Tekken 8 Boss Fails to Secure Waffle House Crossover

For some time now, Tekken fans have been campaigning for a Waffle House-themed stage in the game. While Tekken 8's director has shown personal interest in the idea, there has been no official response from the restaurant chain itself.

On X/Twitter, game director Katsuhiro Harada has been engaging with fans who continue to request a Waffle House location in Tekken 8. The demand has grown significantly, especially since Harada has openly expressed his curiosity about the possibility.

Harada stated that he "fully understands" the community's desire. He has apparently given it considerable thought and has already taken steps to explore a potential collaboration.

"Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make contact through several different channels," Harada posted on X/Twitter. "However, and this is purely my own speculation, I suspect that the lack of response may be due to the fact that the project I'm known for revolves around 'fighting-themed video games.'"

To be honest, within the bounds of what I can say, I fully understand your (you guys) request—that's precisely why I had considered taking on this challenge. In fact, I had already been thinking about it quite a while ago.

Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make… https://t.co/Sa5oSpk2IZ

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) May 13, 2025

Harada mentioned that receiving no reply is highly unusual for him. He added that if an alternative name or format would be acceptable—so long as the essential concept is preserved—he would be open to revisiting the idea.

As it stands, it seems unlikely that Kazuya and Jin will be battling it out under the iconic glow of a Waffle House sign in the near future. A parody version or a similar in-game location remains a possibility, however. Harada even floated "Hustle House" as a potential alternative in a follow-up post.

Meanwhile, Tekken 8 continues to evolve with its latest update, Patch 2.01, following the confirmation that Fahkumram will join the roster. Back in April, Harada addressed player concerns about Season 2, assuring fans that the balancing team is working tirelessly to review feedback and implement improvements.