Complete history of PES series from 1995 to 2026, analysis of the golden age (PES 5 & 6), reasons for decline against FIFA, and the eFootball 2022 disaster.
Introduction: When Football Was More Real Than Reality
Hello, dear TekinGame Plus community. Today, I want to take you on a nostalgic journey. A journey to an era when hearing the name "PES" made our hearts race. An era when neighborhood kids gathered around a PlayStation and played football until dawn. An era when PES was the undisputed king of digital football, and FIFA was just a distant competitor.
But what happened to make this king fall? How did a game with better gameplay than FIFA end up becoming a free mobile game called eFootball that everyone complains about? This is the story of the rise and fall of one of the most beloved franchises in gaming history. A story full of glory, pride, strategic mistakes, and decisions that caused an empire to crumble.
Why PES Was More Than Just a Game
For those who lived through the 2000s, PES wasn't just a football game. It was a lifestyle. When you went to your friend's house and saw PES 6 running, you knew it was going to be a good night. The sound of Peter Drury's commentary saying "What a goal!" brought a smile to your face. The feel of ball control, realistic physics, and that moment when you scored an incredible goal with Ronaldinho... these were things FIFA couldn't give you.
PES taught us what "simulation" means. This game didn't just want to be entertaining; it wanted to be "real". Every pass, every shot, every dribble had weight. The ball behaved like a physical object, not a pixel stuck to the player's foot.
Chapter One: Birth of a Legend (1995-2001)
Goal Storm and International Superstar Soccer: PES Roots
The PES story begins in 1995. Konami released a football game called "Goal Storm" for the original PlayStation. This game was very simple, but it had something others didn't: "the good feeling of playing". Konami understood that digital football needed accurate physics, not just good graphics.
After Goal Storm came the "International Superstar Soccer" (ISS) series. ISS Pro and ISS Pro Evolution on PlayStation 1 laid the foundations. These games were the first to have a deep tactical system. You could change your team's formation, modify playing strategy, and even customize each player's playing style.
Pro Evolution Soccer (2001): The Real Revolution
In 2001, Konami decided to change the game's name. "Pro Evolution Soccer" was born. PES 1 was released on PlayStation 2 and changed everything. This game had better graphics, smoother animations, and most importantly: gameplay that felt like you were playing real football.
PES 1 had something else that FIFA didn't: "Master League". This career mode had deep storytelling. You started with a weak team (with legendary players like Castolo and Minanda that everyone remembers!) and had to lead your team to championship. This mode was so addictive that some people played Master League for months.
Chapter Two: The Golden Age (2002-2008)
PES 3: The First Masterpiece
PES 3 (2003) was the first version everyone called "perfect". Gameplay was smooth, ball physics were accurate, and the opponent team's AI was truly challenging. This was the first time you felt the opponent team was playing with strategy, not just chasing the ball.
PES 4: Continued Evolution
PES 4 (2004) took everything from PES 3 and made it better. The league system expanded, graphics improved, and most importantly: online mode was added. Now you could play online with friends across town. This was a revolution.
PES 5: Near Perfection
PES 5 (2005) was, in many people's opinion, the best PES version ever. Why? Because it had perfect balance. Not too hard, not too easy. Gameplay was fast but tactical. You could beat a strong team with a weak one, just with skill and strategy. PES 5 proved that "simulation" and "fun" can coexist.
PES 6: The Legend That Never Dies
And now we come to PES 6 (2006). This game is like a sacred religion for our generation. PES 6 had everything:
- Gameplay that some still say is the best in history
- Master League where you could play for years
- "Become a Legend" mode where you could control just one player
- Legendary menu music that still makes us nostalgic
PES 6 was the last version released on PlayStation 2. And perhaps for this reason, many are still loyal to it. This game was a symbol of an era. An era when PES was king and FIFA was just a distant rival.
Why PES 6 Is Still Alive
Today, in 2026, there are still active communities playing PES 6. They release new patches, add new teams, and organize online tournaments. Why? Because PES 6 had something newer versions don't: "soul". This game felt alive, not a cold, soulless simulation.
Chapter Three: The Beginning of the Fall (2008-2014)
PES 2008: The First Big Mistake
When PES 2008 was released, everyone was waiting for a big leap. The new generation of consoles (PS3 and Xbox 360) had arrived, and Konami had to make a stunning game. But what happened? PES 2008 was a disaster.
Graphics were bad, animations stuttered, and worst of all: gameplay didn't have that old feeling. Konami had tried to rewrite the game engine from scratch, but the result was a half-finished game. This was the first time PES fans started to doubt.
FIFA Started to Take the Lead
At the same time, EA Sports was investing heavily in FIFA. FIFA 08 and FIFA 09 with stunning graphics, official licenses for all leagues, and Ultimate Team (FUT) mode which was a money-making machine, were conquering the market.
PES had a big problem: licenses. Teams and players had fake names. Instead of "Manchester United" it said "Man Red". Instead of "Cristiano Ronaldo" it said "Ronaldinho" (not the real Ronaldinho!). This was a big problem for new players who wanted to see their favorite team with real names.
PES 2010-2014: Trying to Come Back
Konami tried to come back with PES 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Every year they promised "this year will be different". Some versions (like PES 2013) were really good and showed there was still hope. But the main problem wasn't solved: Konami couldn't compete with EA's budget and marketing.
FIFA was making billions of dollars with Ultimate Team and reinvesting all that money into the game. PES only had a small team trying to make a game with love and passion. But love alone wasn't enough.
Chapter Four: The Last Attempts (2015-2019)
PES 2015-2017: Fox Engine
Konami decided to make a big gamble. They used the Fox Engine that Hideo Kojima built for Metal Gear Solid V for PES. The result? PES 2015 and 2016 had much better graphics. Player faces were more realistic, stadiums were more beautiful.
But there was a big problem: online. PES servers always had issues. Lag, disconnects, and delays. In a world where FIFA was providing a smooth online experience with powerful servers, PES was still struggling with basic problems.
PES 2018-2019: The Closest Competition
PES 2018 and 2019 were perhaps the last versions that truly competed with FIFA. PES 2019 gameplay was fantastic. Many said it was better than FIFA 19 in terms of physics and feel. But again, the same old problems:
- Limited licenses
- myClub mode (FUT competitor) that never became popular
- Weak marketing
- Smaller community
FIFA was controlling the market with Champions League, Premier League, and hundreds of licensed teams. PES only had a few teams, and you had to add the rest with unofficial patches.
Chapter Five: Death of a Legend (2020-2022)
PES 2020-2021: The Last Traditional Versions
PES 2020 and 2021 were the last versions released in traditional format. These games were good, but nobody expected miracles anymore. Konami announced they were working on a big project. An epic return. A revolution.
Fans got hopeful. Maybe Konami finally invested budget and is making a real next-gen game. Maybe this time everything will be different.
eFootball 2022: The Disaster Nobody Expected
September 2021, Konami released their new game. It wasn't called PES anymore. It was called "eFootball". And it was free. And... it was a complete disaster.
eFootball 2022 with a score of 0.6 out of 10 on Metacritic became the worst game in the site's history. Why?
- Terrible graphics (player faces looked like scary dolls)
- Unbelievable bugs (players jumped off the ground, ball disappeared)
- Very little content (only a few teams and game modes)
- Gameplay that had no resemblance to old PES
PES fans who had been loyal for 20 years felt betrayed. This wasn't PES anymore. This was a mobile game ported to console. Konami had decided instead of making an AAA game, to make a Free-to-Play game that could earn from microtransactions.
Community Reaction: Anger and Despair
The internet exploded. Memes, comedy videos, and harsh reviews. Everyone was telling Konami: what have you done? How could you destroy a legendary franchise like this?
Konami tried to fix the game with updates. And honestly, after a few months, eFootball got a bit better. Bugs decreased, graphics improved, content was added. But it was too late. Trust was lost. The community was scattered. Many had returned to PES 2021 or even PES 6.
Chapter Six: Analysis of the Fall - Why Did PES Lose?
1. The License War
PES's biggest problem was licenses. EA bought all important licenses with big money. Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Champions League. PES only had a few small leagues. For new players who wanted to see their favorite team with real logo and kit, this was a deal-breaker.
2. Weak Marketing
EA spent millions of dollars every year on FIFA advertising. TV commercials, sponsorships, collaborations with YouTubers and streamers. PES? Almost no marketing. Many didn't even know PES was still being released.
3. Ultimate Team: FIFA's Money Machine
FIFA Ultimate Team was a revolution. A game mode where players could build their dream team and buy packs (with real money) to get better players. This mode made billions of dollars for EA. PES tried to compete with myClub, but it never reached FUT's popularity.
4. Online Technical Problems
PES servers always had problems. Lag, disconnects, delays. In a world where online gaming is becoming more and more important, PES couldn't provide an acceptable online experience.
5. Wrong Strategic Decisions
Konami made several big mistakes:
- Changing game engine in PES 2008 without enough preparation
- Not investing enough in online section
- Converting PES to eFootball without enough testing
- Too much focus on mobile market
Chapter Seven: The Future - Is There Hope?
eFootball Today (2024-2026)
eFootball now (2026) has gotten a bit better. Graphics have improved, there's more content, and gameplay is acceptable. But it's still far from old PES games. And more importantly, the community doesn't have that old trust anymore.
Nostalgia and Community Patches
Interestingly, today, the most active PES community has gathered around PES 6 and PES 2021. Patch makers release new patches every year with updated teams and players. This shows that love for PES is still alive, even if Konami itself couldn't continue it.
Lessons We Learned
The PES story is a big lesson for the gaming industry:
1. **Quality alone isn't enough**: PES had better gameplay, but without marketing and licenses, it couldn't survive.
2. **Community matters**: When you lose community trust, it's very hard to get it back.
3. **Innovation is risky**: Converting PES to eFootball was a big risk that failed.
4. **Money talks**: EA with its huge budget managed to conquer the market.
💡 Conclusion: End of an Era, Beginning of a Memory
PES is no longer the king it once was. But its memories never die. For a generation that grew up with PES 5 and 6, this game wasn't just entertainment; it was part of life. Nights we played Master League until dawn, moments we beat our friends with an incredible goal, and that feeling of satisfaction when we made a perfect pass.
Maybe eFootball will never be able to replace PES. Maybe Konami will never be able to bring back that magic. But one thing is certain: PES will live forever in our hearts. And whenever we hear the PES 6 menu sound, a smile comes to our faces and we think of those good days.
Hoping for a day when they make a football game again that has that PES feeling. Until that day, we'll always remember that once upon a time, there was a game that was king. And its name was PES.
**Written by: TekinGame Plus Team**
**Date: February 2026**
Postscript for the New Generation
If you're part of the new generation who only played FIFA and never experienced PES, I have a recommendation: try PES 6 or PES 2021 once. The graphics might look old, but when you start playing, you'll understand why we loved this game so much. Because PES had something no other game had: **soul**.