Changes in character appearances is a common thing in gaming, and multiple franchises introduce different outfits for their protagonists. In the Tekken series, there’s probably the widest choice in alternate costumes compared to other games.
While players can customize the characters themselves, the game also presents as many as three choices to pick from. While the primary one acts as the character’s poster image, the alternate costumes, or “skins”, can be even better. On other occasions, though, these can be downright awful. Here are five each of the best and worst seen in the Tekken series that you should check out.
10 Worst: Yoshimutsu Shark Suit
Yoshimitsu is responsible for the most outrageous skins anyone’s seen in gaming, but even he can’t pull off this travesty. This can be seen in Tekken 7, where Yoshimitsu looks like a horror show come alive as a shark wielding a sword.
Shark costumes have been seen in other game series too, and they’ve pretty much sucked every time. Yoshimitsu is no exception, and it’s hard to imagine anyone really getting into this look as their first option for the character.
9 Best: Jin Kazama Regal Suit
Easily the most powerful character in the series, Jin Kazama doesn’t always evoke that sense of dominance in his usual get-ups. However, he does look just the part in this skin from Tekken 6, where you just have to respect the man.
Clad in white attire with a cape of sorts flowing down the back, the look is amplified in its intimidation by the presence of Cerberus heads by the kneepads. It also ends up achieving a regal look to the character, something he certainly was as head of the Mishima Zaibatsu.
8 Worst: Anna Williams Faux Classy Outfit
Both Williams sisters act like teenage girls despite nearly being in their fifties, but they do pull off the young energy. Not in this case, though, as this skin from Tekken 6 makes Anna look like a wannabe punk rock chick who’s trying too hard to be hip.
It just doesn’t make sense, as there’s even a bow on her short shorts, despite it not having business being there. Along with that, the get-up looks like a horrible cross between formal attire and someone in a biker gang.
7 Best: Hwoarang Army Fatigues
Although Hwoarang’s story in Tekken 4 had him deserting the army to pursue a fight with Jin, his main costume in the game had his usual dojo outfit with the long hair. The alternate one, though, is where you get the soldier Hwoarang.
Looking quite unlike himself, here Hwoarang does seem like a legit badass who can go and beat the very best in the world. The spiky hairdo makes him out to be the rebel he is, while the army fatigues go well with his hard-hitting nature.
6 Worst: Jinpachi Fire Form
The main version of Jinpachi was the one found in the original Tekken 5, where he looked like a demonic creature with a purple complexion and bloodshot eyes. The alternate one in Tekken Dark Resurrection looks like a cheap attempt at making the devil.
There’s really nothing imaginative about this look, as all the work done is only to make Jinpachi appear like a fireball come to life. A random horn that looks more like a tooth growing out of his forehead is more out of place due to the mouth on his torso seeming like a tattoo rather than an actual demonic entity.
5 Best: Craig Marduk Tapout Gear
There’s a fair amount of criticism toward Craig Marduk, such as his accent being American him being an Australian, along with him hardly looking like a professional wrestler in his primary outfit. In case you’re looking for the pro wrestler Marduk, then this can be found in Tekken 6, where he fulfills this look.
With a Tapout shirt, and imprint on this apparel also carrying the Tekken 6 logo, this alternate Marduk looks like a guy who can rip someone in half. Choosing this skin is the best way to have that big fight feel with the character.
4 Worst: Fundoshi Akuma
Oh boy, who would ever ask for this? Well, Namco gave fans this skin for Akuma anyway, and he looks even scarier than usual because of it. In fact, every male character can be chosen with a fundoshi in the Tekken 7 DLC, although Akuma easily looks the worst.
Unlike someone like Heihachi, who had this as his primary costume in Tekken 4, Akuma’s usual badass quality is torn down. Instead, he just seems like a parody for the most part, and fans should just steer clear of this one.
3 Best: Bullet Club Bryan Fury
Wrestling fans will no doubt love this one, as The Bullet Club from New Japan Pro Wrestling got its gear reflected in the Tekken 7 DLC. There was probably no character better to flaunt this than Bryan Fury, who loves a chaotic fight.
Making it even better is Bryan’s face mask, which goes splendidly with The Bullet Club’s theme of destruction and mayhem. This skin looks so good that the usual Bryan Fury costume just doesn’t compare anymore.
2 Worst: Bob Striped Costume
This one just seems like a rather cruel joke on Bob, as he’s put in a sailor costume of sorts looking horribly out of character. His general storyline has to do with him being a fighter by spirit, but here he just comes across as the opposite.
There’s also the theme of him being at the beach, which is silly to say the least. It’s no wonder this is placed as an alternate costume as part of the Tekken 7 DLC, since there’s hardly anyone would choose Bob if this was his main get-up.
1 Best: Lei Wulong Tactical Gear
He took his sweet time to appear in Tekken 7, but Lei Wulong’s arrival as a DLC character also brought this awesome skin with it. It’s a wonder why this wasn’t used as his primary suit, seeing as his actual first choice makes him out to be a total drunkard.
This one, however, is all kinds of cool, as Lei’s fighting stance complements the fighting gear. It also hides his otherwise shabby facial appearance, and instead puts focus on his physique and style of play. Namco should seriously consider making this the template for Lei in the next game, as it is too good to settle as just an alternate skin.