How Undisputed May Pave the Way for EA's Long-Awaited Fighting Game Revival

With the release of Undisputed, the dormant AAA boxing genre may finally be seeing a revival. There was a time when boxing games were a staple of the sports gaming world, but EA, one of the biggest names in the industry, shifted its focus to franchises like UFC. While UFC games continue to satisfy fans of realistic fighting simulators, there’s something unique about a pure boxing experience that these MMA and WWE games just can’t replicate.

Boxing games capture the sport’s unique blend of grace, power, and calculated brutality in a way that’s difficult to achieve in other fighting genres. When done right, they offer a depth of gameplay that mirrors the sport’s complexity, making it a perfect fit for video games. EA’s Fight Night series was once the gold standard for this, offering players a true-to-life boxing experience. In fact, Fight Night Champion broke new ground by delivering a gripping, M-rated single-player story, which is almost unheard of in sports games. With Undisputed now making waves, perhaps it’s time for Fight Night to make its long-awaited comeback.

Could Undisputed Open the Door for Fight Night’s Return?

Despite being two console generations old, Fight Night is still regarded as the pinnacle of boxing games. Its reputation remains strong, not only for its impressive visuals but also for the way it brought the sport’s realism to life. Every punch in the game felt like it mattered, thanks to a combination of factors like stamina, positioning, and defensive timing. It wasn’t a game where button-mashing would get you far—you had to approach every match with strategy and precision, much like a real boxer.

The visuals of Fight Night were groundbreaking at the time, with character models that reacted realistically to every hit—sweat flying off, skin stretching, and bruises forming. The animation quality reinforced the game’s focus on realism, adding to the immersive experience.

One of the standout features of the Fight Night series was its bold, story-driven single-player mode in Fight Night Champion. While it wasn’t on the level of narrative powerhouses like Red Dead Redemption 2, it offered a mature, gritty storyline that was unique for a sports game. When compared to the often lackluster and formulaic narratives in modern sports titles like NBA 2K, Fight Night Champion’s ambition and mature themes still stand out. Any future Fight Night revival should aim to bring back this narrative depth, offering something beyond just the fights.

Is a New Fight Night Game on the Horizon?

There’s growing speculation that EA may be gearing up to revive the Fight Night series. Rumors have circulated for years, but now that Undisputed has stepped into the ring, it could be the push EA needs to bring back its iconic boxing franchise. Undisputed has clearly drawn inspiration from Fight Night, and while it’s had its share of technical hiccups and balance issues, it’s showing that there’s still demand for a great boxing game.

The competition from Undisputed could push EA to raise the bar even higher, delivering a new Fight Night title that not only lives up to its legacy but surpasses it. With the boxing genre making a comeback, EA has a chance to reclaim its place at the top, responding to Undisputed’s challenge with a knockout punch of its own.