{"id":15961,"date":"2025-10-21T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/mini-review-tekken-3-ps1-playstations-definitive-fighter-is-still-king\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T17:00:00","slug":"mini-review-tekken-3-ps1-playstations-definitive-fighter-is-still-king","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/mini-review-tekken-3-ps1-playstations-definitive-fighter-is-still-king\/","title":{"rendered":"#Mini Review: Tekken 3 (PS1) &#8211; PlayStation&#8217;s Definitive Fighter Is Still King"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/mini-review-tekken-3-ps1-playstations-definitive-fighter-is-still-king\/#Mini_Review_Tekken_3_PS1_%E2%80%93_PlayStations_Definitive_Fighter_Is_Still_King\" >Mini Review: Tekken 3 (PS1) &#8211; PlayStation&#8217;s Definitive Fighter Is Still King<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mini_Review_Tekken_3_PS1_%E2%80%93_PlayStations_Definitive_Fighter_Is_Still_King\"><\/span>Mini Review: Tekken 3 (PS1) &#8211; PlayStation&#8217;s Definitive Fighter Is Still King<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div class=\"body body-text article-text\">\n<section class=\"text\">\n<aside class=\"picture embed pictures\" id=\"screenshots\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159746\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159746\/900x.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 1 of 10\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"swiper-container\">\n<ul class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<li class=\"swiper-slide first\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159747\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159747\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 2 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159748\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159748\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 3 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159749\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159749\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 4 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159750\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159750\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 5 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159751\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159751\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 6 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159752\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159752\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 7 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159754\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159754\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 8 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159755\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159755\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 9 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"swiper-slide last\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159756\/large.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/screenshots\/159756\/170x110.jpg\" width=\"170\" height=\"110\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Tekken 3 Review - Screenshot 10 of 10\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><span class=\"icon icon-chevron-left\"><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><span class=\"icon icon-chevron-right\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Tekken was already a big deal before Tekken 3 came along, but the third instalment rocketed Bandai Namco&#8217;s series to truly awesome heights. It was both a revolutionary 3D fighting game and a commercial juggernaut, helping define an entire console generation.<\/p>\n<p>But perhaps the most impressive thing about Tekken 3 is that, over three decades later, it&#8217;s <em>still<\/em> a joy to play. Yes, having some degree of nostalgia for the original release obviously helps, but on a mechanical level, it remains shockingly solid.<\/p>\n<p>Where Tekken 2 can feel more than a little wonky at times, its successor does an incredible job tightening everything up. Back in 1998, it felt like Tekken 3 had perfected the formula; it was ultra responsive yet satisfyingly flashy, and it more than earned all of those perfect review scores.<\/p>\n<p>Today, the title has its fair share of questionable quirks. Some moves are borderline broken and the damage scaling is out of control by modern standards, but it&#8217;s crazy how close the game comes to feeling like it&#8217;s <em>not that old<\/em>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"for-mobile insert insert-label\">\n<div id=\"inject-primis-player\" data-src-primis=\"https:\/\/live.primis.tech\/live\/liveView.php?s=117168&amp;vp_content=plembed39b4tigwxqjz&amp;cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&amp;playerApiId=primis_player_float&amp;schain=1.0,1!ziffdavis.com,22392450815,1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>This applies to the presentation as well. The character models and the stages still hold up, and the game&#8217;s overall visual clarity makes some current fighters look like a bit of a mess by comparison.<\/p>\n<p>And the music&#8230; Bangers from top to bottom. The soundtrack may not have the dramatic flair of Tekken 2, but there are loads of memorable arrangements here. Jin&#8217;s theme is an all-timer, for example \u2014 a track so good that it was repurposed for Tekken 8 almost 30 years later.<\/p>\n<p>As for game modes, Tekken 3&#8217;s the complete package. Arcade&#8217;s got your <em>classic<\/em> character ending movies, while Tekken Force offers something totally different with its side-scrolling beat-&#8217;em-up style. A great little distraction.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond some dodgy character balancing, it&#8217;s so hard to fault Tekken 3. The 1998 fighter is still a blast to just sit down and play, with or without friends \u2014 and that&#8217;s testament to the game&#8217;s tight and ultimately timeless design.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<aside class=\"positive-negative\">\n<ul class=\"positives\">\n<li class=\" first\">Gameplay still feels tight and satisfying<\/li>\n<li>Fantastic character roster<\/li>\n<li>Full suite of game modes<\/li>\n<li>Timeless Arcade ending movies<\/li>\n<li>Crisp, clear visuals<\/li>\n<li class=\" last\">Classic soundtrack<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"negatives\">\n<li class=\" first\">Some rough balancing<\/li>\n<li class=\" last\">Re-release totally lacks Trophies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"scoring rating\">\n<p class=\"stars\"><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star accent\"><\/span><span class=\"icon icon-star\"><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"score\"><span class=\"accent\">Excellent<\/span> <span class=\"value accent\">9<\/span>\/<span class=\"best\">10<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"policy\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"ethics#product-reviews\">How we review products<\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"scoring#score-9\">Scoring Policy<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/game\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Game<\/a><\/span> category.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pushsquare.com\/reviews\/ps5\/tekken-3\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mini Review: Tekken 3 (PS1) &#8211; PlayStation&#8217;s Definitive Fighter Is Still King Tekken was already a big deal before Tekken 3 came along, but the third instalment rocketed Bandai Namco&#8217;s series to truly awesome heights. It was both a revolutionary 3D fighting game and a commercial juggernaut, helping define an entire console generation. But perhaps&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/images.pushsquare.com\/7284657fe13ff\/1280x720.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[1402,1867,1773,1869,1398,1868],"class_list":["post-15961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game","tag-mini-reviews","tag-namco","tag-ps1","tag-retro","tag-reviews","tag-tekken-3"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15961","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15961"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15961\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15961"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15961"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yohrt.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15961"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}