Arcade Archives 2 Tekken Switch 2 Review

Arcade Archives 2 Tekken Switch 2 Review
Version Reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2

When it comes to fighting games, few have cemented their legacy in video game history quite like Tekken. While it may now be a fast-paced juggle fest with over-the-top moves and colourful characters, it actually started out as a slower, more methodical fighter. My first foray into the King of Iron Fist Tournament was at an arcade “lock-in”, where I stumbled across the Tekken cabinet and spent a fair chunk of time trying my best to beat it. Now, thanks to Hamster Corporation and its Arcade Archives 2 series, Tekken is on Nintendo Switch 2, allowing you to play until your heart’s content without people lining up behind you saying, “No continues, man.” What’s It Like? Insert your coins, choose your fighter, and battle your way to the top as we review Arcade Archives 2 Tekken on Nintendo Switch 2.

For those of you who never experienced the original Tekken, or weren’t even born when it first released in 1994, don’t expect a cinematic story, as the original game keeps things simple, focusing on the King of Iron Fist Tournament while giving each fighter a brief ending after completing Arcade Mode. It may be light on storytelling compared to later entries, but it’s still a great way to see where some of the franchise’s biggest rivalries and most iconic characters began.

The reason for the slower-paced approach is the original four-button control scheme, with separate buttons for left and right punches and kicks. It was revolutionary at the time, as you didn’t have to worry about heavy, medium, or light attacks. Instead, combat focused on positioning, where even simple mistakes could be heavily punished. Missing an attack leaves you wide open to a combo or being juggled, quickly draining both your health bar and your virtual credits. The pacing encourages you to wait for openings, go for grabs, and even sneak in a cheap shot while your opponent is on the ground to chip away at their remaining health. Each character only has a handful of moves in their repertoire, making them easy to memorise while still requiring good timing and positioning to use effectively.

Tekken introduced many of the series’ staples, including Kazuya, Law, Nina, Jack, Paul, King, and several others. These characters have become iconic over the past three decades, so it was fun revisiting their humble beginnings and seeing how much they’ve evolved. What’s not so fun, however, is the original Tekken’s infamous AI. Around the sixth or seventh match, the difficulty spikes dramatically, punishing even the smallest mistakes. It quickly becomes apparent that the AI is reading your inputs, aggressively closing the distance and countering almost everything you throw at it. At one stage, I watched my grabs get ducked almost the instant I entered the command, before the AI responded with its own grab and took the round. It bled me dry of virtual credits, and while I eventually finished the game with Law, every subsequent playthrough hit the same wall. The only reliable way I found to get through the later stages was to cheese the AI, which unfortunately took away from the thoughtful strategy that the four-button combat system encourages.

The Arcade Archives 2 release of Tekken comes with a handful of extras to keep dedicated players occupied. Alongside the standard Original Mode, which features the original Japanese arcade ROM, you’ll also find Time Attack, Hi Score, and Caravan Mode. There are options to adjust the timer and difficulty settings, although they don’t completely offset the infamous AI spike around Stage 7. The game also supports two-player local multiplayer and variable refresh rate. There’s a decent amount of extra content here that original arcade players never had access to, giving dedicated fans more reasons to keep coming back long after their first clear.

All of this is presented in its original early 3D arcade visual style, remaining untouched from the original release. The satisfying hit sparks that appear when attacks connect are here, as are the iconic character designs that are immediately recognisable. It’s great to see these games preserved as they were, and that’s one of Hamster’s biggest strengths with the Arcade Archives series. Where I feel this package falls apart, however, is the ACA2 pricing. At $25.50 AUD, I still think these releases are simply too expensive. Admittedly, Tekken offers far more longevity than Aqua Jet or Tokyo Wars, especially with its multiplayer and replay value, but I still feel this price point would be much easier to justify if it stayed closer to the $12.00 price tag of the original Arcade Archives releases.

All in all, Tekken in the Arcade Archives 2 series is a decent package for fans of the franchise who want to revisit where it all began. Newcomers, or players who only know the later entries, may not enjoy the experience as much due to its slower pacing and steep difficulty spikes. For those who know what to expect, however, ACA2 Tekken on Nintendo Switch 2 is a welcome return to one of fighting gaming’s most influential classics, albeit a slightly pricey one.

So, What’s it Like? Arcade Archives 2 Tekken is like going to the arcade, but having unlimited credits.

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