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. This article delves into the story behind his preferred choice and the sentimental value it holds.

Tekken's Mastermind Favors a Classic PS3 Fightstick

Harada's Fighting EDGE: A Legacy of Loyalty

Katsuhiro Harada, following the recent Olympic Games and inspired by an athlete's custom arcade stick, revealed his own fighting stick preference to curious fans. Surprisingly, he remains loyal to the discontinued Hori Fighting EDGE, a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fightstick.

The Hori Fighting EDGE isn't inherently special; it's a twelve-year-old controller. However, its serial number, "00765," holds significant meaning. 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 coincidence, remains unknown. Nevertheless, the number carries profound sentimental value for him, symbolizing Namco's legacy. His attachment is so strong that he even incorporates these numbers into his car's license plate.

Given 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 intriguing. While lacking the advanced features of newer models, the Hori Fighting EDGE's long-standing companionship makes it irreplaceable to Harada.