UPDATE 2: In Namco's continuing effort to make Tekken 5 the best Tekken yet, the arcade ship date has slipped to roughly mid-November. As always, we'll keep you updated on any further delays.

UPDATE: As we originally stated, delays can happen, and they have. The new ship date for the arcade version of Tekken 5 is now the last week of October. We'll update you on any further delays.

Thanks to our good friends over at Tekken Zaibatsu and Namco Arcade, we've learned that Tekken 5 is currently scheduled to begin shipping to arcades nationwide on Monday. While there is always a chance of delay, Namco is currently planning to ship the title on Monday and Wednesday, 10/18 and 10/20 respectively, with more ship dates to follow. The game should begin arriving in arcades approximately one week after the ship dates, although some arcades will receive the game before others.

Tekken 5 is being sold on a first come, first serve basis, instead of the standard national distribution routes most arcade games take. If you don't see Tekken 5 in your local arcade by the end of October, be sure to ask your arcade manager about the title. If an arcade doesn't order the game, it won't magically appear. With all of the new features being implemented in Tekken 5, arcade operators stand to make a good profit on the title, but if they aren't informed of the new "money-making" features, they may overlook the game. If you're looking forward to playing it as much as we are, be sure to check in with your local arcade as soon as possible.

Namco is set to make Tekken 5 the most innovative Tekken title yet. With a new card system that will allow players to customize their character of choice with a multitude of outfit colors and accessories, Tekken 5 is looking to be the best entry in the series to date. Each card will run approximately $5 (although the final price is determined by the arcade), and will hold one character each. Namco is also planning a national tournament that's set to begin early next year, so practice up. We'll have more on Tekken 5 in the very near future!