• ID = PS0963
• STYLE = Soccer
• DEV. = Konami of America, Inc.
• PUB. = Konami of America, Inc.
• R-DATE = Feb-18-2004
• ESRB = E / For Everyone
• PLAYERS = 1-8 players
• LIST PRICE = $39.99
  

The world's most popular soccer game returns to America! With its pure soccer approach, Winning Eleven has become the clear favorite of soccer fans everywhere and is widely regarded as the definitive soccer gaming experience. The series returns to North America with Winning Eleven 7, representing a mammoth step forward over its predecessor. Every element of the game has been tweaked, reworked and enhanced resulting in the most realistic and pure soccer experience available.

• More players, teams, stadiums, crowd effects and strategies.
• The world's most popular real-time soccer simulation.
• All new game engine resulting in the most realistic game in the series.
• 100's of new animations and picture-perfect player models.
• New features for Master League including a new player search engine.
• For 1 to 8 players.

Game Informer Review

This second American title absolutely proves that Winning Eleven 7 is the greatest soccer game in the world. It's not perfect, but it easily bests EA Sports' FIFA.

I love the feeling of control. I can volley pass to a teammate when the ball's in mid-air as soon as I hit the X button. I can intercept an opponent's pass in open space and counter-attack with a roaring run down the flank without worrying whether my player will actually pick up the ball. The game is flexible enough that you can concentrate on being as creative with attacks as you want to be. The new R3 function (last year's manual passing) lets you place the ball with the precision of a Beckham. With some of the deke maneuvers alone, I felt I was wearing Adidas made of silk – and that was just with the normal dribbling! The one gripe I have here is that I wish more of the special moves were centralized on the right analog stick.

I like the CPU's aggressive play in the middle of the field. However, I would like to see more specific styles from the CPU. South Americans should play with their distinctive creative flair instead acting like every other team.

Whether you're a would-be manager who wants unparalleled depth in the control of their squad or a striker with the skills to dominate, this is your game.

Concept:
Keeps the same feeling of freedom while offering more moves and franchise depth.

Graphics:
This game looks extremely sharp, and it runs myriad animations without missing a beat.

Sound:
The announcers are chatty, but it turns repetitive quite quickly.

Playability:
When the ball is in the air, your players respond to your every whim. The timing is perfect.

Entertainment:
Winning Eleven remains the best soccer game there is – period.

Replay: Moderately High
Rated: 9.25 out of 10
Editor: Matthew Kato
Issue: February 2004

2nd Opinion:
Winning Eleven doesn't necessarily have the flashy presentation of FIFA, but on the field it's nearly flawless, and easily the best playing soccer game in recent memory. The finesse of control, intelligence of the players, and strategies that can be applied are truly remarkable. There's a reason why Japan shuts down on the day of this game's release. Hopefully, America will embrace it as well.

Rated: 9.25 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner

Subscribe to Game Informer