Harada's Preferred Fighting Stick Unveiled

Discover the heartfelt story behind Katsuhiro Harada's choice of fighting stick, the iconic controller that has become an integral part of his life and career.

Tekken Producer and Director Still Rocks a PS3 Fight Stick

Harada’s Fightstick is his ‘Fighting EDGE’

Katsuhiro Harada, the visionary behind the Tekken series, recently shared insights into his preferred fighting stick, sparked by his observation of an Olympic Sharpshooter's custom arcade setup. Fans were eager to learn more, and Harada revealed his continued allegiance to the Hori Fighting EDGE, a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fightstick that, despite being discontinued, holds a special place in his heart.

The Hori Fighting EDGE may seem unremarkable at first glance, being a controller from twelve years ago. However, its allure lies in its serial number: "00765". This number, when pronounced in Japanese, sounds like "Namco", the legendary company responsible for the Tekken series. Whether Harada specifically chose this serial number, received it as a thoughtful gift from Hori, or stumbled upon it by chance, the number's connection to Namco's roots imbues it with deep sentimental value. This sentiment is so strong that Harada has even incorporated these numbers into his car's license plate.

Despite the allure of newer, technologically advanced fighting sticks like the Tekken 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick, which Harada himself used in a high-profile match at EVO 2024 against Twitch streamer LilyPichu, his loyalty to the Hori Fighting EDGE remains unwavering. The stick's lack of modern features is overshadowed by the years of companionship and the personal history it represents for Harada.