Not so long ago we reported that Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada was "surprised" by the Nintendo Switch, a possible indication that he and his team had been frozen out of pre-release access to the new machine.
With Tekken 7 arriving on PS4, Xbox One and PC this June, Gamespot has caught up with Harada and popped the question again - with equally disappointing results. Not only is the Tekken boss too busy working on the other versions to study Nintendo's hardware to determine if a port is possible, he's not even been able to get his hands on one thanks to the incredible demand at retail:
Officially, we can't really comment on that because our company has strict policy about which titles we talk about for Switch, but personally, we've been so busy with trying to master up Tekken for the current platforms that we haven't really had enough time to study the hardware. We couldn't even buy it - it was sold out every time we went to look for it.
Presumably Harada has access to Switch development units within Bandai Namco, but it's a shame that he's not been able to purchase one of his own. It would seem that he's too focused on getting Tekken 7 ready for its big launch to even contemplate adding another format to the roster. Whether or not we'll see a Switch version in the future remains to be seen; Tekken was in the launch lineup for the Wii U and Harada and his team assisted with the production of Pokkén Tournament, so one would hope that a healthy working relationship still exists between them and Nintendo.
Would you like to see Tekken 7 come to the Switch, or do you think it's simply not the kind of game that Nintendo fans will buy? Let us know by posting a comment.
[source gamespot.com]
Comments 50
"We couldn't even buy it - it was sold out every time we went to look"
How's about asking for a dev kit instead?
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I would imagine dev kits have to be kept in the office so he wouldn't be able to take one home with him. The impression I get from the statement is that when he's at work, he can't focus on anything else at the moment, but in his spare time, he would like to get a Switch - but can't cos they're sold out.
"Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Special Edition" for Wii U quickly became my all time favorite entry in the series, one that I have follow all the way back to the original game on arcade and the original Playstation. You can bet I would drop money on a Switch version of "Tekken 7" in a heartbeat. So please make the time, good sir, there is hard cash to be made here.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
You problably still have to apply for a dev kit, do all the paper work and wait for Nintendo (which is a long long long time) to deliver your dev kit. By the time he has a dev kit the release of Tekken 7 has already occured.
On the other side, you can't developer on a consumer version of the Switch, it lacks a number of features the dev hardware do have. Maybe he just wants to play around and see the featues of the console, and that is what he ment with "studying the hardware".
Even if a Switch port was possible, it would release after its release on other platforms. This is basically a death sentence as most people would jump the first chance to get it rather than wait around.
Better idea would be to wait until Tekken 7 is done and released, then see if the next game can be released on Switch. A sequel to Pokken Tournament would be an idea; or an expanded deluxe version with a larger roster and tweaks if they want something out sooner.
That's a damn shame. This, I would buy in an instant. I really hope the Switch gets a version in the future, nothing beats having fighting games on the go.
Tekken 2 was the best in my opinion lol
Does anyone else get the feeling that Nintendo really needs to get some devkits in the mail to these people?!
I would like a Nintendo-fied version of Tekken 7. Don't know which I'd choose between NT7 or Pokken 2.
@FX102A
An excellent point
I know its almost certainly too late it this point but if it were to be released it needs to be at the same time as the other platforms otherwise most people who are interested will have already bought it elsewhere and then the Switch version will Bomb.
I'll bet very few people these days only own one console
I can't see that hori arcade stick being released. Switch has no Tekken, no injustice 2, no marvel vs Capcom, no new king of fighters game.
They can't release a stick to just play neo Geo classics or SFII. That stick will bomb hard. Gutted Tekken isn't being released. Wanted to play that on the go bad.
Tekken tag team bombed on Wii U so maybe that's the real reason
No COD, no Tekken.... yeah, Switch isn't exactly pulling in the important third party games so far. Nintendo is going to need to get sales well over $20 million in a hurry. Like, in the next 3 months. But that would involve actually making and selling more systems, and Nintendo is not a fan of selling their popular items.
It's just a goofy deflection. He is not willing to talk about anything Switch-related at the moment.
So the Tekken dev team doesn't even have a proper dev kit.
Well that's just great.
I'm too busy playing with my switch to play any other consoles. So I guess no tekken for me.
@AlexSora89 That's not what he said. He seems to be referring to acquiring and studying retail units for whatever reason. Probably because he can't, or won't talk about dev kits. By stating they have strict policies regarding Switch titles he implies that he is cognizant of letting any morsel drop.
That said, I doubt they are currently working on a Switch version of Tekken 7 when Namco probably has other priorities for the system...
@Damo reasonable I guess but at the same time is kinda a bummer to not see a Switch port. Oh well hopefully new games from Namco can come to the platform. I would be very satisfy if all the Japanese 3rd parties come to Switch. I don't need the Western developers.
Western games are mostly boring to me (Activision, EA, Ubisoft, Bethesda), RockStar would be great to have, WB and 2K but the ones in the () I don't really care.
I absolutely love Tekken on Wii U.
One of the best entries in the series.
Pimped my Draganov and Hwoarang characters up in matching pink pimpsuits.
Pretty but deadly!
Great fun.
@ACK
Which is still a far cry from, well...
Or, heck, just--
When commitment to a console surpasses the Wii U you know it's bad.
Sucks that there won't be a Switch version of Tekken 7. I am looking forward to this on PS4 though.
Bit disappointing considering the 3DS and Wii U had a Tekken game.
@AlexSora89 So he was given free rein to promote the Wii U version of TTT2, which sold like absolute dogs***?
He literally states in the case of Switch he cannot divulge any info on upcoming games. Could mean anything from there are no games or they are watching the market to they have several projects in the hopper waiting to be unveiled. His team is probably deep in it with the confirmed versions of Tekken 7 as is, so that's where all his specific focus is (saying nothing of Namco as a whole).
Common sense would suggest that a port of Pokken would take priority and they do not want Tekken and Pokken to compete for Switch sales. Neither do they want to compete with ARMS. Games such as those will better bare out a market for fighters and a late port of Tekken 7 or whatever could still have appeal as portable version anyway.
Bummer. I'd have bought it day one on Switch.
@ACK
I hope it's more of a tight-lipped scenario.
@Sean161 Didn't want to burst your bubble but if you were not aware. Unlike in North America where you simply walk into a GameStop or ebgames in Japan you need to line up for hours just to get a console pre ordered. Even then you were not guaranteed to get your hands on one if you line up for pre ordering. If you follow some of the Reddit post during that time, people over there was saying the queue in line for pre ordering is 15+ hours.
@AlexSora89 Wish granted.
Harada said as much, "Officially, we can't really comment on that because our company has strict policy about which titles we talk about for Switch..."
This is a case where the preamble qualifies the entire statement. Harada will remain tight-lipped until he is allowed to speak and is no longer exerting all energy towards Tekken 7's release. The bit about not being able to buy one is just to emphasize his point. He will not talk, has nothing to say, don't bother asking.
I just hope there are actual Switch games hidden in those bulbous cheeks.
"All I want from Bamco (Bandai Namco) is Go Vacation 2 / Switch / Whatever."
@iMarkU I'm pretty sure in this context "study the hardware" translates to "play Zelda."
Send this man a Switch!
There is so much unimaginable stupid in his comments. He is a developer and could easily get a dev kit. Also, if you were a developer, should it not be easy as a consumer to know to preorder one??? Preorders are available on Amazon
hell, I'd buy it....never really thought I would, but i've really been utilizing the portability of the system
i want this game to come to the Switch. it was great to play since super smash brothers took so long to come to the Wii U. even though that super smash brothers has been on the Wii U, i still play this game every so often.
@garthvader he has a Dev kit. He means he hasn't been able to get an actual switch console yet.
I'd actually prefer it on the switch more than ps4...
Harada has a Switch. He's joking when he aays he can't find a Switch.
....Ask for a dev kit dangit! I don't like tekken but it would be a nice feather in the switch's cap if we get it.
@XCWarrior Nintendo will be ok this year, and hipefully 3rd party rolls along. I mean theyve sold millions based off one game alone. So yea..
@RickRau5 The WiiU let us know exactly how many core Nintendo fans are left worldwide - about 10-11 million. So they haven't appealed to anyone new in the video gaming market until they surpass WiiU sales.
So no, right now there are no guarantees they will get 3rd party support.
If you can't sell 5 million systems with Breath of the Wild, you might as well file for bankruptcy. Its Zelda for crying out loud.
@XCWarrior not neccessarily. There were many Nintendo fans who skipped the Wii U generation. Such as myself. Or many whos last Nintendo system was the N64, appealing to those now 30-40 year olds.
Any my point was- they are ok for the first year, simply from their own games.
@Shiryu I agree with this statement whole-heartedly. Tag Tournament 2 was definitely the best of the series. The only downside to the Wii U was the loading times, but I think the goofy Nintendo costumes made up for it!
@ACK
Now, my next wish, is, more wishes.
And you can wish for it, the only reason other genies say otherwise is because they're jerks.
Every fighting game must be on Switch dammit
I can tell a lot of people here are not aware of Harada's style of humor
You should probably give the Tekken developers a dev-kit, Nintendo. Wow. #Facepalming
If it's not coming to switch I'm not buying to bad Big Tekken fan treat Nintendo like the black sheep an I'm doing the same to all u third party developer's that just me.
@walrusballs Same here Tekken on the go
I'd rather have an enhanced port of Pokkén though...
ARMS
ARMS
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