WWE 2K23 revealed with John Cena and March release date

Is the cover for WWE 2K23 missing a superstar? No, it’s John Cena! 

Get the trumpets ready as this morning 2K, and the WWE has announced that WWE superstar John Cena will feature on all three covers for the upcoming WWE 2K23 release.

This new release will add several fan-requested additions to a WWE 2K game for the first time, including the addition of ‘War Games.’ 

Additionally, the 2K Showcase mode starring John Cena will act as a documentary, weaving real-life footage across the 20-year career of Cena and some of his most famous matches. Cena himself will narrate the whole thing. 

Pre-ordering the game will add Bad Bunny to a WWE 2K game for the first time, and the ‘American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes will also be playable in WWE 2K23. That is an interesting tidbit, considering Rhodes was promoting AEW: Fight Forever and, presumably, was going to be in the game until he left for WWE early in 2022. 

Check out the reveal trailer below with some key information about the game’s features and modes. 

• 2K Showcase Starring John Cena: Conquering John Cena in the ring is an accolade few Superstars can claim. In an unprecedented twist on the 2K Showcase, players will step into the boots of several of Cena’s toughest competitors with one goal in mind: defeat the man who will “Never Give Up.” Spanning his 20-year WWE career and narrated by Cena himself, this interactive sports entertainment documentary uses 2 K’s unique Slingshot Tech for a seamless transition from gameplay to live-action footage to bring pivotal moments in each match to life;

• WarGames: The fan-favourite, chaotic and action-packed WarGames makes its debut in WWE 2K23 and delivers heart-pounding 3v3 and 4v4 single player or multiplayer mayhem inside two side-by-side rings, surrounded by a double-steel cage;

• MyGM: Now featuring more GMs to choose from – or a player’s own custom GM creation – as well as additional show options, multiple seasons, expanded match cards, and more match types for up to four players. Players draft a roster, manage budgets, sign free agents, choose various match types, arena locations, production elements and more, with the goal of beating a rival GM in weekly ratings battles;

• MyFACTION: Now featuring online multiplayer action, the team-building mode in which players collect, manage, and upgrade an array of WWE Superstars and Legends to create their ultimate four-person factions returns. Players can now take their faction online and compete for global dominance, or compete in Weekly Towers and Faction Wars, while new themed card packs and goals roll out regularly throughout the year**;

• MyRISE: Aspiring Superstars walk through the curtain for their WWE debut in MyRISE and shape their career with the decisions made along the way. Featuring distinct men’s and women’s division storylines and the ability to import custom created Superstars, players journey from the humble beginnings of a Rookie, to being immortalized as a WWE Legend;

• Universe: The ultimate WWE Universe sandbox that puts players in charge of their own version of WWE, from Superstar rosters, feuds, champions, weekly shows, and Premium Live Events! Updates to Universe include a reworked story system and more;

• Creation Suite: A signature feature of the WWE 2K franchise, the creation suite returns with cross-platform community creations, including the ability to design custom Superstars, GMs, arenas, entrances, move sets, championships and more. Custom arenas are now playable online, and advanced customization has been added to created entrances.

As is always the case with WWE 2K games, there are several editions of WWE 2K23 up for pre-order alongside the Standard and Cross-Gen (get both PS4 & PS5) versions of the game.

The Deluxe Edition ($149.95) includes the Standard Edition, Bad Bunny Bonus Pack, plus a Season Pass to all five post-launch DLC content packs, the MyRISE Mega-Boost and SuperCharger; Ruby John Cena MyFACTION Evo Card, Gold Edge MyFACTION Card, Emerald Bianca Belair MyFACTION Card, Gold Asuka MyFACTION Card, and three Basic Premium Launch MyFACTION Card Packs. The Deluxe Edition will be available from March 14, 2023 – three days ahead of Standard and Cross-Gen Editions.

The Icon Edition ($179.95) includes the Standard Edition and all bonus content included in the Deluxe Edition; the Icon Edition includes the Ruthless Aggression Pack, celebrating 20 years of John Cena’s WWE career by featuring John Cena’s early “Prototype” character, as well as “Leviathan” Batista, developmental rookie versions of Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton, the John Cena Legacy Championship and WrestleMania 22 Arena. Additional bonus content includes an Emerald Paul Heyman MyFACTION Manager Card and three Deluxe Premium Launch MyFACTION Card Packs. The Icon Edition will be available from March 14, 2023 – three days ahead of Standard and Cross-Gen Editions.

If you are planning on picking up the stand edition, look forward to playing WWE 2K23 on March 17th, 2023. Ar you excited about any of this year’s new features? Let me know in the comment section below.