| Pro Evolution Soccer 2 | |
|---|---|
 European PlayStation 2 cover art | |
| Developer | Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Composers | Michiru Yamane Sota Fujimori |
| Series | Pro Evolution Soccer |
| Platforms | |
| Release | PlayStation 2
|
| Genre | Sports |
| Modes | Single-player, multiplayer |
Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (abbreviated as PES 2), also known as World Soccer: Winning Eleven 6 outside of Europe,[a] is the second installment of Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer football simulation video game series. The Japanese release was succeeded by an updated and improved version called World Soccer: Winning Eleven 6 Final Evolution.[3]
It was the last game in the series to be released for the PlayStation and the first and only game to be released for the GameCube, though it was the Japan-exclusive Final Evolution update.[4]
The cover of the Japanese version of the game featured Masashi Nakayama.[5]
PES 2 was succeeded by PES 3, which was released in 2003.
In-game content
PES 2 features six game modes, including single matches, training, various cup tournaments, and a Master League, in which the player can select a team to compete in various competitions and partake in the transfer market.[6] A total of 40 unlicensed club teams and 56 unlicensed international squads (expect for Japan which is the only fully licensed team in the game)[7] are available.[6]
Peter Brackley and Trevor Brooking call the matches in the game's English language version replacing Pro Evolution Soccer commentators Chris James and Terry Butcher.[8][9] The commentators in the Japanese version are Jon Kabira and Tetsuo Nakanishi.
The opening theme for the game is "We Will Rock You" by Queen.[10] This opening theme is also featured in Pro Evolution Soccer 2016.[11]
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | (EU) 93/100[12] (US) 93/100[13] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| AllGame |   [6] |
| Edge | 9/10[14] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | 9/10[15] |
| Eurogamer | 9/10[8] |
| Famitsu | 36/40[16][17] (J.League) 34/40[18] |
| Game Informer | 9/10[19] |
| GamePro | [20] |
| GameRevolution |  [21] |
| GameSpot | 9/10[22] |
| GameSpy | [23] |
| GameZone | 8.5/10[24] |
| IGN | 9/10[25] |
| Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine | [26] |
| BBC Sport | 90%[27] |
| The Village Voice | 8/10[28] |
The PlayStation 2 version received "universal acclaim" in both regions according to video game review aggregator Metacritic.[12][13] In Japan, Famitsu gave both the original and Final Evolution versions a score of 36 out of 40,[16][17] and the J.League version 34 out of 40, all for the same console version.[18]
In Japan, Winning Eleven 6 sold 1 million units in eight weeks.[29] By December 2002, Winning Eleven 6 had sold 1,115,707 units and Final Evolution sold 406,234 units for a combined 1,521,941 units sold.[30] In total, the game sold a total of 1,799,075 for the PlayStation 2 in Japan.[31]
In Europe, PES 2 initially outsold FIFA Football 2003 upon release in October 2002,[32] with PES 2 selling above 1 million units in its first 40 days of availability in Europe.[29][33] In the United Kingdom, it topped the all-formats chart two days after release.[34] The PlayStation 2 version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2 received a "Platinum" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[35] indicating sales of at least 300,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[36] By December 2002, FIFA 2003 had overtaken PES 2 in Europe with 2.5 million sales in the region.[32]
In the United States, Winning Eleven 6 sold 59,567 copies.[37] In total, PES 2 sold at least more than 2,858,642 units worldwide.
PES 2 was awarded Best Console Game at the European Computer Trade Show (ECTS) in 2002.[34] During the 7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Pro Evolution Soccer 2 for "Console Sports Simulation Game of the Year", which was ultimately awarded to Madden NFL 2004.[38]
According to SPORTbible in 2019, Pro Evolution Soccer 2 was voted the greatest football video game of all time in a poll. SPORTbible writer Jack Kenmare called it "one of the greatest and most influential football games in recent memory."[39]
Notes
References
- ^ "World Soccer Winning Eleven 2002 for PlayStation". GameFAQs. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ "World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International for PlayStation 2". GameFAQs. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ "Winning Eleven 6 Final Evolution Import Review". IGN. March 21, 2003. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ Schilling, Chris (September 17, 2015). "The Evolution of PES". IGN. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ "ウイニングイレブン6のキャラクターはゴン中山！". ねとらぼ - ITmedia (in Japanese). February 20, 2002. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b c House, Michael L. "World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on December 10, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ Kenmare, Jack (February 14, 2018). "'Pro Evolution Soccer 2' Voted The Greatest Football Game Ever". SPORTbible. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Reed, Kristan (October 28, 2002). "FIFA Football 2003 versus Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (PS2)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on November 19, 2002. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ "Let's play: Pro Evolution Soccer". BBC Sport. 24 December 2001. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ Kenmare, Jack (February 20, 2016). "The Commentary On Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (2002) Was Absolutely Brilliant". SPORTbible. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ Porter, Matt (September 2, 2015). "PES 2016 In-Game Track List Revealed". IGN. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ a b "Pro Evolution Soccer 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
- ^ a b "World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ Edge staff (December 25, 2002). "Pro Evolution Soccer 2 (PS2)". Edge. No. 118. Future plc.
- ^ "World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 165. Ziff Davis. April 2003. p. 116. Archived from the original on May 13, 2004. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ a b "プレイステーション2 - ワールドサッカーウイニングイレブン6". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 76.
- ^ a b "プレイステーション2 - ワールドサッカーウイニングイレブン6 ファイナルエヴォリューション". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 84.
- ^ a b "プレイステーション2 - Jリーグウイニングイレブン6". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 80.
- ^ "World Soccer Winning Eleven 6". Game Informer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2004. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ "World Soccer: Winning Eleven 6 International". GamePro. International Data Group. March 21, 2003. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ Dodson, Joe (April 1, 2003). "You say football, I say futbol". Game Revolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ Calvert, Justin (March 7, 2003). "[World Soccer] Winning Eleven 6 International Review". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ Steinberg, Steve (March 10, 2003). "Winning Eleven 6". GameSpy. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ "Winning Eleven 6 – PS2 – Review". GameZone. May 4, 2012. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ Perry, Douglass C. (March 10, 2003). "Winning Eleven Six International". IGN. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ "World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Ziff Davis. April 2003. p. 100. Archived from the original on June 16, 2004. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
- ^ Waters, Darren (October 21, 2002). "Let's play: Pro Evolution Soccer 2". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
- ^ Catucci, Nick (April 15, 2003). "Special Forces". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
- ^ a b "Pro Evolution Soccer 2: un milione in Europa". Multiplayer.biz (in Italian). 5 December 2002. Archived from the original on 13 October 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2003.
- ^ "2002 Top 50 Best Selling Japanese Console Games". The Magic Box. Archived from the original on 2004-01-24. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
- ^ "Game Search". Game Data Library. Famitsu. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ a b "FIFA 2003 outselling competition in Europe". GameSpot. December 18, 2002. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
- ^ "KONAMI CORP - KNM Report of Foreign Issuer (6-K) FORM 6-K". Konami. May 22, 2003. Archived from the original on 2012-05-09. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
- ^ a b "KONAMI CORP (Form 6-K)". EDGAR. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). December 18, 2002. Archived from the original on 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
- ^ "ELSPA Sales Awards: Platinum". Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association. Archived from the original on May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
- ^ Caoili, Eric (November 26, 2008). "ELSPA: Wii Fit, Mario Kart Reach Diamond Status In UK". Gamasutra. UBM plc. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
- ^ "PS2 Software Best Seller Ranking". Shrine of Data. January 30, 2005. Retrieved August 9, 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ "2004 Awards Category Details Console Sports Simulation Game of the Year". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
- ^ "'Pro Evolution Soccer 2' Voted The Greatest Football Game Ever". SPORTbible. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2021.
