Winning Eleven 8 Confirmed

The latest instalment in Konami's supreme footie series has been confirmed with a 5th August release date (in Japan). There is expected to be a greater emphasis on the strategic and management aspects, with more teams and more in-depth tactics to choose from. A sliding scale of 'growth and decline' will also be introduced to represent the random elements of the beautiful game, meaning that no single team can rest on its laurels for too long.

As you will already know, we won't be seeing WE 8 in Europe, instead being offered the fourth instalment of its European alter ego, Pro Evolution Soccer, around autumn time - when the premiership kicks off for the next season. If, as has been suggested, Konami blesses the game with an online mode there will be plenty of very over excited people (and quite rightly so). Xbox owners will also be joining the club later in the year, so it looks like Konami might finally 'win the double'.

Check back here for all the latest news on the Wining Eleven/Pro Evo series as it breaks.