Tekken's Controls involve two key sets of inputs:
- 8 directional inputs: up, down, left, right, and the four diagonals
- 4 attack inputs: left punch, right punch, left kick, and right kick
Left and right are almost never referred to directly. Instead, forward and backward are used, since for the player on the left side (Player 1), right is forward, and vice versa for the other player.
In addition to the 8 directional inputs, holding none of them is referred to as neutral, and could be considered a 9th directional input.
Basic movement
- Pressing and holding forward will move you forward slowly.
- Pressing and holding backward will move you backward slowly and force guard.
- Pressing and holding up will do a jump.
- Pressing and holding down will move you to crouch.
- Tapping forward twice will do a forward dash.
- If you are far enough away, or if you hold forward, or if you tap forward a third time, this will turn into a run.
- Tapping backward twice will do a backdash.
- Tapping up will do a sidestep into the background.
- Tapping down will do a sidestep into the foreground.
- Tapping up once, then pressing and holding it will do a sidewalk into the background.
- Tapping down once, then pressing and holding it will do a sidewalk into the foreground.
Input devices
Input devices fall into 3 general categories: keyboard (or hitbox), pad (e.g., DualShock 4), and stick. For all of these, the attack inputs are handled by simple push buttons. The difference is how they handle directional inputs.
- On keyboard, directional inputs are handled by simple push buttons.
- On pad, directional inputs are handled by either the d-pad or the analog stick.
- Using the d-pad is more typical, hence the name.
- On stick, directional inputs are handled by a digital joystick.