Tekken 1 "Boss Edition" [PS1] - play as Kuma

This is a playthrough of Arcade Mode using Kuma in the PS1 version of Tekken 1. Read on below for more information...

Kuma is the sub-boss for Paul in the game. He is an unlockable playable character in the normal version of it.

===== ABOUT THE "BOSS EDITION" =====

To put it simply, this is the normal game as usual but with the major difference being that the bosses' icons appear on the character select screens instead of the regular characters. The 2P Play Mode character select screen also has this change whereby it replaces the regular character's texts.

The interesting thing is that the final boss Heihachi replaces the slot of Kazuya... logically you would think that only the sub-bosses would appear here right? Heihachi being present here results in Kunimitsu not appearing on this screen.

Note that the sub-bosses' icon slot appearances here do not replace/match their regular starting character counterparts (for example Anna would replace Nina's slot), meaning that it's not a structured appearance. Instead, they are of the same order as when they are all unlocked in the normal version of the game.

The bosses' icons on this screen are not just aesthetical... they actually function and do give you the chosen boss when you select them here. Think of it as the bosses being the 'main characters' this time.

I find it rather interesting because normally the bosses' icons are never shown on the character select screen (you normally move the cursor off the side of the screen to select the bosses after they're unlocked).

===== "BOSS EDITION" ADDITIONAL INFORMATION =====

If you select a boss this way and use him/her to beat Arcade Mode, it does not unlock their regular counterpart.

As mentioned earlier, Kunimitsu is the only boss that does not appear on the character screen due to Heihachi appearing.

===== UNLOCK KUMA INFORMATION =====

HOW TO UNLOCK KUMA IN THE NORMAL VERSION OF THE GAME:

Beat Arcade Mode with Paul. Kuma will then be available on the character select screen by scrolling off the side of the row.

===== ABOUT KUMA =====

What started off as an interesting "animal character" and contrast to the human fighters ended up being a staple for the Tekken franchise... if you are well-versed in fighting games, Kuma should be one of the first characters that pops into your head when you think of animal fighting game characters. Battle K-Road and Tekken both debuted in 1994... who was first I wonder?

===== KUMA GAMEPLAY =====

Kuma is a derivative of Jack... he plays almost identically to him bar a few differences here and there. Kuma lacks the special throws and drill punches that Jack has, but he does have Kazuya/Heihachi's head strike as his own special throw. In the Arcade version of the game, Kuma's RP + RK throw is the same as Jack's one (the lifter); in the PS1 game it is replaced with a bear hug.

Additionally, in the Arcade version, Kuma had Jack's Wind-Up punch (discovered by using third party methods to select him for human use)... as Kuma was non-selectable in that version, it didn't matter. This move was removed in the PS1 version.

===== ABOUT PS1 TEKKEN 1 =====

This version of the game is virtually arcade perfect, even bettering the Arcade version in a lot of ways, such as:

1) The sub-bosses and Heihachi being made to be unlockable playable characters. They are unplayable in the Arcade version.

2) Extra/new and unique moves for the bosses.

3) A new alternative costume for each of the bosses.

4) FMV endings for the regular characters.

5) Offering an excellent Arranged soundtrack.

The minor downside however is that the character portraits on the select screen are static when you select/confirm them, unlike in the Arcade where they had animation. This is probably done to cut loading times.

===== CHAPTERS =====

00:00 - Title/Menu & Boss character select screen
00:29 - Regular fights
09:04 - vs. Paul (personal sub-boss)
10:22 - vs. Heihachi
11:33 - Credits
12:39 - Name Entry
12:56 - Time Rankings
13:15 - BONUS: 2P Play Mode character select screen & Kuma 2P costume