Pro Evolution Soccer is set to go head to head with FIFA once more this year with the newest version in the series set for an autumn release.
Affectionately known as PES or 'Pro Evo' to its loyal practitioners, the Konami-produced title has long been one of the most popular football simulation video games in the world.
Famously quirky thanks to licensing gaps in comparison to its rival offering from EA Sports, PES more than made up for a lack of an official aesthetic with impressive gameplay, though there is very little between the games any more.
With the latest edition of the game set for an imminent release, Goal takes a look at everything you need to know, including dates, cost, new features and more.
When is PES 2019 released?
The worldwide release date for PES 2019 is August 30, 2018, but it will be available slightly earlier in the United States, on August 28.
Gamers in European countries, including the United Kingdom, will have to wait until the end of the month to get their hands on the game, as will those in Australia.
A PES 2019 demo game was launched on August 8, allowing fans to get an early feel for what the game will be like.
The demo includes 12 clubs - including Barcelona and Liverpool - and there are three modes available: Exhibition Match, Co-op and Online Quick Match.
How much does PES 2019 cost?
Youtube/pesofficial
The standard PES 2019 game will cost £49.99 (€59.99 / $59.99), while the David Beckham edition will be more expensive at £57.99 (€69.99 / $69.99).
Gamers will have to fork out £64.99 (€79.99 / $79.99) for the Legend edition of PES 2019, making it the most costly of the three options.
| Edition | UK | US | Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | £49.99 | $59.99 | €59.99 |
| David Beckham | £57.99 | $69.99 | €69.99 |
| Legend | £64.99 | $79.99 | €79.99 |
The game can currently be pre-ordered ahead of the official release date and there are incentives for those who do so.
Differences between the three editions of the game are largely discernible through the myClub extras and bonuses on offer.
Standard edition:
- Premium agent x10 weeks
- Three player contract renewals x10 weeks
- Philippe Coutinho loan
- David Beckham 2018 loan
- PES Brazil legend loan (digital pre-order bonus)
- 1000 myClub coins (digital pre-order bonus)
David Beckham edition:
- Premium agent x20 weeks
- Three player contract renewals x20 weeks
- Philippe Coutinho loan
- David Beckham 2018
- PES Brazil legend loan (digital pre-order bonus)
- 1000 myClub coins (digital pre-order bonus)
Legend edition:
- PES Legend
- Premium agent x30 weeks
- Three player contract renewals x30 weeks
- Philippe Coutinho loan
- David Beckham 2018
- PES Brazil legend loan (digital pre-order bonus)
- 1000 myClub coins (digital pre-order bonus)
Who is on the cover?
Konami
Barcelona star Philippe Coutinho stars on the cover of standard edition of PES 2019, meaning that the Catalan giants are represented for the fourth year in a row.
The Brazil international is the latest Barca player to feature on the front of the game following Neymar (PES 2016) and Luis Suarez (PES 2018), while a number of Barcelona players featured on the cover of PES 2017.
"It feels amazing to be the global cover star for #PES2019," the midfielder tweeted in July. "I can't wait to play and feel #ThePowerofFootball!"
As you'd expect for the David Beckham edition, the former England captain is the star attraction, with an image of him taking a free kick dominating the cover. Beckham is also the cover star of the Legend edition.
Konami
As well as Beckham and Coutinho, custom club-specific covers are available for PES 2019, with Konami offering uniquely themed facades for the likes of Liverpool, Celtic, Inter and more.
What consoles is it on?
PES 2019 will only be available to play on PlayStation 4, XBox One and PC. Unlike its predecessor PES 2018, the new game will not be playable on PS3 or XBox 360.
Another platform that the game is not being released on is Nintendo Switch, which means that EA Sports have somewhat of a monopoly on that particular console, since FIFA 19 will follow FIFA 18 onto the portable console.
Konami has actually not released a version of the game on a Nintendo console since PES 2014 came out on the 3DS in 2013.
In July, for anyone considering purchasing the game for PC, Konami confirmed the minimum requirements to play the game, which can be found below.
PES 2019 minimum PC requirements:
| OS | Windows 7 SP1/8.1/10 - 64bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-3470 / AMD FX 4350 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| VGA | NVIDIA GTX 670 / AMD Radeon HD 7870 |
| VRAM | 2GB |
| DirectX | 11.0 |
| Hard Drive Space | 30GB |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 |
What new features are there?
Konami has consistently added improvements to the PES series and they have introduced a spate of new features to the latest intalment.
myClub
The fantasy football trading mode on PES is known as myClub - which is essentially Konami's answer to EA Sports' FIFA Ultimate Team - and there are some alterations in PES 2019.
'Featured Players' are those who receive stat boosts after performing well during a particular week and they could also acquire new skills. Furthermore, signing players will be cheaper in PES 2019 and a new 'Skill Trainer' will be able to augment your players' abilities.
Gameplay
PES 2019 will feature 'Enlighten' software, which will foster a much more realistic user experience for gamers by better depicting natural light effects on the pitch, as well as supporter interaction with the action.
Some fans will be pleased to learn that snowy conditions will return in the edition of the series and it is not just cosmetic - it also has an impact on the game itself.
A host of new skills will be present in PES 2019 too, while 'Visible Fatigue' - the new stamina system - will mean that players are able to clearly demonstrate when they are tired. In an effort to keep the flow of the game intact, quick substitutions will be available, while 'full body touch', which was introduced in PES 2018, has been improved.
Master League
The new game will also see a raft of alterations in Master League mode, with the addition of the International Champions Cup in pre-season, which will allow players to implement certain managerial changes ahead of competitive action.
A news feed has been introduced to Master League in PES 2019, which will show press conferences, milestones, events and more.
What clubs and leagues are in PES 2019?
Konami
Historically, the Pro Evolution Soccer series lagged significantly behind in terms of official licensing, but that has improved remarkably over the course of the past decade.
Indeed, PES 2019 will include a total of nine official leagues from countries such as Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Switzerland, Chile, Scotland, Turkey and Russia, with the Russian Premier League being exclusive to the game.
Of course, the downside is that the game will no longer feature the Champions League, with EA Sports agreeing a deal with UEFA for that particular licence.
However, PES 2019 will include the International Champions Cup, the illustrious pre-season tournament that has seen some of the best clubs in the world take part.
PES 2019 Licensed leagues:
- Argentine Superliga Quilmes Clasica
- Belgian Jupiler Pro League
- Chilean Campeonato Nacional Scotiabank
- Danish Superliga
- Portuguese Liga NOS
- Russian Premier League
- Scottish Ladbrokes Premiership
- Swiss Raiffeisen Super League
- Turkish Spor Toto Super Lig
As well as boasting an array of fully licensed leagues, PES 2019 will also include a smattering of partner clubs from across the globe, with Barcelona perhaps their most famous ally.
Premier League sides such as Arsenal and Liverpool, Bundesliga outfit Schalke and Ligue 1's Monaco are all getting the full treatment too, as will Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers.
However, Konami has confirmed that Borussia Dortmund will no longer be an official partner of the game.
What Legends are in PES 2019?
Iconic players from years gone by continue in PES 2019, with the game's developers vowing to add more big names to their roster of Legends.
Interestingly, two versions of David Beckham will actually be available to use in the game, one from his earlier Manchester United years and one from the present day.
PES 2018 saw the introduction of stars such as Diego Maradona, Paolo Maldini and Johan Cruyff, as well as others such as Ronaldinho, Patrick Vieira and Alessandro Del Piero.
Liverpool are one of Konami's partner clubs, so it is no surprise to see a clutch of Anfield heroes among the game's Legends panel.
Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Ian Rush Steven Gerrard, Kevin Keegan, Steve McManaman and Kenny Dalglish are all included.
More legendary players will be unveiled ahead of the official release.