/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25752946/1183652392.jpg)
Highlights
- Tekken 8 boasts the series’ largest roster yet, but many classic characters have been left out, leaving fans uncertain about their return.
- While fans can expect DLC featuring fan-favorite Eddy Gordo and probably some new faces, licensed guest characters from past games are unlikely to ever return.
- The absence of iconic characters like Heihachi Mishima, Gon, Lei, and Bob in Tekken 8 show how much the series has evolved, as certain series mainstays have been replaced by fighters with similar movesets.
As the first mainline title of the franchise in nearly a decade, it makes sense that Tekken 8 may have already achieved the most successful launch of the series yet. With a roster of many beloved characters contributing to the hype that the game built in the lead-up to launch, the game feels the most refined of the past few Tekken entries. A starting roster of 32 makes for one of the largest casts in a modern fighting game, but the expansive history of the franchise also meant that Tekken 8 has left out many previously available characters.
The announcement of fan-favorite Eddy Gordo as T8 DLC came before the game was even released, and the return of other classic fighters alongside the inevitable arrival of new faces can be expected. Despite this, there is essentially an entire roster’s worth of characters from Tekken‘s history who didn’t make it into T8, some of whom may never return. However, numerous fighters from the casts of each game have made a comeback in some form, making nothing certain when it comes to the future of Tekken 8‘s roster.
How Tekken Could Pull a ‘Mortal Kombat’
Tekken could borrow one writing strategy from Mortal Kombat to help welcome new fans into the franchise’s elaborate and often goofy story.
Licensed/Guest Characters of Tekken’s Past
Tekken 7 Established the Series’ Interest in Guests
Prior to the success of Tekken 7 which reinvigorated the series, Bandai Namco’s other 3D fighting game franchise, SoulCalibur, was the one known for featuring guest characters from other IPs. Starting with the bold inclusion of Akuma in T7 as a fully lore-relevant character, this dynamic would change and lead to the addition of guests from SNK, Final Fantasy, and The Walking Dead. These fighters would greatly add to the hype of their game, but the reality of their status as licensed properties makes for a low probability that any of them will return in Tekken 8.
- Akuma
- Geese Howard
- Noctis
- Negan
A Tekken 3 Fan-Favorite is Unlikely to Ever Return
While the franchise has never been quite as known for guests as SoulCalibur, there is actually one secret character, Tekken 3‘s Gon, that series creator Katsuhiro Harada himself has stated won’t be returning due to either licensing issues or time constraints.
Main Roster Characters Absent From Tekken 8
T8 contains a diverse array of styles and personalities to choose from, but the series’ rich history still left many previous fighters on the chopping block. The lack of iconic Tekken villain Heihachi Mishima makes sense given that he didn’t survive the last game, but the loss of mainstays like Bob, Lei, and Marduk may come as a surprise. Characters such as Michelle and Julia or Roger and Alex could potentially be considered copies of one another, but it’s uncertain which one could appear next in cases like these.
- Michelle Chang
- Wang Jinrei
- Ganryu
- Heihachi Mishima
- Lei Wulong
- Bruce Irvin
- Roger
- Alex
- Julia Chang
- Mokujin
- Ancient Ogre
- True Ogre
- Dr. Bosconovitch
- Tetsujin
- Unknown
- Craig Marduk
- Combot
- Roger Jr.
- Jinpachi Mishima
- Bob
- Miguel
- Jaycee
- Slim Bob
- Super Combot DX
- Eliza
- Katarina Alves
- Lucky Chloe
- Josie Rizal
- Gigas
- Kazumi Mishima
- Bo “Rodeo” Montana
- Fahkumram
- Lidia Sobieska
Missing Characters With Similarities to Existing Tekken 8 Fighters
The roster of the latest Tekken covers a solid breadth of fighting styles, something which has left several previous fighters less likely to appear due to existing movesets filling their role already. Eddy Gordo’s alter ego, Tiger Jackson, or Marshall Law’s similar son Forest, will ultimately be tough sells as standalone DLCs due to their “clone” statuses, but there’s always a chance for them to appear with new changes that set them apart.
- P. Jack
- Armor King
- Anna Williams
- Kunimitsu
- Baek Doo San
- Angel
- Gun Jack
- Forest Law
- Tiger
- Violet
- Christie Monteiro
- Miharu Hirano
- Sebastian
- Master Raven
Tekken 8
Bandai Namco’s Tekken 8 will be the franchise’s debut entry on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and the fighting game is built in Unreal Engine 5. The story revolves around Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama’s relationship.
- Released
- January 26, 2024
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
