Tekken 3 is an absolute masterpiece that defined 3D versus fighting. Exceptional 23-character roster, fluid and technical gameplay, generous game modes including Tekken Force and Tekken Ball. Technically revolutionary for PS1. Often cited as the greatest PS1 game of all time.
Your verdict
Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
Namco reference sequel, generation-eight 3D versus fighter with side-stepping and Tekken Force system. Created by Namco, released in 1998 in Japan, Asia, Australia, the United States and Europe with revision under the Tekken 3 title. Over twenty-three Tekken King of Iron Fist 3 fighters including Jin Kazama, Hwoarang and Eddy Gordo, 3D system with side-stepping and over eight modes including Tekken Force and Tekken Ball and electronic rock soundtrack. Multi-regional edition with revision under the Tekken 3 title.
Tekken 3 review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Masterful"
The sidestep opens the third dimension of combat and smooths everything: moving around the opponent, varying angles and punishing at the right moment becomes a treat of precision. The generous cast and the balanced fights make it a peak of the brawler. The arenas are plain, but the suppleness of the movement and the crispness of the strikes have barely aged.
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
The undisputed peak of the genre on the console: fights of staggering fluidity, a legendary roster and a sidestep system that revolutionises the duel. The handling stays instant, but the depth fuels years of practice. From the Tekken Force mode to the mini-games, the generosity is total. The benchmark 3D fighting game, still dazzling.
Addictiveness
"Obsessive"
Sidestepping, stringing together an aerial combo and reading your opponent turns every bout into a tense exchange where the rematch all but demands itself. The sprawling roster and side modes, like Tekken Force, keep rekindling the urge to play. A technical high point of the PS1, this fighter retains a fluidity and depth that still pull you in today.
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Massive"
Beyond its giant roster to unlock, this entry adds the Tekken Force mode and Tekken Ball to a gameplay of rare precision. Mastering each fighter, ferreting out the hidden characters and chaining versus matches considerably extends the fun. That generosity, a peak of 3D fighting on the console, offers a longevity combat fans still savour.
The Japanese and Asian version of Tekken 3, the series' peak on the console, rarer than the Western editions and sought by those wanting the original pressing in its native language. This edition appeals to versus fans attentive to the provenance of a genre culmination. Its local run supports a value above the more common PAL and American versions.
Better with friends
A peak of 3D fighting whose fluidity, sidestepping and immense roster make it an absolute versus benchmark. The competition combines speed, precision and reads, each character offering a depth that rewards investment without putting off the newcomer. Gorgeous, snappy and perfectly balanced, it chains breathless face-offs and remains, years on, a must for evenings with friends.
A cult cover
Jin and the star fighters surge up in a dynamic montage where gazes and fists answer each other: the cover sums up the rivalry and edge of the tournament at a glance. Marked contrasts and polished 3D renders convey the technical modernity and the deep roster. Punchy and clear, it proudly flaunts a peak of the fighting game.
Is Tekken 3 still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 1998 on PS1, Namco's project is widely considered one of the absolute peaks of 3D versus fighting. The animation fluidity, the readability of combos, Tekken Force and Tekken Ball offer enormous replay value. The renewed cast between nostalgia and new faces installs real modernity. The art direction and the music merge with the rhythm. The 3D modelling ages with its charm without losing any effectiveness. Strongly recommended today for every 3D versus devotee, for Namco fans and for PS1 collectors curious about a cornerstone of the console on Sony's first home console hardware globally.
