Good ol’ Tekken.  This is a fighting series that has endured the test of time, and now the sixth game of the primary series has landed in arcades, consoles, and even the PSP.  So how does the PSP version hold up relative to its console counterparts?

Developer: Namco Bandai
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Genre: Fighting
Console(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable

Disclaimer: This game was provided by Namco Bandai.

The verdict: Tekken 6 looks great, plays wonderfully, and packs an impressive amount of content onto the PSP.  It just gets old even faster than its console counterparts without the online play.

The concept of a fighter is something that would inherently fit well on a portable: Got ten minutes before your flight leaves?  Break out the PSP and K.O. a few opponents without having to run around looking for a save point.  All you need to do is make sure is that fighting game in question utilizes the full power of the PSP to offer an enjoyable experience.  Thankfully, Namco Bandai has brought the same enjoyable sixth iteration of the Tekken series to portable grounds, albeit with some expected trimming in terms of content.

Adjusting for new accommodations

Tekken 6 on the PSP may make some players wary because some cutdown is going to be inevitable, but the portable version of this game is as solid as you would get on a regular console.  No corners were cut from the experience itself.  The roster features a whopping 41 fighters ranging from series favorites to some superb newcomers from Tekken: Dark Resurrection, as well as newcomers for Tekken 6 itself.  Longtime series fans will notice that some tweaks have been made to existing characters in terms of move sets and abilities that help balance gameplay and emphasize different fighters’ strengths and weaknesses.  Most fighters are still generally accessible to newcomers, but veterans will easily be able to familiarize themselves with favorite characters.

It’s also nice to see Tekken 6 maintaining a sense of humor; the developers obviously didn’t try to take the game too seriously.  It’s not quite as silly as Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny, but Alisa is a good example of the game’s willingness to have fun.  Alisa is a new character who happens to be an android.  Her abilities include using chainsaws mounted to her arms and literally detaching her own head and using it as a bomb.

Round one, FI-okay, I’m done milking that joke

Beyond the character roster, the combat itself is a blast.  Abilities are used via the face buttons and stringing together moves and combos is a fairly robust process.  Characters all feel unique (even if they don’t have chainsaws for arms) and have their own play styles.  The variation on character styles makes for a fair amount of strategy.  Mashing buttons or just backing up and blocking will work up to a point, but like any repetitive strategy weaknesses will quickly be exploited.

Part of what makes the experience rewarding is how well the PSP has been used technologically.  While it’s true that the graphics are a step down from the 360 or PS3, they look fantastic for the PSP.  Character models and animations are smooth and crisp and environments are detailed and colorful.  Meanwhile, sounds like fierce shouts to accompany attacks or bone-crunching hits that land on the intended target come through crystal clear.  In short, technologically the game runs beautifully and only serves to make Tekken 6 on the PSP more enjoyable.  I’m not as keen on the music, which seems to be setting an epic feel, but just comes off as annoying and bombastically pretentious.

Game modes: The good and the bad

The only real difference between the PSP version of Tekken 6 and its console counterparts is the removal of the lengthy Campaign Scenario mode, which shouldn’t disappoint too many fans.  It’s a safe bet to say that few people care enough about the story of Tekken to let this be a deciding factor, since what we’re really here for is the combat.  The other modes focus more on combat and less on story and are subsequently more entertaining.  Arcade and Practice are the self-explanatory bread and butter of fighting games, measured by how good the combat in any fighter is: In this case, standard but very enjoyable.  They still spice things up because in Arcade mode there are some neat little additions, such as characters gaining ranks and five difficulty levels, all of which have level-appropriate AI.

Things get more interesting with Challenge mode, which features a litany of modes including Survival, Time Attack, and Gold Rush (where you get money for attacks, ala Super Smash Bros.).  Ghost Battles match you against AI opponents with different ranks.  What’s the reward for all of this?  The money, of course.  In Tekken 6 money can be used to purchase customization options for characters, including various clothing parts and even sound effects.  It’s nice to have a reward for fighting, although customization options are fairly limited.

While the offline single player modes are fun, after several hours you’ll pretty much know all the motions, and online is inevitably limited relative to the console counterparts.  The only way to play multiplayer is locally if someone has another Tekken 6 UMD disc on the PSP, and without the robust online system found on Xbox Live, Tekken 6 PSP’s most glaring weaknesses is exacerbated.  Replay value is fairly limited, especially if you’ve played previous games, meaning you will likely be familiar with the combat and core gameplay mechanics.

Final round

In the end, the Tekken 6 PSP version definitely holds up, but it’s a matter of what you personally want out of a fighter.  If online play matters to you, then steer clear; if you’re willing to trade a graphical downgrade and some content cutting in exchange for being able to play wherever you want, Tekken 6 on the PSP is definitely worth a look.