Discover the cherished fighting stick of Katsuhiro Harada, the esteemed producer and director of the Tekken series. Delve into the story behind the controller that has become an integral part of his gaming life and the deep sentimental value it holds for him.
Tekken Producer and Director Still Rocks a PS3 Fight Stick
Harada’s Fightstick is his ‘Fighting EDGE’
Katsuhiro Harada, renowned for his role in the Tekken franchise, recently shared insights into his preferred fighting stick after observing a custom arcade stick used by an Olympic Sharpshooter. Fans were curious about Harada's choice, and to their surprise, he revealed his unwavering loyalty to the Hori Fighting EDGE, a PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 fightstick discontinued years ago.
While the Hori Fighting EDGE might not stand out in terms of features—it was released twelve years ago—what makes it special to Harada is its serial number: "00765". This number, when pronounced in Japanese, sounds like "Namco", the iconic company behind the Tekken series.
It's uncertain whether Harada deliberately chose this serial number, received it as a thoughtful gift from Hori, or if it was merely a serendipitous occurrence. Nonetheless, this number holds deep sentimental value for him, symbolizing the roots of his beloved company. His attachment to these digits is so strong that he has even included them in his car's license plate.
Despite the allure of newer, advanced fighting sticks such as the Tekken 8 Pro FS Arcade Fight Stick, which Harada utilized during his match against Twitch streamer LilyPichu at EVO 2024, his dedication to the Hori Fighting EDGE remains unshaken. This older model, though lacking modern features, has earned its place as a cherished companion in Harada's gaming journey.
