Tekken Tag Tournament 2

A console version based on the update was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2012. It was ported to the Wii U as one of the system's launch titles in November 2012, subtitled Wii U Edition. Players can choose either a team of two characters on each side or a solo character. Positively received by critics, earning averaged review scores in the range of 82-83% at both GameRankings and Metacritic for the PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360 versions, as well as several fighting-game-of-the-year awards. However, the game sold at a historic low for the main series, affecting budgets in the succeeding games, especially Tekken 7.

• Title — Tekken Tag Tournament 2 • Developer — Namco Bandai Games • Publisher — Namco Bandai Games • Producer — Katsuhiro Harada • Director — Yuichi Yonemori • Composer — See music section • Series — Tekken • Genre — Fighting • Released — Arcade PlayStation 3, Xbox 360'Wii U • Modes — Single-player, multiplayer • Platforms — Arcade, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U • Arcade System — Namco System 369

• Illustration — The new game engine of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 allows up to four characters to appear on the screen at the same time. Like the original Tekken Tag Tournament, matches involve each player selecting two fighters to fight with. Players are able to tag their fighters out at any time, allowing the inactivating character to gradually recover some life they might have lost. At certain points, an inactive character's life bar may flash, giving them a temporary boost in strength if they are tagged in. If the life bar of either of a player's fighters runs out, that player loses the round. If time runs out, the player who has the most cumulative life remaining amongst their fighters wins the round. The gameplay expands on the tag mechanics featured in the first Tekken Tag, allowing for extended tag combos and combined moves. New techniques include combined tag throws which, if timed properly, can be escaped from. Tag combos (referred to as "Tag Assaults") can be done simultaneously with both characters participating in the combo at the same time. The game inherits gameplay features from Tekken 6, such as "Bound" hits (hits that slam an airborne opponent to the ground and stun them so combos can be extended) and walled arenas, some of which featuring walls and floors that can be broken through during the fight. Character customization is also featured, similar to past Tekken games. Features suggested by Katsuhiro Harada include recording in Practice mode as well as a Tutorial, to make the game more accessible for new players. The game features a "stage gimmick" system. For instance, an example of the system shown has the player slamming their opponent into wall, which breaks and the opponent goes flying, landing in a new area where the fight continues (similar to the Falls off the Edge feature from the Dead or Alive games). As the opponent falls, the tag partner is waiting at the bottom to continue the combo. The game features various modes, allowing players to choose between Tag Team (2 vs 2), Single (1 vs 1), Group (3 vs 3) or Handicap Matches (3 vs 1, 3 vs 2, 2 vs 3, 1 vs 3, 2 vs 1 or 1 vs 2), options for four players to play in a single match, and various online modes. Along with returning modes such as Arcade, Versus, Team Battle, Time Attack and Survival, a new mode called Fight Lab allows players to train a Combot through various challenges. The game also features various items that can alter the gameplay, ranging from weapons such as firearms and hammer hats to superficial items such as specialized KOs, and allows players to customize their fighters with various accessories. The Wii U Edition includes the return of the mini-game Tekken Ball from Tekken 3 and a Mushroom Battle mode in which various mushrooms from the Mario series litter the arena, causing players to grow or shrink in size or take extra damage. It also features optional touch-based controls using the system's gamepad, as well as costumes based on Nintendo media franchises. There is also another exclusive mode called Tekken Supporters, where players can donate their in game currency to the characters for items you can't get in the Customization mode or bonuses earned from Ghost Battle.

Unlike the original Tekken Tag Tournament, the game's sequel features a storyline, although it is still not part of the series' canon. However, certain characters' endings are canon, which are followed in the sequel, Tekken 7, onward. In the story, Heihachi Mishima has developed a rejuvenation serum, which has the ability to regress his appearance and power. After consuming it, Heihachi hosts another King of Iron Fist Tournament, sensing powerful challengers who would come to the tournament. In the "Fight Lab" section of the game, Lee Chaolan, under the guise of Violet, is working on a new version of Combot. As soon as Combot is complete, Violet begins its simulation test. After the simulation test, the Combot explodes and destroys the lab. Violet decides to use the other functioning Combot to complete the tests. After Combot completes five tests, Violet kidnaps Jin, Kazuya and Heihachi for Combot's final test. Combot apparently has the upper hand, but Jin transforms into his Devil form and destroys it. Violet blows up the Combot, presumably taking the Mishima bloodline with it, and says, "Excellent!".

The arcade version features all 41 playable characters from Tekken 6 (including Panda, except with her own character slot) along with Jun Kazama from Tekken 2, True Ogre (known in-game as just "Ogre") from Tekken 3 and Jinpachi Mishima from Tekken 5, all with updated character designs. Devil Kazuya from the original Tekken also makes an appearance as an in-game transformation of Kazuya. Unknown from the original Tekken Tag Tournament also returns, once again as an unplayable final boss with an updated set of visuals. In the home release, she became a playable character via an update patch. The game also introduces a masked character named Jaycee, an alter-ego of Julia Chang. The console release of the game features a total of 59 characters, including the return of Kunimitsu, Michelle Chang and Prototype Jack from the original Tekken, Angel and Alex from Tekken 2, Tiger Jackson, Forest Law, Dr. Bosconovitch and Ancient Ogre (originally known as just "Ogre") from Tekken 3, as well as Tekken 4s Miharu Hirano, Violet and Combot, the latter of which can be customized with various moves from other characters. A slim version of Bob from his Tekken 6 ending and Lili's butler since Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, Sebastian, make their debut as playable characters. Unlike previous installments, certain characters who originally did not speak in their native language now do. These include Lili and Sebastian speaking French, Eddy and Christie speaking Portuguese, Dr. Bosconovitch speaking Russian, Leo speaking German and Miguel speaking Spanish. Exceptions include Lee, Lars, Xiaoyu, and Alisa, who still speak Japanese, as well as Lei and Lee's alter-ego Violet who still speak English due to their backgrounds and despite their nationalities.

• Jaycee: A luchador fighter and Julia Chang's alter-ego. • Sebastian: Lili's old butler, who usually appeared in Lili's endings since their debut in Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection. • Slim Bob: A slim version of Bob, who first appeared in Bob's Tekken 6 ending. • Super Combot DX: An upgraded version of Combot.

Console-exclusive character Free downloadable content in console version Unavailable in online play Unplayable in arcade version In-battle transformation Unlockable in Wii U version Only playable in Fight Lab mode for the prologue.

• Illustration — Tag Tournament 2 exposition at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012 Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada teased an announcement on his Twitter feed on September 17, 2010 ("TGS Sep 18(Sat) at Tougeki Booth. I'll announce something:D"). It was rumored to be something related to Tekken X Street Fighter or Tekken 7. The game was announced to be Tekken Tag Tournament 2, sequel to Tekken Tag Tournament, on September 18, 2010, at the Tougeki event as promised. Producer Katsuhiro Harada stated that the game engine would be different from the one used in Tekken 6. The release of the arcade version of the game in Japan was originally planned for summer 2011, but due to complications derived from the Great East Japan earthquake, the arcade release was postponed until Autumn 2011. At the World Cyber Games 2010, Harada stated that the console version would feature additional console-exclusive returning characters and bonus gameplay modes. He also suggested that the release of the console version of the game would take place between the releases of Street Fighter X Tekken and Tekken X Street Fighter.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Unlimited is an update to the original arcade release, Tekken Tag Tournament 2. It features a number of new items and customization options. It also gives the game a balance update for characters and items. It was released to arcades on March 27, 2012, and the console version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 is based on this arcade version. In the Unlimited version, the player can switch a ratio between Tag mode and Solo mode ("2 vs 2", "1 vs 2" or "1 vs 1"). There is also a Pair Play mode, which allows four players to fight simultaneously in pairs of two, much like the "Scramble Mode" in Street Fighter X Tekken. The Unlimited version features the Rage system from Tekken 6 for Solo mode characters, and the new tag partner Rage system from the original arcade version of Tag Tournament 2 for Tag mode characters only. Rage gives characters more damage per hit when their vitality is below a certain point. Once activated, a reddish energy aura appears around the character, and their health bar starts to flicker in red. The Netsu Power appears when an on-screen character gets attacked a certain number of times and the off-screen character's lifebar flashes. If the on-screen character tags out while the off-screen character's lifebar is flashing, the tagged character becomes slightly stronger.

The console version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2012, and for the Wii U in November–December 2012. The console version is based on the Unlimited version, and features new characters in addition to the 44 already in the arcade version of the game, as well as new stages and a new Practice Mode called "Fight Lab" featuring Combot as a customizable training dummy. The "Fight Lab" mode serve as a practicing ground for both beginners and advanced players with customizable bots. Both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 support stereoscopic 3D, the effects of which can be customized. There is a new feature called "Tekken Tunes", which allows players to swap music around the game and import their own music. Additionally, there is a new online service called "World Tekken Federation" that allows players to keep track of their overall stats and even which moves they had used in a match. Players can create teams, compete in online competitions, and discuss game-related topics in forums. A real-time worldwide leaderboard is also included. A digital version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2 was released on the PlayStation Network in North America on November 13, 2012, and was released in Europe on November 21, 2012. A version for Xbox Live followed in late December. The Wii U Edition features exclusive content, including a game mode that uses power-ups from Nintendo's Super Mario series, such as Mega Mushrooms and Poison Mushrooms, the return of the minigame "Tekken Ball" from Tekken 3, an optional touch-based control scheme utilizing the Wii U GamePad controller, and character costumes based on popular Nintendo series, including Super Mario, Metroid, Star Fox, F-Zero and The Legend of Zelda. In addition to the exclusive content, the DLC characters, outfits, and stages from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are all included from the start in the Wii U Edition. Originally, when the Wii U console was first shown at the E3 2011 in Los Angeles, Namco announced that they would develop a Tekken game for the Wii U, which was untitled at the time. However, at E3 2012, it was announced that Tekken Tag Tournament 2 would come to the Wii U, which was already going to come to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Tekken Tag Tournament 2: Wii U Edition is amongst the first third-party Wii U games that is available in both retail and as a downloadable format for the Nintendo eShop. In Japan, the downloadable version is available for a slightly lower price than the retail format.

The soundtrack to Tekken Tag Tournament 2 was composed by Akitaka Tohyama, Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, Rio Hamamoto, Taku Inoue, and Go Shiina. The console versions have additional songs composed by Tohyama, Inoue, Yoshihito Yano, Ryo Watanabe, Shiina, Hamamoto, Sano, Okabe, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Yuu Miyake, and Keigo Hoashi. Snoop Dogg recorded a track for the game, titled Knocc Em Down. When asked about the collaboration, director Katsuhiro Harada said "the Tekken team has always tried to implement different genres of music throughout the series, but one thing that we've never done was hip hop or rap". The game also had a Snoop Dogg themed stage in which the rapper made a cameo.

• Illustration — Promotion at the E3 2012 The Tekken Hybrid Blu-ray Disc collection, released on November 22, 2011, contains the Tekken: Blood Vengeance CGI animated film and an HD version of the original Tekken Tag Tournament, as well as a demo version of Tekken Tag Tournament 2, called Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Prologue for the PlayStation 3. The contents of the prologue mainly revolve around elements of the movie, and features four characters: Alisa Bosconovitch, Devil Jin, Devil Kazuya and Ling Xiaoyu, all of whom feature new costumes (the school uniform for Alisa and Xiaoyu, and the new Devil design from the movie for Devil Jin and Devil Kazuya). Prior to the release of Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Namco Bandai Games allowed players in North America for the first time to try the game at the Team Mad Catz booth during the 2012 MLG Winter Championships event. Namco brought Tekken Tag Tournament 2 arcade machines to MCM London Comic Con. On June 25, 2012, Namco announced the First-Play Tour, a UK tour designed to let newcomers play the game's Fight Lab mode ahead of the game's release. The tour began at London Trocadero on June 28, and headed to Manchester on July 5 and Glasgow on July 6. On September 11, 2012, Namco attempted a new world record for "largest screen used in a videogame tournament". The attempt took place at Sydney's IMAX theatre. To celebrate the launch of Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Namco launched a competition to find the best Tekken inspired images. The competition played on the "Tag" element of the game, with fans from around the globe being asked to use Instagram to tag photos with #WEARETEKKEN or #TTT2 that show what Tekken means to them. The favorite photos were selected to go on display at the East Gallery in London to celebrate the games launch on September 14, 2012. One over-all winner, picked by "We Are Tekken" artist Vince Ray, received a Tekken prize bundle including a We Are Tekken edition of the game, Kotobukiya's Yoshimitsu statue (limited to 500), a We are Tekken gamer shirt, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 bowling bag and Vince Ray's Anna Williams poster signed by Harada.

In April 2012, series producer Katsuhiro Harada stated that while no characters will be paid downloadable content (DLC), those who pre-order the game at select retailers will be able to play as one or more of the four DLC characters (Ancient Ogre, Angel, Kunimitsu and Michelle Chang) at launch, but only for a limited period of time before the content is made available for free to all players. On June 5, 2012, at E3, Namco Bandai announced a partnership with American rapper Snoop Dogg for content for Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Snoop recorded an original song for the game, titled "Knocc 'Em Down", and makes a special appearance as a non-playable character in the "Snoop Dogg Stage" offered as a free pre-order bonus. On July 14, 2012, during Comic Con, Namco announced the "Big Bikini Bundle", which includes over 150 swimsuit outfits. The swimsuit DLC includes suits for all characters: male, female and animal. The "Big Bikini Bundle" was available as a pre-order bonus in addition to the "Snoop Dogg Stage" and additional early access to DLC characters. On September 9, 2012, some players found on-disc data for six hidden characters (Dr. Bosconovitch, Miharu Hirano, Sebastian, Slim Bob, Violet and Unknown) and a few hidden stages. Namco announced them on September 12, 2012, stating that starting on October 9, 2012, these six characters, in addition to four new stages (Extravagant Underground, Moai Excavation, Modern Oasis and Odeum of Illusions) to be available for download. The content was announced to be staggered across several free updates, rather than in one major update. The characters Miharu Hirano, Sebastian and Slim Bob, as well as all four new stages, Online World Arena mode and decals for customization, were released on October 9, 2012, as a free update. Dr. Bosconovitch, Violet and Unknown, as well as the four pre-order characters, were released on November 13. In addition to the extra DLC characters, a patch was released which drastically altered the difficulty of Arcade mode. Music and cutscenes from all previous Tekken games for use in "Tekken Tunes" was also announced be released as DLC, titled the "Tekken Tag 2 Bonus Pack". Music from the original Tekken, Tekken 2, Tekken 3 and Tekken Tag Tournament were released on October 9, 2012, and the music from Tekken 4, Tekken 5 and Tekken 6 was released on October 23, 2012. The ending movie packs from the former four games were released the same day. Movies from the latter three games were released on November 20, 2012. Unlike character and pre-order DLC, the music and ending movies come with a fee that is cheaper if the content is downloaded in packs rather than separately.