The Comeback King

The Comeback King

Released Aug 2026

40 years in the making, The Comeback King is a light-hearted, mildly satirical retro boxing management game set in the UK in the 1980s. Take on a has-been boxer and manage his career. Decide who he'll fight, train him up and send him into the ring! Can you guide your boxer to a Championship title?

100% positive · 7 reviews
Pending
Released · Awaiting evaluation
Pending
Released · Awaiting evaluation

Where to buy

Steam $8.24 $10.99 −25%
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search
Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site

Content

1 of 1 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Developer
Publisher
Subjunctive Software
Achievements
26
Platform
Windows, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player

About this game

"HE MIGHT BE DOWN... BUT HE'S NOT OUT!"

"Ten years ago he was the next big thing. The Golden boy. Championship material. But it all went south, see? He picked up some bad injuries, and his scumbag manager ran off with all the dosh. So now he wants it back. He wants one last crack at the title, before he gets too old. But he needs a manager. Think you've got the bottle?

"TIME TO PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS THEN."

Game summary

In The Comeback King, you're the manager of a faded fighter battling to win his first championship title. You manage the money, the trainers, the gyms, the tactics - but you don't control your boxer. During a match, you can shout out instructions (and maybe he'll follow your advice) and between rounds you can towel him down and patch him up. Otherwise, you'll sit there on the edge of your seat, peering through your fingers as the drama unfolds before you. Did you choose the right opponent? Did training concentrate on the right areas? Should you have invested more time in tactical coaching? Did you bring enough bandages? Will your boxer be a Punchbag Pawn or... The Comeback King?!

What they're saying about The Comeback King

"As a longtime boxing fan I appreciate the game’s sense of humor and narrative."

"Great demo! Loved it"

"Very nice, style is very good, throw in a ref and it's perfect"*

"Boxing games are cool"

"Nice, I like the look of it - have wishlisted!"

"You really deserve success with this game :)"

"Just played through the demo, very fun, this is a good one!"

"Good luck! Wishlisting it!"

"Nice pixel art"

"Love this!  I missed the original"

"Those are some expensive sponges you got there"

Demo

The demo allows you to play 5 matches per career. All previous restrictions have now been removed! Please use the feedback button in the demo to let us know what you thought of it - or add your comments in the Steam Community Hub. You'll be able to load saved games from the demo into the full version when it's released.

Features

  • Retro pixel art style

  • Fully animated boxing matches

  • Tight game loop

  • Entrance music (10 tracks of original 80s-flavoured bangers written especially for the game!)

  • British humour

  • Shouting from the sidelines

  • Rampant 1980s inflation

  • Bone-crunching injuries (but no blood/gore)

  • Quick start guidance system

  • Play with stats on or 'Keep It Real' for a prize money bonus

40 years in the making

From designer Ian Williams:

This game is a slightly delayed sequel to 'Boxing Manager', an 8-bit classic that I released in the mid-1980s for the Spectrum 48K. You can still play it on an emulator.

This sequel retains many of the features of the original game but I've added more interaction during the matches, plus more gyms, the Shop, more choice of opponents, a refined Popularity system, full ranking table, entrance music and much more.

Future Plans

If there's a demand for it, I also have plans for a 'Downtown' expansion, which will add criminal elements like bribes, dives, illegal tonics and dodgy bets. Cushti!

AI disclaimer

No robots were harmed in the development of this game.

AI art was used for placeholders during the initial stages of development but these were all replaced with hand-drawn art by our artist Ozan D. This game contains no AI-generated art assets, code or SFX.

*There's now a Referee! He has great bouncy hair. :D

No evaluation yet
Ask us to evaluate this game's completeness Report illegal or harmful content