Game Review: PES 2009 Wii

The long-standing series Pro Evolution Soccer series first made it's face known on Wii last year, and, unlike most ports from Xbox and Playstation to the Wii, was pretty good. Motion sensing was used but not too much, and the gameplay was smooth and easy to learn for a newcomer to PES.

This year's edition, although coming out much later than the other consoles (the English football season is nearly over) is better still, and some say even better than the console version, which has fallen against rival FIFA over the last few years.

Controls

There are several different ways to play; with the Wii remote and Nunchuck, or, for players of the Xbox and Playstation versions, the use of the Classic Controler or remote held sideways. This is great for when you have a mate over that is used to the classic controls, meaning you can jump straight into the game comfortably.

one of the basic skills tutorials

Online play

The game also has online play, which is great for playing against friends or strangers, although it can have serious lag, a problem apparently reported on other consoles aswell.

Game Modes

PES 2009 boasts a UEFA Champions League license, making up for the absence of the Premier League liscence owned by FIFA. The lack of liscence means Konami, the games producers, can only liscence Liverpool and Manchester United with emblem and official kit, meaning all the other teams have rubbish default names and kit, like Arsenal being called 'North London' and 'North Tyneside' amongst many others. Luckily, the game features and extensive edit mode, something that was missing from PES 2008 and has featured in many previous PES game. You can edit team names and kits and create logos and emblems. making every team again can be a long and tedious process, but well worth it if you want an authentic match experience.

The Champions league mode itself is fantastic, they have all the songs, promos, build up videos and even flag wavers, just like you are watching it on TV. International teams such as Juventus and Real Madrid thankfully feature aswell.

The Mii mode is hillarious; you pick a team and swap the players with your Miis, then play a match. Watching your dad in England kit bring one home always raises a smile.

There's also Master league, Cup modes, league modes and a wii specific mode Champions Road, similar to Master league where you help a team develop with new players and even home ground facilities.

Verdict

The graphics aren't to shabby, the controls work beautifully and the various modes are great fun. What isn't there to love?

PES 2009 Wii gets : ***** 5 L Stars

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