Summary
Bandai Namco and Nike are joining forces for an unlikely project in honor of the 30th anniversary ofTekkenand the release ofTekken 8earlier this year: two special sneakers inspired by Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama. The originalTekkenwas released in the mid-90s and revolutionized the 3D fighting landscape while introducing gamers to the long and twisted history of the troubled Mishima family.
This tumultuous history would play out in the manyTekkensequels released over the past few decades, eventually reaching its apex with the final battle between Kazuya and Jin inTekken 8. The latest entry in theTekkenseries launched earlier this year to critical acclaim thanks to its polished visuals and more “aggressive” gameplay, thoughTekken 8would generate controversyin later months due to the addition of microtransactions and a live service-like Tekken Fight Pass. Still, fans are celebrating theTekkenseries’ 30th anniversary this year, and they’ll soon be able to land some stylish footwear to show their support.
As reported bySole Retrieverearlier this week, a new crossover betweenTekkenand Nike is on the way. Two special pairs ofTekken 8x Nike Air Foamposite One Fist sneakers will be released through Nike, SNKRS, and select retailers starting in September with designsinspired by Kazuya and Jin. Images of the Kazuya pair have already been revealed, with the shoes sporting a black crocodile skin-like pattern on the sides, the word “Fist” on the soles, and aTekken 8symbol on the left tongue.
Tekken Fans Can Get Kazuya-Inspired Nikes Starting In September
While aTekken/Nike collaboration is unexpected, the crossover does have a fitting connection to the original anti-hero and recurring antagonist Kazuya Mishima. It isn’t mentioned often, but Kazuya is noted to be something of a sneaker enthusiast in his character bio in the originalTekkengame.Tekkenproject director Katsuhiro Haradaconfirmed that this aspect of Kazuya’s character has remained even after his turn to villainy in later entries, and his Arcade Mode ending cutscene inTekken 8has the character showing off his impressive sneaker collection after conquering the world through his G-Corporation.
Kazuya Mishima would likely be flattered by the upcoming Tekken 8 x Nike Air Foamposite One Fist sneakers, which are set to release this fall to celebrate not only his latest appearance inTekken 8, but hisdebut in the originalTekken30 years ago. The secondTekken/Nike design inspired by his son Jin Kazama has yet to be revealed, but theTekken 8x Nike Air Foamposite One Fist sneakers will be available in men’s sizes at a retail price of $250.
Tekken 8
WHERE TO PLAY
Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.
