November 19^th, 2004 (11:29am) - Namco Hometek Inc. announced today its highly anticipated fighting franchise title, Tekken 5, is scheduled to release in North America in Q1 of 2005 exclusively for the PlayStation 2. Renowned for its variety of characters, amazing graphics and lightning-paced game play, Tekken 5 promises to deliver the next generation of blistered fingers and bleary eyes as it brings players the ultimate, most visually stunning fighting game experience ever seen in a Tekken game.

"Tekken 5 will propel gamers of all ages to the next level in the fighting genre," said Yoshi Niki, Business Unit Director with Namco Hometek Inc. "With Tekken 5’s completely new fighting engine, customizable characters and interactive environments, no fighting game fan will want to be without it."

Tekken 5 brings back the popular cast of characters from the previous Tekken games along with three new characters for a total of 20 default characters to start, and more to unlock as you progress in the game. The game allows players to use their fight money to customize their character with various accessories such as hats, glasses and an assortment of different costumes. Each of the new characters is equipped with a variety of deadly techniques, and the returning characters have been updated with new moves and combos for bone-crushing, beat ’em up good times. New to Tekken 5 is a bonus action adventure game that unfolds a side story to the action-packed fighting sequences.

After the completion of The King of Iron Fist Tournament 4, a fierce battle between father and son unfolded at Mishima Zaibatsu headquarters. Jin emerges as the victor in this battle and continues to defeat Heihachi, his grandfather ­ but spares both Kazuya and Heihachi’s lives in honor of his mother who loved peace. Soon after Jin’s departure, a swarm of Jacks arrive at Honmaru and begin to attack Heihachi and Kazuya ­ and in order to escape, Kazuya thrusts Heihachi into the swarm of Jacks. A great explosion destroys Honmaru, and a man watching from afar reports, Heihachi Mishima is dead. While many presume the death of Heihachi Mishima will end the reign of Mishima Zaibatsu, an announcement is made for the fifth King of Iron Fist Tournament, with an unknown replacement to Heihachi leading the organization. The fight begins once again.