Tekken 8 Boss Attempts Waffle House Crossover, Fails

For some time now, Tekken fans have been clamoring for a trip to Waffle House, but not in real life—rather, they want it as a stage in the game. While Tekken 8's director, Katsuhiro Harada, seems open to the idea, there hasn't been any response from Waffle House itself.

On X/Twitter, Harada addressed fans who are still eagerly requesting a Waffle House stage in Tekken 8. This request has gained significant traction, partly because Harada has shown interest and is keen on exploring the possibility further.

Harada expressed a deep understanding of the fans' requests, stating that he's already been contemplating the idea and has taken steps to try to make it a reality. "Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make contact through several different channels," Harada shared on X/Twitter. He speculated that the lack of response might be due to the nature of his projects being centered around 'fighting-themed video games.'

To be honest, within the bounds of what I can say, I fully understand your (you guys) request—that's precisely why I had considered taking on this challenge. In fact, I had already been thinking about it quite a while ago.

Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make… https://t.co/Sa5oSpk2IZ

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) May 13, 2025

Harada noted that a "no response" situation is quite rare. He also mentioned that if using a different name or format is acceptable, as long as "the core message is maintained," he would be willing to seriously reconsider and explore this concept again.

It appears unlikely that Kazuya and Jin will settle their familial disputes under the iconic yellow light of a Waffle House sign anytime soon. However, a parody or an in-universe facsimile might be possible. Harada suggested "Hustle House" in another post, which could be a viable alternative.

Currently, Tekken 8 is rolling out a new update with Patch 2.01, following the confirmation of Fahkumram's addition to the roster. Back in April, Harada responded to fan frustrations regarding Tekken 8's Season 2, assuring that the tuning team is working tirelessly to incorporate feedback and make future improvements.