Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 looks and plays like it wants to be on the bigger consoles and offers an abundance of play modes to keep you occupied months.

 

Before you jump into the game you are invited to create a Friends Card, this holds your details and can be traded after games. There is quite an impressive selection of items to customise your avatar like hair, eyes, mouth and 116 types of beard.

 

 

The game types range from the quickplay Match mode to the hugely addictive Become a Legend. New to PES is the UEFA Champions League, starting you off in group stages with the top two teams going through. The Become a Legend is I suppose the story mode, after selecting your position, look, attributes and special ability you are released onto the leagues. You start as a young up and comer in a little know team and get approached by some teams from your selected league. From here you need to play a tight game and perform well to break out as a pro. At the start of your career expect some time on the bench, just make sure you shine on the pitch as before you know it you will be playing the full 90 minutes. You can play up to the age of 36 if you wish, with many transfer offers and contracts being put on the table throughout your career from local and foreign teams.

 

The action in Become a Legend mode is presented differently than the normal camera angles I am used to on most football games. Rather than a side view you are now looking down the pitch with your players back to you, it does take a little getting used to but makes sense as you can see all the action and make runs with you player. Away from the single player experience you have the Legend mode that allows you to trade and create teams with your friends via ad-hoc.

 

If that is not enough to keep you busy then there is the Cup mode hosting various title matches from around the globe, a league to play in and a Master League in which you manage a team, dealing in areas like youth teams and making contracts with other players and teams.

 

For a handheld the controls are tight, offering a familiar experience for those who have played the home console version. The PSP widescreen is perfectly suited for the football pitch, allowing you to see your players clearly plus unobtrusive radar at the bottom lets you see everyone else. On the Become a Legend mode the screen will zoom in and out of the field with ease, allowing you to see the ball and your player at all times. There is not really much commentary other than rare "he's done it" or "goal!" when you score but the crowd cheers are effective and alter depending on the action on pitch.

 

Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 is the perfect pocket football game that offers hours and hours of playtime. Even the UMD load times that are the bane of the PSP seem to be short and infrequent. A must have title for footy fans.