Okay, I’m going back to calling it “soccer,” since both EA and Konami are doing so. Anyway, on the virtual soccer pitch, the two main combatants are EA’s FIFA Soccer series and Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer games. FIFA 09 was announced over a month ago, and now Konami has responded by bringing out the first screenshots of this year’s iteration in their vaunted soccer series, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.
The cover will feature Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, of FC Barcelona. Messi, who co-FIFA Player of the Century Diego Maradona has called his “successor,” is the youngest player ever to compete in the Spanish Professional Football League. He led Barça to the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League title, and was named by SI Latino as its World Player of the Year last year. I find it slightly depressing that this soccer star is 7 months younger than I am.
My brother swears by the FIFA games, but I’ve met many other people who can’t get enough of the fantastically accurate sim gameplay of the Pro Evo series. If you fall in the latter group, you might be interested to know that PES 2009 will be out this fall for the PS3, 360, PS2, PC, and PSP. Yes, you read right -- it looks like Wii owners won’t have any options except FIFA Soccer 09 All-Play.
Hit the jump for the full PR, and the gallery below for five screens along with two promotional photos and an in-game render of Messi.
KONAMI ANNOUNCES PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER 2009
World's Best-Selling Soccer Video Game Franchise Coming This Fall To The PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360®, PC-DVD, PlayStation®2, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system
Argentinean Forward Lionel Messi To Be Face Of The Latest Edition Of The World's Best-Selling Soccer Video Game Series
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - August 5, 2008 GOOOOOALLLL! Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced it will release Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 in North America for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and PC DVD-ROM. Slated for a fall 2008 release, Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 combines the attention to detail that has been the series' hallmark with extensive new additions that are certain to cement the franchise's reputation as the world's definitive soccer title for any format.
Known by millions of fans for its superior gameplay and incredible realism, PES 2009 will further bridge the gap between PES and the real thing. The game has undergone a stunning graphical update to ensure its players look more like their real-life counterparts. Similarly, all-new options allow users to tailor the game to their own tastes, while new stylish moves, innovative control schemes and key online elements further the realism.
Adding to the authenticity, Argentinean forward Lionel Messi will be the face of the latest version of the multi-million selling Pro Evolution Soccer series. Regarded as one of the most exciting talents of the modern game, the 21-year-old is a ever-present fixture on both the Argentinean national team and his club team, FC Barcelona. Having played for Argentinean and Spanish youth reserve teams since he was five, Messi ultimately became the youngest player ever to compete in the top Spanish league during October 2004. Since then, he has led FC Barcelona to the 2005-06 UEFA Champions League title, was named SI Latino's World Player of the Year in 2007, and has been runner-up to prestigious awards including the France Football Player of the Year, and the World Soccer Footballer of the Year. As part of the deal, Messi will appear on the packaging and point-of-sale materials for Pro Evolution Soccer 2009.
"Most modern players are aware of the realism and skill of the Pro Evolution Soccer series," commented Messi. "It is a game that truly mirrors the pace and control of real football, and as a die-hard fan of the series, I am delighted to be working with Konami on the latest version."
"Pro Evolution Soccer has always been the game of choice for soccer enthusiasts due to its ultra realism and superior gameplay and there is no player in the world more suited to be on the box than the talented forward from Barcelona, Lionel Messi," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment. "Lionel is one of the most exciting and accomplished players in the world and we look forward to working very closely with him to promote the most advanced PES title ever developed."
PES 2009 will be released for PlayStation®3, PlayStation®2, Xbox 360®, PC-DVD, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) in Autumn 2008.
One thing I love about PES is the little pieces of badly translated broken English that can be found around the menus. I'd love it if they would do away with the typically awful commentary and have a couple of first year Japanese English students to do the job instead.
"My brother swears by the FIFA games, but I’ve met many other people who can’t get enough of the fantastically accurate sim gameplay of the Pro Evo series."
Laughably false nowadays. The tables turned with 08, Pro Evo being the terrible arcade monstrosity and EA following the sim route to great avail. PES2009 will not even compete with FIFA09, trust.
FIFA has all the club teams and the players, while Winning 11 may be a little better game play, I think I will go with FIFA. I think EA has brainwashed me into buying all their products
I used to enjoy FIFA but haven't bought one since FIFA '96. A few months back though I picked up PES2007 for Xbox 360 at K-Mart for $10. It's really a fun game to play, especially against my friends. Some of the in depth controls and modes are really confusing though.
Last year PES was awful. The Wii version coming in spring is a disgrace, because it won't have updated teams with the January transfers (like last year) and be already "old". At least I hope this year they'll add the edit mode!
And they should add the classic controller support too, I think it would sell better giving the player the option to choose which control scheme to use.
PS: nice friendly match yesterday with Man U! *handshake with every Man U supporter here*
PES was crap last year, this year will be the first for many that I don't buy it on release, I'll be waiting to see the reviews etc first.
Second point, it's already looking bad - that press release is complete dross. Messi didn't lead Barca to the CL at all, he didn't score once in the campaign, and never featured beyond the second round because of injury. In short, I call PR bullshit.
I boycotted PES08, I have a PS3. It was a total disgrace, and a step backwards. The replays were unwatchable, and the dreaded framedrops, all without noticable next-gen look. I would certainly buy it if it had about the same graphics as PS2 PES's, but no, they had to ruin it.
If you think being a good footballer is all about scoring goals, You know nothing about football. It's about leading your side to victory, You can't score goals without a good team. And Messi is a great team player, he'll bring assists, he lifts team spirit. If a player has 10 assists, and 5 goals himself, thats 15 goals that could not have happened without that player being on the pitch.
Lionel Messi is a great player due to his ability to lift the team, change the game and score. Crisiano Ronaldo just scores, and only against poor teams. Lionel Messi does the business against anyone.
this reminds me of PES2K8's editor's song..."FOOTBALL Soccer! FOOTBALL Soccer!"...
Yea,i guess this will sell really good,if they improve all that was wrong with PES2K8...¬¬..atleast we've got our team's star in the civer^^...aka F.C.Barcelona
If you read my post properly you'd realise Messi also never played in the QF, SF, or final. Explain to me how that means he could have lead the team to the final.
Also, your logic is crap. If he wasn't on the pitch, someone else would be, and at a club like Barca he's likely to be half decent ;-)
What they should have done is mentioned the mega goal against Getafe, that was immense.
Actually, Pro Evo has turned vary arcadey and, for the first time in a long long looooong time, I was converted to Fifa last year. It just so much more about it and this year's Fifa looks even better.
Sorry Konami, but you broke my heart with last years pro. I was so staunch before that.
I'll buy it the day it comes out. My last Football game was PES'03 so yeah I'm kinda ready for a new one. Do I care who's on the cover? Not at all. Do I care not every name is correct? Not at all. Do I care PES hasn't got fluorecent grass like Fifa? Not at all. Pro Evo here I come.
I think you'll find Lionel Messi played in both Semis of the Champions League last season and was the most impressive player. If you recall it was billed as the big Ronaldo vs Messi stand-off.
You should probably start caring that PES hasn't changed since the last one that you bought, and that FIFA has way more than "fluorescent grass"...good gameplay.
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8:40 PM on 08.06.2008 
