For those who are new to the Tekken series, which has been around since the mid-1990s, understanding the timing and storyline of the games can be a little overwhelming.
Unlike other fighting games, Tekken has a complex narrative that revolves around the tumultuous lives of a highly dysfunctional and dramatic family, making it stand out from the rest.
The Tekken series revolves around the Mishima family’s conflicts, including battles between fathers and sons, grandfathers and grandsons, and everything in between.
Below, you will find a comprehensive list of all the Tekken games arranged in chronological order, including any spinoff titles. Additionally, the release years of each game will be provided.
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Tekken Games list in chronological Order
Throughout the last few decades, the Tekken franchise has consistently released multiple games, each one contributing to the overall epic story.
Alongside these game releases, there have been regular updates to the hardware and gameplay, ensuring that the series remains modern and up-to-date.
Below is a comprehensive list of the Tekken games released in chronological order, along with their respective release years.
1. Tekken
The initial game begins with the introduction of Kazuya at the age of five, where he is thrown down a mountain by his father. In Tekken 7, it is revealed that Kazuya’s mother possessed a unique ability known as a devil form, and Heihachi was curious to see if his son had inherited it as well.
The subsequent narrative revolves around Kazuya’s desire for vengeance against his father, ultimately leading to his successful overthrow.
2. Tekken 2
In the next installment of the Tekken series, the storyline takes place two years after the previous game. It focuses on Kazuya, who has taken over his father’s business. Unfortunately, both Kazuya and the company have become more corrupt than ever before.
This game introduces Jun Kazama, who crosses paths with Kazuya and eventually becomes the mother of his son, Jin.
However, being a caring and devoted father is not a trait commonly associated with the Mishima men, and Kazuya is no exception. Though he did have feelings for Jun, he was never destined to become a family man.
3. Tekken 3
The storyline of this game revolves around Jin, who was brought up solely by his mother. Taking place approximately 15-20 years after the last King of Iron Fist Tournament, Jin embarks on a journey to seek guidance and training from his grandfather, Heihachi, in order to become powerful enough to defeat a formidable creature known as Ogre.
Unbeknownst to Jin, Heihachi has hidden intentions and plans to exploit Ogre’s power for his personal benefit. Jin’s motivation stems from a deep desire to avenge his mother, whom he believes was murdered by Ogre.
4. Tekken Tag Tournament
In this game, players engaged in a player-versus-player format, similar to Tekken 3. Teams of two battled against each other, featuring a roster of characters from both Tekken 2 and Tekken 3.
5. Tekken Card Challenge
Although not directly related to the main storyline, this particular game features characters from Tekken 3, making it closely associated with that installment. It was a card game, similar to popular titles like Yu-Gi-Oh or Pokemon, specifically designed for the WonderSwan console.
The WonderSwan, a portable gaming device, was released only in Japan to compete with the Game Boy Color and the Neo Geo Pocket Color. It remained successful for a considerable period of time until Bandai, its owner, decided to discontinue it in 2003.
6. Tekken Advance
Tekken Advance, a game released for the Gameboy Advance, features numerous characters from Tekken 3 and has a storyline that closely resembles it, although it is not considered official canon.
This game marked the first time a Tekken title was made available on a Nintendo console, as Bandai Namco aimed to introduce the franchise to handheld gaming in the Western market, considering the previous handheld console, WonderSwan, had region restrictions.
7. Tekken 4
In the fourth release of the Tekken game series, the storyline continues two years after the events of the previous game. The plot revolves around Heihachi, who is engaged in biogenetic experiments.
Surprisingly, he discovers that his son, who he believed to have perished in a volcano twenty years ago, may still be alive. To bring his son, Jin, and grandson together, Heihachi hosts the King of the Iron Fist tournament. This leads to a highly dramatic family reunion, as anticipated in such a scenario.
8. Tekken 5
Continuing from the events of the previous game, this installment begins with Jin leaving his father and grandfather unconscious. In an unexpected turn of events, Heihachi is absent for the majority of the game, as someone else takes charge of organizing the tournament.
This surprising individual happens to be Jinpachi, who is Heihachi’s father and Jin’s great-grandfather. Although Jinpachi is not as ruthless as his son, there is a twist associated with his character.
9. Death By Degrees
Nina Williams, a highly beloved character in the Tekken series, has gained immense popularity. As a result, she received her own standalone game that delves deep into her personal history. The exact timeline of this game is not specified in the Tekken franchise.
Nonetheless, a notable scene occurs where Nina partially resolves her long-standing rivalry with her sister Anna. Although the interaction is brief, it appears to play a significant role in shaping the events that unfold in the main Tekken games.
10. Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
The PSP version of this game follows the same storyline as the original Tekken 5, but with some additional characters and plotlines. Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection introduces new characters such as Emilie de Rochefort, Sergei Dragunov, and Armor King II, each with their own unique stories.
11. Tekken 6
Tekken 6 is considered one of the most intense games in the series, as it continues the story a few years after Jin’s victory over his grandfather and his subsequent control of the Mishima Zaibatsu company.
Despite witnessing the negative influence of his father and grandfather, Jin fails to resist corruption. In fact, it is unveiled that he manipulates the company’s power to bring about global chaos.
12. Tekken Tag Tournament 2
The sequel to the original Tekken Tag Tournament game follows a similar format, but with the inclusion of characters from previous Tekken games, rather than just those from the second and third installment.
While Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is not considered part of the official storyline, certain endings, such as Julia’s, are mentioned in Tekken 7. The main focus of the game’s story revolves around Heihachi, who gains enhanced strength from a rejuvenation serum, as he organizes a fresh King of Iron Fist Tournament.
13. Tekken 3D: Prime Edition
The Tekken 6 remake is now available on a Nintendo console, making it the second game in the series to do so. Although it doesn’t include a story mode or some other modes, it still deserves recognition for its impressive roster of 41 characters and smooth gameplay at 60fps on the Nintendo 3DS.
14. Tekken Revolution
Tekken Revolution, a fighting game available for free on the PlayStation store in 2013, has unfortunately been discontinued since 2017. This game offered various modes such as Arcade, Online, Warm-Up, and Mokujin Rush, with a focus on attracting new players to the Tekken franchise.
15. Tekken 7
The chronological order of the Tekken games begins with Tekken 7, which delves into the early life of Heihachi Mishima.
In the original Tekken game, it is revealed that Heihachi throws his son off a cliff in order to assess his strength, although the reason behind this action remains unexplained.
Tekken 7 provides insight into Heihachi’s upbringing as the son of renowned martial artist Jinpachi Mishima.
In the Tekken game series, Heihachi takes control by overthrowing his father and condemning him to be trapped underground. His father is left to perish in this dark prison.
Additionally, the game delves into the story of Heihachi’s wife, Kazumi, who is the mother of their son, Kazuya.
The ongoing narrative in the present day centers around the consequences of Jin’s conflict with Akuma. The war between the Mishima Zaibatsu and the G Corporation continues to fiercely unfold.
16. Tekken Mobile
The creators of the Tekken series tried their hand at developing a Gacha game with Tekken Mobile. Unfortunately, the game’s pay-to-win elements were not well-received by players, leading to its closure within a year of its launch.
17. Tekken 8
In the latest installment of the Tekken series, Tekken 8, Jin Kazama takes on the role of the main character once again. This time, he faces off against Kazuya Mishima, who serves as the primary antagonist.
Following the events of Tekken 7, it is believed that Heihachi is no longer alive. Meanwhile, Kazuya has evolved into a formidable and larger-than-life villain. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance as the family conflicts persist.
The ending of The Dark Awakens storyline marks the end of the Jin vs Kazuya plotline in the Tekken series. However, it also introduces a new character who could potentially be a protagonist or antagonist, depending on Bandai Namco’s decision.
Reina Mishima, the newest member of the troubled Mishima family, is unveiled as Heihachi’s daughter and becomes the focal point of the game’s closing scene.
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