Best Tekken Game on PS2: Tekken 5, Dark Resurrection, or Tekken 4?

The PS2 hosted three mainline Tekken titles. The consensus "best" depends on what you value.

Ranking

Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection (2006) — Definitive Version. Port of PSP update: adds 4 chars (Lili, Dragunov, Armor King, Devil Jin), widescreen, 60 fps locked, online (PS2 BBU/NAS required, now dead), Ghost Battle, Dojo, customization galore. Best balance, visuals, content.
Tekken 5 (2005) — Original Arcade Perfect. 32 chars, Story Mode, Devil Within (beat-em-up minigame), Arcade History (Tekken 1/2/3). Slightly slower load times, no widescreen, no Lili/Dragunov. Still fantastic.
Tekken 4 (2002) — Experimental. Walled stages, position change, uneven terrain, new engine. Steve Fox, Christie, Craig Marduk, Combot. Divisive—some love the strategy depth; others hate movement restrictions. Graphics aged poorly (PS2 launch-window).

Want...	Play
Most polished, content, modern feel	Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
Pure arcade port, Devil Within, history	Tekken 5
Unique mechanics, position game, nostalgia	Tekken 4

Tekken Tag Tournament (2000, PS2 launch) — Tag mechanics, 34 chars, best soundtrack, still played competitively. Runs at 60 fps interlaced.

All three are cheap ($5-15 CIB). Grab Dark Resurrection if you want one; get all three if you love the series.

PS2 Games