Tekken Advance (2001). Play online

Summary

Tekken Advance brings the classic Tekken feel to the Game Boy Advance, marking the series’ first foray onto a Nintendo platform. Though it sits outside the official storyline, the game reuses the 3‑D models from Tekken 3 as 2‑D sprites and borrows the menus and fonts from Tekken Tag Tournament, giving it a recognizable look in a portable package.

The GBA’s limited buttons forced a streamlined control scheme: punch on B, kick on A, with the shoulder keys handling tags and throws, while still keeping a side‑step option. New "stun" variations—pop, crumple, and left/right—add tactical depth, and the roster mirrors Tekken 3’s starters except for Eddy Gordo and Lei Wulong; Gun Jack is available from the start, and Heihachi serves as the sole unlockable boss in place of Ogre. Critics responded warmly, scoring the title around 8 out of 10 from IGN and GameSpot, with GameSpy awarding 88/100 and noting its impressive translation to handheld. It was also a runner‑up for GameSpot’s Best GBA Graphics behind Yoshi’s Island: SA3.

Storyline

Tekken Advance, the handheld spin‑off for the Game Boy Advance, picks up right after the chaos of Tekken 3. While it uses the same roster and plot beats, the game’s story is considered non‑canonical to the main Tekken timeline. The narrative follows the aftermath of the Mishima saga as fighters continue their battles, but the events are treated as an alternate branch that doesn’t affect the official continuity.