Tomorrow is going to be a huge day for fighting fans, as Bandai Namco‘s latest (and perhaps final) entry in the Tekken series will finally drop. Tekken 7 brings more features to the table than ever before, including a new Treasure Battle mode where you can earn goods; a new customization system where you can make your fighter more debonaire – or crazy-looking – than ever before; and new tweaks to the gameplay that make kicking someone’s butt even better than ever. (Just check out our review if you have your doubts.)
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The series has seen a steady amount of fighters enter the fray with each new entry, including some familiar favorites that have grown on us over the years, and a few surprises that have crept up on us. I mean, who knew that Akuma would actually kick that much ass against the likes of Heihachi? Color us surprised.
There are a lot of great fighters to choose from in the game, and having such a variety available to take command of is really great, especially when it comes to Tekken 7‘s longevity. But who’s the best of the best? Obviously, you’ll have fans arguing all day as they defend their particular favorites, like Nina Williams and the super-haired Paul Phoenix. But when it comes to sheer power and skill, only a few manage to really rise up to the call.
So we’ve put together a list of our favorite combatants in the Tekken franchise. Your list may differ, especially if you live and breathe everything Marshall Law, but there’s no denying that each of these characters are superbly balanced – and extremely agile when it comes to dominating the King of Iron Fist Tournament. Give ’em a try, and you’ll see what we’re talking about.
King
It’s weird when you can identify with a fighter that doesn’t even show his face. That’s the case with King, a ruthless wrestling superstar who always hides behind a tiger mask, ready to give someone a pounding. Most of King’s arsenal comes from his impressive wrestling moves, whether it’s delivering a suplex, swinging around with his mighty fists, or, a personal favorite, grabbing someone with his legs and slamming them to the ground head first. For that matter, his swing throw is one for the ages, as it can take quite a bit off of an adversary’s energy meter. And you have to love his early Tekken builds, in which he let out a growing “HEYYYYY!” after winning a match.
Heihachi
Most fans feel that Jin (especially in Devil format) and/or Kazuya are the ideal choices from the Mishima family. But we decided to go with Heihachi, for several different reason. First off, he is frickin’ ruthless, even going as far as to throw his young son off a damn cliff after humiliating him in a match. For that matter, Heihachi also knows his business moves, and will stop at nothing to wipe out those that get in his way. Finally, let’s be honest, he has the best hair in the business. Anyone else wouldn’t be able to pull off the “devil’s handlebars” look – but here’s Heihachi, getting it done and looking fierce as hell.
Panda
There are a lot of big characters featured in the Tekken franchise, including the mighty robot Jack-2 and the devastating Kuma. But how often do you get to take control of a panda in a fighting game? (No, the Kung Fu Panda multiplayer game that came out a while doesn’t really count.) Panda proves to be quite the opponent in battle, with his swinging moves, his somewhat dominant reach and his cool techniques. Even when he’s sitting down, he can prove to be quite lethal. That’s a far cry from the ones we saw at the zoo, that’s for sure.
Steve Fox
Someone on the staff thought that Steve Fox was an ideal choice for the list – and, to be honest, he is an ideal fit. His fighting style is much different than most other fighters, since he relies more on traditional boxing tactics instead of a diverse style. That said, he’s certainly not one to mess with, as his offense is just as good as his defense, thanks to his ability to dodge incoming attacks and set up awesome combos in their wake. Plus, when he’s wearing his jacket, c’mon…he just oozes the kind of charisma than Barlog wishes he had. (Sorry, buddy. Nothing personal.)
Eddy Gordo/Christie Monteiro
We’ll call this a tie, because, no matter which one of these characters you select, you’ll get a versatile fighting style that’s second to none. Utilizing the fierce (and slightly unpredictable) capoeira style, this allows either character to swing around and nail an opponent from above or below, using a series of connected kicks that are just as incredible to watch as they are to execute. For that matter, their physicality allows them to block incoming attacks with ease, and then set up the perfect counter-attack. If we had to choose between the two, though…sorry, Eddy. Christie’s got a much better wardrobe and, hey, watching her take on Nina Williams is a treat in itself.
BONUS: Kunimitsu
Many fans have grown close to Yoshimitsu, who’s not only kicking butt and taking names in the Tekken franchise, but also in various Soul Calibur games, where he’s proven to be a grand adversary. But there’s something about Kunimitsu that really does something for us, whether it’s her pure speed and agility, or being able to deliver thunderous combos on opponents when they don’t really expect it. Plus, her outfit is absolutely dazzling, compared to the more traditional look of Yoshimitsu. She needs to be in more fighting games – what the hey, give her a Soul Calibur stint.
Tekken 7 will release tomorrow for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC.
