Even after 8 years since its release, people play Tekken Tag Tournament because it is the best fighter available on PS2
So firstly, the main draw in of this game comes from the vast array of characters. Every character from the Tekken series up to the point of this game's releases is featured in this title. Meaning, characters like Kazuya and Bruce, who were missing from Tekken 3, are fully playable now, once again.
What's cool as well, which really makes this a must buy, rather than a Tekken cash-in, is the inclusion of the Tag mode and Tekken bowling, as well as all the other legendary gameplay modes we've learnt to love in the previous Tekken games.
So say you're not in the mood to play in Tag, you can play the game in the original one-on-one mode. Say you're not actually in the mood to fight, why not play the in-game rendered endings? These endings look glorious on the PS2 with full lighting, models and details.
Never has Jun looked so uncanny from her old Tekken 2 self, yet so beautiful in the full 3D experience of Tekken Tag Tournament. In fact, just watching the embu sequences, made famous in the both Tekken 3 and the original PS2 promo videos will make yours jaws drop in awe.
It is a wonder, how Namco, and Sony for that matter managed to produce something as fantastic of a game like this and be able to plonk it straight onto the PS2. The game plays how you expect it, the combat is fluent and smooth, just like in Tekken 2, yet speedy and technical like in Tekken 3.
Who would've expected that the old Tekken characters would blend in so nicely with the new Tekken characters? It is a game dream that has come true, and in many sences this is how the game's story and arcade modes work it.
Tekken Tag Tournament is just a rehash of Tekken 3, but changes in the visuals, the gameplay and design all make this the complete Tekken experience fans have been waiting for. Why go through the effort to make a new game when you can remake a brilliant one? That is exactly what Tekken Tag Tournement does.
So looking at other aspects of this game, there really is tons on offer, especially for a normally quite short fighting game. Each character has a unique ending, including using in game graphics, in fact one is even CGI. There is a screen capture mode, which can be unlocked later, this is a nice addition for taking photos of any craziness (whatever that may be) during play. And finally, perhaps the greatest mini game ever, Tekken bowling.
It would take ages to give an in-depth description of each of these modes, but you'll probably want the best of them for yourself to discover. Tekken Tag Tournament clearly does well to impress, even the music, is kept true to the game's roots with techno, electro and orchestral tracks for each stage.
The stages are a mixture of retro Tekken levels, but mainly consist of remixed versions of the ones found on Tekken 3. Each character has their original voice intact, even the ones from the older Tekken games. This brings out the best retro feelings in the player and best generates a new experience for the newer Tekken gamer.
Overall, this is perhaps the best fighting game available on Playstation 2, and the most stand out exclusive on the system, even after 8 years since its release, people play Tekken Tag Tournament simply due to how well it re-imaged the Tekken series on PS2, a re-image that would sadly never be recreated any other system or game that was released in the following years.
The only two flaws are that the game lacks the Tekken Force mode, although some people would actually be relieved this is gone. And also, more sadly, is that the formula began to age when the game was released, something that Tekken 4 would attempt to fix not long afterwards...