Tekken 8’s guest DLC character list hasn’t been fully revealed yet, but already, fans are asking for a fan-favorite character from a different franchise.
Shortly after Tekken 8 launched on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC last January 26, Katsuhiro Harada addressed the demand to bring Tifa Lockhart from Final Fantasy 7 to the popular fighting game.
Harada, aware of the intense fan interest, acknowledged the appeal of Tifa, stating, “We all know she is attractive and I understand that.” However, he emphasized that no decisions have been made regarding guest characters for Tekken 8. This statement, while not outright dismissing the possibility of Tifa’s inclusion, suggests that the Tekken team is still considering its options.
We all know she is attractive and I understand that.
But as yet we have not decided anything about guest characters etc. https://t.co/dkuMm1pnGG— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) January 26, 2024
Tekken has a history of introducing guest characters from various popular franchises. Tekken 7, for instance, included Akuma from the Street Fighter series, Noctis from Final Fantasy 15, Geese Howard from the Fatal Fury games, and The Walking Dead’s Negan. This tradition of cross-franchise characters has fueled the hopes of fans who desire to see Tifa join the Tekken lineup.
The current roster for Tekken 8 includes both familiar faces and newcomers, with Bandai Namco promising additional characters through seasonal releases. The first confirmed DLC character is Eddy Gordo, a franchise staple, set to make his return. The inclusion of guest characters, like in Tekken 7, remains a possibility, given the game’s history and the excitement it generates among players.
Tifa Lockhart, known for her combat skills and iconic status in the Final Fantasy series, has been a top request among fans. Her fighting style, focused on hand-to-hand combat, makes her a seemingly perfect fit for the Tekken universe.
The buzz around the potential inclusion of Tifa Lockhart, a beloved character from Final Fantasy 7, as a DLC character in Tekken 8 has been a hot topic among fans. Katsuhiro Harada, the director of Tekken 8, recently addressed these speculations, offering a tempered response to the excitement and curiosity of fans.
Harada’s response to the Tifa Lockhart rumors reflects his awareness of fan expectations while maintaining a cautious stance. His mention of not having decided on guest characters “yet” leaves the door open for future surprises. Fans have expressed their wishes across social media platforms, highlighting Tifa’s popularity and the potential excitement her inclusion could bring to Tekken 8.
Interestingly enough, fans on Reddit spotted Azucena wearing Tifa’s iconic tanktop as early as last month during Tekken 8’s demo period.
Ultimately, fans of both Tekken and Final Fantasy will have to wait for further announcements regarding additional DLC characters to see if their hopes for Tifa’s crossover into the Tekken universe will come to fruition. But if Square Enix and Bandai Namco want to capitalize on the hype, Tifa should arrive in Tekken 8 sooner rather than later as Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is coming out on PS5 on February 29 with the Xbox port of FF16 reportedly coming soon.
