Tekken 8 Boss Attempts Waffle House Crossover, Fails

For some time now, Tekken fans have been vocal about their desire to see a Waffle House stage in the game. Not in real life, of course, but within the virtual world of Tekken 8. While the game's director, Katsuhiro Harada, seems interested, Waffle House has yet to bite.

On X/Twitter, Harada responded to fans who continue to clamor for a Waffle House stage in Tekken 8. This request has gained significant traction, especially since Harada has shown interest in exploring the idea further.

Harada admitted he "fully understands" the fans' requests and has been actively considering the possibility. He revealed that he's been attempting to make contact with Waffle House through various channels over the past year or more. However, he speculates that the lack of response might be due to the nature of his project, which revolves around "fighting-themed video games."

"Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make contact through several different channels," Harada shared 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 pointed out that a "no response" is a rare occurrence. He also suggested that if using a different name or format is acceptable, as long as "the core message is maintained," he would be open to revisiting the idea.

It appears that Kazuya and Jin won't be resolving their family disputes under the iconic yellow glow of a Waffle House sign anytime soon. However, Harada hinted at the possibility of a parody or an in-universe equivalent, suggesting "Hustle House" as a potential alternative.

Meanwhile, Tekken 8 is rolling out Patch 2.01, following the announcement of Fahkumram's addition to the roster. Back in April, Harada addressed fan concerns about Tekken 8's Season 2, assuring that the tuning team is working tirelessly to incorporate feedback and enhance future updates.