Tekken Director's Fighting Stick Unveiled

Tekken's director and producer, Katsuhiro Harada, recently revealed his trusty fighting stick, a controller that's become almost an extension of himself. Discover the story behind this sentimental piece of gaming history.

Harada's Fighting Stick: A PlayStation 3 Relic

The Hori Fighting EDGE: More Than Just a Controller

Katsuhiro Harada, the mastermind behind the Tekken franchise, sparked curiosity after fans questioned his fighting stick preference following an Olympic sharpshooter's use of a custom arcade stick. Surprisingly, Harada revealed his unwavering loyalty to the Hori Fighting EDGE, a discontinued PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fightstick.

The Hori Fighting EDGE itself isn't extraordinary; it's a twelve-year-old controller. However, its serial number, "00765," holds immense significance. This number is a phonetic representation of "Namco," Tekken's developer, in Japanese.

Whether Harada specifically requested this serial number, received it as a gift, or it was a lucky coincidence remains unknown. Regardless, the number represents a deep connection to Namco's legacy, a sentiment so strong that Harada even incorporates the numbers into his car's license plate.

Given the availability of modern, high-tech fighting sticks—including the Tekken 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick he used at EVO 2024 against LilyPichu—Harada's choice is intriguing. While lacking the advanced features of newer models, the Hori Fighting EDGE's enduring companionship has earned it a cherished place in Harada's heart.