Multiplayer should be an important factor with this game, and, fortunately, Namco recognizes this. That's why they've thrown in this exceptional option to have two people play with one copy of the game via Game Sharing. A player who doesn't own Resurrection can temporarily download a build from someone who does. Not enough PSP games do this (unlike the DS), so I'm happy to see Namco provide the option. It hiccups from time to time, but the fighting for the most part is faithful and solid. If two players own a copy of the game, they can have it out via AdHoc, and it works just as well.

As for new fighters, the game features two primary additions that players should easily get accustomed to. Dragunov is a slow yet powerful brawler who has some fantastic bone-snapping moves to his credit, and Lili is a quick, combo-built brawler whom many will easily accept as a favorite. A lot of older fighters are here as well, including Armor King who makes a tremendous returns- although the word "tremendous" might describe the beat-down you'll be taking.

Dark Resurrection also benefits from the inclusion of a couple of mini-games. Sadly, a Tekken Force mode did not make the cut. However, this was made up for with the inclusion of Tekken Bowling, a mini-game that was originally a big hit with the Tekken Tag Tournament PS2 release. In the game, you select your fighter and then head to a bowling lane, where Heihachi-shaped trophies stand in place of the pins. It's great to see this mode again, as it makes for a fun diversion to the fighting action. Gold Rush is also pretty cool, where you collect cash by knocking the crap out of your opponent. It's kind of a variation of Pocket Fighter's gem-collecting chaos, but it's a good time all the same.

Tekken: Dark Resurrection is a damn good game, and, to date, the best brawler for the Sony PSP. I know many fighting fans would still prefer the classic Tekken 5 for PS2, and wonder where their console port of this game is, but it's still a brawler that no dedicated player should be without. The Dojo Mode, Ghost Mode, and Tekken Bowling are worth the price on their own, and the fighting looks and feels just like it always has. Despite being called Dark Resurrection, the game's a bright addition to the PSP line-up. Perhaps we could see Soul Calibur get the same treatment, eh, Namco?

Bryan's Hardcore Viewpoint

If you're a hardcore Tekken fan, in the sense that you just like to play Tekken a lot, you'll probably enjoy Dark Resurrection. However, if you're a hardcore, high level player, in the sense that you strive to become better than your friends and possibly even travel to tournaments, Tekken: DR may not appeal to you.

Tekken has been a tournament level fighting game for some time now, with worldwide tournaments taking place on a regular basis. Tekken Tag Tournament is considered to be the best tournament level Tekken title to date; so much so that when Tekken 4 released, tournaments used both games instead of simply upgrading to Tekken 4. However, when Tekken 5 hit, it became the sole Tekken game represented at tournaments, and sadly that will remain the case until at least Tekken 6 on the PS3. Tekken: DR is a great port, but hardcore fans of the series would have rather seen a PS2 version with tighter controls and the option to use an arcade-style joystick.