Introduction
Tekken Tag Tournament, originally released in 1999 for arcades, made its way to the PlayStation 2 the following year. A remastered version for the PlayStation 3 was released 11 years later. While maintaining the essence of previous Tekken games, it introduced team battles. But for PC gamers, the question remains: which version of the game is best emulated on a computer? In this article, we will compare the performance of Tekken Tag Tournament on two popular emulators: PCSX2 and RPCS3.
The Arcade Version
Before diving into the emulator comparison, let’s take a brief look at the arcade version of Tekken Tag Tournament. The game runs on the Namco System 12 board, which essentially utilizes modified PlayStation 1 hardware. It can be emulated using the Main 2010 core in RetroArch. While the arcade version runs at full speed, the graphics have noticeably aged. Given that the Namco System 12 was a 32-bit machine, the visuals fall short compared to modern standards.
PCSX2 vs RPCS3
Now, let’s move on to the main comparison between PCSX2 and RPCS3 emulators. Both emulators allow players to enjoy Tekken Tag Tournament on PC, but they have their own pros and cons.
1. PCSX2
PCSX2 is a PlayStation 2 emulator that provides a good gaming experience for most stages of Tekken Tag Tournament. The game runs smoothly at a resolution of 1440p and largely avoids graphical glitches or crashes. However, PCSX2 does have some performance hiccups, particularly in certain stages. The snow stage, in particular, seems to be more taxing, causing occasional frame drops into the low 50s. Despite these occasional issues, PCSX2 offers a playable experience overall.
2. RPCS3
RPCS3, on the other hand, is a PlayStation 3 emulator that offers a significant graphical upgrade over the PS2 version. The lighting is improved, and textures are noticeably sharper. However, when it comes to emulating Tekken Tag Tournament, RPCS3 falls short compared to PCSX2 in terms of performance. The game may experience performance drops, with some stages running at 40 frames per second. While most stages do hit the desired 60 frames per second, these occasional drops can break immersion for some players. Lowering the resolution to 720p only marginally improves performance, suggesting that the game is heavily dependent on CPU power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both PCSX2 and RPCS3 emulators offer a way to enjoy Tekken Tag Tournament on PC, but each has its own strengths and weaknesses. If you prioritize performance and a smoother gaming experience, PCSX2 is the recommended choice. It may have some hiccups in certain stages, but overall, it provides a playable and enjoyable experience. On the other hand, if you value graphical upgrades and can tolerate occasional performance drops, RPCS3 offers sharper textures and improved lighting.
Ultimately, the choice between PCSX2 and RPCS3 depends on personal preferences and computer specifications. Emulation technology continues to evolve, and both emulators are actively developed, so future updates may further enhance the performance and graphics of Tekken Tag Tournament on PC. Embrace the nostalgia of this classic fighting game and choose the emulator that suits your gaming needs and hardware capabilities.
