Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 Review

November 12, 2008    Category: Wii News    No Comments »

Few sports-gaming mano-a-mano tussles remain because of exclusive league licensing, but the annual heavyweight brawl between Konami’s Pro Evolution Soc-cer and EA’s FIFA wages on. In one corner, you’ve got Pro Evolution Soccer 2009, the annual gameplay champion that pilfered the UEFA Champions League li-cense from its competitor mere weeks ago. In the other corner, you’ve got the fully licensed and prettily polished FIFA 09.

It shouldn’t surprise that PES’ ever-evolving organic gameplay remains the leader, though the margin’s thinning. FIFA’s made huge strides in recent years, but PES retains its mastery at creat-ing nearly imperceptible nuances that showcase stellar feel and control. Every single goal still feels earned and looks unique, which results in fist-pumping delight (and, oh, how I wish FIFA would adopt PES’ genius postgoal-replay system). Plus, the between-player jostling before jump-ing for a header — improved significantly in both titles — gives a sense of achievement each time you gain possession.