Konami is taking on Electronic Arts in the great Footy Wars of 2008/09 with new signings (and also with footage that you can see at the foot of this page). First up, Pro Evolution Soccer 09 - no religious undertones please - will release on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 17th. The PS2 version comes on 30th October; PSP on 6th November; and Wii at some unstated time in 2009.
The October 17th launch is, of course, the week before Celtic takes on the financially less well-off Manchester team in the European (not quite) Champions League.
Talking of the UEFA Finish in the Top 4 League (AKA 'Champions'), Konami has also tied up a deal with UEFA itself that will last for four years. Apparently this allows "Konami to use all elements and attributes of the competition to create an exclusive UEFA Champions League mode within the PES game."
As far as we can see this must mean to replicate the trophy and ensure that your team players get injured just before internationals but miraculously recover in time to play in the UCL game the week after. We could be wrong.
What we're not wrong about is that ace Argentine and Barca football player, Lionel Messi, will be gracing the cover of the European version of the game. We are lead to believe that Messi actually said the following, "Most modern players are aware of the realism and skill of the PES series.
"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."
Come on now... really, Lionel really said that? Okay... moving on.
Next up is news that Konami has managed to secure rights to use both red teams in the two major North Western cities in the United Kingdom. That's right both the poor man of Manchester (United) and the American team in Liverpool (that's, Liverpool) have sold some rights to PES 09.
According the information to hand, these deals will see "its forthcoming PES 2009 and subsequent titles declared ‘Official Football Video Game of Liverpool FC.’ When it comes to Manchester, "The inclusion of Manchester United within the game is another major step forward for the series’ realism.
PES 2009 will feature the most detailed likenesses of the European Champions, and full use of the team’s kits and club crests. Similarly, PES 2009 also captures the unique skills of the Manchester side’s key players with the game’s recreations of Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Edwin van der Sar boasting bespoke animations to ensure they move like their real-life counterparts in addition to looking like them."
Well, we can nearly do better than that says Liverpool, "Liverpool FC are also committed to working closely together across a number of promotional mediums. PES 2009 will enjoy prominent signage across Anfield’s LED hoardings during all domestic league and cup matches, and will have a regular presence in the weekly LFC Magazine and ‘This is Anfield’ matchday programme."
Head over to our dedicated PES 2009 page for more images and PES 09 fun.
The October 17th launch is, of course, the week before Celtic takes on the financially less well-off Manchester team in the European (not quite) Champions League.
Talking of the UEFA Finish in the Top 4 League (AKA 'Champions'), Konami has also tied up a deal with UEFA itself that will last for four years. Apparently this allows "Konami to use all elements and attributes of the competition to create an exclusive UEFA Champions League mode within the PES game."
As far as we can see this must mean to replicate the trophy and ensure that your team players get injured just before internationals but miraculously recover in time to play in the UCL game the week after. We could be wrong.
What we're not wrong about is that ace Argentine and Barca football player, Lionel Messi, will be gracing the cover of the European version of the game. We are lead to believe that Messi actually said the following, "Most modern players are aware of the realism and skill of the PES series.
"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."
Come on now... really, Lionel really said that? Okay... moving on.
Next up is news that Konami has managed to secure rights to use both red teams in the two major North Western cities in the United Kingdom. That's right both the poor man of Manchester (United) and the American team in Liverpool (that's, Liverpool) have sold some rights to PES 09.
According the information to hand, these deals will see "its forthcoming PES 2009 and subsequent titles declared ‘Official Football Video Game of Liverpool FC.’ When it comes to Manchester, "The inclusion of Manchester United within the game is another major step forward for the series’ realism.
PES 2009 will feature the most detailed likenesses of the European Champions, and full use of the team’s kits and club crests. Similarly, PES 2009 also captures the unique skills of the Manchester side’s key players with the game’s recreations of Carlos Tevez, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Edwin van der Sar boasting bespoke animations to ensure they move like their real-life counterparts in addition to looking like them."
Well, we can nearly do better than that says Liverpool, "Liverpool FC are also committed to working closely together across a number of promotional mediums. PES 2009 will enjoy prominent signage across Anfield’s LED hoardings during all domestic league and cup matches, and will have a regular presence in the weekly LFC Magazine and ‘This is Anfield’ matchday programme."
Head over to our dedicated PES 2009 page for more images and PES 09 fun.
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