This YouTube vid gives us a rough first look at the relative merits of the new versions of Pro Evolution Soccer (Konami) and FIFA (EA). PES up first, then FIFA’s clips follow…

From all I’ve read and seen, there won’t be much to separate the two this time around. Gamers know that Konami’s high standards – based in previous years almost entirely on playability – had slipped but it seems as if they’ve addressed many of the issues that plagued recent editions of PES (more on that in this post). Pro Evo’s biggest problem was its atrociously laggy online mode, but Konami’s decision to let Sony and Microsoft handle the servers should result in a big improvement.

As usual, FIFA will be more polished and authentic, simply because it owns the official licenses. After all, would you rather play at Old Trafford or Trad Brick Stadium? For playability, FIFA is getting much closer to PES too. FIFA 10 promises 360 dribbling (ie. dribbling in 360 different directions, rather than the standard eight directions of most digital joypads).

I have always been a PES man, but this time I will buy both, just to compare – then I’ll probably end up selling the one I play less. In my heart, I hope it’s FIFA that ends up on eBay.

Which of the two will you buy? Vote below:

Posted in Games | 138 Comments »