March 2008 saw the release of the first Pro Evolution Soccer game for Nintendo Wii and its innovative new control system. It was no novelty, just a solidly enjoyable and hugely playable Konami football title. We expected nothing less. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PES 2009) retains the ‘point and click’ interface from the Wii's PES 2008, the method used to control both the player in possession of the ball and to send those around him onto runs into space. In a slight modification to last year's ... more >>

March 2008 saw the release of the first Pro Evolution Soccer game for Nintendo Wii and its innovative new control system. It was no novelty, just a solidly enjoyable and hugely playable Konami football title. We expected nothing less. Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PES 2009) retains the ‘point and click’ interface from the Wii's PES 2008, the method used to control both the player in possession of the ball and to send those around him onto runs into space. In a slight modification to last year's model, a traditional control system using either a Wii Remote or Classic controller has been implemented.

As with recent Pro Evolution Soccer titles, you get your standard Exhibition, Cup and League game modes - the ones in which you choose a team, the formation and the personnel - but the Master League is the main attraction in PES 2009 as has been the case in other games in the series. In the Master League, you must choose a team and lead it to success in league and cup competitions over an unlimited number of seasons. As well as generating revenue through succeeding on the field and keeping your squad of players at peak fitness, you will need to make astute forays into the transfer market and carefully nurture up-and-coming talent to transfer your club into a dominant force in football.

There's something more to PES 2009, and if it proves not to be a reason to invest in the Wii offering, we'll eat our jester's hat (club colours, of course). We are talking about the inclusion of the UEFA Champions League tournament. You'll be invited to choose a team from the elite of European club football and, in Tournament mode, play through the group league stages to make it to the finals themselves. Authentic is the word. << less