Tekken 8 Control Scheme

Tekken 8 is such a great game! Many favorable reviews (including one from DashFight) and super positive feedback from pro players and content creators brought this game so much attention (way from beyond the FGC). Even those who have never played Tekken before are interested in jumping into these matches. 

To get the max from your starting experience with this game, check out details on its control scheme. What do the buttons do? What general control / input options do players have?

Button Layout

Traditionally for this series, Tekken 8 has four basic attack buttons; each corresponds to a limb of your character.

Throws in Tekken 8 can be activated by a combination of two attack buttons:

Two of the shoulder buttons on a controller are connected to a new mechanic in Tekken 8, Heat.

Like the previous installment, Tekken 8 has Rage Arts. These powerful attacks can be activated only in the Rage state, when the health of your character is low.

Only one left shoulder button has been mapped in the default Tekken 8 control scheme. It allows players to switch between two control/ input styles.

We discuss both styles further in this article.

Movement in Tekken 8

It’s a 3D fighting game, where characters can step in the depth of the stage or “towards” the player. These unique movements are activated by quick and long taps Up and Down.

• Step — Quick Tap Up/Down
• Walk — Quick + Long Taps Up/Down

2D movement in Tekken 8 is pretty common for a fighting game.

• Walk — Long Tap Forward/Backward
• Dash — Two Quick Taps Forward/Backward
• Run — Quick + Long Taps Forward

Jumps in Tekken 8 can be activated by Long Taps.

• Jump — Long Tap Up. Backward+Up
• Jump — Long or Short Jump Up+Forward

Players have a few Guard options in Tekken 8.

• Guard Low — Long Tap Down or Backward+Down
• Guard High/Middle — Long Tap Backward of just the Neutral state

Various Movement options in Tekken 8 are nicely reflected in this official page.

Two Types of Controls / Inputs in Tekken 8

Like some other modern fighting games, Tekken 8 has a simplified input scheme. It’s named Special Style, which combines similar features in Tekken 7: Easy Combo and Assist.

Basically, it’s a style for casual players, on the verge of button mashing. The attack button activates recommended moves and combos, which depend on a character in use.

The traditional input for Tekken games is named Arcade Style. It’s the best choice if you want to have full control over your Tekken 8 character.

With the knowledge from this guide, you are fully prepared to explore everything Tekken 8 has to offer.

For other basic information on this release, take a look at our article Everything You Need to Know about Tekken 8.