Tekken Boss Unveils Preferred Fight Stick

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

Harada's Fighting EDGE: A Legacy of Loyalty

Katsuhiro Harada, the driving force 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 allegiance to the Hori Fighting EDGE, a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fightstick that's been discontinued for years.

The Hori Fighting EDGE itself isn't extraordinary; it's a twelve-year-old controller. However, its serial number, "00765," holds a special significance. This number is a phonetic representation of "Namco," the company behind the Tekken franchise.

Whether Harada specifically requested this serial number, received it as a gift, or it was a lucky coincidence remains a mystery. Nevertheless, the number carries immense sentimental value for Harada, symbolizing Namco's legacy. His attachment is so strong that he even incorporates the same numbers into his car's license plate.

Given the availability of modern, high-tech fighting sticks—including the Tekken 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick, which Harada used during his EVO 2024 match against LilyPichu—his preference for the older model is intriguing. While the Hori Fighting EDGE may lack the advanced features of newer controllers, its long-standing companionship makes it irreplaceable in Harada's eyes.