Copyright © 1994 - 1996, 2000 Namco Ltd.

It's been little over a month since Sony launched the PlayStation 2 in Japan. Given the disappointing games that accompanied the release, PS 2 owners have been waiting avidly for the next wave of "big games" to hit the streets. The most anticipated one is Namco's TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT (TTT). Namco has always been known for their great console ports, adding lots of bonuses and secrets to the games they bring home, and TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT is no exception. From the various extra (now requisite) game modes like Survival, Team Battle, or Time Attack, to the bonus "Tekken Bowl" mini-game, to the extra costumes, Namco has once again raised the benchmark in terms of "Easter Eggs" for a video game. In addition, the beautiful high polygon characters are the best looking version of the TEKKEN fighters to date. Yet all of this belies the sad fact that this game is nothing more than TEKKEN 3 with tag team action and prettier graphics. With the advent of more innovative and refreshing games like DEAD OR ALIVE 2, TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT's shortcomings become even more apparent.
Graphically, TTT is a tour-de-force. From the stunning CG opening movie (a trademark of every TEKKEN console game) and the high polygon fighters, you know that Namco went the extra mile for this port. The CG movies are just downright gorgeous. Check out Nina's close-up, when she applies lipstick and walks out, or Kazuya's leather trench coat blowing in the wind, John Woo-style and you'll see what I mean. The game also features full 3D backgrounds. However, they are not connected to the foreground. Instead, the background scrolls independently of the foreground, similar to what Sega did on the Saturn version of VIRTUA FIGHTER 2. The end result is that the game looks very fake at times. In certain stages, the background and foreground split is very noticeable and distracting. On the positive side, there are plenty of beautiful, subtle lighting effects for the backgrounds, like the sun shining on a bright day near the beach, or the realistic looking flames from the torches that adorn the inner temple of the next-to-last stage. The characters, as mentioned before, are the best looking renditions of the TEKKEN fighters that have ever existed. They look almost as good as their CG counterparts! When Jin is in his topless costume, the muscle definition and texture quality are without peer. Even Kuma finally progressed from a bunch of polygonal blocks to resembling a real bear this time.
Aurally, the voices haven't improved that much. They sound exactly like the arcade version. After DEAD OR ALIVE 2, TTT now seems a bit "empty" without any actual spoken dialog. After all, even Namco's very own SOUL CALIBUR had voice-overs. This simply further accentuates how dated this game really is. Musically, the game is a blend of Namco's standard electronica, with a bit of techno mixed in. There are a few tracks that are decent, but most of them just do the job with nothing special to recommend. At least they are better than RIDGE RACER V's wretched mess.
However, it is the game play that's the real disappointment for TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT. This game is literally TEKKEN 3 with the ability to "tag in" a second fighter. That's it, nothing more. The controls are the same as previous versions—left and right punch/kick buttons, plus a button to switch out your fighter during a match. Other than that, the game is the standard button-mashing "dial-a-combo" fights with air juggling galore. There are some complexities at higher levels with sidestepping and counters, but the game is still exactly like TEKKEN 3. This was sufficient in the past, but with newer and better games, TTT feels very "sluggish" and "sticky." The moves are nowhere as responsive as games like DOA2 or even SOUL CALIBUR. This is not to say that the game play is horrible—it's certainly no RISE OF THE ROBOTS—but after playing the newer 3D fighters and then hopping into TTT, it just feels old.
In the end, TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT ends up joining the same category as nearly every single PS 2 game to date—disappointing. It may appeal to die-hard TEKKEN fans, given that it has the entire cast from TEKKEN 3, plus most of the older ones like Kazama Jun and Kazuya. Being able to switch out partners is fun, but that's quickly becoming a standard these days, as nearly every single fighting game released this year has some kind of tag team or partner system in place. If pretty graphics are your thing, then you may want to check out TTT; but if you prefer more innovative and fun game play, go for DEAD OR ALIVE 2. Hopefully TEKKEN 4 will provide as much improvement in game play as TTT did with graphics.

Rating: 7.9/10

Sony PlayStation 2 (1 DVD)
3D Fighting
1 to 4 Players
Multitap / Namco Joystick compatible, Requires 420 KB memory
SLPS 20015
¥ 6800
Available now in Japan
Where to buy