RARE 鉄拳 Tekken Tag Tournament Beta/Early Arcade Footage

My god. I thought it was gone from the face of the Internet forever, but wow, I finally came across this lost gem after so many years.
So, to fully explain, these beta clips used to be on KZbin as a part of a video named "Tekken - Classic clips collection #2", which was uploaded by TripleLei sometime in 2007. According to the original video's description, the clips came from tekken.net (an old site, now Tekken Zaibatsu). Unfortunately, after several years, TripleLei's channel was taken down, although some of its videos have been reuploaded since then.
Now you're probably wondering, "Where and how did you grab these clips then?" There are two answers: Internet Archive - Wayback Machine and IGN. In regards to Wayback Machine, after trying it out on an old KZbin video which is currently marked as private (and it worked), I was curious if it would also work for such video, and lo and behold, it did. I couldn't find a way to download or extract the video within the Internet Archive, so the best way I did was to use a screen recorder. On the other hand, IGN has a lot of obscure videos in their site and some, if not most of them have made its way on IGN’s KZbin channel. Surprsingly enough, the beta clips that were found in such video are in the list of those obscure videos, although not all of them. I have absolutely NO CLUE why or how did these clips ended up at such place like IGN considering they originally came from a Tekken fansite, but this was quite a MIRACLE to say the least. You can just easily tell the difference between the ones at Internet Archive: Wayback Machine and IGN, which is the video quality.
As proof, here's the Internet Archive link: web.archive.or...
And here are the IGN video links (website and KZbin channel):
• Tekken Tag Tournament ...
www.ign.com/vid...
www.ign.com/vid...
www.ign.com/vid...
Now that I have explained everything, it's time to point out some differences from the actual/final version by these set of clips:
The most obvious difference is that the UI text font for “Round #/Tag Battle”, “Ready?”, “Stage #”, the time record, “Insert Coin/Credit/Free Play/Press Start”, “K.O./Perfect”, and “Wins #” are all lifted straight from Tekken 3.
Instead of the Namco logo before the Attract Movie, “Namco Presents.” is shown, again, lifted from Tekken 3.
The Attract Movie lacks the scene with Lee driving the Honda S2000. You would notice that the scenes with Jun and Nina are slightly extended, thus explaining the absence of Lee’s scene.
In addition to that, the Attract Movie theme is slightly different in terms of instruments and notably, the presence of a robotic voice saying "The King of Iron Fist Tournament!"
Some of the character hit effects are different from the final version: Jin has his blue lightning effect from Tekken 3 rather than the red one in the final version, Ganryu and Jun both have Jin’s hit effect (again, the one from Tekken 3), Baek uses Hwoarang’s hit effect, and Armor King uses King’s hit effect.
Normally, when you do a Tag Combo, the red part of the character’s health bar depletes; its indication being that it flickers. Either due to the video compression/quality, when Tag Combos are pulled off in the beta clips, a chunk of the red part on the character’s health bar doesn’t deplete/flicker at all.
Tiger is errorneously referred to as Eddy from his lifebar, whereas in the final version, he is correctly referred as such.
In the beginning of the Jun/Law vs. Michelle/Lei clip, at the point where the announcer says “Tag Battle…FIGHT!”, the characters on screen don’t perform their intro pose unlike in the final version. Note how Jun and Michelle are briefly in their Tekken 2 fighting poses/stances before jumping into their actual fighting poses/stances.
Usually, when a character gets K.O'd, the final blow would be repeated a few times before finally showing the “K.O.” text. In the early build, the word “Replay” would show up when this happens. The “Replay” text itself is, once again, lifted straight from Tekken 3.
So yeah, that’s all I can find. If there’s anything else different, please let me know. And while we’re at it, for those who do not know, I made a playlist months ago dedicated to early/beta footage of Tekken 4. Check it out while you can: • Tekken 4 Beta/Early Ar...
Thanks for reading and (belated) Happy New Year!

[@UltraZeroX7]

Differences from the actual/final version (just placing them here also): - The most obvious difference is that the UI text font for *Round #/Tag Battle, Ready?, Stage #,* the time record, *Insert Coin/Credit/Free Play/Press Start, K.O./Perfect,* and *Wins #* are all lifted straight from Tekken 3. - Instead of the Namco logo before the Attract Movie, *_”Namco Presents.”_* is shown, again, lifted from Tekken 3. - The Attract Movie lacks the scene with Lee driving the Honda S2000. You would notice that the scenes with Jun and Nina are slightly extended, thus explaining the absence of Lee’s scene. - In addition to that, the Attract Movie theme is slightly different in terms of instruments and notably, the presence of a robotic voice saying *_"The King of Iron Fist Tournament!"_* - Some of the character hit effects are different from the final version: Jin has his blue lightning effect from Tekken 3 rather than the red one in the final version, Ganryu and Jun both have Jin’s hit effect (again, the one from Tekken 3), Baek uses Hwoarang’s hit effect, and Armor King uses King’s hit effect. - Normally, when you do a Tag Combo, the red part of the character’s health bar depletes; its indication being that it flickers. Either due to the video compression/quality, when Tag Combos are pulled off in the beta clips, a chunk of the red part on the character’s health bar doesn’t deplete/flicker at all. - Tiger is errorneously referred to as Eddy from his lifebar, whereas in the final version, he is correctly referred as such. - In the beginning of the Jun/Law vs. Michelle/Lei clip, at the point where the announcer says _“Tag Battle…FIGHT!”_ , the characters on screen don’t perform their intro pose unlike in the final version. Note how Jun and Michelle are briefly in their Tekken 2 fighting poses/stances before jumping into their actual fighting poses/stances. - Usually, when a character gets K.O'd, the final blow would be repeated a few times before finally showing the “K.O.” text. In the early build, the word *Replay* would show up when this happens. The *Replay* text itself is, once again, lifted straight from Tekken 3. That’s all. Any other differences you can find beside all of these? Please let me know!

[@sszekususs]

UltraZeroX7 Hola amigo el comando de BAEK en el minuto 1:34 es posible hacerlo ? Ayúdame

[@Explosivo998]

There isn't any water reflection at Lei's Stage 0:49

[@BrolyLSSJ01]

The character's KO scream repeats in the replay, which only is the case for the console releases. In the arcade, the KO scream is only played once. Plus, Jun's B+1 seems like a completely different animation than in the final release.

[@jj_is_ponytaku]

I may be wrong, but some of the stages (notably Xiaoyu's stage) look different from their final versions. Not only that, but the character's had less detail in the beta, making them look similar to TK3 character models.

[@Leadblast]

I was told back then the "attract movie" was different for both JP and US (both final) versions of the game. The JP (Japanese) version featured Lee driving the white convertible car (I assume this is the Honda S2000 you're talking about). In the US version, that was replaced by Paul driving his bike. I saw both the Japanese and the American intros at the local arcades back then. They both were the final versions, not betas or anything.

[@johnnyestrada6993]

I’ll never forget the first time I saw this game. It was fall of ‘99 and by this time I had played the living shit out of Tekken 3 which was one of my all time favorite games. I was at a video store and they happened to this arcade machine which I thought was just T3 and I absolutely lost my shit because I had NO IDEA this game was in development or even being made (I was always on top of these things always reading EGM and Gamepro). It was showing Kazuya/Kunimitsu vs Bryan/Jin in the attract mode and I was totally confused because Kazuya wasn’t in Tekken 3 and somehow he’s facing Bryan and out of nowhere he switches out and Kunimitsu was fighting Bryan now. I was like “OMG WHAT IS GOING ON???”. My dad looked at me like I was absolutely crazy cause his 13 year old son is going apeshit over some arcade game. The guy working there told me “you haven’t seen Tekken Tag yet?” and proceeded to explain that it was an upgraded Tekken 3 that brought back every character in 2v2 style play. I sat and watched a few CPU battles before I was able to play. Ah man fond memories, great to see some beta footage, it really takes me back to 20 years ago.

[@cristiancabreralezama8196]

Woooow me too ❤️ Arcade Version is special

[@PabloPacman]

Amazing story!

[@locjake7230]

Amazing story’s these are stories I like to hear, late 90s early 2000s memories. Makes sense cause I look back now at the dates of things and stuff, by the time 3 was out and the 2000s approaching I could see the needed to release something before TEKKEN 4

[@AceKombat]

I wasn't even aware these videos were out. Good find! Yoshimitsu's theme seems to not have the reverb stereo effect on the vocals after the voice sample plays in the final version. It also has a specific instrument (idk the name for it) is missing that would normally play right after the reverb effect in the first few vocal samples in the final version.

[@UltraZeroX7]

Ayy, didn't expect to see you here, but yeah, it feels great to locate and reupload these clips after all these years. I remember back when the original video was still up and I initially watched it, I was quite blown away. These are like holy grails, to say the least.

[@TheChallenger1980]

20 Years ago I walked into a NAMCO TIME OUT arcade and fell in love at first sight! Still and always will be one of my favorites of all time. This is #1 tied with SF2.

[@TheChallenger1980]

Where does the time go?

[@johnnyestrada6993]

Seriously I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since it came out. My all time favorite game to this day.

[@princesssweepzzt5502]

That's a very interesting early version of Yoshimitsu's theme it sounds like!

[@UltraZeroX7]

Oh, it definitely is. As XMikexSonicX stated here in the comment section, some effects/instruments for said theme are missing in this version.

[@extradipboneless]

This is so cool! I love seeing beta footage like this. Thanks for uploading this whole gem!

[@triple_lei]

IGN used to be affiliated with Tekken Zaibatsu, I believe around the Tekken 4 era. Still strange that IGN would publish TTT beta footage on their KZbin channel in 2011. And then mislabeling it as PS2 footage... sure, why not. Good catch with Jun and Michelle having their Tekken 2 poses as pre-fight animations! Reminds me of Tekken 1 where you could see several characters coming out of some generic, unused fighting stance before doing their win pose. Anyhoo, I believe I have the original videos on CD still...

[@UltraZeroX7]

Huh, never knew about that fact in regards to IGN's affiliation, thanks for informing me about it! Are you willing to share the videos from that CD you mentioned? Kinda intrigued or interested, I assume it has those clips I compiled in better quality...?

[@triple_lei]

@@UltraZeroX7 I mean, if you really, really want the raw files for yourself, I could dig out the CD and send you a private download link... somehow. I can't imagine it would be that much better quality if it were uploaded right now though.

[@UltraZeroX7]

Sure go ahead!

[@triple_lei]

@@UltraZeroX7 Welp, I found the CD and uploaded the five beta movies to my box.com account. Do you have Twitter? Then I can send you a PM.

[@UltraZeroX7]

Here ya go: twitter.com/UltraZeroX27

[@firstcooommment3675]

That last match was great. It was a surprise seeing who their partners were. Thanks for sharing some beta footage.

[@TerraFuu]

This is an AWESOME find. Thanks for sharing.

[@gilius2k156]

This game was such a classic. I remember when it first came out in the arcades in 99... best times

[@Qublidon]

Wow dude, this is awesome. Also, thank you so much for the Tekken 4 early/beta footage of Tekken 4. ❤

[@2009lucho]

Thank you so much for taking the time to search/find/upload this piece of gold bro. Rlly, thank you so much!!!! I always loved Tekken Tag Arcade Version over the horrible useless plastic PS2 version... Harada should release an exactly arcade port for consoles instead a completly different game as he did with PS2 version. Tekken Tag Arcade version is 1000000 times superior than ps2 version in everything, backgrounds, soundtrack, graphics (yes i love those tekken 3 graphics), action. I wish to someday can run Tekken Tag Arcade smoothly in any mame version in my pc, but i have a shitty old pc so i cant run it perfect.

[@BrolyLSSJ01]

Jun's B+1 also looks like an entirely different animation compared to the final version.

[@simpsonsdude74]

That additional kick that baek does at the end of his 2,2 string at 1:34 is definitely not in the final version. It looks like it combos naturally on counter too. Cheap

[@Gazzoosethe1]

Play the very first final buil of the game(VER. A) and you will se that he has the move

[@larrytron1992]

How the devs got the arcade version complete within 2 months is mind blowing 🤯 Katsuhiro Harada recently stated on Twitter that it only took them 2 months to develop the arcade version after Namco told them to turn the project that started off as Tekken 4, into an expansion for their massive hit Tekken 3 and it was to be completed within 6 months

[@elec8101]

Man, awesome seeing a beta version of Tag Tournament. I wonder, though, the combos in this video are be possible to perform in the PS2 version?

[@omarak6399]

This is actually historical af

[@Wolny88PL]

In early 2000 i play this on arcade. Great nostalgia.

[@TheChallenger1980]

Years later and I can still notice something different every time I watch this video. Apparently, Netsu nor TAG juggle damage was not yet implemented into the game.

[@genshoryukenpou]

1:28 When you see in jun life bar, it writen stage 1 & push start button, actually the written style came from tekken 3

[@THEELEMENTKH]

What is interesting for me is how on this early arcade version whenever a character gets KOd their KO yell/scream gets repeated on the replay, and this only happens on the PS2 version of the game (On the final arcade build it only plays on the very final blow and not the replay)

[@genshoryukenpou]

2:29 In beta version, it had replay, while in arcade & ps2 it doesn't had it

[@DHANK88]

I remember I didn’t even have the game but bought the guide book, wanted to play it because the return of Kazuya. It even came with a Devil Kazuya poster

[@diddlenfiddle7311]

Damn Baek had a 2,2,3!

[@Camaldinho]

Holy shit, what a find!!

[@Voidrings116]

The transitions at 0:33 , 1:22 and 1:58 remind me of the old pokemon cartoons

[@pascalthiele6903]

Omg i remember triplelei yeah😮

[@cineyoutube_Da_Lee_7604]

version arcade is beta early i play for PSXMAME

[@ghostboi165]

where did you get the beta intro?

[@kamelpc2013]

I want to play with you but how

[@kennethbosquemarinmoved1078]

any beta pcbs?

[@UltraZeroX7]

Unfortunately, I don't think there's one available. Most likely they are kept somewhere in Namco's vaults. Hopefully one day, someone with a mere possession of the beta version of the game can share it.

[@kamelpc2013]

Please answer