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GC 2008: Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 Updated Hands-On

By Guy Cocker, GameSpot UKPosted Aug 20, 2008 5:08 pm PT

Konami's football game is a staple of the Leipzig Games Convention, so we wasted no time heading over for a play of the Xbox 360 version.

Having been lucky enough to see Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 on the PlayStation 3 ahead of Leipzig, we didn't actually plan on doing a specific Xbox 360 preview today. However, like Boy Scouts we always come prepared, and we headed over to Konami to check it out just in case. It turned out to be a good job that we did, because not only is the Xbox 360 version looking more polished than the PS3 one at this stage, but it even boasts a brand-new Microsoft controller specifically for the game.

Of the six PES demo machines at Konami's Leipzig booth, four are Xbox 360s and the other two are PS3s. Poking out of the holes of those four demo units are brand-new, never-before-seen green control pads. "They're brand-new controllers from Microsoft," said our Konami rep. "The D pad now works in 16 directions, rather than just four."

Although there's little physically different in the new controllers, the added level of control will definitely suit Pro Evolution Soccer. The previous design has been too bulky and imprecise for football and fighting games, so fans of PES and Street Fighter have reason to rejoice over the redesign. The D pad still protrudes quite a way off of the face of the new controller, but the extra precision will definitely come in handy for Konami's game.

The new pad is probably the reason that we enjoyed the Xbox 360 version of PES 2009 a bit more at this stage. The game is apparently 70 percent through development ahead of its October release, and it feels more polished on Microsoft's console. We're sure (or at least we hope) that this will change in the run-up to release, but we definitely felt more control over our players on Microsoft's console. And though there were fewer teams in the 360 demo (only France, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Argentina, and Croatia), there were less glitches and visual anomalies, and Ronaldinho looked particularly realistic.

If you want to find out more about the features of the new Pro Evolution Soccer, check out our PS3 preview, which runs down all of the modes and gameplay tweaks. We're encouraged to hear that the new Xbox 360 controller will be released alongside PES, although it's slightly disappointing that it will be a limited-edition model. Either way, we hope to bring you more on the game ahead of its release in Europe a couple of months from now.

17 Comments

  • 10679

    Posted Oct 12, 2008 4:42 pm PT

    fifa will never beat pes in terms of gameplay. even the ai in pes is 10 times smarter than fifa ai. the only thing fifa is good at is making good looking games. pes graphics but the face graphics is better than fifa face graphics as the players look more like rel players in real life.

  • Count_Hesley

    Posted Oct 2, 2008 3:28 pm PT

    All of the EA sports games had some growing pains when they first came out on X360/PS3. I'm hoping after two go-rounds with PES, Konami can get it right this year. I haven't bought a fifa or PES game since I got WE8 back on the xbox. Konami's games have better, less repetitive, less restrictive gameplay. I play my friends' FIFA games every year just to see if they don't suck anymore, but they still do. I'll take better, more free flowing gameplay over licenses any day.

  • DonVladinho

    Posted Sep 11, 2008 1:26 pm PT

    and again no Bundesliga ..weeell what can we do exept to wait for a PAtch...

  • winaryor

    Posted Sep 9, 2008 7:40 am PT

    Yeah i have problem with the controller, sometimes when i directed to the left it went straight. To be honest i like the PS3 controller much better. Other problem is where can we find the Unlicensed Team Information, for example North London = Arsenal. MAN RED = Manchester United. KMALA = KLOSE. MESSENGER = BALLACK.

  • rockfletch3000

    Posted Sep 5, 2008 2:04 pm PT

    God, I hope Konami make this game feel excellent just to make up for the fact that it looks exactly the same in the two videos as the last one! PES 2008 was total crap for a next gen console, utter laziness quite frankly. Uninspiring A.I, below average Master League mode and just generally felt incomplete. It pissed me right off... I'm worried that this is the same again and if it is then the retard who's responsible needs to go...

    Basically, if it doesn't feel different to play this time round with enhanced difficulty and better game dynamics, you know, more like they're taking care in what they're doing!?!?...then I personally will check out Fifa 09 instead.. To be honest, I didn't buy Fifa 08 but from what people are saying to me Fifa are starting to take the lead in this race, and that's turning my head now.

  • n8th8n

    Posted Sep 3, 2008 12:11 pm PT

    this game should be good but becuase its pro its best to hold on to your money first and read reviews about the game. i learnt that lesson with last years installment

  • jimmeyrules

    Posted Aug 25, 2008 2:18 pm PT

    yes i am fierce excited.

  • VideoGamesDevil

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 12:52 am PT

    Konami sucks for always releasing the North America version one year later than Europe and Japan!!! I would only accept that if they tweaked it, but they do not bother at all! We deserve better KONAMI :@

  • dark_being

    Posted Aug 22, 2008 2:42 am PT

    October is filled with good games. This is not one of them.

  • TrevSkyline

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 11:30 am PT

    REALLY looking forward to this......roll on October!

  • -Sonnenschein-

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 8:33 am PT

    Don't be too hasty, guys... I read that the special controller is somewhat only gonna be published in Europe, Asia and Latin America (http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/gc-2008-revised-
    360-controller-is-limited-edition-promotional/) (cut out the space between "-" and "360")

    So, Americans will probably have to do some import shopping

  • -Intellectual-

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 8:05 am PT

    Excellent news about the new controller with 16-direction D-pad.
    Pro Evo >>>>>>> FIFA
    Pro Evo X360 version >>>>> Pro Evo ps3 version

  • milsvaard

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 7:52 am PT

    So was this even a PES hands on report? the only thing they're talking about is a controller.

  • nvfigueiredo

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 2:40 am PT

    Ther wer les glitche?

  • rezarazor

    Posted Aug 21, 2008 1:59 am PT

    16 direction?
    WTF?

  • football_legend

    Posted Aug 20, 2008 11:49 pm PT

    Having La liga, greater graphics than FIFA, gameplay is on par with PES, definitely FIFA this year.

  • buzzguy

    Posted Aug 20, 2008 6:10 pm PT

    What? A new controller??? Where can I get one of those?!?

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