WWE '13 preorders score Mike Tyson playable character

Mike Tyson may be retired from the world of professional fighting, but he's making a comeback--albeit a virtual one--in THQ's new WWE '13 wrestling game. The company today announced that the former heavyweight champion will be available as a playable character to those who preorder the game in the United States or Canada for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or Nintendo Wii.

THQ did not mention if the Mike Tyson playable character for WWE '13 will be available to those who do not preorder the game. As of press time, the publisher had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment on the matter.

This is not the first time Tyson has appeared in a professional fighting game. He was at the center of 1986's classic NES title Mike Tyson's Punch-Out, as well as 2000's Mike Tyson Boxing for the original PlayStation and 2002's Xbox and PlayStation 2 game Mike Tyson's Heavyweight Boxing.

WWE '13 is due out on October 30 and is being touted by THQ as the "most authentic, extensive, and fervent experience to date." The game introduces a new audio and presentation system called WWE Live, as well as another franchise first: a single-player campaign, focused on the organization's "Attitude Era."

For more on WWE '13, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.