Tekken 5 Confirmed: Namco Shows E3 Hand

Although the Tekken series has rapidly gathered an army of doubters in recent times, the appeal of the series and its monster sales on a global basis make it a massive franchise and big news.

Which results in stories like this one, foretelling that the fifth Tekken game will be on show at E3, then speculating as to in what form it will be presented.

Indeed, Namco's pre-E3 press release reads, "New instalments of Namco's best-selling franchises will make their debut at the show, including Ace Combat 5, Tekken 5, Xenosaga Episode II, Dead to Rights II, Time Crisis: Crisis Zone, Tales of Symphonia and Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2."

The press release doesn't make it clear as to whether Tekken 5, underway right now for the System 246 arcade platform, will be playable for console.

Indeed, Namco's Japanese office has released the following line-up to its press, which we believe is the extent of playable code on Namco's stand this year:

Ace Combat 5: Unsung War (PS2, Fall 2004)
Baten Kaitos (GC, TBA)
Dead to Rights II (PS2/XB, Fall 2004)
Death by Degrees (PS2, Fall 2004)
Ghosthunter (PS2, August 2004)
Smash Court Tennis Pro Tournament 2 (PS2, Summer 2004)
Street Racing Syndicate (PS2/XB/GC, Fall 2004)
Taiko Drum Master (PS2, TBA)
Tales of Symphonia (GC, Summer 2004)
The Adversary (TBA)
Time Crisis: Crisis Zone (PS2, September 2004)
Xenosaga Episode II (PS2, 2005)

Expect a full report from E3 next week.