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 Ring magazine in November 2024.
The yet-untitled boxing title will feature original characters and merge The Ring’s authoritative legacy in the world of professional boxing with Dimps’ extensive expertise in game development. Dimps, founded by Nishiyama himself, most 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 game 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
This collaboration arrives amid growing Saudi interest in Japan’s gaming sector. In April 2024, it was revealed that the Saudi Crown Prince’s foundation had acquired 100% of SNK’s shares. 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 on April 26, 2025.
Nishiyama’s history with SNK runs deep—he created the Fatal Fury series in the 1990s and contributed to major franchises like Metal Slug and The King of Fighters. His shift from rule-defying street brawls to a sport governed by strict regulations raises intriguing questions about the game’s direction.
Japanese audiences have responded with a mix of excitement and curiosity. Reactions on social media range from enthusiastic exclamations of “What?!! I want to play it!” to genuine interest in how the final product will balance authenticity with creative flair.
X user @ryo_redcyclone, known for Street Fighter commentary, noted: “Commenting on the first Street Fighter, Nishiyama said: ‘I chose to focus on street fighting because established sports are restricted by rules.’ Now he’s making a boxing game—a sport bound by rules. I’m curious to see how this turns out.”
A central point of discussion is whether the structured nature of boxing will constrain Nishiyama’s signature style, known for eccentric characters and over-the-top moves. While Street Fighter’s Balrog bears a resemblance to Mike Tyson, his inclusion of illegal kicks and the infamous Buffalo Head move clearly defies real-world boxing regulations.
Will the new Dimps and The Ring collaboration embrace realism, adhering to the sport’s traditions? Or will it take a bold, rule-breaking approach reminiscent of Nishiyama’s past work? Only time will tell—but the anticipation is already building.
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