Tekken Tag Tournament 2 has been positively received by critics, earning averaged review scores in the range of 82-83% at both GameRankings and Metacritic for the PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360 versions, as well as several fighting-game-of-the-year awards.

[9] Features suggested by Katsuhiro Harada include recording in Practice mode as well as a Tutorial, to make the game more accessible for new players.

[13] Unlike the original Tekken Tag Tournament, the game's sequel features a storyline, although it is still not part of the series' canon.

Unknown from the original Tekken Tag Tournament also returns, once again as an unplayable final boss with an updated set of visuals.

Tekken series producer Katsuhiro Harada teased an announcement on his Twitter feed on September 17, 2010 ("TGS Sep 18(Sat) at Tougeki Booth.

[20] At the World Cyber Games 2010, Harada stated that the console version would feature additional console-exclusive returning characters and bonus gameplay modes.

[26] Additionally, there is a new online service called "World Tekken Federation" that allows players to keep track of their overall stats and even which moves they had used in a match.

[30] The Wii U Edition features exclusive content, including a game mode that uses power-ups from Nintendo's Super Mario series, such as Mega Mushrooms and Poison Mushrooms, the return of the minigame "Tekken Ball" from Tekken 3, an optional touch-based control scheme utilizing the Wii U GamePad controller, and character costumes based on popular Nintendo series, including Super Mario, Metroid, Star Fox, F-Zero and The Legend of Zelda.

[6] In addition to the exclusive content, the DLC characters, outfits, and stages from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions are all included from the start in the Wii U Edition.

[34] The soundtrack to Tekken Tag Tournament 2 was composed by Akitaka Tohyama, Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, Rio Hamamoto, Taku Inoue, and Go Shiina.

[35] The console versions have additional songs composed by Akitaka Tohyama, Taku Inoue, Yoshihito Yano, Ryo Watanabe, Go Shiina, Rio Hamamoto, Nobuyoshi Sano, Keiichi Okabe, Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, Yuu Miyake, and Keigo Hoashi.

[37][38] When asked about the collaboration, director Katsuhiro Harada said "the Tekken team has always tried to implement different genres of music throughout the series, but one thing that we’ve never done was hip hop or rap,".

[40] Namco brought Tekken Tag Tournament 2 arcade machines to MCM London Comic Con.

[44] In the U.S., people that pre-ordered Tekken Tag 2 from GameStop would receive the downloadable content (DLC) for Angel and Kunimitsu as well as the bikini outfits, the Snoop Dogg stage and a 'girl power' poster of Nina and Anna Williams.

In Australia, on day one of Tekken Tag Tournament 2's launch, customers that placed their pre-orders with selected retailers had access to the exclusive ANZ Edition, which includes a Metal Tin case with exclusive artwork, the additional four DLC characters, the "Snoop Dogg Stage" and over 150 in-game swimsuit outfits.

The ANZ Edition is produced in limited quantities and was available through EB Games and JB Hifi in Australia and New Zealand.

[45] In Southeast Asia, copies of a special Prestige Edition contains a 256-page art book, two soundtrack CDs containing the original tracks and remixes, a DVD with behind-the-scenes video "Making of TTT2", and a Tekken wall-sticker signed by producer Katsuhiro Harada, packaged in a black leather box.

[46] In addition, all Southeast Asian customers who pre-ordered the game early (standard or Prestige) got an interlocking code so that players can link their Tekken Tag Tournament 2 arcade and console progress together, alongside the additional four DLC characters, the "Snoop Dogg Stage" and over 150 in-game swimsuit outfits.

The game comes packed in an exclusive metal case including the original soundtrack, an additional music CD with remixes, an art book with more than 200 pages, a behind the scenes video with series producer Katsuhiro Harada and other guests offering their best tips.

[47] In April 2012, series producer Katsuhiro Harada stated that while no characters will be paid downloadable content (DLC), those who pre-order the game at select retailers will be able to play as one or more of the four DLC characters (Ancient Ogre, Angel, Kunimitsu and Michelle Chang) at launch, but only for a limited period of time before the content is made available for free to all players.

[48][49][50] On June 5, 2012, at E3, Namco Bandai announced a partnership with American rapper Snoop Dogg for content for Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

[51][52] On July 14, 2012, during Comic Con, Namco announced the "Big Bikini Bundle", which includes over 150 swimsuit outfits.

[54] Namco announced them on September 12, 2012, stating that starting on October 9, 2012, these six characters, in addition to four new stages (Extravagant Underground, Moai Excavation, Modern Oasis and Odeum of Illusions) to be available for download.

[56] The characters Miharu Hirano, Sebastian and Slim Bob, as well as all four new stages, Online World Arena mode and decals for customization, were released on October 9, 2012, as a free update.

Unlike character and pre-order DLC, the music and ending movies come with a fee that is cheaper if the content is downloaded in packs rather than separately.

[84] Joystiq applauded the game for including everything that makes Tekken good, stating "its surprisingly deep, accessible gameplay mechanics to its bombastic and hilarious attitude – all presented in a package more polished and refined than ever before.

[70] According to Eurogamer, "It plays it a little safe in places and lacks a truly killer single-player mode, but by broadening the versatility of the tag system while dramatically improving the online functionality, Namco has crafted a new teamwork seminar that builds upon the original in almost all the areas that matter.

[88] Tekken Tag Tournament 2 was also nominated for "Fighting Game of the Year" by Igromania, losing to Dead or Alive 5.