Katsuhiro Harada, the director of Tekken, recently shared fascinating insights into the creation of one of Tekken 3's most popular costumes for the character King. This alternative costume, which features a grey mask, a t-shirt, dark blue bottoms, and white sneakers, originated from the idea of the character embodying a "Heel" wrestler, complete with kanji for "evil" written on the back. Despite initial concerns about the understanding and localization of the kanji outside Japan, the bold design became an iconic part of the Tekken series.
What inspired the design of King's alternative costume in Tekken 3?nThe design was inspired by the concept of King being a "Heel" wrestler, with the artist adding the kanji for "evil" as a playful touch. Despite localization concerns, the unique design resonated with players worldwide and became one of the most popular Tekken costumes.
Tekken 3, released in arcades in 1997 and later for the PlayStation in 1998, is widely regarded as one of the best fighting games of all time. It introduced new gameplay mechanics and a roster of memorable characters, solidifying Tekken's place in fighting game history. The game's influence is evident even decades later, with costumes like King's remaining iconic in the gaming community.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
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Comments
It's fascinating how a simple design choice, like adding kanji for evil, can elevate a character's lore and global appeal. King's Heel wrestler vibe in Tekken 3 is a prime example of how thoughtful creativity transcends cultural barriers in game design.
King's Heel wrestler outfit in Tekken 3, complete with the kanji for evil, turned out to be a bold yet iconic choice that fans still love. It's cool how the Tekken team took a risk on the design and it paid off big time, adding depth and flair to the character.
It's wild how a creatively risky costume concept like King's Heel wrestler look became such an iconic part of Tekken 3's legacy. Goes to show that bold design choices often resonate with fans in unexpected and awesome ways