Konami confirms Xbox Pro Evolution Soccer

Konami of Europe has confirmed long-standing rumours that Pro Evolution Soccer will appear on Xbox in 2004, ending speculation that dates back as far as X03 in September, and giving Xbox footballing fans something to shout about other than the dreaded but depressingly popular FIFA Football series from EA Sports.

This morning's rather out-of-the-blue press release promises an Xbox version of Pro Evolution Soccer will be released in Q4 2004 in Europe. Although no specific changes from the traditional PS2 (and latterly PC) version are mentioned, both Konami and MS representatives are talking about coupling the traditional brilliance of the series with "the fantastic graphics and advanced gameplay that Xbox offers," to use Michel Cassius' sound bite.

But of course the big question on everybody's lips is bound to be: will it support Xbox Live? Although a basic Pro Evolution Soccer title - presumably an expanded port of this year's PS2 iteration - would still give everyone just cause to celebrate, we already own both PS2 and Xbox consoles, so our point of entry would likely be any potential online options, and we're sure a lot of fans feel the same way. Sadly though Konami of Europe has declined to specify whether or not Xbox Live will feature, and wouldn't tell us anything over the phone. This morning's announcement is considered a statement of intent to bring the series to Xbox, and specifics will no doubt follow at a later date.

Blimey though, eh? That even cheers me up after the Marseille result last night. Oh. Actually, no it doesn't.