Tekken Tag Tournament 2 received the patch 1.03 update this week for both consoles in most regions. Harada confirmed on Twitter that all regions have now been updated and are able to download the patch upon launching the game.

This fixes a few glitches, removes "all" from the Saudi Arabia stage and has a ton of online improvements.
Changed “RANK MATCH” search conditions:
• Removed “Rank ±5 only”, added “Rank ±2 only”
• • By selecting “Rank ±3 preferred”, “Rank ±2 only”, or “Rank ±3 only”, it’s now easier to be matched with players near your rank.
• When setting a win limit in “PLAYER MATCH”, the player who reaches the win limit is now moved to the end of the match queue.
• When entering the WORLD ARENA lobby, the period for the next TOURNAMENT is displayed. (Not displayed during an active TOURNAMENT period)
• When requesting a free battle in WORLD ARENA, and when finding an opponent in RANDOM MATCH ZONE, a distinct alert noise sounds.
• When downloading replay data from TEKKEN CHANNEL and LEADERBOARDS, the download number is now displayed.

Changed the following in-game content:
• Adjusted Alisa and JACK-6 tag throw throw escape.
• Adjusted the behavior of Alisa’s “Hertz Blade Aegis” when used in an juggle combo.
• Changed the wall hit damage for P.JACK’s item move “Claw Crane” (u+1+4).
• Changed the behavior of Sebastian’s Stone Garden (d/b+4, b+1) when used during a Tag Assault.
• The use of "Allah" in the Saudi Arabia stage has presumably been removed.

 
Namco’s Tekken series is making the leap to the Wii U. The fighting game favourite is one of the first big games slotted for the console. But does it pack enough punch on the Wii U?

To cater to Wii U players, Nintendo and Namco have tailed the Wii U edition with loads of platform specific goodies, such as clothing and Nintendo music.

New to the Tekken series and only on the Wii U is the “Mushroom Battle” mode, in which players can gobble up various mushrooms as power-ups: the Red Mushroom makes you grow one size larger, the Yellow Mushroom makes you grow to “mega size”, and the Purple Mushroom shrinks you.

The Mushroom Battle opens up new gameplay dynamics. According to Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada, the mode isn’t balanced any differently if you don’t use the mushrooms; however, if you do use them, it opens up a new style of play.

The Mushroom Battle mode is a new spin on Tekken. When you grow larger, it makes high kicks often meaningless against smaller players. It looks, and perhaps sounds, gimmicky. It’s not, as it was surprisingly enjoyable to play, mixing up elements of strategy, technique, and just dumb luck.

In a roundtable discussion, Harada said that the mode wasn’t originally inspired by Nintendo. While developing Tekken Tag 2, developers were messing around with a slider, making some characters smaller and other characters huge. They thought it was interesting, but it wasn’t until they started working on the Wii U version that the idea hit to use the mechanic with Mario’s iconic mushrooms.

Whether or not there’s an online version of the Mushroom Battle is still TBA. Harada stressed that the game’s online would be comparable to the Xbox 360 and PS3 regarding lag or the lack thereof.

While demoing Tekken Tag Tournament 2 for the Wii U, Harada used the Wii U GamePad, saying that he found it comfortable. During my hands on, I used both the Wii U GamePad and the Pro Controller, preferring the Wii U GamePad — even though, the thing is very, very wide. There are shortcuts for attacks on the Wii U GamePad, and use them in succession to unleash combos. These shortcuts are aimed at players new to Tekken.

During my hands on, the Pro Controller didn’t feel very responsive; it’s too light; what’s more, the buttons are mushy. The controls didn’t feel tight, and that felt more like a hardware issue. Harada, however, said they are in talks to bring a fight stick out for the game, which should please hardcore fighting game fans. Namco’s hoping that the Tekken Tag 2 on the Wii U will, too.
 
Players who pick up Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition will be able to dress up their characters as both Mario and Luigi, according to Eurogamer. In addition to these beloved heroes, fight game enthusiasts will be able to stuff their brawler into Bowser, Link, and Zelda costumes. Since these industry icons are exclusive to Nintendo’s consoles, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 owners probably shouldn’t hold their breaths.


CVG reports that the latest installment in the Tekken franchise will also feature Nintendo-oriented power-ups — keep an eye out for Mario’s magic mushrooms during showdowns — which are exclusive to this particular version of the game.

Although the idea of seeing your favorite Tekken characters dressed up as Mario and Luigi may sound appealing, early reviews of the mode haven’t been overwhelmingly positive. Shack News writer Andrew Yoon described his experience with the exclusive mode as follows:

“Perhaps my biggest gripe with Mushroom Battle Mode is that the fights are much too short. Given how absurdly powerful some of these characters can become, fights can be over as soon as they start. Also, there’s no tagging in this mode, meaning fights are (essentially) half as long as they could be.”

Of course, the Wii U isn’t the only console with exclusive content. According to Gamenguide, those who pre-ordered Tekken Tag Tournament 2 were given access to “The Snoop Dogg Stage” and “The Big Bikini Bundle”. As of this writing, these additions haven’t been announced for the Wii U. Then again, console owners are getting Mario and Luigi costumes, so, chances are, they’re not crying too much over missing out on Snoop Dogg’s arena.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition is scheduled to arrive for the console sometime after November 18. Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 owners, meanwhile, can pick up their copies of the fighter right now. The trailer for the title has been embedded below.
 
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is filled with more. More characters. More in-match participants. More button smashing.

More lunacy.

The sequel to 1999’s Tekken Tag Tournament is a noncanonical sidestep in the constant battle that is Namco Bandai’s bare-knuckle 3D fighting franchise. So this 55-combatant (not including downloadable entrants), storyline-cracking free-for-all is technically nothing but an illusive blip on an already convoluted Tekken timeline — and a figment of chief producer Katsuhiro Harada’s already insane imagination.

But after stuffing myself with repeated trips to this buffet of brawls, I’m left wondering if Namco’s more friendly approach is the best direction for the series.



WHAT YOU’LL LIKE



Become the ultimate Don Armor King

In TT2’s fantasy world, you can put on the dream fights you’ve always wanted to see. You have a ridiculously dense (and in some cases, just plain ridiculous) roster of ruffians to rumble with, either solo or in tag teams. The franchise’s warring Mishima and Kazama clans are at your disposal, along with pretty much every other mainstay from Tekkens No. 1 through 6.

Gameplay is as tight as Nina Williams’ outfit

Tekken’s responsive and fast-paced controls are in full effect here. Fights are as frantic and fun as you would expect. The core mechanics introduced in the last Tekken release are back with a tag-team focused twist. Destructible, multitiered environments return, as well, making combat especially dynamic and dangerous.

Fight Lab is a useful, albeit bizarre new addition

Series newcomers and veterans alike can benefit from the Fight Lab. The all-new mode is a glorified tutorial, complete with a wacky storyline featuring Violet, the millionaire philanderer alter ego of playable pugilist Lee Chaolan. As you progress through the Lab’s brief campaign, you’ll help Violet program his prototype Combot. Each chapter highlights a specific gameplay mechanic, culminating with a boss battle.

By the end of the experience, you’ll have worked on offensive and defensive basics while learning essential tag-team techniques. And you’ll probably have scratched your head a few times at the completely random narrative interludes. As a bonus, you’ll be able to program the Combot for customized training sessions.

Flying sumo wrestlers are surprisingly charming
The King of Iron Fist Tournament has always had its quirky undertones, and the latest edition is no exception. After all, you can pair a boxing-glove wearing velociraptor with a living, breathing block of wood. And the goofiness doesn’t stop there. The aforementioned Fight Lab mode includes challenges that involve avoiding scud-missile-like flying clones of sumo wrestler Ganryu and defeating a giant, loincloth-wearing version of kung-fu fighter Feng Wei.

You’ll even see a few silly and not-so-subtle tributes to a certain 2D fighting series that I’ll refrain from naming. All of these lighthearted touches are quintessentially Tekken, and I’m glad to see the developers having so much fun with their work.

And who doesn’t love getting to fight in Santa’s Village?



WHAT YOU WON’T LIKE



New challengers might have trouble getting ready for their next battle
TTT 2 is for the hardcore Tekken fan. I’m talking about a person who’s debated the superiority of Japanese-style arcade sticks and scoured message boards for animation frame data to gain an edge. If you don’t have an opinion on such matters, then you might never end up playing Tekken Tag 2 at a high level because it requires that much dedication to master.


In traditional Tekken releases, you fight in a straightforward, 1-on-1 matchup. For most players, that’s hard enough. TTT 2 throws in the tagging mechanic, which adds an additional layer of complexity to the proceedings. Each fighter has specific launcher moves and bound hits that help extend combos and initiate tag-team focused salvos, which means a whole new set of timing-based maneuvers to memorize.

While most fighting-game fans love this type of depth, it leads to a somewhat steep learning curve for less experienced contenders.


You’ve probably played through most of this before
The sheer number of online and offline fighting modes — along with the brand new World Tekken Federation community-centered website — might seem intimidating at first, but after some hands-on experience, most of the options prove to be pedestrian and somewhat shallow endeavors. And many of them are familiar to fighting-game fanatics like the typical arcade and ghost battles, ranked and non-ranked online fights, time trials, and so forth.

Surprisingly enjoyable pursuits like the beat-em-up inspired Tekken Force are absent here, replaced with the less developed Fight Lab. And, unlike in previous years, you won’t find offbeat time killers like Tekken Bowling.


CONCLUSION

While Namco Bandai went out of its way to pack Tekken Tag Tournament 2 with an impressive number of characters and features, I came away from the game with a somewhat indifferent feeling. This is the Tekken I fell in love with, the Tekken that conditioned my thumbs as a teenager, and the Tekken that continues to put a smile on my face. But this is also the same Tekken I’ve played over and over again, even with the tag wrinkle taken into consideration.

I just feel the experience needs reinvention. And I’m not talking about more exclusive Snoop Dogg (or Snoop Lion) tracks and swimsuit costume packs.

Tekken doesn’t need more stuff. It needs more focus. Like the archetypical weathered warrior, the franchise needs to look within to find inspiration.

Score: 78/100 C
Good

 
It's been 10 years since the original Tekken Tag Tournament first saw the light of day, but the game has retained a cult following amongst fighting game fans. Namco Bandai now had a follow-up ready, with Tekken Tag Tournament 2 bringing the tag mechanics of the first game to the current generation of consoles. They also have some new tricks to roll out, namely in the form of some new online features.

Tekken Tag Tournament was mostly known for throwing the Tekken storyline out the window and the sequel is no different. This allows for the game to use the full roster of Tekken fighters. Players can welcome back characters like Prototype Jack (Tekken 2), Michelle Chang (Tekken 3), and Alex (everyone's favorite dinosaur with boxing gloves from Tekken 2) to join series favorites Heihachi, Kazuya, and Jin. Overall, the roster will launch with over 50 fighters.


Tekken Tag Tournament 2
The tag mechanics in TTT2 work the same way as their predecessor. Players select two fighters or two friends can play co-op with each selecting one fighter. Rounds end when one character is defeated with games typically played in a best-of-five format. While tagging out can be done at any time, skilled players will be able to use tags to perform double-team maneuvers and combos. I went into this preview as a Tekken novice, so I wasn't sure I'd see everything I was looking to see. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective), I was playing against former tournament fighter Rich "Filthy Rich" Bantegui (sitting in via teleconference), who was more than happy to take me through a tour of the hard-hitting combos TTT2 had to offer.

Bantegui's team of King and Armor King started things off against my pitiful duo of Kazuya and Yoshimitsu. Bantegui tossed me around with Tekken's normal array of throws, juggles, and breaks. The show really began when he showed off combos that included Armor King tossing me over into a King powerbomb and a double DDT from the Kings. I also found myself getting juggled repeatedly between the two partners, as Bantegui demonstrated the ways that Tekken fighters can use the tag system to complete multi-hit combos.

TTT2 will contain unprecedented online features. Online play itself utilizes the net code from Soul Calibur 5. The preview build I tried out was connected through a Verizon MiFi hotspot and still proved to be a lag-free experience. In terms of supplemental content, every single online match will be recorded with players able to watch replays of their matches at any time through the Tekken Channel. Replays will prove informative, as well as entertaining. These replays will display details of how much damage certain combos dealt out and when certain counters were used. Players can either choose to study these replays for future reference or save particularly entertaining ones to re-watch later.

So did I learn anything else from my crushing defeat at the hands of Filthy Rich? With the new World Tekken Federation service, I can say that I did. Almost immediately after my humiliating loss, I was taken on a tour of the website that would house the WTF. The stats from my previous battle were already uploaded in full detail. I could then study Filthy Rich's profile to see his favorite teams, his number of throws used versus throws broken, moves and counters used, and other details that would help me better prepare for a rematch. Data from both the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions will be saved to the WTF and players can view the stats from each console version at any time. Players can also customize their WTF profiles to include dual-layered team emblems that will show up in the game. The WTF will launch alongside TTT2 as a free service.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 looks to retain everything that made the original so much fun while also including new online components that promise to innovate for both casual and tournament play. The battle begins September 11 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
 
Mad Catz this morning announced that they are teaming up with Namco Bandai once again, this time to produce an officially licensed Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Arcade Fightstick. Sure, by itself, that’s not a bad announcement.

The real exciting part though is that Mad Catz has confirmed that they will be bringing the TTT2 Arcade Fightstick to the Wii U along with the PS3 and Xbox 360. So, as of now, this will be the first Wii U fight stick announced for the console.

A release date or pricing has yet to be revealed.

Read on for the announcement.

"Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. announced today its agreement with Namco Bandai Games Inc, to produce the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Arcade FightStick, a Tournament Edition fighting game controller for use with the upcoming Tekken Tag Tournament 2 videogame.


The agreement gives Mad Catz worldwide rights to ship products for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system from Sony and the forthcoming Wii U console from Nintendo."

 
The Entertainment Software Rating Board has revealed their rating summary for the upcoming multiplatform title, Tekken Tag Tournament 2. The Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of the fighting game got tagged with a T (for Teen) rating due to contents relating to alcohol reference, crude humor, mild blood, partial nudity, sexual themes and violence. Furthermore, the user-generated content will be unrated while the DLC music tracks may also be inconsistent with the rating. You can check out the full summary from the ESRB below:

"Includes online features that may expose players to unrated user-generated content (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

Features downloadable music content that may be inconsistent with the ESRB rating (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)
Rating summary: This is an arcade-style fighting game in which players engage in hand-to-hand combat with a large cast of human, animal, and supernatural characters. Players use martial arts punches, kicks, and throws to drain opponents' health meters. Some fighters also use melee weapons or laser blasts to knock characters across the screen or to the ground. Some attacks reference alcohol (e.g., Wine Opener, Tequila Sunrise), and one character uses “drunken” fighting moves. Matches are accompanied by cries of pain, punching sounds, and impact effects. Cutscenes depict additional acts of violence/blood: a man getting shot from a rooftop by a sniper; droplets of blood falling from a wounded fighter. During the course of the game, there some references to sexual material: a fighter arrested for “voyeurism” after spying on a woman; a red-light district (neon signs that read Sexy Cats, Sexy Rouge, and Girls Paradise appear nearby); a fight stage with women pole-dancing in the background. During one cutscene, a woman appears partially nude as her ink-like costume dissolves underwater; in another, a character is shown covering her breasts after a shower. In one comedic scene, two fighters eat pizza that has been laced with laxatives; gurgling/flatulence sounds can be heard as they race to the bathroom.
"
 
Fans of the King Of Iron Fist Tournament are looking forward to next month, when the long-awaited console release of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 makes its way to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3!  

The game was originally released in arcades last September 2011, and it’s been a year-long wait for the second installment of this tag team series —and now it’s finally upon us, with more material and updates to please long-time followers. 
 
Based on the engine of the updated arcade port Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Unlimited, the console version of TTT2 will be packed with more extras and additional characters. Among the extras included are new stages and items for customization, as well as returning characters from the Tekkenverse not seen for a while, such as Tiger Jackson, Kunimitsu, Ogre, and Angel. A new Practice Mode called “Fighting Lab” will also be added to satiate the hunger of those looking to test their might and combo skills. 
 
To give players a taste of things to come, Namco Bandai has released the official cinematic intro to Tekken Tag Tournament 2 online: 
 
LINK TO VIDEO

The opening CG sequence shows a regular cab driver listening in to the announcement of the new King Of Iron Fist tag team tournament, while a silent and powerful Jinpachi Mishima broods behind in the passenger’s seat. Later, the action shifts into the tournament arena, where fighters old and new converge to take part in the greatest battle of them all. The ninjitsu tag team duo of Raven and Kunimitsu enter the ring, while sibling rivals Anna and Nina Williams reluctantly join forces to face them. 
 
In the midst of the battle, True Ogre suddenly appears, and to combat the menacing threat is none other than Angel. The opening mixes up the excellent electronic intro music with fantastic visual highlights, setting the stage for the big tag battle to come!
 
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 smashes its way into Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles this September 11. — TJD, GMA News
 
This article is about 3 days old, I know, it's old. I missed this article, so I might as well post it on a slow news day like today.

THE designer of Tekken, one of the world's most popular video game blockbusters, says that console makers can no longer control the way people game


Harada San, game director and chief producer of fighting game franchise, Tekken, told news.com.au that Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo should use their powers for good instead of evil, by joining forces.

“For a long time, the game industry has been able to control the way people play games,” Mr San said, speaking through a translator.

“There was a platform that people used solely for their gaming needs, and the industry had control of the trends and such that occurred.”

However the video game designer said that with the development of mobile hone and internet gaming, games are now just a part of the basic package.

“People are able to not be tied down by consoles,” he said. “And it doesn’t stop with phones, we have browser gaming and all these different platforms.”

Mr San said Sony put itself ahead of the curve compared to its competitors by doing away with region locking on the PS3, making it easier for fans to access foreign games.
But the video game designer said that the opportunities for innovation would be endless if the three competitors joined forces.

“I think it would be interesting if Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo got together just to make one console,” he said. “It makes me very happy to think about all the possibilities that could occur because of that.”

So what about the new instalment of Tekken, Tekken Tag Tournament 2? Mr San said he tried to make it the most comprehensive incarnation of the game to date.

Mr San said he was influenced by many things, including his own martial arts training as well as Hollywood and Hong Kong action cinema, but that his most important inspiration comes from the feedback he receives from his fans.

“The game changes quite a bit depending on what everyone’s saying about the game.”

“Obviously when we made the first Tekken we didn’t have much to go on, but then throughout the series, we continually got different feedback from the fans,” says Mr San, “I analyse that and from there decide on the direction to take the game.”

Tekken is one of the oldest and longest running franchises in video game history. The fighting game series has legions of fans worldwide and its instalments are regularly used for competitive e-sports

The latest game in the series, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, was released in Japanese arcades in late 2011, and is set to land on consoles worldwide later this year. 


 
Oh goodness. It looks as if Sanrio, purveyor of Hello Kitty merchandise, has gotten a littleStreet Fighter chocolate in their proverbial peanut butter. They have gone and launched a line of clothing — and one tote bag — with Street Fighter x Sanrio branding that is beyond adorable. Beyorable, if you will. If only they’d gone and made a fighting game out of this rather than the crossover with Tekken.

Maybe beating up on Hello Kitty characters was a bit too far for some of the suits further up the ladder. But at least we can enjoy these glorious reminders of what might have been.

My Melody x Cammy looks rough and tumble. And cute.
Badtz-Ryu is ready to take on all challengers, including dryer lint.
Purin x Zangief is afraid of nothing. Like wrinkles.

These and many more are available over at Sanrio’s shop. But seriously, someone needs to set up a petition for Capcom to make this a game like yesterday. It’d be a magical, cutesy, bloody, baffling brawl for the ages.
(Images by Sanrio)


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