Tekken Director Harada's Go-To Fighting Stick Revealed

Tekken's renowned producer and director, Katsuhiro Harada, recently revealed his trusty fighting stick. Discover the story behind this controller, a long-time companion with significant personal meaning.

Tekken's Mastermind Favors a Classic PS3 Fightstick

Harada's Fighting EDGE: A Legacy of Loyalty

Following the recent Olympics, where Harada noticed an athlete using a custom arcade stick, fans inquired about his own preferred controller. Much to everyone's surprise, Harada confessed his unwavering allegiance to the discontinued Hori Fighting EDGE, a 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 the key to its unique 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 fortunate coincidence remains unknown. Nevertheless, the number carries profound sentimental value for Harada, symbolizing his company's heritage. His attachment is so strong that he even incorporates these numbers into his car's license plate.

Considering the availability of modern, high-tech fighting sticks like the Tekken 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick (which Harada used during his EVO 2024 match against LilyPichu), his choice is particularly noteworthy. While the Hori Fighting EDGE may lack the advanced features of newer models, its enduring companionship over many years makes it irreplaceable to Harada.