Ever imagined Colonel Sanders swapping his signature bucket of chicken for a barrage of punches and kicks in Tekken? Well, it almost happened. Tekken’s director, Katsuhiro Harada, once pitched the eyebrow-raising idea of bringing the legendary fast-food icon into the game as a guest fighter. Harada took his ambitious proposal to KFC Japan, dreaming of a quirky crossover that would have added a unique flavor to the fighting world.
However, the proposal didn’t get very far. Both KFC and Harada’s higher-ups balked at the idea, citing brand issues and potential mismatches with their image. While KFC has embraced offbeat endeavors like “I Love You, Colonel Sanders! A Finger Lickin’ Good Dating Simulator,” the company wasn’t keen on seeing their beloved mascot dishing out roundhouse kicks in a high-stakes brawler.
Michael Murray, a game designer who worked closely with Harada, explained that KFC’s reluctance likely stemmed from Tekken’s nature as a fighting game. It appears that battling it out alongside martial arts masters is a different ball game compared to charming players in a dating sim. The feedback was clear: Colonel Sanders might be a pop culture icon, but he’d have to sit this one out.
Harada also mentioned that the rejection doesn’t bode well for other unconventional requests from fans. So, for those dreaming of bizarre additions like a Waffle House stage in Tekken, it looks like those fantasies will remain just that—fantasies. For now, fans can enjoy Tekken 8’s real lineup, which includes the much-anticipated return of Heihachi Mishima.
It seems the quest for quirkier collaborations in Tekken requires navigating some tricky corporate waters. Until then, the roster will stick to its core fighters, leaving us to only daydream about what could’ve been.
