Every Classic Tekken Character Not in Tekken 8 So Far

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 30, 2024 6 Views 6 Min Read
Every Classic Tekken Character Not in Tekken 8 So Far



Boasting an impressive roster on launch and through DLC so far, Tekken 8 includes many of the iconic faces of the series who have been around for decades. Despite embracing new fighters and returning legends alike, however, numerous fighters who were key members of earlier entries are conspicuously absent. Their chances at getting added through DLC in Tekken 8 are up in the air, leaving these characters as nostalgic relics of the past for the time being.




An archetypal pattern of replacement has always defined the revolving door of characters preceding Jack-8 in Tekken 8, so this iterative robot concept has basically been the same fighter in every mainline title. The same could be said for the likes of Kuma, a successor who has taken up the same mantle and shares a fighting style with their predecessor. Outside these and story-exclusives though, there are some notable throwback omissions in T8.

Tekken 8 Character Cutting Balance

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One character’s absence from Tekken 8 was revealed to be for the game’s benefit, but similar roster logic could cause problems if it becomes the norm.

Several Characters From the Original Tekken Have Been Left Behind

Remnants of Kazuya’s Generation

Multiple foundational fighters from the earliest era of the series have found themselves not included in T8, even though most of them got to appear as Tekken 7 DLC. While it’s somewhat understandable that Armor King, Anna, and Kunimitsu might be left out in favor of their current analogs, fighting styles like those of Ganryu and Wang could genuinely bring fresh gameplay to the table. It’s initially confusing to differentiate P-Jack from his numbered counterparts, but this iteration of the character is one specific robot who isn’t replaced in each sequel.


  • Armor King
  • Michelle Chang
  • Anna Williams
  • Ganryu
  • Kunimitsu
  • Prototype Jack
  • Wang Jinrei

Some of Tekken 2’s Oddball Picks Are Excluded From T8

Mostly Underrated Tekken Fighters Who Haven’t Appeared in Years

Reaffirming the franchise’s identity through adding a quirkier layer to the world, T2 brought about the fan-favorite animal boxers that the series is known for. Alex the raptor and Roger the kangaroo are still recognizable icons despite not appearing since Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and Angel occupies an uncanny area of her own that Angel Jin has only evoked. Lei is the only one with a recent appearance due to his spot in the previous mainline game, while Baek and Bruce are Tekken 8 DLC contenders due to growing nostalgic popularity.

  • Alex
  • Roger
  • Baek Doo San
  • Bruce Irvin
  • Lei Wulong
  • Angel


Missing Fighters From Jin Kazama’s New Generation and Beyond

Several Post-Timeskip Characters Have Yet to Return

The leap forward marked by Tekken 3 was a major point of advancement, but now being over 25-years-old easily makes its cast considered legacy fighters. Like P-Jack, Gun Jack set himself apart by being an established character instead of a mass-produced model with the number three in his name. Doctor B. and Mokujin acted as more of a joke and mimic character respectively, continuing the goofy tone that still exists in the current entry. Ogre remains a popular DLC request despite his disconnection to T8‘s scenario, but the return of boss characters in fighting games tends to be uncommon.


Before T5 essentially marked a new era for the series, Tekken 4 represented a transitional phase that could earn it the moniker of the last “classic” title in the franchise for the time being. With Christie breathing new, graceful life into Capoeira and Marduk bringing an even harder edge to the games, it’s fair to say that they were defining fighters of their time. Since the vast majority of those introduced afterward have made it into Tekken 8‘s base roster, the missing characters of T4 are the last bastion of the franchise’s days.

Tekken 3

  • Julia Chang
  • Gun Jack
  • Mokujin
  • Ogre/True Ogre
  • Doctor Bosconovitch

Tekken 4

  • Christie Montiero
  • Combot
  • Craig Marduk

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