Corporate brand
UnclaimedHORI is a Japanese manufacturer of licensed video-game controllers and accessories, including gamepads, arcade sticks, racing wheels, headsets, and related console hardware.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
HORI, formally HORI Co., Ltd. and originally established as Hori Electric Co., Ltd., is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in third-party video-game peripherals. The company was formed in February 1970 and initially operated in the broader market for accessories used with video and audio equipment. Its later development was closely tied to the expansion of home video games and the emergence of console-specific accessory ecosystems. HORI entered the video-game market in 1985, when it released a peripheral for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This move established the company in a segment that required practical hardware design, console compatibility, and cooperation with platform owners. HORI subsequently expanded through relationships with major game-hardware companies, including Sega, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. These relationships allowed it to produce accessories designed for specific platforms such as Nintendo consoles, Xbox systems, and PlayStation hardware, often under third-party licensing or cooperation arrangements. The brand's product scope includes conventional gamepads, specialized controllers, arcade sticks, racing wheels, headsets, and other console accessories. Its products are aimed at several overlapping user groups: mainstream console players seeking alternatives to first-party controllers, competitive and fighting-game players who prefer arcade-style input devices, and driving-game enthusiasts who want steering wheels and pedal systems. HORI has also developed accessories intended to improve portability, ergonomics, and control customization for console users. A notable part of HORI's identity is its focus on platform-specific design rather than a single universal accessory platform. Its products are commonly built around the physical and software requirements of an individual console family. This approach has enabled the company to participate in successive generations of Nintendo, PlayStation, and Xbox hardware while maintaining a recognizable specialist position in the accessories market. HORI's racing-wheel range is particularly prominent. The HORI Apex Racing Wheel is identified as one of the company's best-selling product families and represents its presence in the sim-racing and driving-game segment. Alongside racing wheels, HORI is known for arcade sticks and other specialized controllers that serve genres where different layouts or control methods are valued. The company also participated in the accessory launch environment for the Nintendo Switch Lite in 2019, when it became a launch partner for third-party Joy-Con-related accessories. This illustrated HORI's continuing relationship with Nintendo and its ability to develop products around new console formats. Overall, HORI remains an active Japanese specialist brand whose business is centered on licensed and platform-compatible gaming peripherals rather than game software or consoles themselves.
History
HORI was established in February 1970 under the name Hori Electric Co., Ltd. Before concentrating on gaming, the business was involved in the manufacture of third-party peripherals for video and audio equipment. This early experience gave the company a foundation in accessory design and in producing hardware intended to work alongside equipment made by larger technology companies. The company entered the video-game market in 1985 with a peripheral for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The release came during the rapid growth of home-console gaming and marked a strategic shift toward game-specific hardware. Rather than producing consoles or software, HORI developed complementary products that extended how players interacted with established console platforms. After entering gaming, HORI grew through cooperation with major platform manufacturers. Its relationships included Sega and later Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony. These partnerships and licensing arrangements enabled the company to develop accessories for successive generations of console hardware. HORI's portfolio expanded beyond basic controllers to include arcade sticks, steering wheels, headsets, and other specialized products. The brand's history reflects the diversification of the console-accessory market. Standard gamepads addressed general players, while arcade sticks served fighting games and arcade-style titles. Racing wheels and pedal systems supported driving games and simulation-oriented users. Headsets and other accessories broadened HORI's role in the wider console-gaming setup. Through this range, the company positioned itself as a specialist supplier capable of serving both ordinary console use and more demanding enthusiast applications. Nintendo has been an especially important relationship in HORI's development. The company brought Nintendo accessories to market and continued to create products for Nintendo hardware as the platform family evolved. In 2019, HORI was a launch partner for third-party Joy-Con-related accessories associated with the Nintendo Switch Lite. This demonstrated the brand's continuing ability to release hardware alongside a major new console format. HORI also maintained a presence in PlayStation and Xbox accessory ecosystems through products made for Sony and Microsoft's platforms. Its approach has generally been platform-specific: products are designed around the compatibility, form factor, and control requirements of particular console families rather than being limited to generic universal devices. Racing wheels became one of the company's most commercially visible categories. The HORI Apex Racing Wheel is described as one of HORI's best-selling products, reflecting the continuing demand for dedicated controls in racing and driving games. Arcade sticks likewise remain an important part of the company's specialist identity. Together, these categories distinguish HORI from accessory brands focused only on inexpensive replacement controllers. HORI remains active as a Japanese gaming-hardware manufacturer. Its business is centered on third-party peripherals developed under agreements with console-platform companies. The company continues to serve international players through products spanning controllers, racing equipment, arcade hardware, headsets, and other console accessories.
- 2019
Nintendo Switch Lite accessory launch partnership
[1]HORI became a launch partner for third-party Joy-Con-related accessories associated with the Nintendo Switch Lite.
- 1985
Entry into the video-game market
[1]HORI released a peripheral for the Nintendo Entertainment System, beginning its long-term focus on console gaming accessories.
- 1970
Company established as Hori Electric Co., Ltd.
[1]The company was formed in February 1970 and initially manufactured third-party peripherals for video and audio equipment.
Products and positioning
A specialist, platform-focused gaming-peripheral brand combining licensed console compatibility with enthusiast-oriented products such as arcade sticks and racing wheels.
Console controllers
Gamepads
HORI produces platform-specific gamepads for major console ecosystems. These products provide alternatives to first-party controllers and are designed around the compatibility requirements of systems from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft. The category forms part of HORI's broad mainstream accessory offering, alongside more specialized products such as arcade sticks and racing wheels.
Specialized gaming controllers
Arcade sticks
HORI arcade sticks are designed for players who prefer an arcade-style control layout, particularly in fighting games and other titles that benefit from a joystick and dedicated button arrangement. They represent one of the brand's enthusiast-oriented product areas and support HORI's position as a specialist rather than a general electronics accessory maker.
Racing wheels
HORI Apex Racing Wheel
The HORI Apex Racing Wheel is a steering-wheel accessory for console driving and racing games. It is among HORI's best-selling product families and reflects the company's focus on dedicated controls for sim-racing and driving-game users. The broader racing range may include related pedal and mounting accessories depending on platform and product configuration.
Gaming audio accessories
Gaming headsets
HORI's headset range extends the brand beyond input hardware into console gaming audio. These products are developed as gaming accessories for supported platforms and complement the company's controller, arcade-stick, and racing-wheel lines.
Platform accessories · 2019
Nintendo console accessories
HORI has brought accessories to market for Nintendo hardware across multiple console generations. Its Nintendo-related portfolio includes controllers and other platform-specific products, including third-party Joy-Con-related accessories associated with the Nintendo Switch Lite launch in 2019.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2019
Participation in the Nintendo Switch Lite accessory launchProduct launchBackground
Nintendo introduced the Switch Lite as a new form factor within the Switch console family, creating demand for compatible third-party accessories.
Action taken
HORI became a launch partner for third-party Joy-Con-related accessories associated with the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Aftermath
The partnership reinforced HORI's role as a licensed or platform-aligned accessory supplier for Nintendo hardware.
1985
Expansion into video-game peripheralsStrategyBackground
HORI had previously operated as a manufacturer of third-party peripherals for video and audio equipment. The expanding home-console market created an opportunity to apply that accessory expertise to gaming hardware.
Action taken
The company released a peripheral for the Nintendo Entertainment System and began developing its gaming-accessory business.
Aftermath
The move established HORI as a third-party gaming-peripheral manufacturer and was followed by cooperation with major console companies, including Sega, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony.
Recent events
Reported
Nyko files patent lawsuit against Hori[2]
Nyko Technologies filed suit against Hori (U.S.A.), Inc., alleging infringement of three Nyko patents related to video game controller docking structures. The allegations are not presented as a court determination.
Reported
Hori announces wireless Battle Pad controller release in Canada[3]
Hori announced new wireless Nintendo Switch Battle Pad controllers in Zelda- and Mario-themed designs, scheduled for release in Canada on May 17.
Sources3 sources
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