Amazing Visuals
Tekken 3D: Prime Edition looks amazing. It isn’t quite up to the dizzying heights of Resident Evil: Revelations, but is right up there with the best looking games on the system. Commendably, it runs at a smooth, constant 60 frames per second in both 2D and 3D. With the hectic action, that’s no mean feat.
Full Roster
Tekken 3D: Prime Edition features the full, impressive, roster from Tekken 6 -- 40 fighters in total. However, there have been some minor changes. It includes a much younger version of Heihachi Mishima, more reminiscent of the Tekken Tag Tournament 2 model.
Fast Action
Tekken 3D gets its core mechanic right: hectic, fast-paced action. It might be missing some of the extra bells and whistles, but the core fighting is as good as it is on consoles. Each fight is intense. It lives up to the series’ strong reputation as a fast, action-packed, fighter.
The Future is Strong
Following the success of Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Tekken 3D proves that the 3DS could be a strong platform for successful fighting games. They historically haven’t faired well on handhelds, but that could all be set to change. Tekken 3D certainly isn’t perfect, but the foundations are there. It’s promising for the future of the genre, especially with the first handheld Super Smash Bros. game currently in development.
Feature Length Film
The game includes Tekken: Blood Vengeance, a 2011 Japanese 3D CGI film. The feature length film goes for 92 minutes and takes place between the events of Tekken 5 and Tekken 6. It’s also our first chance to check out a feature length movie on the 3DS.
Technical Accomplishment
It’s easy to overlook at the technical side of games in this day and age, but Tekken 3D does just about everything right from a technical standpoint. It’s a well known fact that upcoming rival, the PlayStation Vita, is technically superior to the 3DS. However, after playing Tekken 3D, you wouldn’t know it. The fluid 60 frames per second, in 3D, shouldn’t be taken lightly, but there’s also the fact that it includes a mammoth roster and speedy action. Normally something has to give on a handheld port, but Tekken 3D handles everything surprisingly well.
By Ben Salter
Stay tuned for our full review! Tekken 3D: Prime Edition is out in Australia today.