Sony Interactive Entertainment has confirmed that Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection will be the first title offered to PlayStation Plus subscribers in March 2026. An announcement which surprised part of the community, in particular because it is the standalone PSP version of the fifth opus of the saga, and not the original PS2 edition.
Originally released in 2006 for PlayStation Portable, Dark Resurrection featured additional content compared to Tekken 5, including the addition of iconic characters like Lili and Sergei Dragunov. However, for many players, this choice seems less relevant than a more complete console version.
Forums and social networks, in particular Reddit, quickly relayed the criticism. Some subscribers believe that Sony could have offered the PS2 version, which included more single-player content as well as particularly popular retro bonuses.
A frustration linked to the context of 2026
The reaction of players can also be explained by the overall context of PlayStation Plus. The year 2025 had been particularly generous, with major titles integrated into the Essential subscription, which had set the bar very high. In comparison, the start of 2026 seems more discreet. The announcement of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection as the first game of March was therefore perceived by some as a qualitative step backwards.
One Reddit user summed up the general feeling by saying: “I cringed when I saw the PSP version. I hope it won’t be the same as Tekken 6, without multiplayer. It was really bad. Another gamer added: “I’m really confused as to why they went with Dark Resurrection on PSP and not the original PS2 version. »
The arguments in favor of the PSP version
It’s not all negative, however. Some fans point out that the PSP version also has advantages. It offers an expanded roster, with more playable characters from launch.
Additional modes, such as Dojo, also brought an additional competitive dimension at the time. From a technical point of view, emulating a PSP version may also be simpler and more stable than that of a full PS2 version, which could explain Sony’s choice.
We must not forget that Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection remains a solid fighting game, benefiting from the refined combat system specific to the Tekken series. Even in portable version, it retains its precise and technical gameplay that has made the franchise’s reputation.
A month of March still incomplete
It is important to remember that this title is only the first game announced for March 2026. The rest of the PlayStation Plus catalog will be revealed later, still leaving the possibility for Sony to positively surprise its subscribers. Furthermore, Sony has already confirmed the arrival of the original Time Crisis on the platform, as well as the cooperative game Big Walk later in 2026.
The reception given to Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection above all shows that expectations around PlayStation Plus remain high. After a year 2025 considered exceptional, each announcement is carefully scrutinized. It remains to be seen whether the rest of the March selection will reverse the trend and convince a community currently divided between nostalgia and frustration.