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 with the release of accessories for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES/Famicom). As the console market expanded throughout 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 firms, including Sega, Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. By the 2000s, HORI had expanded internationally with subsidiaries in North America, Europe, Hong Kong and China, enabling worldwide distribution and localised customer support.4

HORI manufactures a diverse range of gaming accessories, including:

• Game controllers
• Arcade fight sticks
• Racing wheels and pedals
• Flight simulation controllers
• Gaming headsets
• Keyboards and mice for consoles
• Controller grips
• Charging docks
• Protective carrying cases
• Screen protectors
• Console stands
• Gaming pouches and travel accessories

Many products are designed specifically for competitive gaming, featuring programmable buttons, adjustable sensitivity and ergonomic layouts.5

A defining characteristic of HORI 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:

• Nintendo
• Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation)
• Microsoft (Xbox)

Official licensing permits HORI to display console makers’ logos on compatible products and ensures that accessories meet specific platform compatibility and quality requirements.6

Some of HORI’s most prominent product families include:

• Real Arcade Pro (RAP) – Professional arcade fight sticks popular among fighting game enthusiasts.
• Fighting Commander – Controllers designed specifically for fighting games with optimised directional pads and face buttons.
• Racing Wheel Apex – Racing wheel compatible with PlayStation and PC.
• Split Pad Pro – Ergonomic handheld controller for the Nintendo Switch, designed as an alternative to standard Joy-Con controllers.
• Tactical Assault Commander – Keyboard-and-mouse style controller primarily designed for console first-person shooters.7

HORI is widely recognised as one of the most established third-party gaming accessory manufacturers. Its products are typically positioned between budget accessories and premium enthusiast hardware. The brand is particularly respected for:

• Durable arcade sticks
• Ergonomic handheld controllers
• Licensed Nintendo accessories
• Reliable racing wheels for casual and intermediate sim racers
• 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

HORI operates through several regional subsidiaries, including:

• HORI (U.S.A.), Inc.
• HORI (U.K.) Ltd.
• HORI (China) Co., Ltd.
• HORI Hong Kong

These regional offices manage distribution, customer service and partnerships across North America, Europe and Asia.9

• Company: HORI Co., Ltd.
• Founded: February 1970
• Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
• Industry: Video game peripherals and accessories
• Core Business: Design, development and sale of gaming accessories
• Markets Served: Worldwide10

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 specialised 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

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