About Hori
HORI Co., Ltd. (Japanese: 株式会社ホリ, _Kabushiki-gaisha Hori_) is a Japanese manufacturer of video game peripherals and accessories. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, the company is one of the world’s best-known third-party gaming accessory brands. HORI specializes in officially licensed controllers, arcade fight sticks, racing wheels, headsets, carrying cases, and other accessories for major gaming platforms, including Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. [1]
Unlike console manufacturers, HORI focuses exclusively on designing and producing gaming peripherals. Over several decades, it has built a reputation for creating products that balance affordability, reliability, and compatibility while maintaining official licensing agreements with major console makers. [2]
History
HORI was established as Hori Electric Co., Ltd. in February 1970. During its early years, the company manufactured electronic peripherals before entering the video game industry in 1985, when it released accessories for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES/Famicom). As the console market expanded during the late 1980s and 1990s, HORI became one of Japan’s pioneering third-party accessory manufacturers. [3]
The company’s growth accelerated through collaborations with major gaming companies, including Sega, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. By the 2000s, HORI had expanded internationally with subsidiaries in North America, Europe, Hong Kong, and China, allowing it to distribute products worldwide and provide localized customer support. [4]
Products
HORI manufactures a wide variety of gaming accessories, including:
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Game controllers
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Arcade fight sticks
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Racing wheels and pedals
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Flight simulation controllers
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Gaming headsets
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Keyboards and mice for consoles
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Controller grips
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Charging docks
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Protective carrying cases
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Screen protectors
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Console stands
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Gaming pouches and travel accessories
Many products are designed specifically for competitive gaming, offering programmable buttons, adjustable sensitivity, and ergonomic layouts. [5]
Official Licensing
One of HORI’s defining characteristics is its extensive portfolio of officially licensed gaming accessories. Rather than producing generic third-party hardware, many HORI products are developed under licensing agreements with platform holders such as:
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Nintendo
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Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation)
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Microsoft (Xbox)
Official licensing allows HORI to display the console makers’ logos on compatible products and ensures that accessories meet platform compatibility and quality requirements. [6]
Notable Product Lines
Some of HORI’s best-known product families include:
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Real Arcade Pro (RAP) – Professional arcade fight sticks popular among fighting game enthusiasts.
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Fighting Commander – Controllers designed specifically for fighting games with optimized directional pads and face buttons.
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Racing Wheel Apex – Racing wheel compatible with PlayStation and PC.
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Split Pad Pro – Ergonomic handheld controller for the Nintendo Switch, designed as an alternative to standard Joy-Con controllers.
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Tactical Assault Commander – Keyboard-and-mouse style controller primarily designed for console first-person shooters. [7]
Reputation
HORI is widely recognized as one of the most established third-party gaming accessory manufacturers. Its products are often positioned between budget accessories and premium enthusiast hardware. The brand is particularly respected for:
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Durable arcade sticks
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Ergonomic handheld controllers
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Licensed Nintendo accessories
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Reliable racing wheels for casual and intermediate sim racers
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Competitive gaming peripherals
Although HORI products typically lack some premium features found in higher-end brands, they are generally regarded as dependable and offer good value for their price. [8]
Global Presence
HORI operates through several regional subsidiaries, including:
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HORI (U.S.A.), Inc.
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HORI (U.K.) Ltd.
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HORI (China) Co., Ltd.
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HORI Hong Kong
These regional offices manage distribution, customer service, and partnerships across North America, Europe, and Asia. [9]
Headquarters
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Company: HORI Co., Ltd.
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Founded: February 1970
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Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
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Industry: Video game peripherals and accessories
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Core Business: Design, development, and sale of gaming accessories
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Markets Served: Worldwide [10]
Legacy
For more than five decades, HORI has remained one of the most influential names in gaming peripherals. The company has contributed to the evolution of console gaming by offering specialized accessories for genres such as fighting games, racing simulations, and handheld gaming. Through long-standing licensing partnerships with Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox, HORI continues to be one of the leading manufacturers of officially licensed gaming accessories worldwide. [11]
