No Tekken Tag Tournament 3?

Players eager for a new installment of Tekken Tag Tournament will have to temper their expectations. Bandai Namco has confirmed that they will not be rolling out a third iteration of the popular tag fighting title.

I finally got around to experiencing Tekken Tag Tournament 2 a few years back and found it to be a wonderfully chaotic experience. While its balance may be questionable—with an array of bizarre quirks—it was refreshing to play a game that no one else was currently vying to dominate.

The Decline of Tag Fighters

The interest in tag-based fighting games has dwindled recently, even though titles like King of Fighters 15 and Dragon Ball FighterZ have seen some success. The classic tag format appears to have fallen out of favor.

Conversations About the Future

Given the recent resurgence of tag fighters, questions arose about the possibility of a new Tekken Tag Tournament from Bandai Namco. Recent discussions with the team’s directors, including Katsuhiro Harada, revealed their stance. Harada emphasizes that the complexity involved in mastering multiple characters makes the tag format challenging for casual players. “There’s just so much more knowledge that’s necessary to enjoy the game,” he stated.

If a tag mode were to happen, it would likely be included as a feature in a regular Tekken game rather than as a standalone title. The decision reflects the noted struggles with appeal that Tekken Tag Tournament 2 experienced, which was a significant factor in Tekken 7 operating on a slimmer budget.

Conclusion

The door doesn’t seem entirely closed to future tag mechanics, but fans of the series may need to wait a while longer for a return to that beloved chaotic gameplay. Given the complexities and reactions from audiences, it’s evident that any prospective project will require critical thought and balancing.