Tekken 8 Boss Attempts Waffle House Crossover, Fails

For some time now, Tekken fans have been clamoring for a unique in-game experience: a trip to Waffle House. While this isn't a request for a real-life visit, the desire to see this iconic eatery featured as a stage in Tekken 8 has been persistent and passionate. Tekken 8's director, Katsuhiro Harada, has acknowledged the interest but mentioned that there's been no response from Waffle House itself.

On X/Twitter, Harada engaged with fans who continue to push for a Waffle House stage in Tekken 8. This request has gained significant momentum, especially since Harada has shown a keen interest in exploring the possibility. He expressed a deep understanding of the fans' requests and revealed that he has been actively working on it for over a year.

Harada shared on X/Twitter, "Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make contact through several different channels. However, and this is purely my own speculation, I suspect that the lack of response may be due to the fact that the project I'm known for revolves 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_TEKKE) May 13, 2025

Harada noted that the absence of a response from Waffle House is a rare occurrence. He also suggested that if using a different name or format is acceptable, as long as "the core message is maintained," he would be open to revisiting the idea. This implies that while Kazuya and Jin might not battle under the glow of an actual Waffle House sign anytime soon, a parody or an in-universe equivalent could be possible. Harada even floated the idea of "Hustle House" in another post, which could serve as a suitable alternative.

Meanwhile, Tekken 8 is rolling out a new update with Patch 2.01, following the announcement of Fahkumram's addition to the game's roster. In April, Harada addressed fan concerns about Tekken 8's Season 2, assuring that the tuning team is working tirelessly to incorporate feedback and improve the game's future updates.