Tekken Director Harada's Favorite Fighting Stick: A Nostalgic Choice

Katsuhiro Harada, the renowned producer and director of the Tekken series, recently revealed his go-to fighting stick, sparking curiosity among fans. The choice? A seemingly unremarkable Hori Fighting EDGE, a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 controller discontinued over a decade ago.

What sets this particular controller apart isn't its features, but its serial number: "00765." This number, coincidentally or intentionally, is a phonetic representation of "Namco," the company behind the Tekken franchise. The significance of this numerical connection to his professional roots is clearly profound for Harada, extending even to his car's license plate.

While Harada has used more modern controllers, such as the Tekken 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick during his EVO 2024 match against streamer LilyPichu, his enduring affection for the Hori Fighting EDGE highlights a powerful sentimental attachment. Despite the availability of advanced, feature-rich alternatives, this twelve-year-old controller remains his trusted companion, a testament to its enduring value. The controller's simplicity is overshadowed by its personal meaning, making it more than just a peripheral; it's a piece of Harada's gaming history.