Nintendic » Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Wii detailed

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Wii detailed

Posted in Screens, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Games, Wii by Andrew Macarthy on January 17th, 2008 at 14:10

Pro Evolution Soccer has long been the Daddy of football games, battling it out with Electronic Arts’ FIFA every year for the hearts, minds (and money) of millions of sports fans. Konami’s latest entry into the franchise for the Sony PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 was, however, criticised for a number of problems. Let’s hope the Nintendo Wii version, out this March, will suffer no such glitches as it turns the beautiful game as we know it in virtual form, on its head.

Created specifically to exploit the capabilities of the Wii Remote and Nunchuck, PES 2008 on Wii is described as having a ‘team-orientated’ control system. Using a point and drag system, the player uses the Wii Remote to guide the player with the ball, and perform all the skill moves and close control with subtle movements of their hand. Instantly, the Wii Remote is used to point at nearby players to select them to receive a pass or to latch on to a through-ball. The Remote can also be used to steer the run of the receiving player, giving extra control as they thread through masses of defenders or run into open space.

The Nunchuck, meanwhile, is used to perform slide tackles or to send your goalkeeper speeding out from his goal to close down a loose ball. Tactical decisions are also easy to perform, accessible via the Wii Remote’s D-pad to direct your team into more attacking or defensive positions.

PES Wii includes six game modes, spanning Match, League and Cup elements, and Training and Trade section. However, PES Wii also includes the exclusive ‘Champions Road’ competition, wherein players take their chosen team to compete in league competitions all over the world. The idea of the Champions Road tournament is to come top in every league, and build a team by receiving players from recently defeated sides.

During the Champions Road mode, your players gain experience points that count towards stamina and new skills so that you can work your way to building your ultimate Dream Team. Additional mini-tasks are also randomly set during the course of a Champions Road match, too, such as scoring a hat-trick, and succeeding allows the player to add higher-rated players to their team.

Unlike FIFA 08 on Wii, where Miis played only a bit part in mini-games on the side, Konami reveals that PES 2008 will allow gamers to integrate up to 16 pre-defined Miis into a team, details of which can be stored on the Wii Remote. In addition, PES 2008 offers a full online mode, with matches either played randomly or against players on your Wii’s friends list. Team data can also be sent to friends via the console’s WiiConnect24 system.

“It was vital that the Wii version of PES 2008 made full use of the hardware’s innovative control system, and we are extremely pleased with what the team has come up with,” commented Jon Murphy, Pro Evolution Soccer Team Leader. “It feels as if you have total control over the entire team and the use of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to both implement moves and send players into space or off to make runs is remarkably intuitive. It adds a new layer of realism, and makes this Wii version an essential PES experience.”

Have you got high hopes for PES 2008 on Wii? Let us know in the comments section below.