Tekken's Top 10 Themes

Good fighting games have it all.  Good gameplay, good graphics, good controls and good characters.  The thing that can bring it all together, however, is good music.

The Tekken series is no exception to this.  The series has featured a number of great tracks over the years.  Of course, there are a select few that rise above the rest.  It won't be easy, but it's time to separate the elite cream from the cream.  These are my top 10 Tekken themes.

10.  School theme (Tekken Tag Tournament)

The initial bells let you know that school is out and ass-kicking class is in session.  Seems like a good rave song.  Decent for fighting in front of a bunch of high school kids.

9.  Hacked (Tekken 6)

This song makes me think of summer for some reason.  A nice song for an intense bike ride or a jog in the park on a hot day.

8.  Authentic Sky (Tekken 4)

A droning song featuring a piano.  Better than described here.  It really works on the level it's featured on, which has the fighters brawling on a rooftop on an overcast day.

7.  Zirkus (Tekken Tag Tournament 2)

Not sure why, but this song makes me think of winter.  In other words, it really doesn't fit with the level it's played on.  I certainly don't think of a "Zirkus" when I hear it.  Good for a cold bike ride to the store.

6. Congested Rage (Tekken 6)

One of the most memorable moments of Tekken 6's Campaign Mode was Paul punching through a wall and growling.  This song is timed perfectly with the scene, making for a moment that's both epic and hilarious.  It also works well when fighting spoiled blonde girls, beating on professional wrestlers and MMA fighters, and others.

5.  Lei Wulong arranged theme (Tekken 3)

Sounds like it should be in a Jackie Chan movie.  You can just see him bouncing off walls, jumping off roofs, and kicking ass while this is playing.  Goes well with Tekken's version of the martial arts legend.

4.  Be In The Mirror (Tekken 2)

You can just hear the evil in this track.  The violin, the piano, and those especially those trumpets are fitting for such an imposing opponent.  It also helps you relax and keep from breaking the controller when Devil starts shooting lasers (which can't be blocked).

3.  Ka-En-No-Mai (Tekken 5)

This track is so Japanese.  I'm not sure who's playing that instrument (a shamisen, I think), but they need to get more work in future soundtracks.

2. Lonesome City Jazz Party 1st Round (Tekken 7)

The "jazz" part reminds me of Nina Williams on a stealth mission.  Then, a rave breaks out and she starts dancing.  The jazz hits again and it's back to sneaking around.  Yeah, I know it's stupid.  It doesn't really work for the level it's on, but it's a good song based on its own merits.

1.  Unforgiven (Tekken 5)

Perhaps the most badass song in the series, it's only enhanced by the stage you're fighting in.  You're in a warehouse (or some shady place) with a van swinging from the ceiling and a crowd cheering and jeering (perfectly in rhythm with the song, mind you).  It just sounds like you're in a fighting environment.

And with that, the difficult task of picking Tekken's top 10 songs is complete.  It wasn't easy.  There were plenty of good songs that got left off.  Jack 2's arranged theme, Ling Xiaoyu's Tekken 3 arranged theme, and many others all could have made the cut, but there has to be a cutoff.  Right?  Agree?  Disagree?  What are your favorite Tekken songs?  Comment and have your voice heard.