Will Street Fighter Creator’s New Saudi-Backed Boxing Game Pack a Punch? Japanese Fans React

Street Fighter creator Takashi Nishiyama is stepping into the ring with a brand-new boxing game developed in collaboration with the iconic boxing publication The Ring. The announcement was made via the official X account of Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who acquired the American magazine in November 2024.

The yet-to-be-titled game will feature original characters and aims to blend The Ring’s authoritative presence in the boxing world with Dimps’ extensive legacy in game development. Dimps, founded by Nishiyama himself, recently released Freedom Wars Remastered in January 2025—a modern reimagining of the PlayStation Vita classic. According to Alalshikh’s tweet, development on the boxing project is set to begin shortly.

Together with legendary Japanese video game designer Takashi Nishiyama, I am proud to announce a forthcoming boxing game presented by The Ring featuring original characters.

This strategic partnership between myself and Nishiyama brings together our unmatched authority in… pic.twitter.com/LRWyyZzkpz

— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) May 5, 2025

The Saudi royal family has been increasingly active in Japan’s gaming sector. In April 2024, it was confirmed that the Saudi Crown Prince’s foundation now owns 100% of SNK, the legendary Japanese game studio. The Ring has also played a role in promoting SNK’s upcoming Fatal Fury: City of Wolves, including a high-profile boxing match collaboration held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on April 26, 2025.

Nishiyama’s history with SNK runs deep—he created the Fatal Fury series in the 1990s and contributed to major titles like Metal Slug and The King of Fighters. This new venture marks a return to the spotlight for the visionary designer, now exploring the structured world of boxing after decades of crafting rule-defying fighting games.

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Japanese audiences have responded to the news with a mix of excitement and intrigue. Reactions on social media range from enthusiastic exclamations of “What?!! I want to play it!” to genuine curiosity about the game’s direction.

X user @ryo_redcyclone, known for Street Fighter commentary, shared a thoughtful take: “Commenting on the first Street Fighter, Nishiyama said: ‘I chose to focus on street fighting because established sports are restricted by rules.’ This time he is making a game based on boxing, a sport with rules, so I’m curious to see how it will turn out.”

A key question on fans’ minds is whether the rigid structure of professional boxing will limit Nishiyama’s creative flair. His past games are known for over-the-top characters and moves—like Balrog’s infamous Buffalo Head in Street Fighter, a move that clearly defies real-world boxing regulations. Will this new project lean into realism, honoring The Ring’s legacy, or will it break the rules in true Nishiyama fashion? Only time will tell how this unique fusion of sports authenticity and arcade innovation will unfold.