Tournament-level players won't have much to learn, mechanics wise, from this article besides the fact that this is a great game and it works extremely well on the PSP. The reason Tekken 6 makes for such a great handheld port is because the gameplay only requires the use of four buttons. As the PSP has four face buttons, this allows for the gameplay to fit snugly on the hardware, even for devoted Tekken fans. If you happen to be a newcomer to the series, however, Tekken 6 combines a pick-up-and-play interface with some seriously complex strategies and all the gameplay mechanics you found on the console version are here on the PSP.
The only noticeable difference between the console version of Tekken 6 and the PSP version is that the PSP version lacks the story-driven Campaign Scenario mode. This isn't particularly problematic, though, because Campaign Scenario was one of the weakest elements to the Tekken 6 formula. The other single-player modes, which include Arcade, Challenges, Practice and Ghost Battles, are much more enjoyable.
The Ghost Battles mode is actually one of my favorite elements in the single-player experience, as you are pitted against a steady stream of new AI opponents, or ghosts, that possess different ranks. At the end of the battle, you can use the D-pad to select your next opponent out of a list of three, or you can opt to end the Ghost Battle session. This mode is made even more palatable thanks to the monetary reward you receive after every victory.
You'll be earning some sweet coin for almost everything you do in Tekken 6. The primary use of money is to purchase extra customization items for every character on the roster. For example, earn enough cash and you can buy a new jacket for your favorite fighter. Or perhaps you'll pay millions for a ponytail haircut for Lili (I'm guilty of that one). Being able to constantly earn money for unlocking costumes is a great way to reward players that keep coming back for more.
That being said, Character customization doesn't mean anything if the gameplay isn't rewarding. Fortunately, Tekken 6 has some great gameplay to sink your teeth into. With two punches, two kicks and then basic movement, almost anyone can pick up a controller and start mashing away to execute some basic attacks. However, there's a surprisingly deep system underneath the simple interface. Once you begin to study parries, counters, ukemis (falling and/or getting up from being knocked down) juggles, wall hits and more, you'll soon see that Tekken 6 is hardly a button-masher.
One of the first gameplay elements that might tip off a new player to the underlying depth of Tekken 6 is his ability to block from a neutral position. Players do not have to hold "back" on the D-pad in order to block in Tekken, which means you won't have to perpetually move backwards if you're trying to anticipate an oncoming attack. Of course, players must still perform a crouching block to defend against low attacks (the crouching block also helps you avoid high attacks), but this just enhances the amount of options you have for your defensive game.
More depth emerges when you examine the proper way to string combos together, which must be varied enough to prevent your opponent from predicting your next move and responding with a counter or side step. If you do happen to find your character on the ground and vulnerable to a follow-up attack, you'll have to learn the best way to get up. Do you roll to the foreground, background or away from your opponent? Do you get up right away and immediately block and/or crouch block? Or do you try and catch your opponent with a standing kick? Clearly there are subtleties at work here that must be studied.
When it comes to the actual fighters, Lars and Alisa are the newest characters to join the Tekken roster (next to Bob, Leo, Miguel and Zafina, who appeared in the original Tekken 6 arcade version before the updated Bloodline Rebellion arcade machines were available). The fresh faces are respectable additions to the roster. I really enjoyed playing as Alisa, if only for her ridiculous move set. This move set includes handing her own head to her opponent and waiting for it to explode, as well as using her chainsaw arms, booster wings and rocket-powered feet. If you didn't already know, Alisa is a robot.
Although some gamers might be initially turned off by the PSP version of Tekken 6 -- considering its "inferior" visuals -- this really is a fantastic port. The game feels exactly like the console version and the absence of the Campaign Scenario mode is easy to accept. Although it's an immense shame that hardcore players can't play with a joystick, Tekken 6 PSP does do one thing much better than its console cousin: load times. Tekken 6 PSP loads faster in almost every scenario and this is a very welcome improvement.
Tekken 6 also sports a phenomenal Ad Hoc multiplayer mode that runs with almost no lag. Although players take a fair amount of time to sync, the matches themselves run without a hitch. It's unfortunate that there's no in-game Infrastructure available, but at least the Ad Hoc is smooth.