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General: Namco's welcomed update to Tekken 5 includes 3 new characters, new and remixed stages, a kickass new soundtrack (one of the best in Tekken history), new customizations, better graphics, more balanced gameplay, and all charaters have updated move lists. One hella good update to Tekken 5.1.
  The already deep characters from Tekken 5 are back with new moves, all of which are nothing short of spectacular. And on a few characters (like Baek, Lei, and Jack-5 for example), their older moves have been given brand new animations, all of which are definite "improvements" over the previous ones. This is perhaps how they really should have looked in Tekken 5, but I suppose Namco couldn't get to it in time.
   The new stages are much appreciated, as Namco answered my prayers for MORE stages in Tekken 5. All of the new backgrounds (and returning "remixed" ones) add new and fun graphical eye candy each in their own unique way. Namco also did a superb job on remixing most of the background music from Tekken 5... And not to mention, all of the stages from Tekken 5 are back, along with their original BGMS! Thanks Namco. And to change the subject, the announcer in T5:DR seems to lack motivation or something... Or he sounds like he's sick. Heh. I still prefer this guy over the old Tekken 5 announcer. Heh.
   Overall, the game looks considerably better than Tekken 5, just for the new backgrounds and updated effects. Besides new pretty stages and updated ones, returning characters now have new taunts during intermissions, and some pretty cool new win poses as well.
   And finally, the action itself is as flashy as ever, especially while watching two skilled fighters go at. And I don't mean skilled as in "using cheap tactics and strategies to win"... I mean as in "making the game look pretty AND using USEFUL tactics and strategies to win. That takes TRUE skill. It is brutal and beautiful sight at the same time to those of use that live and breath martial arts, and the like.
   I will admit that the hit detection can sometimes be a bit funky and unrealistic at times. If you know the in's and out's of the game, you'll know that certain mid and seemingly high attacks actually connect with your opponent while he/she is on the ground, and may actually "pick them up," allowing for even more combo possibilities. While this may only occur during high level play, this small error of physics rewards hardcore players with longer juggles, and makes newbies and the like say something to the effect of "what the hell?!" or "put me down already!" LoL.
   In any case, Tekken is and always was about combos and air combos! Just think if Tekken didn't have air combos, it wouldn't be any fun at all. Thus, Tekken is still of the most fun 3D fighters you can currently play. The King of Iron Fist 5 has been Resurrected...
Manufacturer: Namco
Platforms: Arcade, PS3, PSP (as Tekken: Dark Resurrection)
Year: Winter 2005
Characters: Asuka Kazama, Feng Wei, Raven, Kuma, Panda, Bruce, Anna, Jin Kazama, Lee Chaolan, Ling Xiaoyu, Bryan Fury, Nina Williams, Paul Phoenix, Yoshimitsu, Steve Fox, Craig Marduk, Christie Monteiro, Eddy, Hwoarang, Kazuya Mishima, King, Marshall Law, Julia Chang, Jack, Lei Wulong, Armor King, Roger Jr., Wang, Ganryu, Devil Jin, Mokujin, Heihachi, Jinpachi, Dragunov, LiLi
Comment: The hardest hitting fighting game of all time is back, and it brings the pain... like always. Those of us that live Tekken are happy, and that was clearly Namco's goal. T5DR brings Tekken 5 players back to the arcade, (if they've been snoozing on Tekken 5 and 5.1). So get your skills back if you lost them, because Tekken is better and yes, MORE FUN than ever. And yes, even more importantly, more balanced. The best Tekken to date? You bet.

And now with it's release on the PS3, kicking 1080p visuals, Tekken fanatics can now put down their worn out psps, and pick up a light-weight SIXAXIS PS3 controller (perfect for taking to fighting game tournaments). Tekken fans have yourself another release party, and bring your controllers to your friends house instead of your psp. Tekken DR on the big HD screen? Nothing better.
Rating: 10