.You can customize hairstyle any way you want and the store has a huge selection of cloths to choose from. I brought this game because I am big fan of great fighting games and Tekken is my favorite. It's fun, creative and theres 40 characters to play with which makes it almost impossible not to find a character you dont like.

I actually bought 2 Tekken 6, one is shared by my roommate and me and another one just for my own collection. I love Tekken since from Tekken 3 in PS. Tekken 6 character's move is faster than previous one. and there are few new move , that can help player do the combo move; I call that conjunction move. I personally prefer use joy stick rather use PS3 control. For me joystick is easier to do the combos. hm.....but the campaign mode is lame. Or if you feel bored against other ppl, you might get interest on campaign mode.