Tekken Director Harada's Go-To Fighting Stick Revealed

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

Harada's Fighting Stick: A PlayStation 3 Relic

The "Fighting EDGE" That Defines a Legacy

Katsuhiro Harada, the mastermind behind the Tekken series, sparked curiosity among fans after noticing a custom arcade stick used by an Olympic sharpshooter. This led to questions about his own preferred controller. Surprisingly, Harada confessed his unwavering loyalty 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 special significance. In Japanese pronunciation, these digits sound like "Namco," the company behind the Tekken franchise.

Whether Harada specifically requested this serial number, received it as a gift, or it was a fortunate coincidence remains unknown. Regardless, the number carries deep sentimental value, representing Namco's legacy and his connection to the company. This fondness extends beyond the fightstick; Harada even incorporates these numbers into his car's license plate.

Given the existence 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 preference is intriguing. While the Hori Fighting EDGE lacks the advanced features of newer models, its long-standing companionship makes it irreplaceable to Harada.