Gaming
TEKKEN 8 Hands-On: The hype is indeed real
Even in its beta form during the CNT, it feels like a polished game already
It won’t be long before BANDAI NAMCO releases its latest addition to the TEKKEN franchise with TEKKEN 8. As one of the more highly anticipated installments in the series, the game promises more fiery battles than ever before. With an already stacked lineup of fighters announced over the past few months, the hype is definitely real for its impending release. Fortunately, I was able to have an opportunity to participate in the game’s Closed Network Test (CNT) this past weekend to try out what’s new!
Let’s just say that, even in its beta form, it’s already looking like the most promising upgrade after a long wait.
Bringing the Heat
During the CNT, I got to try out the much-elaborated-upon Heat System that will be coming to TEKKEN 8. In summary, the Heat System serves as a main combat feature that enhances your moveset’s power and pushes players to stay on the aggressive. It’s a way for the game to remain as action-packed and relatively fast-paced as possible, and truly favors players that simply can’t help themselves.
Each of the sixteen playable characters during the CNT has their own way of activating the Heat System, and is often paired with combos that bring a whole new level to the experience. Honestly, as someone who often plays TEKKEN with a controller, some of the combos took a while to figure out and master. The good thing about it so far is that once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to integrate into your designated moveset and elevates your mastery of the fighters, as well.
Also, the Heat System activation timeframe feels properly balanced to an extent. In my experience, when you’re not being as aggressive, it punishes you by speeding up the timer. However, when you do stay on the attack, it doesn’t feel like you’re in a state of Heat for too long — which would make fights incredibly one-sided. I’m already imagining more experienced and professional players finding ways to keep the Heat running!
Roster and moveset updates
Of course, it wouldn’t be a TEKKEN game if we don’t talk about the roster of fighters — at least, the ones available in the CNT. As mentioned earlier, you can choose between sixteen fighters that have already been announced prior, especially some new and returning faces to the mix. As with every TEKKEN game I have touched since TEKKEN 5, I picked Lili first as she is my main!
For most of the fighters, their fighting styles and movesets are a bit more refined compared to before. This was something I particularly observed when playing Jin, Kazuya, Paul, Lili, and Claudio. Also, with the Heat System in place, some of the more hard-hitting characters felt more satisfying to activate combos for. Even their Rage Arts felt more bone-crushing than before, especially with some of the animations.
Perhaps the biggest surprise to me during the CNT happened when I was playing Jun Kazama, the MOTHER herself! Given that her last appearance was all the way back in TEKKEN 2, there wasn’t really much to compare against. Although, what sets her apart from the others is the fact that some of her attacks either do self-healing or self-damage, which is a mechanic that will get a lot of players to learn her moveset later on.
Initial game redesign
Upon loading up TEKKEN 8, it already gave me some chills with Kazuya staring into your soul. From the get-go, the main menu only consisted of just Ranked Play and the Tutorial, which wasn’t much given the circumstances. However, my focus was honestly more on the Character Select Screen that I hope they maintain in the final version.
To be honest, it’s just like any character select screen you can imagine for most fighting games. This time around, TEKKEN 8 now shows you fighter stats and their specific fighting style — a first in the franchise! I feel like that’s really more for the diehard fans to appreciate. Also, something about one of the characters struck me the most but let’s not spoil it just yet!
Everything else about the design of the game and the stages, what else needs to be said? Even though there were only five stages, each of them looked incredible on my Xbox Series X. From the lighting to the different gimmicks per stage, it felt amazing to do battle on all of them!
Hopefully more to come
I am genuinely excited for what’s to come for TEKKEN 8 when it comes out. Coming from the CNT, it looked like the game was in a polished state with minimal bugs to report. Also, the Heat System served as a fine addition to the formula and made every fight worth commiting to. If anything, I wished that the queue times for Cross Platform Play in Ranked were a bit faster, though. Hopefully, with more people playing this game later on, that wouldn’t be a problem.
My other hope for the game later on is that they keep adding more fighters to the pool. Honestly, it would be better if some of them were not locked behind DLC to pay for unlike TEKKEN 7. At the top of my head, I’m looking forward to fighters like Anna Williams, Yoshimitsu, Kuma, and Alisa Bosconovitch, among others. Also, could we please bring Mokujin back?
As of now, there’s no official announcement yet on when the final version will be released. Hopefully, it will still be on track for an early 2024 launch time. But, so far, so good, TEKKEN 8 — the hype for you is indeed real!
Accessories
Secretlab brings Pikachu, Gengar, and Eevee to its Pokémon gaming chair collection
Pokémon-themed gaming chairs
Secretlab is bringing some iconic Pokémon to your gaming setup. The Secretlab Pokémon Collection introduces three new TITAN Evo gaming chairs inspired by Pikachu, Gengar, and Eevee.
Each chair features distinct design elements inspired by its respective Pokémon. The collection also incorporates microsuede and velour detailing for added texture and depth.
Fans can find several hidden details throughout the designs. These include each Pokémon’s Type symbol and Pokédex number on the backrests. The collection also pays tribute to the original 151 Pokémon.
Three Pokémon, three distinct designs
The Secretlab TITAN Evo Pokémon Pikachu Edition puts everyone’s favorite Electric-type Pokémon front and center.
Pikachu appears in plush velour detailing against bold Electric-type symbols. The chair features 11 unique Pikachu motifs across its side wings. A black-to-yellow gradient completes its overall design.
Fans can also spot the differences between male and female Pikachu.
Meanwhile, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Pokémon Gengar Edition embraces a darker aesthetic. Gengar takes center stage on the backrest alongside Ghost- and Poison-type symbols.
Gastly and Haunter also appear across the side wings. A spectral purple gradient ties the entire design together.
Finally, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Pokémon Eevee Edition celebrates Eevee and its eight evolutions.
Eevee appears on the backrest with plush velour detailing. The chair features warm cream-and-brown gradients and a Normal-type symbol. Its design also incorporates all eight Eeveelutions, from Vaporeon to Sylveon.
The TITAN Evo experience
Beyond their Pokémon-inspired designs, all three chairs retain the Secretlab TITAN Evo’s ergonomic features.
The chair uses medium-firm, patent-pending cold-cure foam. This material contours to the body while providing weight distribution and pressure relief.
Its sculpted pebble seat base features gently sloping side wings. These guide users toward the middle while leaving room to switch sitting positions.
The TITAN Evo also features 4-way L-ADAPT lumbar support. It moves up, down, in, and out to accommodate the natural curvature of the lower back.
Secretlab’s SoftWeave Plus fabric provides a soft, breathable knit surface. Its construction also allows detailed Pokémon motifs to appear throughout the material.
Availability
The Secretlab Pokémon Collection features the Pikachu, Gengar, and Eevee Editions of the TITAN Evo.
Interested buyers can learn more about the collection through Secretlab’s official website, Shopee, and Lazada.
With Nintendo finally opening the eShop and Nintendo Switch Online in the Philippines, you might be wondering how you can switch your account’s region to the right country. After all, before today, you might have set your shop to the neighboring Singapore or other countries that aren’t named the Philippines. If you’re in the same boat, here’s a quick how-to, so you can enjoy paying for services in Philippine peso.
First, you need to log into your Nintendo Account. Take note: you can do this only through their website via a browser, so don’t fiddle around with your Switch or Switch 2 just yet.
Upon logging in, you’ll be redirected immediately to your profile’s information, including your country or region of residence. Just click Edit and select your desired country in the drop-down menu.
Nintendo will then present you a few notices regarding changing your region. The important bit is that you can’t carry over your account balance to the next region. So, if you have a hefty sum tucked away in your current region, it might be wise to spend it before switching. Likewise, your credit card might not work if it was issued from the current region.
Once you agree to the terms, everything’s set!
All you need to do is access the eShop on your console and sign in again. Afterwards, the corresponding services should be in your currency of choice.
For a list of detailed changes and prices, check out our coverage here.
Another Esports calendar in the Philippines wrapped up nicely this past weekend, only from the other side of the MMORPGs. At the Samsung Hall in SM Aura last November 9, the fourth installment of the Honor of Kings official Philippine league came to its exciting conclusion as four teams entered with rich prizes up for grabs. Here’s what went down on the final day of the Philippines Kings League Fall 2026:
Early in the afternoon, the third split of the Kings Campus Series crowned a new champion hailing all the way down from Cebu. In a thriller of a five-game series, the University of Cebu Webmasters took down the University of Sto. Tomas Teletigers Helios, 3-2, and took home the grand prize of Php 140,000. From start to finish, both teams exchanged heart-stopping plays and showed excellent flashes of teamwork that brought the series to a decider.
In the evening, the culmination of the PKL for 2026 took place with the Fall 2026 Grand Finals between the reigning champions in BOOM Esports against JGames Esports. Last November 8, JGames earned a place in their first ever Grand Finals after besting TNT Tropang Alab in a full best-of-seven series. However, even with all the momentum coming from their run in the Lower Bracket, JGames would only settle for 2nd as Boom Esports dominated the matchup, 4-1 and became the first back-to-back champions of the PKL.
The night capped off with a showcase of the three Philippine representatives to the Honor of Kings International Championships in Jakarta this December.
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