Buy Tekken - Dark Resurrection

Seriously, what ARE you waiting for?

Dark Resurrection was initially an arcade update to Tekken 5 (originally released in arcades and then, subsequently, on the PS2). The update added some new characters and fixed character balancing issues. Every entry in the Tekken series has pushed the console on which it has appeared to its limits. Tekken: Dark Resurrection continues this tradition by putting most other games to shame. And I don't just mean portable games, ALL games.

So what does this PSP version have over T5 for the PS2? Three extra characters over the T5 roster (which was extremelely robust to begin with), fantastic interactive environments, absolutely stunning in-game and pre-rendered graphics, silky smooth/responsive gameplay, tons of excellent modes both old (the triumphant return of Tekken Bowling!) and new (addicting and challenging Tekken Dojo)... the list goes on and on.

Pretty much any mode you choose to play earns you the currency with which you purchase items to customize your favorite characters' appearances, and money is earned much quicker here than in T5. Plus, you have more items to choose from as well! About the only thing this version doesn't have over T5 are the bonus games (arcade versions of T1-3, The Devil Within, etc), but I get the feeling that if Namco could have squeezed anything else onto that little ole UMD they would have.

If I had to say one negative thing about this game, it would have to be what seems to be the most common complaint I've read about. Yes, the ultra-fine precision needed to pull of some of the more demanding moves is a little more difficult on the PSP than the PS2's DualShock. Also, with the DualShock, the best way to have quick access to all the face buttons was to use the first two fingers of your right hand instead of the usual thumb-only method. That, obviously, doesn't change here, but it's a little more awkward to hold a PSP in this fashion, forcing you to hunch over your lap while playing. Miniscule quibbles, to be sure, but quibbles nonetheless.

Conclusion? This is no quick and dirty port: this is fan service to those Tekken-ites out there that wanted the arcade upgrade to play at home. So do yourself a favor. Buy it. Play it. Love it. Play it some more.Get more detail about Tekken - Dark Resurrection.