Tekken Director's Choice: Ultimate Fight Stick

Tekken series producer and director, Katsuhiro Harada, recently opened up about his preferred fighting stick. Read on to learn more about the controller that has become an extension of himself and the sentimental value it holds for him.

Tekken Producer and Director Still Rocks a PS3 Fight StickHarada’s Fightstick is his ‘Fighting EDGE’

Katsuhiro Harada, the Tekken series producer and director, took notice of an Olympic Sharpshooter using a custom arcade stick part during the recently-concluded Olympic Games. This prompted fans to ask him about his preferred fighting stick. To the wonder of many, the Tekken 8 producer confessed his loyalty to the outdated Hori Fighting EDGE, a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fightstick no longer in production.

There’s nothing particularly remarkable about the Hori Fighting EDGE. It’s simply a controller released twelve years ago. However, what makes his Hori Fighting Edge interesting is its serial number: "00765". While seemingly ordinary, these digits form the Japanese pronunciation of "Namco", the company behind the Tekken series.

It remains unclear whether Harada specifically requested the serial number, received it as a gift from Hori, or if it was simply a fortuitous coincidence. Regardless, the number holds significant sentimental value for Harada, as it represents the company’s roots. His fondness for the number is so profound that he even mentions that those same numbers are incorporated into his car’s license plate.

Given the availability of newer, top-of-the-line fighting sticks like the Tekken 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick—which Harada used during his EVO 2024 match against Twitch streamer LilyPichu—many were intrigued by his selection. While the Hori Fighting EDGE may not have the fancy features of newer models, the fact that it has been his trusted companion for so many years is sufficient for it to have a special place in Harada’s heart.