Tekken Would Be Leaving a Goldmine Untapped without a Classic Collection

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As a gamer who has been around since the dawn of the fighting game era, I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia when it comes to the iconic series that shaped my childhood gaming experiences – and Tekken is undeniably one of those titans. With its rich history spanning over three decades, it’s a bit disheartening to see Bandai Namco seemingly unwilling to tap into the goldmine that is a classic Tekken collection.

For decades, Tekken has held a prominent place in the realm of fighting games, standing tall among the numerous 2D franchises that have gained popularity. However, due to its long history, many of the initial Tekken games are becoming increasingly hard to find on contemporary platforms. Given that other esteemed series such as Street Fighter are thriving by revisiting their roots and updating older games through retro collections, it seems a pity if other leading fighting game franchises don’t follow suit.

Pondering over the journey that led to the success of Tekken 8, now in its 30th year of innovation, it’s worth considering the path that brought this franchise to where it is today. However, with Bandai Namco seemingly disinterested in revisiting these classic games from their past, they find themselves in a more vulnerable position compared to other prominent titles from the arcade and early 3D gaming eras.

The Creator of Tekken Isn’t Particularly Interested in Releasing Tekken Retro Collections

Harada’s Reservations About Tekken’s Classic Entries Explained

It’s plausible that we might see Tekken offer a compilation of its older versions on modern consoles, considering the examples like the Capcom Fighting Collection and Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics. With numerous main series games and spin-offs culminating in T8, many of which aren’t available digitally across different generations, such a release could make them more accessible with added features. However, creator Katsuhiro Harada hasn’t shown much excitement about this possibility yet.

During an interview with TheGamer, Harada subtly hinted at fans’ wish for a classic compilation, expressing some reservations about the quality of the earlier games in the series.

…”To be honest, I can’t envision myself spending long hours playing Tekken 3 with friends like I used to with 2D fighters. There seems to be a distinct gap between the two in terms of extended play sessions.

Despite the fact that the early graphics of the initial three Tekken games might appear crude when set against more modern titles, they were revolutionary at their time and continue to maintain a dedicated fanbase. Given the numerous benefits for both Bandai Namco and players, it would be unwise to overlook the potential of retro Tekken releases.

Tekken Could Be Leaving a Goldmine Untapped Without a Classic Collection

The Value of Early 3D Era Nostalgia Shouldn’t Be Underestimated

Despite some reservations, there’s a certain charm in attempting to recapture the greatness of Tekken’s early years. Harada might have had doubts about revisiting the third game, but Tekken 3 introduced Jin Kazama who remains a significant figure in the series’ storyline. It might be more plausible for later games like T5 and T6 to be released together with similar graphical quality, but each of their predecessors holds significance as milestones. If fans still appreciate the pixelated style of Capcom classics, it seems reasonable that Tekken’s original aesthetic could also be revisited favorably.

Tekken’s History Deserves to Be Properly Archived

Maintaining access to all ‘Tekken’ games is essential not just for their monetary value, but also for preserving its long-standing reputation. A well-curated retro collection focusing on the first trilogy, for instance, could prevent these foundational fighting games from becoming forgotten relics of playability. If additional features such as behind-the-scenes developer information and concept art similar to what’s offered in ‘Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection’ are included, this historical record of ‘Tekken’s’ development could make for an appealing buy for many enthusiasts.

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2024-10-06 17:05