If you grew up with the PlayStation 1 like I did, you definitely had long sessions playing Tekken 3, a game that not only defined the franchise but also secured its place in the history of fighting games. For many, Tekken 3 is the best title in the saga (and for me, it definitely is), and even today, decades after its release in 1997, it remains a benchmark when we talk about fighting games. But the question that always comes up is: who is the best character? In this Tekken 3 tier list, we’re going to go over some of the most iconic characters from the game and analyze who stands out as the most powerful.
Tekken 3 Tier List
Now let’s get to the interesting part: Who is the best character in Tekken 3? In Tekken, each character has their unique fighting style, which makes some more effective than others depending on your skill level and strategy. But in this Tekken 3 Tier List, we’ll also consider looks, personality, and backstory. So let’s get started…
Heihachi Mishima
You’d never want a grandpa like Heihachi. No matter how many times you knock him down, he always comes back stronger. Trust me, Heihachi is like that final boss who never gives up, and I’ve spent hours working on his combos. His fighting style is violent and fast, with hits that make the screen shake. Oh! Don’t even mention his insane stamina; this old man is almost impossible to beat.
Lei Wulong
Lei is a master of stance switching, literally. This guy is like a live-action Jackie Chan movie. He switches fighting styles every five seconds, making him unpredictable. If you want to throw off your opponent, Lei is your man. I’ve spent hours playing with him, experimenting with each stance like I was uncovering secret moves. Every time I bring out Lei, I feel like I’m in an epic martial arts choreography. Plus, who doesn’t love defeating their rival with an unexpected split? I admit it, he’s my favorite character, and I hate that he’s not in Tekken 8.
Paul Phoenix
Paul Phoenix… the guy with the craziest hairstyle in all of Tekken. But don’t let his looks fool you; when Paul hits, he means business. His “Phoenix Smasher” move is simply devastating. It’s one of those things that when you connect just right, you feel like you’ve won the fight. I use him when I want to finish things quickly, straight to the point. Paul is that character who always makes me feel like I’ve been training my whole life to throw punches in the street. Simple, strong, and direct, just how it should be.
Hwoarang
Hwoarang is pure kick and speed. When I play him, I feel like I’m in a constant Taekwondo festival with kick combos. He has incredibly fluid movement, and whenever I bring him into the arena, I know it’s going to get fast. The best part is when your opponent can’t even get close because you keep them at bay with kicks. Hwoarang is the definition of style and agility, but he also requires a lot of timing. I’ve got him under control, but I won’t deny it’s been a challenge to master his rhythm.
Jin Kazama
Jin is the heir to the Mishima family drama, but what really matters to me is that he’s a beast in combat. He mixes the best of Kazuya and Heihachi but puts his own spin on it. His fighting style is quick and technical, with attacks that, if you know how to connect them, leave you grinning. Jin is one of those characters that when I use him, I feel like I’m driving a sports car: control, precision, and a lot of power. Every time I win with Jin, I feel like I did everything right, because it’s not just about strength; it’s pure technique.
King
If you’ve ever dreamed of being a fighter and throwing suplexes all over the stage, King is your character. This guy is a master of throws, and when you use him, there’s nothing more satisfying than chaining several grabs and watching your opponent’s health bar vanish. I’ve spent hours learning each grab combo as if I were training for WWE or AEW. Honestly, there’s nothing more fun than seeing the look on your rival’s face when you approach them with King, knowing their health is about to fly away.
Ogre
The final boss you always want on your team is Ogre. This monster combines the brute strength of other characters with exotic moves, making him a problem for anyone who crosses his path. I always have an advantage with Ogre because you can surprise your opponents with unpredictable attacks. His hits are slow but powerful, as if he’s in a pure power exhibition. Perfect for those who want to defeat their opponent with style.
Marshall Law
Marshall Law is the Bruce Lee of the Tekken world, and every time I pick him, I feel like I’m in a 70s action movie. His quick and precise hits are a delight to play, and he always gives me that invincible vibe when I use him. If you’re fast with the buttons, Law is unstoppable. I’ve practiced so much with him that sometimes it feels like I’m giving a masterclass in martial arts. His speed and combos are so fluid that I sometimes surprise myself with how easy it is to send someone flying. Like I said, having that Bruce Lee style and appearance makes him simply awesome.
Eddy Gordo
Eddy is the king of capoeira, and I won’t lie; he’s a really fun character to use. The first time I tried him, I felt like I was dancing while throwing punches. His moves are a crazy whirlwind of kicks that can leave anyone dizzy. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows with Eddy. While it’s easy to spam moves and win some fights, at the highest level, you need more than just spinning around like a top. I’ve found myself out of options because, while he’s unpredictable, he’s also predictable… if that makes sense. Still, when Eddy dances, you’re guaranteed a show.
True Ogre
True Ogre is the turbo version of Ogre. A giant dragon with horns and wings—who wouldn’t want to use him? Every time I pick him, I feel powerful, like I’m a final boss. His attacks are strong and devastating, and he gives off that vibe of “better stay back or I’ll crush you.” But the truth is, True Ogre can feel a bit slow and clunky compared to other more agile characters. Sometimes it frustrates me when my opponent easily dodges while I’m trying to land those heavy hits. Still, nothing compares to breathing fire and watching my opponent fly away.
Ling Xiaoyu
Xiaoyu is pure energy and speed. I love how she moves across the stage, always dodging and countering with a grace that feels like a kung-fu choreography. She’s one of those characters that when you handle her well, you feel like you can dance around your rival. But let’s be honest, Xiaoyu isn’t perfect. Sometimes I feel like she lacks power in her hits, like she’s just slapping instead of throwing serious punches. Still, when you use her right, you can make any opponent feel like a clumsy giant chasing a butterfly. She’s quick, but not always effective. Though let’s admit, she’s really cute and her appearance is super nice.
Yoshimitsu
Yoshimitsu is one of those characters that makes you wonder, “What’s going on here?” An alien ninja with a sword and weird moves… it’s hard not to be curious. Every time I use him, I feel like I’m playing with a trick up my sleeve because with his teleports and crazy spins, nobody knows what’s going to happen. But the truth is, Yoshimitsu isn’t that strong or fast, and while he’s fun, he often leaves me in situations where I don’t even know what I did wrong. It’s like he has a lot of potential, but at the end of the day, I end up feeling like I’m in a trick carnival rather than a serious fight.
Julia Chang
Julia has an excellent look as a fighter committed to nature and other things, but in Tekken 3, she’s not that outstanding. It’s not that she’s bad; she has a decent fighting style, quite technical, and can be effective in some cases. However, she doesn’t stand out for her strength or speed. Julia is that fighter who never lets you down, but she also doesn’t make you feel invincible. She works well but won’t impress anyone.
Mokujin
Mokujin is basically the Russian roulette of Tekken. Will today be a King? Tomorrow a Jin? No one knows, not even him. Mokujin copies the moves of other characters, which is interesting, but in the long run, it’s like trying your luck every time you play. When I choose him, it’s because I want to have fun or just see what happens. But of course, that lack of consistency puts him at a disadvantage when you want something more solid. He’s neither good nor bad, he’s just… well, Mokujin, a log who doesn’t know who he wants to be today. Still, he’s given me some laughs when he unexpectedly becomes a powerful fighter.
Nina Williams
Nina is like the action movie spy who doesn’t quite meet expectations. She has that femme fatale vibe and quick moves, but honestly, she feels a bit generic. She’s not bad at all, but compared to other characters, she doesn’t shine. Every time I pick Nina, I find myself relying on basic combos instead of getting creative. It’s like playing it safe all the time. I enjoy her when I want something straightforward, but I don’t see her becoming my main anytime soon.
Anna Williams
Anna is the less popular twin sister. While she’s got her charm, she doesn’t offer anything special that makes her stand out. I find myself asking why I would pick her when I can choose someone more powerful. Her moves are decent, but I’ve never felt she has the potential to surprise anyone. She’s like the friendly shadow of Nina, but at the end of the day, both are in the background.
Bryan Fury
Bryan is simply a beast, but not in a good way. I find his moves clunky and slow. While he’s got strong attacks, it’s not easy to connect them, and many times I’ve ended up getting hit before I can even execute a combo. I try to enjoy him, but Bryan always ends up being the guy I regret picking. I often feel like I’m dragging my feet instead of flying across the arena. I have to give it to him, though; he looks awesome, and he’s fun for casual matches, but he’s not a character I’d pick in a serious fight.
Geppetto Bosconovitch
And finally, Geppetto. I’m not sure why this character exists, and every time I use him, I feel like I’m taking a vacation from fighting games. He’s not fun, and I find it hard to enjoy his moves. It’s like the game decided to throw a wild card just for the laughs, but it ends up being a complete disaster. He’s got the moves of a robot that forgot what to do. Geppetto is the definition of a “what was that?” character. I feel guilty every time I pick him up.
Gon
Gon, the little dinosaur that escapes from who-knows-what comic. What’s he doing here? I don’t know. Sure, he’s cute and can let out gas and roll around on the floor, but in terms of fighting… he’s a disaster. When I choose him, it’s more out of curiosity than strategy because he doesn’t bring anything serious to the battle. I feel like he’s in the game just to make us smile, but honestly, if he weren’t here, I wouldn’t miss him.
Gun Jack
In theory, Gun Jack should be imposing, but in reality, he’s slower than a turtle in winter. Every time I pick him, I prepare for a match where I’ll probably end up frustrated trying to make him move before he gets taken down. Yes, he has strength, but what good is it if you can’t land your hits? Gun Jack can be cool, but at the end of the day, he seems more like scrap metal than a fighter.
Kuma
Kuma, the bear we all know and love… well, maybe not that much. This furry fighter is charming, but once you use him, you realize he’s more of a joke than a real threat. His movements are slow and clumsy, and while he has some strong hits, I’ve never felt confident using him in a real match. Sometimes I wonder why he’s here. While it’s fun to see a bear fighting, don’t expect many victories from him.
Tiger Jackson
Tiger Jackson is basically Eddy Gordo but with more disco style and less substance. He has that funky vibe and shiny pants, but let’s be real, that doesn’t win fights.
Panda
Panda in Tekken 3 (where he also makes his debut) is just a palette swap for Kuma. Even fighting, he feels a bit slower than Kuma (my perception, perhaps).
Is Tekken 3 the best Tekken?
First, let’s be clear: Tekken 3 is considered by many to be the best in the franchise, and I’m not saying this just out of nostalgia. It was the game that revolutionized the genre with its polished 3D graphics, fast-paced and fluid gameplay, and a roster of characters with well-defined fighting styles. Plus, the introduction of the juggle system (aerial combos) and more realistic moves made it more dynamic than its predecessors. So yes, in my opinion (and many others’), Tekken 3 is the best Tekken.
Conclusion
Despite everything, Tekken 3 remains a masterpiece that continues to attract players from all over the world. The game hasn’t aged poorly due to the depth of its gameplay, the balance between characters, and its combat system. What’s your favorite character? Do you agree with my Tekken 3 tier list? I’m GeekGamer, signing off… until the next Tier List!