Celebrity Guest Appearances in Video Games: A Bizarre Tradition
Cristiano Ronaldo Joins the Ranks of Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves
We’ve seen some bizarre celebrity guest appearances in video games over the years. Michael Jackson in Space Channel 5, Phil Collins in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories… Colonel Sanders in Street Fighter. Now SNK is putting Cristiano Ronaldo into Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. And no, it’s not yet 1 April.
A Playable Character in the Making
CR7 won’t just make a cameo appearance or be a skin either, it seems he’ll be a playable character in the fighting game. And we have so many questions (also see our feature on the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves character design).
The Marketing Genius or Just Plain Weird Debate
I can’t decide if the move is marketing genius or just plain weird. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the world’s second-best footballer after Argentina’s Lionel Messi, and he’s known to be a UFC fan. But he’s a controversial choice considering certain accusations made against him over the years.
The Connection to Saudi Arabia
We assume the inclusion in the game may be because of his current popularity in Saudi Arabia, where he’s been playing for Al-Nassr since 2023. SNK is currently owned by Saudi crown prince and prime minister Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation.
Fan Reactions
Fans are also perplexed. "I saw this in my recommendations and thought it was fan made," one person commented on the video above. "There’s now a non-zero chance for Ronaldo to make it into Super Smash Bros," someone else added.
The Voice Acting Dilemma
Others feel that the character being voiced by an actor makes the appearance even stranger, but using Cristian Ronaldo’s real voice would probably have been even more distracting.
Release Date and Other Playable Characters
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves releases 24 April for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S. Other playable characters in the game will include Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Joe Higashi plus crossover appearances from Street Fighter’s Chun-Li and Ken Masters.
Conclusion
The inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves is a bold move by SNK, and it’s hard to say whether it’s a marketing genius or just plain weird. One thing is for sure, it’s a unique addition to the game that’s sure to spark conversation.
FAQs
Q: Why was Cristiano Ronaldo chosen for the game?
A: According to reports, his current popularity in Saudi Arabia and the ownership of SNK by the Saudi crown prince and prime minister Mohammed bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation may have played a role in his inclusion.
Q: Will Cristiano Ronaldo’s real voice be used in the game?
A: No, the character will be voiced by an actor, not Cristiano Ronaldo himself.
Q: What is the release date for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves?
A: 24 April for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S.
Q: Who are the other playable characters in the game?
A: Andy Bogard, Mai Shiranui, and Joe Higashi, plus crossover appearances from Street Fighter’s Chun-Li and Ken Masters.
