A global martial arts tournament is closing in on its final round, with an enormous cash prize awaiting whoever can defeat Heihachi Mishima in the last bout. Bankrolled by the colossal Mishima Zaibatsu financial group, the contest has whittled the field down to eight fighters who have triumphed in death matches around the world, all chasing the title of King of the Iron Fist. Only one will earn the chance to topple Heihachi and walk away with the money and the glory. The player starts by choosing from those eight competitors, each carrying personal motives for entering beyond the prize itself.