Tekken 3

PlayStation
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Apr 29, 1998
Metascore
96

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. GMR Magazine
    100
    An amazing conversion, given the difference between the arcade and PlayStation hardware at the time. Set the standard for bonuses. [Feb 2003, p.97]
  2. I'd come off as a huge hypocrite if I didn't put Tekken 3 at the top of the list. "Tekken 2" was a 10, and Tekken 3 is a better game in most respects.
  3. 100
    In order to outshine Tekken 3, a game will need to have a ton of moves (T3 has over 100 per character), multi-hit combos (all T3 fighters can pull off 10-hitters), outstanding graphics (T3 has no breakup on the fighters, no "blind spots" where clipping occurs, and no slowdown), and seamless gameplay that includes juggles, counters, and linking moves.
  4. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    100
    If you want to pick a fight, why not battle with the best of 'em? [Mar 02, p.34]
  5. The gameplay is identical to the arcade. Every move, combo, and character has been transferred over, and a couple of new characters have been added in as well.
  6. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    98
    The spectacular sequel that confirmed the hatred gamers felt for Paul. [Jan 2004, p.189]
  7. A thoroughbred that out-strikes the opposition as if it were high on steroids. Put bluntly, we're not gonna get a better beat-'em-up. Tekken 3 is a killer app that is close to perfection.
  8. A "better than arcade" overall game translation here that will truly stand the test of time and perhaps be the best fighter we will ever see released on the Playstation.
  9. 93
    The only gripe that we'd have with it is that Namco's set the bar so high that we shudder with anticipation and dread over what the designers'll have to do to top this.
  10. After the first fight you will see how much time was spent on the details of making the characters look and react as realistic as possible.
  11. The sound effects are horrible because they replaced a lot of Arcade sound effects with lower sampled and wimpy sounding effects. This is really the only downfall of this game, aside from the frame dropping.
  12. With everything that the arcade version has and more, this is one of the few times that a console game outshines its arcade counterpart.
  13. The best fighter for any console system. What else needs to be said?
  14. There is a downside to the improved graphics. In some of the stages there is some slowdown and degradation of frame rate.
  15. While the backgrounds are 2D, they are rich and diverse and those spot explosions, though pixilated, feature high quality light sourcing.

Awards & Rankings

1
4
#4 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1998
2
#2 Most Shared PS1 Game of 1998
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 860 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 23 out of 860
  1. May 7, 2012
    10
    I can not stress on how amazing this game is. For a PS1 game, this was easily in the Top 5 games of all time back then. Tekken 3 still remainsI can not stress on how amazing this game is. For a PS1 game, this was easily in the Top 5 games of all time back then. Tekken 3 still remains the best in the franchise next to Tekken 5. For some odd reason, Namco decided to go multiplatform outside of the PlayStation brand. Ever since that, Tekken hasn't been very good. Hopefully they will return back home where they belong. Full Review »
  2. Dec 6, 2011
    10
    This game is awesome. Released in 1998 and still better than the most 1x1 fighting games I've been playing since than. Getting a new FighterThis game is awesome. Released in 1998 and still better than the most 1x1 fighting games I've been playing since than. Getting a new Fighter for each time that you finish the arcade with a different character and getting a new final video, with awesome graphics (comparing with other PS1 games) everytime you finish it gave me the will to replay it several times. Incredible gameplay.

    This game totally rocks. Better of the Tekken serie, for me.
    Full Review »
  3. Jul 22, 2014
    10
    simply the best tekken game ever.
    it's a shame we can't get it through PSN like the first 2 entries although it would make good money to the
    simply the best tekken game ever.
    it's a shame we can't get it through PSN like the first 2 entries although it would make good money to the company
    hope to see it soon
    Full Review »