This project is a fan-made recreation of the classic Sumo Volleyball originally created by
Shizmoo Games. Our goal is to bring back the original gameplay experience as faithfully as
possible — the physics, the feel, the fun — for a new generation of players. We do not claim ownership of
the original game's intellectual property.
We are not affiliated with the team at sumovolley.com who are developing a mobile version
of Sumo Volleyball. We respect their work, but we believe that Sumo Volleyball as it was meant to be played
belongs on a keyboard — the precise, responsive controls that made the original so
addictive simply can't be replicated on a touchscreen.
History
Sumo Volleyball was created by Shizmoo Games, a small studio founded by brothers
Dan Goldstein and Joshua Goldstein. Shizmoo first gained recognition with
Kung-Fu Chess, a real-time chess variant that won the Audience Choice Award at the
2002 Independent Games Festival. Sumo Volleyball followed as the studio's second hit —
a deceptively simple 1v1 and 2v2 volleyball game featuring sumo wrestlers that became beloved for its
tight physics and fierce competitive play.
Early 2000s
Shizmoo Games launches on shizmoo.com with Kung-Fu Chess and Sumo Volleyball. Both games use a
belt-based rating system (colored belts from green to black) to rank competitive players. The games
run as ActiveX/browser-based multiplayer — pretty much IE-only at the time.
2005
Sumo Volleyball and a simplified version of Kung-Fu Chess are integrated into the
ICQ instant messaging program, exposing millions of users to the game. Sumo Volleyball
becomes the more widely played of the two, building a loyal community of competitive players.
~2007
The game is picked up by MTV Arcade (MTV's online gaming portal). Shizmoo.com begins
redirecting to Sumo Volleyball on MTV.com. This version reaches an even wider audience but with a
different look and feel.
2008
Shizmoo.com goes offline permanently. The original community of dedicated players scatters, though many
continue to remember and discuss the game for years to come.
2025
This fan recreation launches at sumovolley.org, aiming to recapture the original
keyboard-driven gameplay with modern web technology.
See It in Action
Footage from the original game:
2v2 on the original Shizmoo website
Later version after it was picked up by MTV
How to Play
Movement
A / ← Move left D / → Move right W / ↑ Jump
Getting Started
1. Enter your name
2. Create or join a table
3. Wait for an opponent
4. Hit Start Game
Join the Community
Come hang out, find opponents, report bugs, or suggest features.
