Tekken Director's Noted Fighting Stick

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 deep sentimental meaning.

Tekken's Maestro Favors a Classic PS3 Fightstick

Harada's Fighting EDGE: A Legacy of Loyalty

Katsuhiro Harada, the driving force behind the Tekken franchise, sparked curiosity after noticing a custom arcade stick used by an Olympic sharpshooter. This led fans to inquire about his own preferred controller. Surprisingly, Harada confessed his unwavering dedication 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 a unique significance. This number, when pronounced in Japanese, sounds like "Namco," the company behind the Tekken series.

Whether Harada specifically requested this serial number, received it as a gift, or it was pure chance remains unknown. Nevertheless, the number carries immense sentimental value for Harada, symbolizing the company's heritage. His affection for "00765" extends beyond the fightstick; he even incorporates the 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—used by Harada during his EVO 2024 match against LilyPichu—his preference is intriguing. While the Hori Fighting EDGE may lack the advanced features of newer models, its long-standing companionship makes it irreplaceable to Harada.