Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has released details of its handheld versions of PES 2008, with versions for PSP® and Nintendo DS scheduled for release in the New Year.

Developed by Konami’s football Studio in Tokyo, both contain all the realism and intuitive controls associated with the series, but within bespoke versions tailored for their host format. The PSP® version of PES 2008 shares a lot in common with the existing PlayStation 2 game, with a wide range of tournaments and leagues on offer, alongside an all-new World Tour mode, wherein users are set a series of challenges as they tour the globe. As each task is successfully completed, further tests designed to show the capability of your chosen squad are unlocked.

Full Edit modes have also been incorporated into PES 2008, while the data sharing aspect has been totally reworked to allow users to continue building their team while away from their home system. As such, Master League information can now be swapped between the PSP and PlayStation 2 versions, as can League, World Tour and Cup Mode data.

Similarly, the Nintendo DS version of PES 2008 includes Exhibition, Penalty Shoot-Out and Konami Cup elements, and a variant on the World Tour system where the player faces elite teams from every continent. The wireless elements of the Nintendo DS have also been well used, with a Network Mode facilitating multi-player games of up four users with copies of the game, while one-against-one matches can be played with just one copy of PES 2008. Players can also trade players with friends, while coins are collected and can be used to add the world’s best players to your team.

With PES 2008 still enjoying major success on PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 and PC-DVD, handheld users can look forward to stunning versions of the truly beautiful game in 2008.

PES 2008 will be released for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) and Nintendo DS in Q1, 2008. Versions for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and PC-DVD are available now

GamesPress