Cristiano Ronaldo will make his playable debut in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, the next installment in SNK's franchise. The Japanese developer confirmed the news and released a video introducing the athlete , set in the bustling streets of South Town. The game is scheduled for release on April 24, 2025, and will be available for PC and next-gen consoles.
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The Portuguese star's presence marks one of the most unexpected collaborations between soccer and video games. With a career marked by titles, Cristiano now joins a universe dominated by fighters and arcade characters. Thus, the choice of the star reinforces SNK's strategy of connecting the new generation of players with elements of pop and sports culture.
Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad expands the franchise's global appeal
Considered one of the greatest names in world football, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored over 900 goals and won dozens of trophies, including five Champions League titles and a European Championship with the Portuguese national team. He is also the only player to score in five consecutive World Cups and has won five Ballon d'Ors. By incorporating him into the City of the Wolves roster, SNK is banking on the player's global reach to attract audiences beyond the fighting game niche.
The developer hasn't yet revealed details about the new character's moves, attacks, or abilities. However, the announcement has already made an impact among fans of the franchise, which hasn't seen a new title since Garou: Mark of the Wolves, released in 1999. The number 7's presence in the roster promises to shake up the competitive scene and increase interest in the game among sports fans.
Open beta enters new phase with Tizoc and training mode
In addition to Cristiano Ronaldo's reveal, SNK announced the second phase of the City of the Wolves Open Beta Test, which will run from March 27th to 31st. During this period, players will be able to try the game for free on platforms such as Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The new test will include the debut of fighter Tizoc and the addition of Training Mode, responding to community requests for practice and improvement features.
All characters and modes from the first test return in this new round, offering the most comprehensive opportunity to test the combat system. Access to the beta requires an internet connection, and the schedule follows Brasília time zone, starting at 2:00 AM on the 27th and ending at 5:00 AM on the 31st.
City of the Wolves brings back arcade nostalgia with a modern twist
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is the latest installment in the legendary series that began in 1991, during the heyday of arcade fighting games. The title maintains the essence of the franchise, but with a revamped visual aesthetic and new gameplay systems, such as the innovative REV System. Furthermore, the game will offer two distinct control modes, which should make it easier for beginners to adapt and please series veterans.
Pre-orders for the Special Edition began in August 2024 and include Season Pass 1, with access to additional characters until 2026. The game will be released for PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Owners of the physical PS4 version will be able to upgrade to PS5 for free, as long as they have a console with a disc drive.
