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Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Wii)
Encyclopedia
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008, known as Winning Eleven Play Maker 2008 in Japan
, is the first Wii
entry of the association football video game series Pro Evolution Soccer
by Konami
. It is also the first game in the series to be released on a Nintendo
home console outside of Japan.
, so it plays as an hybrid of traditional soccer games, with an additional real-time strategy
element.
The basic gameplay is centered around pointing the Wii Remote at the screen and directing players by dragging them with the on-screen cursor, and passing is done by simply pointing to the desired space or player and pressing a button. This allows for a more tactical approach to the game, as there is almost complete freedom in moving any player on the screen anywhere, and many more tactics and maneuvers can be used in than ever before.
Players defend by pointing the cursor at the ball holder to chase him, and they may tackle or slide tackle in an attempt to win the ball. It is possible to instruct defenders to mark opposing players, intercept passes and drag defenders into space.
s in friendly matches. When Mii matches are played, all players will have comically large heads, including the non-Mii players. Only the referee and the linesmen appear normal. This feature has to be unlocked.
that Konami called "the best online experience" when compared to the other versions, where players can either play against random opponents or online friends. It is also possible to send the current Champions Road team to friends via WiiConnect24
to play 'invitational matches'.
game charts before moving to #3 in the second week after a 34% increase in sales.
The game received generally much more positive reviews than the other versions. 1UP said "The less-technically apt Wii version ends up being the game to move the franchise forward". Many reviewers praised the innovation in the game, with Eurogamer
calling it "the most innovative football title we've come across in many years", and praised the online mode saying that they "had probably the most lag-free matches we've ever encountered on any football game".
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, is the first Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
entry of the association football video game series Pro Evolution Soccer
Pro Evolution Soccer (series)
Pro Evolution Soccer is a series of football video game developed and published by Konami...
by Konami
Konami
is a Japanese leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games...
. It is also the first game in the series to be released on a Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
home console outside of Japan.
Gameplay
This version of PES 2008 differs radically from the other versions, and it was made by a different team in Konami to fully concentrate on taking advantage of the unique features of the Wii RemoteWii Remote
The , also known as the Wiimote, is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. A main feature of the Wii Remote is its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via gesture recognition and pointing through the use of accelerometer and...
, so it plays as an hybrid of traditional soccer games, with an additional real-time strategy
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
element.
The basic gameplay is centered around pointing the Wii Remote at the screen and directing players by dragging them with the on-screen cursor, and passing is done by simply pointing to the desired space or player and pressing a button. This allows for a more tactical approach to the game, as there is almost complete freedom in moving any player on the screen anywhere, and many more tactics and maneuvers can be used in than ever before.
Players defend by pointing the cursor at the ball holder to chase him, and they may tackle or slide tackle in an attempt to win the ball. It is possible to instruct defenders to mark opposing players, intercept passes and drag defenders into space.
Match
In this mode, friendly matches can be played with up to 2 players against each other. More than 30 stadiums are available for selection in the game, making the Wii version the version with the most stadiums in the series.Champions Road
The Wii version of PES 2008 omits the Master League mode for the Champions Road, which lets the player tour different leagues around Europe, and when a game is won, it is possible to acquire players from the defeated team. Players can gain experience in the Champions Road by playing matches. In the Champions Road, it is possible to select what abilities the players acquire when they gain enough experience to level-up.Mii Support
Players can play as their the MiiMii
A is a digital avatar used in Nintendo's Wii and Nintendo 3DS gaming consoles. They allow users to capture a likeness of themselves and others. After creating one using the Wii's Mii Channel or the Nintendo 3DS's Mii Maker, they can be used as playable characters in various titles for the...
s in friendly matches. When Mii matches are played, all players will have comically large heads, including the non-Mii players. Only the referee and the linesmen appear normal. This feature has to be unlocked.
Online Functionality
The game features a 1 vs 1 online mode via the Nintendo Wi-Fi ConnectionNintendo Wi-Fi Connection
The is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel, DSi Shop, and Nintendo eShop game download services...
that Konami called "the best online experience" when compared to the other versions, where players can either play against random opponents or online friends. It is also possible to send the current Champions Road team to friends via WiiConnect24
WiiConnect24
WiiConnect24 is a feature of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the Wii console. It was first announced at E3 2006 by Nintendo. It enables the user to remain connected to the Internet while the console is on standby...
to play 'invitational matches'.
Reception
Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 sold approximately 104,654 copies since its debut in Japan. It debuted at #5 in the UKUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
game charts before moving to #3 in the second week after a 34% increase in sales.
The game received generally much more positive reviews than the other versions. 1UP said "The less-technically apt Wii version ends up being the game to move the franchise forward". Many reviewers praised the innovation in the game, with Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
calling it "the most innovative football title we've come across in many years", and praised the online mode saying that they "had probably the most lag-free matches we've ever encountered on any football game".