Mike Tyson is set to climb back into the ring in THQ’s WWE 13, the next installment in the WWE videogame franchise. THQ has announced the boxing legend and former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world will be available as an exclusive playable character for gamers who pre-order for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii in participating retailers.
Iron Mike is no stranger to the video game arena after crushing hopes and dreams in Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! for the NES.
Tyson made headlines with WWE (NYSE: WWE) in early 1998 as part of the company’s groundbreaking “Attitude Era,” a time period prominently featured in WWE ’13 through the new single-player campaign. He is best remembered for his appearances leading up to and at WrestleMania® XIV, where he was recruited by D-Generation X (DX) to serve as a ringside enforcer during the main event match between DX member Shawn Michaels and Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WWE Championship.
‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’, sporting a sleeveless DX t-shirt and black jeans – the same look as his playable character in WWE ’13 – interfered in the match, allowing Austin to secure the victory and ultimately abandoning his presumed alliance with the renegade faction. Tyson returned to WWE on January 11, 2010 as a guest host on Monday Night Raw and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 2, 2012.
“As one of the most dominant champions in boxing history and one of the most memorable guests to ever be featured on WWE programming, Mike Tyson led an incredible revolution that changed the way fans perceive the sport,” said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President, Global Brand Management, THQ. “He was a tremendous addition to the ‘Attitude Era’ and is certain to attract a wide variety of fans to ‘live the revolution’ offered in WWE ’13.”
“The baddest man on the planet is back – and only in WWE ’13,” said Mike Tyson. “Fans everywhere can now relive what I experienced during the ‘Attitude Era.’
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WWE ’13 is currently scheduled for release on October 30, 2012 in North America.
