Tekken 8 – would you be happy with 22 characters? (pic: Bandai Namco)

Tekken 8 only seems to have a character roster of 22 characters, but fans are convinced there’ll be more.

It still lacks any sort of launch window, but fans have been able to try out Tekken 8 for the past week thanks to a closed beta. Or, as it’s unfortunately named, the Tekken 8 CNT (seriously, did no one at Bandai Namco flag that?).

The beta’s still running for another three days, until Monday, but as fans are wont to do, it’s been datamined for any unannounced details regarding the game’s roster.

This has turned up six new characters, that aren’t in the beta or haven’t been announced yet, although calling them new isn’t quite accurate, as they’ve all been in one or more previous Tekken games.

The characters in question are:

Yoshimitsu – a series regular who has a new design with each game

Shaheen – a Saudi Arabian fighter introduced in Tekken 7

Raven – a ninja/secret agent introduced in Tekken 5 (although it could be his superior, Master Raven, from Tekken 7 instead)

Zafina – a female fighter introduced in Tekken 6

Steve – a boxer introduced in Tekken 4

Alisa – an android made to resemble a young woman introduced in Tekken 6

This would bring the current roster up to 22 characters, which is notably smaller than Tekken 7’s launch roster. However, some fans are convinced that this isn’t the complete line-up, either because they think it’s too small or because of the absence of certain recurring characters.

Whereâs Lee? Heâs apart of the story then again the game is still in the alpha stages of development so this roster isnât finalized if this is a real leak.

— Yss (@Yssebz) July 28, 2023

Those are probably the characters they have either ready or almost. This is likely not going to be the final roster. Even though we’re getting the network test we still don’t have a release date.

— Yuri Serra (@YuriSerra8) July 28, 2023

This list isnt like mortal kombat leaks, tekken 8 is probably far from release and even if new characters leak there are still more to come. Guaranteed

— Mattie dni era (@pushthatbeat) July 28, 2023

For example, Kuma, Heihachi’s pet bear, is nowhere to be seen despite the fact that he’s been in every Tekken game so far. The same goes for Lee Chaolan who has only ever been absent from one Tekken game – Tekken 3.

Perhaps the most shocking part of the roster so far is that there are still no wholly original characters. Unlike Street Fighter 6, which introduced six brand new fighters to the franchise, Tekken 8 seems to be entirely relying entirely on familiar faces.

More: Trending

Nintendo Switch 2 out in early 2024 hints another Chinese manufacturer

Games Inbox: Should PS5 owners buy a PS5 Pro as well?

Disney Illusion Island review – Mickey Mouse platformer

Mortal Kombat 1 is taking a similar approach, although it’s also a franchise wide reboot that’s introducing new takes on established characters. Tekken 8, by comparison, is meant to serve as the conclusion of the series’ ongoing storyline.

It’s also worth remembering that even if Tekken 8 launches with 22 fighters, Bandai Namco undoubtedly has post-launch DLC already in the pipeline.

Tekken 8 is in development for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

Email [email protected], leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter.

MORE : Tekken 8 built from scratch for Unreal Engine 5 – could include new guest fighters

MORE : Tekken 8 director slams Bandai Namco Europe for leaking Bryan Fury trailer

MORE : Tekken 8 hires Street Fighter 2 creator to help with online multiplayer

Follow Metro Gaming on Twitter and email us at [email protected]

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Tekken 8 only seems to have a character roster of 22 characters, but fans are convinced there’ll be more.