Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer might not be the force it once was, but the series still has its long-time fans, and those same fans would no doubt appreciate being able to play the game on Switch.
While that might seem like a pipe dream for some, Robbye Ron, PES brand manager for Latin America, has hinted that it's closer to happening than you might think.
Speaking to RPP, Ron was asked if PES on Switch was a possibility and replied:
I think we are closer to that. The Unreal Engine will help us a lot to be a little more flexible on what platforms we appear on. I can't assure you yet, but I think we're getting closer to getting there (to Switch). Whenever we announce a new game, people let us know that they are still waiting for the Switch version. It is something we want, because people ask us and there are many consumers who have stopped playing PES just because we are not on that platform. We are focused on seeing how we can (do it), and I think that the change of engine will help us a lot to fulfill the dream to several Nintendo fans.
That's not all; Ron also reveals there is a desire to make sure older entries of the Winning Eleven series – back when it was known as International Superstar Soccer in the west – available to fans:
I internally probed the possibility, because I'm a big fan of the International Superstar Soccer saga , and for me it would be great to have it back again, and if it's Switch, better, because I grew up playing Nintendo. But when we asked the production team internally if it was possible or not, I found something that surprised me: the team that made International Superstar Soccer, it is a totally different team [from the one which makes] PES.
The truth that surprised me and they said it is difficult, because it is something that belongs to someone else. I ran into that. I'm not saying it can never happen, but you have to look at who was working at that time in that game and see how we can resurrect it. It surprised me. It is an anecdote, but hopefully we can have it. For us older people, we would like to have something more retro.
Would you like to see PES come to Switch, or does FIFA give you your footy fix? What about playing some classic versions of ISS from the SNES and N64 days? Let us know with a comment.
[source rpp.pe]
Comments 59
I would LOVE this.
So basically, neither of those things is going to happen, is it.
Best Nintendo Switch news in months!
But really: "Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer might not be the force it once was". Really?
Gameplay wise PES still owns Fifa.
Knowing Konami, I wouldn't be surprised if all the old developers quit and don't ever want to be involved again.
@scottishwildcat Bingo. It's always the same song and dance
We are close
People keep telling us they want Switch version
We want it too
Well, get on with it then?
They say the engine issue is no longer such a big problem. Switch is selling enough and they're constantly getting feedback from fans saying they want a Switch version.
What further motivation do they need?
I fully expect demand to go unmet, and money will be left on the table.
@Tstar
“ Gameplay wise PES still owns Fifa.”
It really does. Found its feet again on PS4/XB1.
His surname is Ron? Shame that his first name is not also Ron. Ron Ron would be an excellent name to have. (p.s. My first name is Ron. 😊).
Seriously don't tease me like this, all I want is portable Master League.
If Konami pulls either off, I am sure it will be relatively successful.
I have being asking for this for a long time,I hope it finally comes,but iss pro on SNES online would be absolutely amazing,still to this day one my favourite games ever. This interview seems one of the most honest response I have ever see
Good memories! Would be a day one for me!
EA could use the competition to get up from their lazy ass....
@electrolite77 not so sure about this, the size of the pitch in PES is gigantic. I remember when I first played PES3 after years playing crappy Fifa games, and the more smaller (realistic) pitch alone made all the difference, you really needed to work the ball and not just kick and rush to fast players up front.
greeat news.. as long as we have the same version of the other consoles, i'll be super in!! castolo is in da house!
Please let it happen. FIFA has never been the same, particularly the lesser versions we get on Switch. The old Pro Evos on Wii were fantastic and going back even further I loved ISS on SNES and N64. Surely it's worth the investment given the huge user base of the Switch now.
PES might be interesting on the Switch.
Oh Konami!
Get your games on Switch guys! Hurry up!
@Ooyah his middle name should be Ron and first name Do....
Do Ron Ron.
Would love this, always been a Pes fan but if it does come I would put money on the fact it will be disappointing and there will be no way to add option files which means you won't be able to get all the kits, badges etc of the unlicensed teams easily.
Whenever companies say it’s “getting closer” they basically mean another 6 decades before any news about it. Biggest BS ever 😂
I've played modded PES 5 with updated kits and rosters on PC for years. That game was peak.
@Friendly To make the image appear instantly on the page here, go to edit your comment, and replace the "url" commands with "img".
Be sure to leave the /, otherwise, it won't work. The entire command line should look something like this:
Would definitely love for this to happen. I friggin' hate Fifa, and I've always been a fan of the far more real football/soccer game that is ISS/Pro Evo, so far as I'm concerned, it can't come soon enough.
Fulfil the dream of several games.
I'm sure the Konami board will be wetting their pants at the prospect of several sales.
Imo the best football arcade games ever are the ISS games on the N64 and the best football simulation games ever are the PES games on PS2, Xbox and Wii. They were all made by Konami. Modern PES try too much to be like Fifa and its unprecise gameplay though.
FIFA really took the crown with FUT, which is a neat concept, except that by adding pay-to-win mechanics it absolutely brakes the game.
I mean, I had fun with FUT in FIFA 14 and 15, even got to D2 with no in-game purchases, but it had several bull**** moments.
@Apportal Agreed. Sounds a lot like the the phrase we've been hearing for decades — "We're getting closer to a definitive HIV cure."
While technically true, it doesn't really mean much until we see it in action.
@Folkloner they're moving away from the fox engine to the unreal engine, may be next year will finally see PES on switch or not....
I think the real news here is, that they want to bring ISS to NSO! Probably will never happen due to license issues, but man, would that be great! ISS and ISS Deluxe!
Wow, this is huge news! Pro Evolution Soccer is superior to FIFA for me. I hate soccer but these games were amazing. In a way, it felt like the NBA 2K series. Just a legit, simulation of the sport that is very deep as you progress.
I put so many hours in International Super Star Soccer Deluxe and in the 64 version!
Both, great game!
And I support the PES franchise on the Wii, with the 2008 and 2009 versions.
So long if they don't give switch owners an legacy version of the game I can see it taking off on switch
For being a person who never enjoyed playing or watching soccer physically, I sure have played a fair amount of video game soccer, namely World Soccer on Master System, and International Superstar Soccer on N64.
@ThanosReXXX Thank you!
I'd buy PÉS over Fifa in a heart beat.
ISS on the SNES was amazing. I loved the scenario modes where you had various challenges like- losing 4-2 with 5 mins to go and you have a freekick. A really good game back in the day.
@Friendly You're welcome.
Konami Hyper Soccer to the NES online, and ISS (Deluxe) to SNES online would be nice. Both still fun to play.
@Patendo Yeh, they were awesome. They should do it in more football games these days. I even did a live stream recently trying to play through the scenario modes.
@Folkloner Some companies do seem to ignore Nintendo for some reason. I can only think of two reasons. Either they have a personal hatred for the brand and it's install base, or they see the profitability and go "That's a lot of money, but not ALL the money."
@Stocksy
Done deal. Agreed that this would be the ultimate in Ron based namage. Although maybe an extra middle name of Ron, to go for the full on "Do Ron Ron Ron".
Would be hilarious if PES on Switch was actually the full game while FIFA on Switch continues to be a Legacy Edition port of previous entries, especially given how little PES sells and earns in revenue in comparison to FIFA.
I want ISS 64!!!!!
Had so much fun when I was a kid playing that game.
Competition for FIFA on the switch...maybe next year we won’t get a legacy edition
konami shakes my head. they comes second by a country mile on other consoles. yet on switch all they have to compete with is lazy buggy legacy con edition from Ea.
So we're talking best case scenario about PES 2022 if i get it right, otherwise he wouldn't say "I can't assure you yet,"
Good news finally we can get good football games (Tsubasa and PES) but we need Konami baseball for west
@Milton_Burle you forgot to mention Winning Eleven 6:FE for the GameCube which was a brilliant football game.
@westman98 PES 2021 is just an yearly update for £25. So yeah the switch version would be a full game and seem completely new but in reality it would be PES 2020 with updated players and kits for the few official licensed teams.
Just a note but Damien you have got it wrong regarding Winning Eleven games being known as ISS in the west.
Winning Eleven was always known as PES in the west. ISS was always a completely different game and was called ISS in the West aswell as Japan.
Difference between Winning Eleven and PES was Winning Eleven would get two games released per year in Japan plus the separate Winning Eleven J League titles. PES only received one game per season.
I poured so many hours in ISS98 back in the day I suppose it is my most played game ever. I would love to see it or the sequel on Switch!
KONAMI, please release ISS Deluxe with online this year to tide us over until we get a full fat PES experience next year...
That is all
One of the first things that popped in my head when I saw the Switch was “CAN’T WAIT FOR PORTABLE PES!!”.
Still waiting.
As soon as I saw UE I thought - now we can have a Switch version.
If EA not going to put any effort on Switch with FIFA, maybe PES can fill the slot.
Please let this be true. I’m so tired of fifa now. It’s just the same thing.
Please have an awesome manager mode.
Please, if you do it right I’ll be a day one buyer. Please.... please..... 😫 I can’t stand EA anymore.
ISS Deluxe was brilliant. Even though the original was good, the sequel was much better. More moves, more teams and 4 player support. Also bring ISS 2000 from N64. Sadly the ISS series lost the plot on GameCube. I was such a huge ISS fan that I had a website called the ISS Realm.
Happy to see PES on Switch too. I play 2019 demo on PS4 a lot and it's really good.
What is there to "get closer"? Just friggin do it!
Also I would love to get ports of ISS Deluxe, ISS64, ISS98 and ISS2000!
@Crozzymodo yeah manager mode in fifa is not master league, taking unknowns to greatness is an unmatched experience
To this day, I find it amazing that pes Launced for game cube in Japan but not in Europe. So many great memories. 3 copies purchased.
I have concluded that in this world some people hate money lol
P.E.S. is definitely better than F.I.F.A., but I doubt Konami will actually do it, because Konami sucks nowadays.
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