Konami's Winning Eleven Soccer Sweeps Japan

Thanks to Tokyopia.com for their in-depth impressions of Konami's Winning Eleven 7 for PS2, the latest in the highly acclaimed soccer game series. The reviewer is disappointed that "..while the summer has been filled with a flurry of high-profile transfers, none are actually in the game. So David Beckham still plays for Manchester United", but loves the "different and fresh dynamic" which still has many rating it higher than its main rival, EA's FIFA series. Japanese gamers seem to like Winning Eleven, too - the latest software sales figures, courtesy GamePro, show that it sold a massive 600,000 in its first week, three times as many as a still-impressive debut for Final Fantasy:Crystal Chronicles.

Beckham

[edharris]

Also, it should be said that while the summer has been filled with a flurry of high-profile transfers, none are actually in the game. So David Beckham still plays for Manchester United.

This would seem to be a fairly large oversight, considering the immense popularity Beckham has in the Far East, and the recent (publicity) tour he has just had over there with Real Madrid.

Re:Beckham

[Ravi Hiranand]

It is a large oversight, and I'd have been harder on it if not for a few things. Firstly, the transfer took place just over a month before release, which is probably too late for inclusion. Secondly, the game's release comes smack in the middle of the summer transfer window. Even if they DID manage to include Beckham, there are scores of other transfers that they would have missed out on. And lastly, you can manually transfer him (and everyone else) yourself -- a feature not present before. In general, Konami can be really lazy with the rosters in their game -- witness Pro Evolution Soccer 2, released in October 2002, but containing virtually the same lineups as April's Winning Eleven 6 -- but in this case, I'm not TOO bothered (especially since they can be fixed anyway!). Incidentally, I forgot to mention that anyone playing the game in Japan with a BB Unit (+ HDD) can download roster updates direct from Konami, including presumably all the summer transfers as well as adjusted player stats and the like. -Ravi

No screenshots!

[TripleA]

Every good ame review should feature massive screenshots. Who cares enough to read the actual article?

Better than FIFA, no doubt

[pauloschreiner]

The difference is, Winning Eleven FEELS like soccer. While in FIFA there usually was one or two ways to score, in WE you really have to vary your play.